I was deep in a valley, very remote in the Pyrenees France, I struggled for years for a decent connection, either my ISP, Orange keeping me dangling for years with promises of fade connections in the future? My neighbours 6 years later are still having problems. Starlink changed my life, it was so fast considering I was barely getting 2G at home. There is Fiber Optic in the village years later, but there are constant power cuts and network outages, so I'm very happy I changed. I did the set up easily myself, (I'm 75) it just stands out in a field beside my house, and all my apps and emails sorted themselves out. Easy Peasy. I would be considering a Mini because of the 12 volt option, as I'm going back in time to get back off grid. Now I would like a new $100 Pi Phone to go with it as I still have connection issues either way my Orange mobile phone. Love Elon Musk.
"...they're not super portable." Hah! I still remember when the $35,000 20-foot (!) parabolic dish systems to get satellite direct into your back yard came out in 1979. "You've come a long way baby!"
About a year ago I actually got a brochure in my mailbox for the HughesNet/DirectWay Satellite Internet Service. I laughed. it was actually boasting about the 'blistering' 25 Mbps speeds they offered. 1. I live in an apartment. 2. I remember in the late 1990s when DirectWay/HughesNet came out. it requires professional installation and has strict data caps. 3. Starlink makes that thing an absolute *relic* , Starlink Mini even more so. Back in the mid 1980s my father actually had a huge 10 foot fiberglass Channel Master C-Band Satellite Dish mounted on a concrete pad. Back then you could get all the channels (like HBO and Showtime) for free.
When you're bored sometime please conduct a field test comparing "portable" -- funny term IMHO for "not in motion" -- performance of Mini vs Gen3 using video meeting or 4K application under less-than-ideal conditions. The consensus is that the larger dish will show better robustness than the Mini, but no one has studied scientifically. You'll get a hundred zillion views. Thanks again, your vids are #1.
I would love to see this test too. Without a battery option this isn't a truly mobile solution unless you have a small diesel generator on wheels you're toting behind you.
@@UberBri BUT you do have a generator on wheels....it is called ALTERNATOR, it's powered by your car engine and have an output between 100 to 240 Amps,depending of your car model.
Wife and I are planning an international trip (32 Days Overlanding Patagonia in their summer) and been toying with Starlink. The moment I show her this, she's going to try and order one. And I'm okay with that.
We have 15$ / month internet and tv service rn. The download speed is 4-500Mbps. The price would need do come down A LOT. At 30-50$ would be attractive no cap
its already destroyed my countries internet. 80k using countries service. over 200k on starlink. its faster and cheaper. funny thing is our gov spent almost 60 billion getting its up. elon has spent less than half that and covers the entire world lol
Do you ever take it camping? If so how would you rate the service? I plan on ordering it so my wife can work from camp and my kids can have their Netflix.
the 12V power option is the real MVP here. I have been delaying doing a DC power mod on my Gen2 dish, and now with everything all in one, its a no brainer. Selling my spare dish now, and ordering one of these! Thanks for the overview!
@@mikefish8226 "Most Valuable Player".. he's referring to the fact that the dish could be run directly from a 12V power source, making it perhaps the most valuable feature of the Mini itself for off-grid.
I have a 12v + 48v POE mod done on my Gen 2 and been using it in my RV for the past 5 weeks and it’s been working great. Less power use then the Gen 3 as well. I wish this dish existed a couple months ago. Would have saved a lot of work modding for 12v
@@schwartzki You regret missing out on Mini even with good Gen 2 experience? Do you set up and break down regularly, or is it a fixed installation? Do you find it bulky to store? I'm leaning toward Mini due to ease of storage in my van, although I need it for work vid meetings and am concerned it's less robust than the biggies. We shall see.
I'd love something like this as backup internet when we lose power. The fact that you can turn it on and off, so you're not getting billed every month, seems to make it so worth it.
This is what we have in rural NC as our only internet. 120$ a month, unlimited data. Have had since January this year, zero lag time or issues since! Well worth looking into and would serve as a great backup as well!
@@ryanhorn4190quick help guide on how to lower its cost from $150 to $75. Buy one in Mexico and activate it and bring it over to the US. In México the same starlink service is only $75 vs $150.
YES QUITE EXPENSIVE TO USE ONLY WHEN YOU LOOSE POWER BUT IF YOU DONT HAVE A GAS GENERATOR YOU AINT GOT NO RECEPTION SO NOW YOU ARE INVESTED FOR AROUND 5 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND IT WONT WORK IN WINTER WHEN IT SNOWS
Oh man, this looks so good! I’m a long-haul trucker and I just got the GEN two a month or so ago I wish I would’ve waited a little lol I don’t think I’m gonna be able to resist buying this.
I’m a trucker myself and just ordered the standard dish for $299 plus $25 off at Home Depot after applying for their card. How do you have yours mounted? I’m going to get a mount to mount it on back of sleeper level with top of truck for max coverage. I was considering the mini but will try the standard since it’s a good deal since the mini came out.
@@mkrisch1986 I put mine on the hood of my truck and just make sure when I park I’m facing North and I get perfect coverage. Just remember when mounting to consider you will need to be able to maually adjust it to get the right angel unless your able to mount it flat so its facing straight up then you should be alright.
@@XGiveMeLibertyX thanks for the heads up. I’m getting rid of my T-Mobile Home Internet 5G that i pay $50 for a month for the $50 plan of 50GB with better coverage with Starlink. How do you love it so far?
I am going to setup POE+ next week for my Mini when it and all the other parts arrive. The Mini will run on 12-48VDC, so I am going to use a 12-48VDC converter for the POE injector. Amazon has the POE injector, splitter and USB-C/ barrel jack cable for the splitter and the DC converter available for purchase. I want to run wired ethernet into my RV trailer WiFi router and disable the Mini internal router. I also have an IP67 feedthrough coupler that I am running through the trailer wall for a simpler one cable setup. I will find out how the setup works soon.
So far I have not been successful at powering the Mini with POE. The Mini is dropping out from power surges. I am using a YAOSHENG 200W POE injector and a HYN@NET POE splitter. I believe the splitter is not up to the task. I am going to replace the splitter with another one that may be up to the task. The installation is clean. I used a CAT6 bulkhead connector through the ttrailer. The internet connection to my router works fine when conventionally powered.
