Starlink Mini

[Bob Cofer]

Got the Starlink Mini yesterday and hooked it up on Puffin. The Wi-Fi router is built in, it operates on 12v and draws about 30 watts. Very simple to setup and connect. It is 11' x 10.5" and weighs a pound or two. For my usage it will be installed on the FB and plugged into a DC outlet when in use and stowed in a drawer when not needed.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

How does it mount to the surface? Can you show some detail from the underside?

And what about the plans? Are you happy with the cost?

 

[Bob Cofer]

• It comes with a kickstand bracket and also a bracket to mount on a pipe, I will take some more photos.
• The plan is a $30 add on to my home service, now my total for both is $150 per month.
• The price of admission seems a bit high at $599 for this system but I will be using it in multiple locations and it makes my wife happy.

 

[huruta]

The cost for those of us who use Starlink as our primary connectivity is $499 equipment + $30/mo for 50GB. I just paid $20 for 5GB with T-mobile for a prepaid hotspot to watch the Stanley cup final 2 games. I think its meant be portable so I'm not sure if there's more to do than a kick stand.

 

[tiltrider1]

My understanding is that you must already have a home plan for $120 a month in order to get the $30 a month add on.

Good deal if you have a home plan. On the other hand it might justify dropping your home provider and switching to starlink at home if it’s costing you $150 on the boat anyway.

 

[tpbrady]

I have pretty much decided not to take the mini offer. The main reason is it would force me to replace the cable in my current boat and RV installation. On the boat since I already have the ethernet adapter, I will have to run a new power cable and new ethernet cable to the mast where the mini would be mounted. I wish they would have just gone with a straight POE connection and not a separate power cable.

Tom

 

[Captain_Michael]

I have Starlink Gen 3. Mounted flat on my pilot house roof. One can purchase a kit made of some plastic substance for the frame, and it has SS brackets holding it to the roof. About $100 depending on the quality (UV and color resistant) of the plastic. Installed flawlessly. Made by a company called Zephyr's Market.

Starlink Dishy Gen2 V2 DIY Flat Mount 3D Printed Enclosure For Campers and RVs

Product Description: Make your life on the road easier with the Starlink Dish Mount for Camper Roofs - a convenient solution designed by Zephyr's Market for hassle-free Starlink setup during your travels. Say goodbye to the daily chore of setting up your Starlink Dishy and enjoy seamless...

zephyrsmarket.com

I need to caulk the edge where it meets the roof, otherwise it is done. Being flat works just fine and is one less thing sticking up to snag something or person. The Starlink works flawlessly.

 

[dhays]

• The price of admission seems a bit high at $599 for this system but I will be using it in multiple locations and it makes my wife happy.

Priceless

 

[dhays]

My understanding is that you must already have a home plan for $120 a month in order to get the $30 a month add on.

Good deal if you have a home plan. On the other hand it might justify dropping your home provider and switching to starlink at home if it’s costing you $150 on the boat anyway.

That was my thought.....

 

[DDW]

Isn't the mobile RV plan $150/month? So you can get a home system for $120, the mobile for $30, and end up with both for the same price?

 

[mvweebles]

Isn't the mobile RV plan $150/month? So you can get a home system for $120, the mobile for $30, and end up with both for the same price?

Early reports were the Mini is throttled at 30 gb per month. Bob/OP - is that correct?

Peter

 

[Bob Cofer]

Early reports were the Mini is throttled at 30 gb per month. Bob/OP - is that correct?

Peter

50gb

 

[Foggy]

You go over that 50GB in a month and it's 1$ per GB overage fee per billing cycle. The Mini may be a good solution if you already have a residential account, and need an extra connection somewhere else - and it does have lower power draw than the regular antennas. Might be a good for on-board security camera, emails and lighter web surfing. If you want to watch 4K TV, you'll be spending more on excess data fees - so it'll all depend on how you use it. It is rumored that the pricing model might change once they roll out more satellites and increase capacity - not sure if that means it'll get any cheaper...

