In the video, I accidentally said the Starlink Mini supports an input voltage of 12-24 volts DC as an input. It's actually 12-48v volts DC as an input. Whoops 😬. Electricity is hard.
Thanks Adam. The wait for the Mini was pretty long but, as you've demonstrated, worth it. Storage and power consumption make it more practical for truckcamper/RV applications.
I'm sure we'll learn more as we use it on our travels but so far it seems like a helpful tool and potentially less monthly per month for the service plan. So worth considering.
Love our SL Mini so far for our RV travels and we are now using it at home too. Cancelled our $215/month cable. Run our Mini off of a 12v to 24v booster off our RV 12v lithium battery system.
Same. We’re running our Mini off a 12v to 24v 5amp step up amzn.to/3XosOpM from our lithium battery bank and solar. We tried it at 12v but it doesn’t work with the included Starlink Mini cable due to the voltage drop.
I am powering the mini through an inexpensive 36V boost converter, it was an easy addition to my camper's electrical system. With this voltage I can likely tether the mini to a cable long enough that the built-in WiFi will be more of a limiter than the voltage drop through 18AWG cables. Labor Day weekend was my first solid test of the mini and it performed flawlessly. The decreased power consumption is a game changer for smaller electrical systems.
Thanks for sharing your setup. Similarly, I'm using a 12v to 24v 5a setup up amzn.to/3XwNtIm with the cable included with the Starlink Mini. It was a bit of a surprise at first not being able to run it at 12v even though the Mini specs state 12-48v input. Oh voltage drop 😬.
Thank you for the great info we’re trying to decide which equipment to go with. Could I use either for my full time Internet service? Be cheaper than my current provider
I might consider the Gen 3 if it's your full time service just b/c of the additional bandwidth capacity. But if you don't need a lot of concurrent bandwidth and are trying to save, the Mini might be the way to go.
@@banthaoverlandhave you tested how many people can steam high definition videos at the same time using the mini? I've tested my old Internet by connecting all our devices at the same time and have them all play high definition videos... If it could not steam them all them I'd cut one off at a time until the ones left would continue to steam without problems.
That’s a good question and I wish I had a better answer. I’ve encountered situations with both of them where overhanging trees result in a periodic drop - ex 10 minutes online, 30 seconds offline - where repositioning the dish just a bit resolved it and got to 100% online. So in my experience I’d say they feel about equivalent so far.
next time you should also do an advanced speedtest, to measure the speed between the satellite and the antena, because the final speed could be different depending on your wifi configuration... if the difference between the standard and the advanced is big, then you need a 3rd party router or better wifi settings to take advantage of your dish
I have Gen2 Starlink standard actuated with grandfathered $145/mo home/roam plan and I have never seen 400Mbs even with current location set has “home” and doing advanced test directly from router. Max I’ve seen is in the 200s and more typically averages closer to ether side of 100. That average includes 3 years of nomad-ing across entire USA and I have noticed the speeds have gotten better. Wondering if the new current standard panel is inherently faster than the old actuated standard panel or if you just got lucky where you were in Colorado when you were testing. I’m considering moving from Gen2 to the mini for space considerations in my Winnebago Revel.
It's a good question. Not sure. I've seen speeds vary a bit in different locations and different times of the day. The Mini does have a bit less bandwidth than the Gen 2 / 3 but the question is does it matter for what you need to do. The benefits of the small size, build in router, and DC power are hard to say no to. It'd be fun to do a Gen 2 vs Gen 3 comparison some day but I'd have to reactivate both plans 😬.
You can actually save some money going with the residential plan. You just have to switch your new "address" in the app every time you move into another Starlink cell, which are about 15 miles across. Up to you if that's worth saving 30 bucks a month.
Do you notice certain areas have more or less speed when you find connectivity or is it pretty consistent if you do have a connection? Trying to decide if the standard would provide better reliability in more remote areas but I really like the portability and power usage of the mini which seems to have enough speed, I just wonder about consistency in remote areas.