@@marksterling8286 The injector is 48VDC. I am trying another splitter that steps down to 24VDC. The Mini power adapter is 28VDC. I am hoping to have better luck with this different splitter. Technically, PoE should be work.
Thanks for a very informative video. We bought a Mini today, for camping in some fairly remote areas in northern Florida this winter. I also have a Ecoflow Delta 2 that will be used to power the Mini dish and a 800 watt inverter generator to charge both of my Ecoflow battaries during the day. We just need unlimited data for working remotely and streaming movies at night. Thanks you for a great job explaining how this gizmo works.
I use the standard gen 2 Starlink at home and always take is camping. I love it. I have a Tesla model Y also. I have solar-I paid $71 to run my house, heat and cool my house and charge my model y for 1 year. Both are awesome . The technology is amazing. Geeks go nuts over this.
@@beavismcdeavis142it depends on your usage. If you have a high bill every month it’s worth it. If you aren’t home a lot then you probably won’t need one. My electric bill can go as low as $20 a month up to $90 a month for a four bedroom with energy efficient windows. The thing you need to understand is that after you pay off your solar panel system off. You are done. You just pay your very small electric bill.
So you powered it with the AC adapter, how does the DC power option work? I would have liked to see a short little section of the video about using just DC power.
thanks for the video - I just ordered one for home internet backup (the $50 per month subscription) and for occasional travel. I plan to connect it to the backup port on my Ubiquity USG-Pro-4 router. My primary internet is free as I host a fixed wireless relay service around my home, I live on top of a mountain with line of sight to many homes. This year we have experienced a number if internet outages (lightning related) impacting my work so it will be worth having this as a backup at fairly minimal cost not to mention the fun of setting it up and running an ethernet cable to my router for seamless backup ability as my home is fully networked with multiple ubiquity access points.
Picked one up for my partner who's a pipeline surveyor and he loves it, several of our friends are going to get one too. Can't wait for the 12v option to come out. Wish the data plan was a bit better but even paying the overage amount has been cheaper than the full unlimited plan.
THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES AND IF THEY LIVE WHERE ITS SUNNY 80% OF THE TIME OK SO ITS FOR A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE I GET FIBER INTERNET FOR 50 DOLLARS PER MONTH , NOTHING TO BUY
We had a large forest fire knock out the electrical infrastructure where I live for 2 weeks, which means no internet. The starlink mini I bought for travel was a game changer for me.
I understand that a negative for the mini for rv’ers is that it puts your antenna up to 50 feet away from the inside of your rv, sometimes making it difficult to maintain contact, and limiting how far you can go from your rv in search of clear sky. Alternatively, the standard gives you 150’ of cable to broaden your search, and your antenna remains in the rv with you. So I would think for camping, the mini would be the way to go, as for RVing , the standard would be better? Your thoughts? Thanks!
Quick question, I'm really intrested in getting the standard starlink g3. I live in france in a really remote area and I always wanted a better internet. My question is, can I take my whole installation and just go to another country where it's avalaible and will it still work?
Extremely Helpful. Opening a new business & Love the Flexibility of the Mini PLUS ability to “HIDE” it (small size really helps- Obviously!) Thank You. The Cable Lengths & AVAILABILITY of those is THE elephant in the room. Hoping their “release” of those accessories aligns with our time frame. Btw. We are already Starlink users (@home) & Love it. Even during extreme weather events (South West Florida!!!) Damn thing JUST WORKS !!
Welp, I just ordered one based off your review. I’m not even in the country but I think it will make a better backup internet connection than my LTE modem. Especially if there is a prolonged power outage because the mobile data networks always get very congested and slow during those times.
Australian here. I was in remote Tanzania near the DR Congo border and Lake Tanganyika in 2011 and was using an expensive satellite Internet setup with expensive data cost. But it was still worth the outlay for the geoexploration company. But Starlink would have been fantastic - especially for mobile use.
Life-changing! I didn’t know Starlink had a consumer Terra product line only space satellites. What model of EcoFlow Delta did you use? I didn’t see a front AC plug on unit but some models have them on the back? Expensive models look to have front AC but don’t need that. Great video.
I'd be more than happy with a 138/16Mbps connection in the middle of nowhere, where LTE or 5G aren't available or where the signal is too weak What a time to be alive! I'm impressed... we've come a long way since the days I used my old 14.4Kbps modem, in the early 90s
I haven't read all of the comments (or finished watching the video for that matter), but want to add a few comments from my personal experience. First, feeding it directly with 12 volts works if I use 12 gauge wire to the panel, and a very short jumper into the panel. But feeding it over the provided 15 meter cable has too much voltage drop. I'll build a short "jumper" for direct 12volt use. I saw someplace that if you used the ethernet adapter you lost the built in wifi. Not true, both work in parallel just like other versions of the panel. You can bypass the internal router if desired, but you can also use both the wifi and ethernet at the same time if you want. What made me pull the trigger on this are the new plans, so I'm changing my version 2 Starlink to the mini roam plan, and putting the mini on the same mini roam plan. Then I'll suspend one or the other alternately to keep both available with a net recurring cost 1/3 of what I was paying for the residential plan. Last comment is on the ethernet port. If you use a regular RJ45, the clip to release it is seated very deep inside the connector on the panel, and you'll need something to slide in there to release it to get the connector loose. Best to use the Starlink ethernet cable (extra cost) both for the water proofing, and ability to disconnect.
Ahhh - A fellow Ghost Town Living fan! I didn't consider that he was connecting with Starlink, but of course that would make sense up in the mountains. Love the show!
I walk about 400 yards from my car to my tree stand for hunting. Is this going to work with my phone when I get to my tree when set up by car? Also, does it always have to be plugged in to battery source, or does it have a battery life of its own?
This is perfect for Venezuelan people. My family is always being cut off because of the spotty internet and power outages. I just bought them a 6hr battery so my sil can continue online classes. I hope it becomes the tool of rebellion against totalitarianism.
So how do all the people around the world afford this? This plan (not to mention the dish) is more expensive than my current unlimited internet plan. I get it's great if you're on the move and all, but that seems to be a small market. I thought Starlink was to provide internet to the entire world? At these prices, it doesn't seem like it's made for anyone other than van-livers, RV owners and people in the middle of nowhere.
