Starlink review and savings

Lets talk about game changers!

Previous setup:

When we started full timing, we purchased a Verizon Wireless hotspot with 100 gb package. We had a higher end cell phone plan so we saved a few bucks, but it seems nothing is as easy as it should be. The ‘router’ in the hotspot was alright, but difficult to keep 3 computers connected at the same time with good speeds. A limited amount of internet access meant everyone had a digital diet. Limited to no MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) gaming. Few video uploads. Most of the bandwidth HAD to be for work or making money.

Reliability was another thing. Speeds suffered at night when people were off work and streaming their videos during their evening routines. A few times during work hours, a tower would just stop working when we were in an OK signal area.

2024 travel season approaching, we finally decided to purchase the Starlink kit in May. Many local stores started carrying the Gen 3 Kit, or it could be ordered from Starlink directly. Our family gets a veteran discount from Home Depot, and they had plenty in stock at a local store. That is where we purchased ours.

Set up:

A quick download of the Starlink app, we put in our billing information and picked the plan. We chose the ROAM plan. For traveling, the ROAM plan allows you to just put the antenna out and turn it on. After it has found the satellites the internet just works. The down side is line of sight. If you can not see the majority of the north sky, you’ll have intermittent service.

Our antenna normally gets set on top of the RV so it is safe from drivers and kids. Our router is in the middle of the rig, and it easily reaches all corners, and many times half a block in any direction. The aluminum frame of the RV does cause some blockage.

If you are off gridding a lot, you will want to unplug it when not in use to keep from a parasitic draw on your batteries.

Use:

We have had all 3 of us using the Starlink at the same time. Kid gaming, mamma on a video call for work, and I was editing and uploading videos. It seamed to handle it well.

The Starlink antenna is how it communicates with the internet. The router allows each device to connect through WiFi or cable connection. We even have our printer connected so we can print wirelessly from any device.

Savings:

The 2 ways we have found to save money are: military discount at Home Depot, and a referral from a friend. As of todays writing, a close HD had both the Gen 3 ($350) or the Mini ($600) [This was straight from their website, I have NO control or guarantee on prices or availability.]

Starlink.com has the same prices on their website with a 30 Day Trial labeled on the bottom of the website.

If you use our referral link, they’ll give you a free month of service, and we’ll get one too! Referral link

Go check out our ‘Saving‘ page to see the memberships and discounts we find.

Problems:

The biggest problem with our Starlink System is obstructions. The campgrounds we like are tree covered for shade, and more nature focused. Trees pose a large obstruction for the Starlink. We have to keep this in mind when choosing our campsites.

Second problem was the cable itself. We apparently broke the original cable when placing it through our slide. We needed the Starlink for our son to complete schooling for the week, so a quick Amazon order got a new cable to us pretty quickly.

One particularly windy night with high wind gusts, our dish actually blew off the top of the trailer, and landed, thankfully, on a slide. I added a piece of rope and tie it to something permanently attached on the roof now.

Our Opinion:

The investment in the hardware is a bit pricy, but it just works in locations we have been to. I think it is a great addition if you will spend any time away from the more populated areas. I would not use this in a household situation unless there were no other high speed internet options available at the address.

Other Things to Consider:

Starlink has been working in motion for many people now. There are some people that are making 3d printed mounts for (almost) permanently mounting the dish on an RV or Vehicle.

There are 12v power sources for the systems now. If you are putting a system into an RV, this may be a useful option.

Many people have put passthrough ports into their rigs to keep from having to put the cable through a slide, window, or door.