In my personal experience, I do find variability but it often seems like it's more common to have lower throughput in busy areas with a lot of users (urban areas) vs remote areas. I've always had all the bandwidth I need in remote areas.
Nice comparison. Thanks for the effort. Everything looks like you are not using it when traveling. you only use it when parked and put the dish outside?
Yep we only use it at camp and only sometimes (as needed). We like being offline and enjoying camp. There’s a blog post with more info about it banthaoverland.com/internet-hour-aka-when-we-dont-use-starlink/.
I would love to know the range of the wifi range.... Since it is built in to the dish, what happens when you need to place the dish far from camp to get a line of site of the sky..... A speed test showing the speed test at 10' increments away form the dish would be great!
Check out the Starlink specs at www.starlink.com/specifications?spec=5. Starlink Standard 75 - 100 W. Starlink Mini 25-40W. Those match my experience as well. Normally the highest power is for snow melt, then a bit less during boot up and orientation, and then the lower power is during normal operation without high bandwidth use cases (ex uploading a 2GB TH-cam video).
It's a SmartPlug ethernet jack. I really like it but it's a bit expensive and hard to find these days. I've been looking at these similar connectors for my next project amzn.to/400Aij5 which to work well based on reviews. More info about my installation at banthaoverland.com/lessons-in-drilling-through-the-side-of-your-camper/.
Great vid. I am concerned with finding clear sky with only 50’ of cable vs 150’ with the standard. Also, the computer in my RV has to reach up to 50’ to the router in the antenna , right? Do you think either of those would become issues? Thank you for some great info, and would greatly appreciate your thoughts. Liked and Subscribed 😉!
Wi-Fi 5, which the Starlink mini uses, has a theoretical range of about 800 feet, but is about half that in real world unobstructed use. Even going through standard home walls it'll usually get 100-200 foot range, so shouldn't have any issues at 50 foot with very little obstructing the signal.
If you're going to put the dish father away I think you could just get a longer cable for mini and if the router is too far away you run a long Ethernet to a separate router, if you really wanted mini. Otherwise, go with standard and a long Ethernet cable so you can have the router inside/near your rig.
You can certainly use a longer cable. You can also use a portable power bank or solar panel and position the Starlink Mini by itself without running a cable back to your camp assuming the router reaches. If you're running a long cable at 12v DC, check out this video th-cam.com/video/iizaHJnMI2Y/w-d-xo.html because you might run into a voltage drop issue and want to step up the voltage to 24v DC.
Thanks for the excellent Vlog. I see that Starlink has changed their plans very recently. More expensive, so does that now mean you can have Mini now with Unlimited Data instead of 50GB?
Unlimited data on the roam plan is $155 I think. So basically if you're going to use over 155 gb monthly go with that, otherwise 50 gb plan with $1 per extra gb is better.
That's why I put it on a tripod, so I can get it off the ground or roof and place it where it has the best view of the sky. Which is often not where I'm camped (eg under a tree). Check out my video about why and how I use a tripod with Starlink at th-cam.com/video/D01Ir5ISUK8/w-d-xo.html.
I have a question. If I buy both, one to mount on my home and another to use while traveling, can I only pay for the subscription for the standard size one and use both devices? I understand I won’t be able to connect both at the same time.
My understanding is that you need a plan for each device. So you'd need two plans but could pause one or both for a period of time. However, pausing doesn't start until the end of the current billing period which could be 3 or 30 days away from today.
Yep, it's still fairly expensive. I think it's a good deal for the magical almost anywhere connection it provides but that still requires money for sure. I'm sure the price will evolve over time.
@@banthaoverland I hope so, would be nice to break up with monopoly I am forced to support here (Comcast). But even they are still 2-3x cheaper and with fewer limitations. I agree it is useful for certain people.
Does the mini antenna also have a motor for orientation? or is it just pointing up? Video on tripod vs Permanent roof mount would be helpful. Thank you from a long ongoing Sprinter converter.