@@SativaVertein germany the unlimited plan is 78 Dollar (72€) and the 50gb around 46 Dollar (40€) with Internet Speeds better than Most Providers and still cheaper
I am an RVer and am considering this unit. I would also need to use a system in my home for my security cameras and other smart tools. What is the router range of the residential unit and the mini? I have a camera about 100 feet from my home router as well as network extenders for longer distances. Also necessary for this is its ability to pass through objects such as metal pole buildings as well as standard home interior and exterior walls? This was a very informative video, thank you.
all i know is when we went camping we had a friend that had star link... and it was cool when it worked. but most the time it couldn't get a signal in the heavily treed area. and if clouds were around it seemed to be 50% working as well.
I'm going to have a similar setup. I'm going to power the Starlink Mini with my EcoFlow Delta Mini. Is the power cord a USB C? Does it work if you plug directly into the ecoflow usb port or does it require a minimum of 12 volts? EDIT: I received my Starlink Mini the other day and now I see it doesn't have a USB-C cable as I had previously thought. However, the 5521 barrel connector plugs directly into my EcoFlow Delta Mini. Sadly it doesn't power up. I believe this is due to voltage drop, since the supplied cable is 15'. I haven't had a chance to test this theory, but it makes the most sense.
As the antenna size keeps getting smaller, we have a front row seat to some significant industry disruption. Cellular communication has serious limitations in coverage as soon as you move away from populated areas and major highways. Then there's the regional limitations with traveling outside your plan's home area. Affordable International satellite phone coverage is just over the horizon.
Was just talking with someone about this a few days ago. Loving what I'm already able to do with my Mini, and was just imagining a future with perhaps a cell-phone sized device that, while perhaps not as robust as the Mini in terms of download speeds, would still let you get a connection for some basic things.
Hello I’m an ITSS on one of the Federal teams that worked on complex incidents in Oregon and California. My last assignment we were using over 30 Starlinks , mostly for the operations section so Chiefs could have instant communications , huge difference from our past. Always looking for that new technology to support our mission. Thank you for your videos!! I also using the Ubiquiti equipment for personal and on the complex incidents ..
The mini is so much better. It’s basically not locking you in to $150, but if you do reach that, it’s the same price. And then only $1 per gb more. Not bad at all. For many travelers, Starlink is a backup, but it’s nice to know you’re not screwed if you’re boondocking for extended periods of time without service. As someone who usually spends 2-5 days a month without signal, it’s ideal. 5 days a month I can watch a long movie everyday and still have plenty left over. The only travelers who will still get the original are the gamers and couch potatoes lol Thanks for the vid man!
Two questions that weren't covered. First, does the Phone application require a cellular connection to run, or is it only connecting with the Starlink? I've had troubles getting the app to run an obstruction test where I'm at. Second, is there any differences between the mini and other Starlink antennas in regards to finding and connecting to the satellites, or managing obstructions? It seems like there would be lesser performance from a smaller antenna than a larger one.
I have a Starlink Gen 3 and it is amazing!!! I do travel and use it often when it remote areas. It is a complete game changer... I would love to have a mini. Maybe I will swap out the Gen 3 when the mini v2 comes out. I absolutely love having no contract and being able to pause my service when it is not needed. Most people commenting here must live in the burbs or a city.. Most rural places are still without reliable high-speed internet and the satellite services that are available are crap. Starlink is amazing and getting better every day.
Wouldn't it be awesome if everyone needing a Starlink system said yes, and followed through on getting it done, mine will be here this week, oh so happy to be setting it up 😅
Thank you for your great interest in helping others. I want to know what happened to the old tutorials, especially the ubiquity ones with Kevin Houser, thank you.
I am using a gen 2 on my sailboat, I have had it for almost 3 years. Wondering if mini has any difference from gen 3 or 2 in terms of its accessibility to the satellites etc?
The Mini is getting really close to where I'd buy one. We don't travel a ton so I can't justify $600. But if it were closer to $300, I could see getting one for our road trips and vacations just to help keep the kids occupied.
I still have an old beta Gen 1 dish on my house, it's not used as we have access to 2 fiber companies down my road now. I interviewed for a job in the mountains with no cell service and for the $50/m price I would mount this to my vehicle so I could be connected half my drive, but I don't think I got that job haha. Hit me up if you need a remote software dev or IT guru.
Can this be used inside the house, for example, as a back up, if the weather is rainy and windy outside, and you have nowhere to attach this outside to the house?
Can it be plugged into an existing router, so that the StarLink Mini connects to an existing Router and the Router's connections all still function, i.e. the internal intranet? As in replacing the hybrid-fiber cable broad band with Starlink Mini. So far it seems pretty good, except the overall pricing.
Hello , new to the installation of Star Link. once inside the residence, wireless connection with 2 computers and a tv set, wireless connection, what Router should i use carry the signal without loss to the computers and TV. The add on of additional electronic can slow down the up & Down loads , am i correct.
@@tomcurran8470 Also in the NC foothills. We had NO cell service or internet for 10 days…If we had an emergency and needed med help IDK what we would have done. Scary!
Hey, I grew up in Northern California. That fence of yours looks strikingly familiar. I’m in Texas now, but those little things that remind me of home are kind of cool. Even the landscape and stucco exterior of the neighbors house says Sacramento to Chico maybe. Please let me know if I’m in the neighborhood.
The mini with the striker mount should not be left out unattended, especially when someone is cooking... Very high probability of that thing getting used as chopping board 😅 Great review as always! :)
I have a friend in Mexico who is very happy with his Starlink. But these are good only as long as the satellites are available. When everything goes down, wireless radio on battery will still be there.
Such a huge win for RV users and boaters. However for many the reduced cost of the standard will be very attractive. As long as you are on an elec service (not solar/generator) that $400 will pay for a LOT of electric. And I believe it will still have a better service.
I agree! But with the USB-C to Barrel connector coming to the Starlink store, that's not too far out of reach. There are PoE+/PoE++ to USB-C converters available.
@@CrosstalkSolutions Give it time, Ubiquiti will have an "anywhere" access point that has Starlink built in. I imagine they could compact it even more and make up for some shortcomings with DSP amps and such. 100Mbps downlink that works anywhere would be great. That could power 1000s of iOT devices where no cellular is available, for example. There are commercial solutions (eg. O3B) but carry enterprise price tags too.