 

[sjisailor]

Now available generally without a home dish, it appears: Starlink Mini drops residential subscriptions and opens up to everyone in the US

 

[tiltrider1]

Looks like you can buy a mini and the Regional Mobile Plan now. This smaller size will be very beneficial for many boats. I suspect the mini will have slower speeds and higher latency but I doubt it will be a noticeable difference. Time will tell.

 

[neworleansrich]

Has anyone used the Mini in the Bahamas with the $30 plan, or do you need to get a regional plan?

 

[tiltrider1]

If you have a residential plan in place you can add a 50gbt mini plan for $30. Otherwise, you will need a Regional Roam plan.

 

[JackConnick]

The Regional data plan costs $150 per month and offers unlimited mobile data. Users, however, will need to pay extra for “ocean or in-motion use.”

So if you want to use it on a boat underway you'll need to pay more. I suspect the plans will all become the same soon...

I just installed a standard dishy with a 12v converter, it does use some juice, but the size of the dish isn't an issue as it's mounted up over the bimini.

Jack

 

[dhays]

So if you want to use it on a boat underway you'll need to pay more. I suspect the plans will all become the same soon...

I just installed a standard dishy with a 12v converter, it does use some juice, but the size of the dish isn't an issue as it's mounted up over the bimini.

Jack

Since I normally am running at 6-7 knots, I'm not sure that it would necessarily be flagged as being "in motion". The Mini may be an option I would consider. Being able to start and stop the service as desired would be a nice feature for the way I tend to use the boat. Also, there may be a way to be able to use it without having to use a "permanent" install.

 

[tiltrider1]

I have never lost connection when traveling at 10kts or less while on Regional Mobile Plan. I did het booted off this week for traveling at 10Kts while still on the Residential Plan.

Now that I have left the dock for the summer I upgraded to the Regional Mobile Plan. I will go back to the Residential Plan in October when I am home for the winter.

 

[dhays]

I have never lost connection when traveling at 10kts or less while on Regional Mobile Plan. I did het booted off this week for traveling at 10Kts while still on the Residential Plan.

Now that I have left the dock for the summer I upgraded to the Regional Mobile Plan. I will go back to the Residential Plan in October when I am home for the winter.

That Mini with a Regional Mobile plan looks pretty good. It will be interesting to see how the Mini ends up working for folks. I could easily come up with a temp install that could be put up and removed as needed.

 

[SteveK]

@tiltrider1
Are moving the dish physically to/from the boat when you change plans. I have considered doing that. Would get a second antenna so only the router needs to be moved.

 

[tiltrider1]

@tiltrider1
Are moving the dish physically to/from the boat when you change plans. I have considered doing that. Would get a second antenna so only the router needs to be moved.

No, I use the boat as an in town condo all winter so I leave starlink active.

 

[Bob Cofer]

I changed the jack on the Starlink cable to one of these. I have the female on Puffins FB and another on my Land Rover and have been moving it to whichever place it's needed.

 

[dhays]

I changed the jack on the Starlink cable to one of these. I have the female on Puffins FB and another on my Land Rover and have been moving it to whichever place it's needed.

I have a similar female in my aft cockpit that was for a 12v chest freezer. It would be very convenient to plug in and run the power up along rails to the boat deck rail to mount the dish. That looks like a great option.

 

[tiltrider1]

I have a spare cable so if I wanted I could take my starlink for a walkabout and just leave the cable in place.

 

[Bob Cofer]

Swinging on the hook near LaConner.

 

[tiltrider1]

While completely adequate it’s a bit slower both on down load and upload than I normally see. Latency is also higher than normal. However, this is only one data point so we can’t say this is going to be the norm for the mini. Thanks for the data point.

 

[DDW]

I just ordered one. An issue I can see is that it apparently has small wires in the power cable, the wall wart supplied with it is 30V or so, that allows them to push enough watts through the cable. If you want to run it on 12V, there is too much loss. Right now it is pretty tough to find a replacement cable, can't get one from Starlink and there are few aftermarket choices (which have the watertight end and any specs at all). A couple on the Star Mount systems site don't eve say how long they are.

 

[Bob Cofer]

It draws 2.5a at 12v (measured) with the snow melt off. My run is about 6' and I have had no issues.