You don't need to be in cell service range as Starlink is exactly for that purpose! - As long as you download the app when you can it will connect to your account without any other connection needed. Mine is strapped to the skylight of my RV and doing good :)
I just activated my mini today, I am pretty impressed. I also have a cellular router, and thought about keeping a plan for it, but the reality is at only a $1 a gig when you run over, that is still cheaper than other pay as you go cellular data plans. On amazon the new battery adapter for the Dewalt 20v has low voltage disconnect built in. I also put together a 2700mha usbc battery pack, you can run the starlink of usbc 60w units, and if you get one with two usbc ports you can connect a small solar in to help. the small solar panel I found folds up smaller than the mini, and puts out 35 watts. My usbc battery pack is over heating, so I am still testing. My macbook Pro also has a wifi setting "low Data Mode" you can set". Good tips and a good video.
The mini is a great little device. So many options to power it with. We also noticed our Milwaukee battery was getting warm in the sun. We may make a little reflectix shade to put over it. 😂
Great video - thank you! What are your thoughts regarding the mini for podcast recordings? Meaning speed and consistent connectivity are SUPER important! Specifically I will be in Patagonia and need to be able to record podcast interviews while there. Trying to determine if standard or mini is a better choice? TIA
Wow! What a fantastic video that explains everything so neophytes like me can actually get it! I have a question I'm hoping you can answer: I have a Starlink dish at home for business so it's on a business account. I just purchased the Mini to use in my RV camping trips and created a personal account. However, the Starlink app on my iPhone shows the business one. When I'm away from home camping and I have the Mini all set up, do you think it will show up on my iPhone app? Thank you for any clarification on this issue. Again, I cannot thank you enough for putting out such an easy to understand video - it truly is the best one I've seen.
I have a Colorado Camper Van pop top which is fiberglass. I can mount the mini in the space above the driver seat and be good to go (as long as it is clear of trees. If not, I can run it away from the vehicle if need be.
I’m buying one for my Baja winter trip and wanted to know your data? Did u go w/ the unlimited or 50g? I’m liking the unlimited is better but wanted to see what y’all think? Thanks Dave
@@ExploreTrekAdventure Thanks…. I love movies and don’t want to worry about my Baja trip w/ data. Y’all rock… Keep living your Dream Dave….. Bring on Baja in Dec…🤙🤙🤙🚐🚐🚐💥💥❤️❤️❤️
Great content! Thanks. I want to know when I get to our large cabin in the woods and on arrival I want to plug it into my mesh WiFi network (eero) how would I set that up.
What I have been curious about is if the mini is on the roof, does the wifi signal work ok in a completely closed van? We tend to get really bad cellular and wifi signals inside our van and with the router fully outside I've been hesitant to try the mini. Right now we have the gen2 setup, but a smaller and DC powered setup is super appealing
Mine works fine rooftop mounted on my sprinter van, since im still building the van, ive installed an ethernet line amd plug om the roof, if i decide to put a router indoors or direct connect
So, to clarify, you don't actually know the runtimes for any given battery source. You just asked a bot? Interesting to see the alignment setup and download speeds though.
It is a math equation to figure out the runtime with a given draw and battery size. There is a bit of flux with the dish going into idle if it is not busy. It gives you a good starting point to see if it will fit your needs.
This review is almost pointless for vanlifers since you didn't test it with the dish on the roof and the van fully closed. That mini should have the option to detach its router and connect it inside the van, too, by a cable trough the roof That would make it double usable. I guess I wait for the next version..
Thanks for your feedback! We did test the WiFi through two sides of the van, which would be similar to how it performs through the roof. The Starlink Mini is designed for flexibility, making it great for moving around or taking with you when you leave the van. If you're looking for a setup with a hard-mounted dish and an internal router, the standard dish with a 12v conversion would be ideal.
@@ExploreTrekAdventure , I know, but it is not the same thing because the waves can bypass the metal sheet in open room, not forced to pass through metal. I like the Mini for its portability, smaller dimensions and lower consumption. But they have to be smarter. The router could be detachable. I wait for the next one.
@@silviuflorescu6838it works perfectly fine on the roof, mines mounted inside a star mounts magnetic mount, on the sprinter roof, no issue.. ive also installed and ethernet cable and rooftop port, if i decide i want to add a router or a direct connection, or just wait for the next version, whatever ✌️🫡
Starlink Mini has an ethernet port. Run an ethernet cord from the dish to a standard wifi router inside the van and problem solved. You can also connect the ethernet cable directly to the laptop through a USB/ethernet adapter.
How would Starlink Mini change your adventures? 🏕️ 📡
You don't need to be in cell service range as Starlink is exactly for that purpose! - As long as you download the app when you can it will connect to your account without any other connection needed. Mine is strapped to the skylight of my RV and doing good :)
This is by far the best starlink review I’ve seen. I’ve been researching them a lot and this video literally answers every question I’ve had thank you
Thank you! Glad it was helpful. 😀
I just activated my mini today, I am pretty impressed. I also have a cellular router, and thought about keeping a plan for it, but the reality is at only a $1 a gig when you run over, that is still cheaper than other pay as you go cellular data plans. On amazon the new battery adapter for the Dewalt 20v has low voltage disconnect built in. I also put together a 2700mha usbc battery pack, you can run the starlink of usbc 60w units, and if you get one with two usbc ports you can connect a small solar in to help. the small solar panel I found folds up smaller than the mini, and puts out 35 watts. My usbc battery pack is over heating, so I am still testing. My macbook Pro also has a wifi setting "low Data Mode" you can set". Good tips and a good video.