While the ethernet jack on the Mini doesn't support POE itself, you can still use a third party injector and splitter setup to 1) push power from the source end over ethernet, and then split it back out again at the dish to run the power to the barrel port and ethernet to the RJ-45 jack. That should, theoretically, allow you to use a single cable (ethernet) setup from your source to the dish.
Wow, I never thought that Starlink internet was so expensive. I pay $4.50 a month for unlimited internet at home. Internet access in Russia is very cheap)
The 50 GB limit is if you purchase the mini plan. You can get residential roam and there is no cap I just bought the mini dish along with the residential roam plan...no caps
I just got the new standard and installed yesterday. My first home Internet. I’ve only watched some RUclips videos on it so far, but it seems to work OK. I did a speed test, but don’t recall or know what the numbers mean now I’m wondering if I should’ve got the actuated version, I didn’t know.
Don't use BT whatever you do. We had a 24 month contract with them. After a couple of months We were late for two payments and so they canceled our contract and charged us for the full 2 years plus penalties. It cost us over £2000 and we lost the service. This clause is hidden in BTs commercial contracts. So if you are a business or sole trader don't use BT as they will Rip you off. Good luck.
no matter how good or how fast it is, i will never get starlink, or any other product from elon's companies, simply because he supports the klump. seriously, how can a convicted criminal even be allowed to run for president?
It if makes you feel any better, there are probably people who work for Starlink who do not support Trump. If you base your purchasing decisions on a CEO's politics, you may find that you will shortchange yourself because you will exclude products and services not based on their merits, but on one person's opinions. As for what Trump was convicted of, he was convicted because he paid an adult video star money for her not to publicly disclose their consensual romantic relationship. The money that he paid belonged to him; he did not steal the money. For such a thing to be considered a crime, let alone a felony, indicates a severe problem with the court system.
Great review, thanks for sharing. So if I follow you correctly, the wireless router is contained in the mini dish its self? It looks like a handy piece of equipment to have. I could take that with me out to my grandparents farm in the country. The price, however, is pretty awful unless you did catch a sale or something.
I've heard that Starlink has gone in the marine area, and something I've been waiting for not so much for internet connectivity but for access to weather, plus payment plans for when outside the US coastal waters. Thanks for the great video.
I was deep in a valley, very remote in the Pyrenees France, I struggled for years for a decent connection, either my ISP, Orange keeping me dangling for years with promises of fade connections in the future? My neighbours 6 years later are still having problems. Starlink changed my life, it was so fast considering I was barely getting 2G at home. There is Fiber Optic in the village years later, but there are constant power cuts and network outages, so I'm very happy I changed. I did the set up easily myself, (I'm 75) it just stands out in a field beside my house, and all my apps and emails sorted themselves out. Easy Peasy. I would be considering a Mini because of the 12 volt option, as I'm going back in time to get back off grid. Now I would like a new $100 Pi Phone to go with it as I still have connection issues either way my Orange mobile phone. Love Elon Musk.
The mini doesnt go through walls
You are amazing! Thanks for sharing your story!
"...they're not super portable." Hah! I still remember when the $35,000 20-foot (!) parabolic dish systems to get satellite direct into your back yard came out in 1979. "You've come a long way baby!"
About a year ago I actually got a brochure in my mailbox for the HughesNet/DirectWay Satellite Internet Service.
I laughed. it was actually boasting about the 'blistering' 25 Mbps speeds they offered.
1. I live in an apartment.
2. I remember in the late 1990s when DirectWay/HughesNet came out. it requires professional installation and has strict data caps.
3. Starlink makes that thing an absolute *relic* , Starlink Mini even more so.
Back in the mid 1980s my father actually had a huge 10 foot fiberglass Channel Master C-Band Satellite Dish mounted on a concrete pad. Back then you could get all the channels (like HBO and Showtime) for free.
I used to have a boss who had two in his yard!
I remember cutting mine down 20 years ago when we bought our house. The pipe is still buried in the ground.
There's one in the backyard of a house in my area. Do they still work?
When you're bored sometime please conduct a field test comparing "portable" -- funny term IMHO for "not in motion" -- performance of Mini vs Gen3 using video meeting or 4K application under less-than-ideal conditions. The consensus is that the larger dish will show better robustness than the Mini, but no one has studied scientifically. You'll get a hundred zillion views. Thanks again, your vids are #1.
I would love to see this test too. Without a battery option this isn't a truly mobile solution unless you have a small diesel generator on wheels you're toting behind you.
You don't wheel a generator at your heels? What if the zombies attack?
@@3genac Exactly!!!
@@UberBri BUT you do have a generator on wheels....it is called ALTERNATOR, it's powered by your car engine and have an output between 100 to 240 Amps,depending of your car model.
A hundred zillion views?? If I've told you once, I've told you a million billion times - don't exaggerate.
Wife and I are planning an international trip (32 Days Overlanding Patagonia in their summer) and been toying with Starlink. The moment I show her this, she's going to try and order one. And I'm okay with that.
How to find a wife? 😢
The new one works fine in the outback caked with red sand so it should do fine in patagonia ;)
@@fishnsteve getting married is very very easy, getting rid of her is the hard part.
@@shayson1357 If not ask Scott Peterson :(
@@fishnsteve Go overseas bud!
Man soon as those monthly prices come down, Starlink will put every other provider out of business immediately.
Or force them to lower their prices.
We have 15$ / month internet and tv service rn. The download speed is 4-500Mbps. The price would need do come down A LOT.
At 30-50$ would be attractive no cap
One can only hope
its already destroyed my countries internet. 80k using countries service. over 200k on starlink. its faster and cheaper. funny thing is our gov spent almost 60 billion getting its up. elon has spent less than half that and covers the entire world lol
No it won’t, because satellite internet is still inferior to cable and fiber.
I love the Mini. It goes with us on our travels, and is stationary at home as our backup if our Fiber goes down.
Do you ever take it camping? If so how would you rate the service? I plan on ordering it so my wife can work from camp and my kids can have their Netflix.