Great Channel, Hey is there anyway to get the starlink mini up to the Bigstarlink speeds, ?? ( maybe a different plan it would be faster??) and how much
In my experience, Starlink speeds can vary quite a bit based on location and conditions. So it's possible an area with fast speeds and a Mini will be faster than an area with slow speeds and a Standard. That said, Starlink is working to increase speeds for all devices, so given enough time (months? years?) all Starlinks should be faster.
It really depends on where I'm traveling. When I'm traveling in the western US it's fairly easy as there are wide open sky. It's more challenging when traveling in the eastern US. That said, I'm always able to find somewhere to use the Starlink if needed but it might not be at camp or might not be the camp I would have chosen if I wasn't using Starlink. There are certainly sites in dense trees where it's not going to work and a cell phone booster might be a better option.
The Mini has its WiFi router built in. I've heard reports that the WiFi performance of the mini isn't that great when your WiFI client devices are inside an RV. Any thoughts?
I haven't had any issues using the Starlink Mini positioned within 30' or so of my rig, using it both when indoors and outdoors. But it's something I've heard from others and will do some additional testing. The Mini can also be used with an external router via an Ethernet cable connected to its Ethernet port. So an option if needed. Overall there are tradeoffs for the smaller form factor.
@@shannonagain3 in my experience, it's fine, our company truck has a mini, in a magnetic mount and it's just attached on top of a toolbox, they installed a cool gear 100w type C outlet , all 5 of us can have phone and internet anywhere, working on drilling rig locations in some very rural areas, works fine doing 80 down the highway
I’m guessing there’s no way to get a wired internet connection out of the mini with it just being wifi. Is this correct? I run several wired network devices on my boat so this is a potential drawback. I’m sure there’s an external device that can extend the WiFi network to wired Ethernet. Will have to look into that.
The Mini has an Ethernet port which can be used with an external router. I haven't tried it myself but that's a supported use case. For example, Starlink talks about using it with the Gen 3 router since it has better specs.
How about the distance for ring wireless cameras? If the mini can pull that off and a few tvs or phones watching TH-cam or Netflix? I have a standard on the way, i was on the fence. Still am. Maybe the Tmobile home internet might use.
Nice video/ I just received the Mini/ had trouble running it off my EcoFlow delta max/ 100w usb-c / wouldnt power up,the mini. Why I don’t know, researching that/ were do you get those light weight tripods ? I like those! Tx
Check out banthaoverland.com/choosing-a-starlink-tripod-adapter/ for my thoughts on the best tripods to use with Starlink. I’ve tried a bunch of them 😁.
Curious what you learn about the USB-C. I had some issues running at 12v due to the voltage drop across such a long thin cable (the one supplied with the Mini). I stepped up the 12v to 24v 5amps and it’s working great. You could try a shorter / thicker cable if it’s a voltage drop problem or use the outlet adapter which outputs 30v 2amps.
@@banthaoverland tx I just ordered one off your link/ I also ordered that adapter for the tripod mini/ to tri pod Hoping I get it in a timely fashion/ tx
@@banthaoverland I am thinking it’s the usb-c 100w on EcoFlow delta Max / not programed correctly for the mini/ doing some research. See if there is a update from EcoFlow for that.
@@banthaoverland I looked in the manual for my ecflow delta max. It says usb-c/ 5/9/12/15/20v. 5a 100w per port/ seems like it should work with this mini? what do you think?
I would like to have one in case of a disaster- if our property becomes a refuge for many people - can a number of people use it to contact relatives? What unit would you recommend? After the Maui wildfires- someone had one and it helped a lot of people .
If you’re keeping it at home I’d maybe think about the Standard. It’s on sale until 10/6 and has a bit more bandwidth potential if you don’t mind the larger size and separate router.
So, can you watch TH-cam videos for 5 days straight. Or is it like one a day for 5 days. Also is the unlimited option unlimited? Actually not a stupid question because many cell phones say unlimited, but they are not. Like T mobile told me.