The mini is a great little device. So many options to power it with. We also noticed our Milwaukee battery was getting warm in the sun. We may make a little reflectix shade to put over it. 😂
One of the best Starlink videos I’ve seen!
Thank you for the feedback! 🤓
Great review. Setting up our mini today....Happy Trails
😀
Great video - thank you! What are your thoughts regarding the mini for podcast recordings? Meaning speed and consistent connectivity are SUPER important! Specifically I will be in Patagonia and need to be able to record podcast interviews while there. Trying to determine if standard or mini is a better choice? TIA
If you have a clear view of the sky it does great. If there are obstructions it will drop off for a bit.
Wow! What a fantastic video that explains everything so neophytes like me can actually get it! I have a question I'm hoping you can answer:
I have a Starlink dish at home for business so it's on a business account. I just purchased the Mini to use in my RV camping trips and created a personal account. However, the Starlink app on my iPhone shows the business one. When I'm away from home camping and I have the Mini all set up, do you think it will show up on my iPhone app? Thank you for any clarification on this issue.
Again, I cannot thank you enough for putting out such an easy to understand video - it truly is the best one I've seen.
Glad it was helpful. It should definitely show up in the app once you setup the mini.
I have a Colorado Camper Van pop top which is fiberglass. I can mount the mini in the space above the driver seat and be good to go (as long as it is clear of trees. If not, I can run it away from the vehicle if need be.
That is cool to hear it will work through the fiberglass roof! Great setup.
Awesome thank you for your input.
😀
I velcroed a goal zero AC 100 sherpa to back of my mini, itll run several hours, if i need more, i connect to 50w goal zero panel.. ✌️
I’m buying one for my Baja winter trip and wanted to know your data? Did u go w/ the unlimited or 50g?
I’m liking the unlimited is better but wanted to see what y’all think?
Thanks
Dave
We have the 50g plan but unless you want to be very careful using data I would go with the unlimited plan.
@@ExploreTrekAdventure Thanks…. I love movies and don’t want to worry about my Baja trip w/ data.
Y’all rock… Keep living your Dream
Dave….. Bring on Baja in Dec…🤙🤙🤙🚐🚐🚐💥💥❤️❤️❤️
Which groups help you on the road? Like AAA? Or someone one else?
For roadside it is included with our insurance. At this point we don’t have any other services.
Wow, what an awesome review! Thanks for taking the time! You helped me make my choice!👍
Safe travels!✌️
😀 Glad it was helpful!
Great content! Thanks. I want to know when I get to our large cabin in the woods and on arrival I want to plug it into my mesh WiFi network (eero) how would I set that up.
The mini has an Ethernet port which you could run into your eero wifi.
is there a proper way to unplug or power it down? i just got mine today
It doesn’t have a power switch so you just unplug it.
can you turn subscription on without cell service?
Everything we have read says you do need cell service to enable the data plan.
@@ExploreTrekAdventure dang, that kind of renders it useless for emergencies then. bummer. thanks for responding!
What I have been curious about is if the mini is on the roof, does the wifi signal work ok in a completely closed van? We tend to get really bad cellular and wifi signals inside our van and with the router fully outside I've been hesitant to try the mini. Right now we have the gen2 setup, but a smaller and DC powered setup is super appealing
We did test on the other side of the van and it was ok but would be interesting to test on the roof.
Mine works fine rooftop mounted on my sprinter van, since im still building the van, ive installed an ethernet line amd plug om the roof, if i decide to put a router indoors or direct connect
@Liimpy so it has the capability to add an erhernet cable to the mini to extend a seperate router to it?
@@daniellerobinson7323 yes
@daniellerobinson7323 yes, you can add a mesh router, and thru the app, you can switch from internal router to external
So, to clarify, you don't actually know the runtimes for any given battery source. You just asked a bot? Interesting to see the alignment setup and download speeds though.
It is a math equation to figure out the runtime with a given draw and battery size. There is a bit of flux with the dish going into idle if it is not busy. It gives you a good starting point to see if it will fit your needs.
The mini runs on 12volts, use that
Very true! The Milwaukee battery we used can be a good DC power option.
I guess it doesn't work at night.
Why?
Hi, because you said you must look for a bright sun etc. or a clear sky.
Ah. It definitely works at night. 😀
Clear sky means “unobstructed “ not “blue sky daylight”
@@deniselogan2733 Thank you
This review is almost pointless for vanlifers since you didn't test it with the dish on the roof and the van fully closed.
That mini should have the option to detach its router and connect it inside the van, too, by a cable trough the roof
That would make it double usable.
I guess I wait for the next version..
Thanks for your feedback! We did test the WiFi through two sides of the van, which would be similar to how it performs through the roof. The Starlink Mini is designed for flexibility, making it great for moving around or taking with you when you leave the van. If you're looking for a setup with a hard-mounted dish and an internal router, the standard dish with a 12v conversion would be ideal.
@@ExploreTrekAdventure , I know, but it is not the same thing because the waves can bypass the metal sheet in open room, not forced to pass through metal.
I like the Mini for its portability, smaller dimensions and lower consumption. But they have to be smarter. The router could be detachable. I wait for the next one.
@@silviuflorescu6838it works perfectly fine on the roof, mines mounted inside a star mounts magnetic mount, on the sprinter roof, no issue.. ive also installed and ethernet cable and rooftop port, if i decide i want to add a router or a direct connection, or just wait for the next version, whatever ✌️🫡
Starlink Mini has an ethernet port. Run an ethernet cord from the dish to a standard wifi router inside the van and problem solved. You can also connect the ethernet cable directly to the laptop through a USB/ethernet adapter.
@@silviuflorescu6838 It works fine on the roof, why wouldn't it