I am also wondering how well the speeds work for streaming while camping. How has it been for you?
the 12V power option is the real MVP here. I have been delaying doing a DC power mod on my Gen2 dish, and now with everything all in one, its a no brainer. Selling my spare dish now, and ordering one of these! Thanks for the overview!
Agreed.
Where'd you find a USB cable? How long, how terminated? Weatherproof? Thx.
@@mikefish8226 "Most Valuable Player".. he's referring to the fact that the dish could be run directly from a 12V power source, making it perhaps the most valuable feature of the Mini itself for off-grid.
I have a 12v + 48v POE mod done on my Gen 2 and been using it in my RV for the past 5 weeks and it’s been working great. Less power use then the Gen 3 as well. I wish this dish existed a couple months ago. Would have saved a lot of work modding for 12v
@@schwartzki You regret missing out on Mini even with good Gen 2 experience? Do you set up and break down regularly, or is it a fixed installation? Do you find it bulky to store? I'm leaning toward Mini due to ease of storage in my van, although I need it for work vid meetings and am concerned it's less robust than the biggies. We shall see.
I'd love something like this as backup internet when we lose power. The fact that you can turn it on and off, so you're not getting billed every month, seems to make it so worth it.
This is what we have in rural NC as our only internet. 120$ a month, unlimited data. Have had since January this year, zero lag time or issues since! Well worth looking into and would serve as a great backup as well!
Absolutely good!
@@ryanhorn4190quick help guide on how to lower its cost from $150 to $75. Buy one in Mexico and activate it and bring it over to the US. In México the same starlink service is only $75 vs $150.
@@ryanhorn4190hope you are safe, bro
YES QUITE EXPENSIVE TO USE ONLY WHEN YOU LOOSE POWER BUT IF YOU DONT HAVE A GAS GENERATOR YOU AINT GOT NO RECEPTION SO NOW YOU ARE INVESTED FOR AROUND 5 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND IT WONT WORK IN WINTER WHEN IT SNOWS
Always the first video's with new Starlink hardware that pop up in my feed. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date!
How does it perform gaming? High ping?
Oh man, this looks so good! I’m a long-haul trucker and I just got the GEN two a month or so ago I wish I would’ve waited a little lol I don’t think I’m gonna be able to resist buying this.
I’m a trucker myself and just ordered the standard dish for $299 plus $25 off at Home Depot after applying for their card. How do you have yours mounted? I’m going to get a mount to mount it on back of sleeper level with top of truck for max coverage. I was considering the mini but will try the standard since it’s a good deal since the mini came out.
@@mkrisch1986 I put mine on the hood of my truck and just make sure when I park I’m facing North and I get perfect coverage. Just remember when mounting to consider you will need to be able to maually adjust it to get the right angel unless your able to mount it flat so its facing straight up then you should be alright.
@@XGiveMeLibertyX thanks for the heads up. I’m getting rid of my T-Mobile Home Internet 5G that i pay $50 for a month for the $50 plan of 50GB with better coverage with Starlink. How do you love it so far?
With a fiberglass sleeper you can mount it inside , the fiberglass is invisible to the radio signal...
I am going to setup POE+ next week for my Mini when it and all the other parts arrive. The Mini will run on 12-48VDC, so I am going to use a 12-48VDC converter for the POE injector. Amazon has the POE injector, splitter and USB-C/ barrel jack cable for the splitter and the DC converter available for purchase. I want to run wired ethernet into my RV trailer WiFi router and disable the Mini internal router. I also have an IP67 feedthrough coupler that I am running through the trailer wall for a simpler one cable setup. I will find out how the setup works soon.
Would love to hear your results! This would be a lot nicer than having to run two cables (power and ethernet) from the source to the dish.
I was curious to know if it in fact was able to be powered over POE+
So far I have not been successful at powering the Mini with POE. The Mini is dropping out from power surges. I am using a YAOSHENG 200W POE injector and a HYN@NET POE splitter. I believe the splitter is not up to the task. I am going to replace the splitter with another one that may be up to the task. The installation is clean. I used a CAT6 bulkhead connector through the ttrailer. The internet connection to my router works fine when conventionally powered.
It would have been great to just connect with the rj45 and use the Poe without a splitter. When I heard that 48 volts I thought immediately about Poe,
@@marksterling8286 The injector is 48VDC. I am trying another splitter that steps down to 24VDC. The Mini power adapter is 28VDC. I am hoping to have better luck with this different splitter. Technically, PoE should be work.
This is by far the best review and test of the Mini I’ve seen. 🏆
He kept his cellular data on while he did the speed test….
Thanks for a very informative video. We bought a Mini today, for camping in some fairly remote areas in northern Florida this winter. I also have a Ecoflow Delta 2 that will be used to power the Mini dish and a 800 watt inverter generator to charge both of my Ecoflow battaries during the day. We just need unlimited data for working remotely and streaming movies at night. Thanks you for a great job explaining how this gizmo works.
I use the standard gen 2 Starlink at home and always take is camping. I love it. I have a Tesla model Y also. I have solar-I paid $71 to run my house, heat and cool my house and charge my model y for 1 year. Both are awesome . The technology is amazing. Geeks go nuts over this.
Thats amazing! Whats your square footage?
Non review. Still over priced
How much did you pay for a Tesla and the solar panels? Probably more than I’ll pay for an electric bill the rest of my life😂
@@beavismcdeavis142it depends on your usage.
If you have a high bill every month it’s worth it. If you aren’t home a lot then you probably won’t need one.
My electric bill can go as low as $20 a month up to $90 a month for a four bedroom with energy efficient windows.
The thing you need to understand is that after you pay off your solar panel system off. You are done. You just pay your very small electric bill.
So you powered it with the AC adapter, how does the DC power option work? I would have liked to see a short little section of the video about using just DC power.
thanks for the video - I just ordered one for home internet backup (the $50 per month subscription) and for occasional travel. I plan to connect it to the backup port on my Ubiquity USG-Pro-4 router.
My primary internet is free as I host a fixed wireless relay service around my home, I live on top of a mountain with line of sight to many homes. This year we have experienced a number if internet outages (lightning related) impacting my work so it will be worth having this as a backup at fairly minimal cost not to mention the fun of setting it up and running an ethernet cable to my router for seamless backup ability as my home is fully networked with multiple ubiquity access points.
Thank you for presenting the starlink mini, i was really curious about it and your video just poped up and explained everything. Nicely done.👍
Live in rural area and struggle with internet. I will have to check this out
I loved the day we got our Starlink dish for $120 months because our other options were Hugh’s net! 🥵
I equally loved the day fiber became available.
Picked one up for my partner who's a pipeline surveyor and he loves it, several of our friends are going to get one too. Can't wait for the 12v option to come out. Wish the data plan was a bit better but even paying the overage amount has been cheaper than the full unlimited plan.
You can use 12v or usb c right now. Just have to find fitting parts yourself.
The best Starlink reviews on the entire RUclips - amazing job!
I don't care what the haters say, Starlink is a game changer for those that don't have access to internet. BZ to Elon
THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES AND IF THEY LIVE WHERE ITS SUNNY 80% OF THE TIME OK SO ITS FOR A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE I GET FIBER INTERNET FOR 50 DOLLARS PER MONTH , NOTHING TO BUY
100% RECPTION EVEN WHEN IT SNOWS WHICH IN CANADA IS 5 MONTHS A YEAR
We had a large forest fire knock out the electrical infrastructure where I live for 2 weeks, which means no internet. The starlink mini I bought for travel was a game changer for me.
@art333-dg8dd why are you yelling? And how do you use fiber optics on the road?
I understand that a negative for the mini for rv’ers is that it puts your antenna up to 50 feet away from the inside of your rv, sometimes making it difficult to maintain contact, and limiting how far you can go from your rv in search of clear sky. Alternatively, the standard gives you 150’ of cable to broaden your search, and your antenna remains in the rv with you. So I would think for camping, the mini would be the way to go, as for RVing , the standard would be better?
Your thoughts? Thanks!
Quick question, I'm really intrested in getting the standard starlink g3. I live in france in a really remote area and I always wanted a better internet. My question is, can I take my whole installation and just go to another country where it's avalaible and will it still work?
Extremely Helpful. Opening a new business & Love the Flexibility of the Mini PLUS ability to “HIDE” it (small size really helps- Obviously!)
Thank You.
The Cable Lengths & AVAILABILITY of those is THE elephant in the room. Hoping their “release” of those accessories aligns with our time frame.
Btw. We are already Starlink users (@home) & Love it. Even during extreme weather events (South West Florida!!!)
Damn thing JUST WORKS !!
Welp, I just ordered one based off your review. I’m not even in the country but I think it will make a better backup internet connection than my LTE modem. Especially if there is a prolonged power outage because the mobile data networks always get very congested and slow during those times.
Australian here. I was in remote Tanzania near the DR Congo border and Lake Tanganyika in 2011 and was using an expensive satellite Internet setup with expensive data cost. But it was still worth the outlay for the geoexploration company. But Starlink would have been fantastic - especially for mobile use.
Could you set this up at a window or does it need to go outside
Life-changing! I didn’t know Starlink had a consumer Terra product line only space satellites. What model of EcoFlow Delta did you use? I didn’t see a front AC plug on unit but some models have them on the back? Expensive models look to have front AC but don’t need that. Great video.
I'd be more than happy with a 138/16Mbps connection in the middle of nowhere, where LTE or 5G aren't available or where the signal is too weak
What a time to be alive! I'm impressed... we've come a long way since the days I used my old 14.4Kbps modem, in the early 90s
I haven't read all of the comments (or finished watching the video for that matter), but want to add a few comments from my personal experience. First, feeding it directly with 12 volts works if I use 12 gauge wire to the panel, and a very short jumper into the panel. But feeding it over the provided 15 meter cable has too much voltage drop. I'll build a short "jumper" for direct 12volt use. I saw someplace that if you used the ethernet adapter you lost the built in wifi. Not true, both work in parallel just like other versions of the panel. You can bypass the internal router if desired, but you can also use both the wifi and ethernet at the same time if you want. What made me pull the trigger on this are the new plans, so I'm changing my version 2 Starlink to the mini roam plan, and putting the mini on the same mini roam plan. Then I'll suspend one or the other alternately to keep both available with a net recurring cost 1/3 of what I was paying for the residential plan. Last comment is on the ethernet port. If you use a regular RJ45, the clip to release it is seated very deep inside the connector on the panel, and you'll need something to slide in there to release it to get the connector loose. Best to use the Starlink ethernet cable (extra cost) both for the water proofing, and ability to disconnect.
Been watching Brent build Cerro Gordo back up for years! SpaceX is an awesome Musk company.
Ahhh - A fellow Ghost Town Living fan! I didn't consider that he was connecting with Starlink, but of course that would make sense up in the mountains. Love the show!
I walk about 400 yards from my car to my tree stand for hunting. Is this going to work with my phone when I get to my tree when set up by car? Also, does it always have to be plugged in to battery source, or does it have a battery life of its own?
This is perfect for Venezuelan people. My family is always being cut off because of the spotty internet and power outages. I just bought them a 6hr battery so my sil can continue online classes. I hope it becomes the tool of rebellion against totalitarianism.
Yeah for you
So how do all the people around the world afford this? This plan (not to mention the dish) is more expensive than my current unlimited internet plan. I get it's great if you're on the move and all, but that seems to be a small market. I thought Starlink was to provide internet to the entire world? At these prices, it doesn't seem like it's made for anyone other than van-livers, RV owners and people in the middle of nowhere.
In Costa Rica the price is $45 for unlimited data.
Yea it should be a device fee and free internet after that
@@SativaVertein germany the unlimited plan is 78 Dollar (72€) and the 50gb around 46 Dollar (40€) with Internet Speeds better than Most Providers and still cheaper
@@SativaVerte Yeah they should just invest billions and go bankrupt due to no service fee. Great idea.
I am an RVer and am considering this unit. I would also need to use a system in my home for my security cameras and other smart tools. What is the router range of the residential unit and the mini? I have a camera about 100 feet from my home router as well as network extenders for longer distances. Also necessary for this is its ability to pass through objects such as metal pole buildings as well as standard home interior and exterior walls?
This was a very informative video, thank you.
I'd love to see SpaceX offer a fixed location, data cap plan for backup internet.
You don't have to aim it precisely? Just aim it in a general direction?
That's how a review should be. Great Work!
all i know is when we went camping we had a friend that had star link... and it was cool when it worked. but most the time it couldn't get a signal in the heavily treed area. and if clouds were around it seemed to be 50% working as well.
If it doubled as a solar panel that could power its self, that would be ace.
and 0 monthly rates would be even more ace
Patent your idea and sell it
@@medianopol 🤣
Would be cool but unreliable.
@@emaram4982 patent is basically 10k USD
I'm going to have a similar setup. I'm going to power the Starlink Mini with my EcoFlow Delta Mini. Is the power cord a USB C? Does it work if you plug directly into the ecoflow usb port or does it require a minimum of 12 volts?
EDIT: I received my Starlink Mini the other day and now I see it doesn't have a USB-C cable as I had previously thought. However, the 5521 barrel connector plugs directly into my EcoFlow Delta Mini. Sadly it doesn't power up. I believe this is due to voltage drop, since the supplied cable is 15'. I haven't had a chance to test this theory, but it makes the most sense.
As the antenna size keeps getting smaller, we have a front row seat to some significant industry disruption. Cellular communication has serious limitations in coverage as soon as you move away from populated areas and major highways. Then there's the regional limitations with traveling outside your plan's home area. Affordable International satellite phone coverage is just over the horizon.
Was just talking with someone about this a few days ago. Loving what I'm already able to do with my Mini, and was just imagining a future with perhaps a cell-phone sized device that, while perhaps not as robust as the Mini in terms of download speeds, would still let you get a connection for some basic things.
Hello I’m an ITSS on one of the Federal teams that worked on complex incidents in Oregon and California. My last assignment we were using over 30 Starlinks , mostly for the operations section so Chiefs could have instant communications , huge difference from our past. Always looking for that new technology to support our mission. Thank you for your videos!! I also using the Ubiquiti equipment for personal and on the complex incidents ..
The mini is so much better. It’s basically not locking you in to $150, but if you do reach that, it’s the same price. And then only $1 per gb more. Not bad at all.
For many travelers, Starlink is a backup, but it’s nice to know you’re not screwed if you’re boondocking for extended periods of time without service. As someone who usually spends 2-5 days a month without signal, it’s ideal. 5 days a month I can watch a long movie everyday and still have plenty left over.
The only travelers who will still get the original are the gamers and couch potatoes lol
Thanks for the vid man!
Two questions that weren't covered. First, does the Phone application require a cellular connection to run, or is it only connecting with the Starlink? I've had troubles getting the app to run an obstruction test where I'm at. Second, is there any differences between the mini and other Starlink antennas in regards to finding and connecting to the satellites, or managing obstructions? It seems like there would be lesser performance from a smaller antenna than a larger one.
No need for cellular you need a phone to set it up with the app
I have a Starlink Gen 3 and it is amazing!!! I do travel and use it often when it remote areas. It is a complete game changer... I would love to have a mini. Maybe I will swap out the Gen 3 when the mini v2 comes out. I absolutely love having no contract and being able to pause my service when it is not needed. Most people commenting here must live in the burbs or a city.. Most rural places are still without reliable high-speed internet and the satellite services that are available are crap. Starlink is amazing and getting better every day.
Right LOTS of places in the US do not have cell service or just have analog like in far NW NC.
Wouldn't it be awesome if everyone needing a Starlink system said yes, and followed through on getting it done, mine will be here this week, oh so happy to be setting it up 😅
@@JamesSandersaxie elons bots in action lmao
Thank you for your great interest in helping others. I want to know what happened to the old tutorials, especially the ubiquity ones with Kevin Houser, thank you.
@12:29 - what speed would you get using Gen3 kit at this location???
Typically I see 150-300Mbps with the Gen3 dish.
What about gen 2? Thanks
I am using a gen 2 on my sailboat, I have had it for almost 3 years. Wondering if mini has any difference from gen 3 or 2 in terms of its accessibility to the satellites etc?
I wonder if it's good enough to take onboard in a crew ship and put it in my room windows
The Mini is getting really close to where I'd buy one. We don't travel a ton so I can't justify $600. But if it were closer to $300, I could see getting one for our road trips and vacations just to help keep the kids occupied.
Same here in Australia.
This is perfect for Wairoa New Zealand as we have been through a Cyclone
Been travelling Aussie with the mini in the roof hatch of a camper.Works a treat while travelling.Unbelievable love it
I still have an old beta Gen 1 dish on my house, it's not used as we have access to 2 fiber companies down my road now. I interviewed for a job in the mountains with no cell service and for the $50/m price I would mount this to my vehicle so I could be connected half my drive, but I don't think I got that job haha. Hit me up if you need a remote software dev or IT guru.
Can this be used inside the house, for example, as a back up, if the weather is rainy and windy outside, and you have nowhere to attach this outside to the house?
I'm waiting for your review Cris. Thank you, as always great work 💪😀
Thanks!
I spotted the Cloud Gateway Max in the background, looking forward to the video :)
I recorded a full video on it ready for launch day, but unfortunately, it won't be released because...drama.
@@CrosstalkSolutions looking forward for your UCG Max review
Can it be plugged into an existing router, so that the StarLink Mini connects to an existing Router and the Router's connections all still function, i.e. the internal intranet?
As in replacing the hybrid-fiber cable broad band with Starlink Mini.
So far it seems pretty good, except the overall pricing.
50GB is good because residential cable internet by Rogers in Toronto has a 60GB cap
Hello , new to the installation of Star Link. once inside the residence, wireless connection with 2 computers and a tv set, wireless connection, what Router should i use carry the signal without loss to the computers and TV. The add on of additional electronic can slow down the up & Down loads , am i correct.
This content is informative, starlink mini got good signal strength.
Thank you for comprehensive video. I have a question, is Starlink 3 available for Australia?
Yes
I just seen a video of people using these after hurricane Helene.. These bad boys can power up a whole neighborhood
We're in the NC foothills and didn't get the damage the mountains got, but the cell service has been sketchy since Helene.
@@tomcurran8470 Also in the NC foothills. We had NO cell service or internet for 10 days…If we had an emergency and needed med help IDK what we would have done. Scary!
Danke!
As always… Great product review video! 🙏 Thank you!
Hey, I grew up in Northern California. That fence of yours looks strikingly familiar. I’m in Texas now, but those little things that remind me of home are kind of cool. Even the landscape and stucco exterior of the neighbors house says Sacramento to Chico maybe. Please let me know if I’m in the neighborhood.
If they lower the price i can ditch Spectrum (who is the only service provider in my area)
when u say that the consumption is 20 to 30 watts, is this consume per hour?
Banana for scale .. I see what you did there!!
I had a good luahg when I saw that
Bananas for scale. Guitars for temperature.
Would this work on a cruise ship from the balcony?
Just took it on the plane and it works for real craaazy
From inside a plane? From the flight deck/cockpit or cabin perspective? Commercial pilot here.
How well does it work on a yacht swinging around a mooring?
The mini with the striker mount should not be left out unattended, especially when someone is cooking... Very high probability of that thing getting used as chopping board 😅
Great review as always! :)
I'm also curious about the Wi-Fi range. What kind of signal will you get IN your RV if you have to stretch it out to get a clear sky?
I have a friend in Mexico who is very happy with his Starlink. But these are good only as long as the satellites are available. When everything goes down, wireless radio on battery will still be there.
Such a huge win for RV users and boaters. However for many the reduced cost of the standard will be very attractive. As long as you are on an elec service (not solar/generator) that $400 will pay for a LOT of electric. And I believe it will still have a better service.
It would be great if they had a POE++ version! 😀
I agree! But with the USB-C to Barrel connector coming to the Starlink store, that's not too far out of reach. There are PoE+/PoE++ to USB-C converters available.
@@CrosstalkSolutions Give it time, Ubiquiti will have an "anywhere" access point that has Starlink built in. I imagine they could compact it even more and make up for some shortcomings with DSP amps and such. 100Mbps downlink that works anywhere would be great. That could power 1000s of iOT devices where no cellular is available, for example. There are commercial solutions (eg. O3B) but carry enterprise price tags too.
While the ethernet jack on the Mini doesn't support POE itself, you can still use a third party injector and splitter setup to 1) push power from the source end over ethernet, and then split it back out again at the dish to run the power to the barrel port and ethernet to the RJ-45 jack. That should, theoretically, allow you to use a single cable (ethernet) setup from your source to the dish.
Hello, what happen if the dish move, like on a boat for example?
Thank you
Håkan
As long as you keep it pointing north, you’re not gonna have a problem
2:23 no cat today?
2:37 there it is.
Love the photo of cats warming themselves on the first generation dish antenna.
Good ears dude. There is a cat noise at 2:37
Lol. That poor cat. Always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We camp but would like the internet service for home use also. Can you use 1 unit for both? If so, which would be the best one to buy?
Wow, I never thought that Starlink internet was so expensive. I pay $4.50 a month for unlimited internet at home. Internet access in Russia is very cheap)
This is not for home use... 😂
@@sailzazenI mean normal internet prices are also much more expensive in US
That's unbelievable! Whose the provider?
@@letsreason9489 Beeline
Starlink in Italy starts from 29€ monthly
$599, 50g limit. It's a No go.
The 50 GB limit is if you purchase the mini plan. You can get residential roam and there is no cap I just bought the mini dish along with the residential roam plan...no caps
It's not a 50gb limit bud
I just got the new standard and installed yesterday. My first home Internet. I’ve only watched some RUclips videos on it so far, but it seems to work OK. I did a speed test, but don’t recall or know what the numbers mean now I’m wondering if I should’ve got the actuated version, I didn’t know.
How many Zimbabweans are here?
Here
Kuda kunzwisisa😊
😂😂😂 I'm here
Tiripo kuruzevha takudzokera takanga tatevera internet kuHarare
Kuda zvinhu😂😂@@mikebeta1796
What temperatures can it operate in? Cold Wisconsin winters versus hot California summer?
Don't use BT whatever you do. We had a 24 month contract with them. After a couple of months We were late for two payments and so they canceled our contract and charged us for the full 2 years plus penalties. It cost us over £2000 and we lost the service. This clause is hidden in BTs commercial contracts. So if you are a business or sole trader don't use BT as they will Rip you off. Good luck.
BT?
In the UK?
Bt what is a bt
Can you use the Starlink Mini in your home as your residential internet source, and also take it when you go camping in an RV?
I want a starlink phone
Yes get the starlink phone out there Elon do we can do away with all these phone network twats
Great review...very convincing, superb new product, we'll have to get one. Thanks.
I thought camping in the outdoors was about getting away from TV, Internet and the mundane day to day life....
Exactly. It’s mind boggling how heavy these products are marketed in the camping / overlanding world.
Watched a few videos. This one actually told the information I wanted to know.
no matter how good or how fast it is, i will never get starlink, or any other product from elon's companies, simply because he supports the klump. seriously, how can a convicted criminal even be allowed to run for president?
It if makes you feel any better, there are probably people who work for Starlink who do not support Trump. If you base your purchasing decisions on a CEO's politics, you may find that you will shortchange yourself because you will exclude products and services not based on their merits, but on one person's opinions.
As for what Trump was convicted of, he was convicted because he paid an adult video star money for her not to publicly disclose their consensual romantic relationship. The money that he paid belonged to him; he did not steal the money. For such a thing to be considered a crime, let alone a felony, indicates a severe problem with the court system.
OMG! Why did you even post on this thread; such a negative person, you are. I don't think anyone really cares what you think about Elon.....
Your own issues aren't oures😅
@@jackdbur what issues? Are you one of those backward MAGA idiots?
Great review, thanks for sharing. So if I follow you correctly, the wireless router is contained in the mini dish its self? It looks like a handy piece of equipment to have. I could take that with me out to my grandparents farm in the country. The price, however, is pretty awful unless you did catch a sale or something.
This is the most comprehensive vid I've seen yet. I would like to dive into more power options, like can I run this off my car battery.
Will it work thru a window of an RV, like laying on the dash?
If it’s perfectly aligned, then yes
I've heard that Starlink has gone in the marine area, and something I've been waiting for not so much for internet connectivity but for access to weather, plus payment plans for when outside the US coastal waters. Thanks for the great video.
Thank you very much for this very well done review on the Starlink mini
How long would your power source work? Is that a Solar generator? And how expensive is that generator?