As an example, using my iPhone for normal web surfing, email, videos, and Zoom calls over an 8 hour work day used 5GB. Also devices connected to WiFI assume they have all the bandwidth they want and also do background tasks - backups, syncing, etc. So you could turn on low data mode but I still think you'd use a lot of bandwidth.
Hi Are you satisfied with the wifi signal from the mini when you are inside the RV with the doors closed? Some say it does not perform well through the metal skin of and RV or caravan. Thinking of days when it’s raining outside and we are snug inside
I haven't had an issues but I've only used it on two trips so far. So time will tell. My rig is an aluminum / steel truck with a fiberglass truck camper. Using it outdoors or in the truck camper has been fine. When using it outdoors, I try to have line of sight between me and the Starlink Mini which seems helpful. I'll do more testing on an upcoming trip. It's worth noting that you can still use an external router with the Starlink Mini via the Ethernet port, so there's always that option if there are issues.
how long did it take to ship? Im full time and im worried to ship it to a camp when they dont tell you anything about ship time and the stories ive heard about taking months to ship.
I think it took about 2-3 weeks. It definitely took a bit longer than I expected but I can imagine it's a popular item at the moment. Accessories from the Starlink Store also seem to be taking a few weeks. It often seems like there's a wait for the container to come into port (a few weeks) and then the tracking info gets updated and it arrives a few days later (my guess anyway).
I'm only interested in the roam version only. And is there an option for limited use payments. Because I would only need this while traveling in my rv? I don't need satellite service at home. I'm an antenna only viewer. I don't need to spend that much money on TV and Internet. We pulled the plug over 10 years ago on cable.
Check out our other video comparing the two Roam plans th-cam.com/video/RkGswnIagL8/w-d-xo.html. You might want to start with the $50 per month 50GB Roam plan.
"The Starlink mini uses the power it draws to heat itself and melt snow. This helps prevent service disruptions and the need to remove snow from the roof. The Starlink mini can melt up to 1.5 inches of snow per hour."
they are launching much faster data plans in a couple of years. up to 5Gbps. which is almost as fast as google fiber. i had no idea google fiber was 8Gbps i remember it being 1Gbps not that long ago.
Starlink Mini users, help! The DC power cable in the Starlink spec sheet is listed as 5.5mm x 2.5mm. However, when I checked several online shops, they show it as 5.5mm x 2.1mm. This has really confused me. Could it be that the DC power cable has two different ends, with the end that connects to the dish being 5.5mm x 2.1mm and the end that connects to the power supply being 5.5mm x 2.5mm? I'm not sure if this is the case.
I can confirm it's a 5.5mm x 2.1mm male barrel jack plug. I purchase these 16awg barrel connector wire ends amzn.to/3AP9IjQ to make my own Starlink Mini cable and it's working great.
Also if you're powering at 12v, you'll probably need to step up to 24v or higher if using a long cable due to the voltage drop over long distances. I used a 12v to 24v step up amzn.to/3Zaug0m in my rig. I'll be posting a video about it shortly.
👍 Thanks, good job. Bezos needs to get on the ball and add some competition. Do you know if unused gigs roll over to the next month or not, or is there $ taken off or what?
Are the kickstands on the mini amd the standard the same size/angle? Im looking to buy a wall mount, but it says its for starlink standard, and i have a mini.
Based on my understanding the orientation (north) and angle (45 degrees) for positioning are the same for all Starlinks. However, the mounts and dimensions / angles are different between them b/c they are very different sizes. For example, a Starlink Standard Kickstand will not work on a Mini.
That's awesome! I was hoping to hear from other people in different locations. Is that comparing them side by side at the same time or comparing your previous experience with the Standard to the current experience with the Mini. Asking because I know Starlink performance can vary a bit from time to time as the satellites move around.
Is a slower download speed more economical if you are on the Roam data plan? Specifically, if you are satisfied with say video quality at 150 Mbps does it use less of your data plan than 450 Mbps?
The Starlink doesn't take which plan you have into consideration nor does your device. Modern devices (laptops, phones, etc) use a lot of data IMHO when they're on WIFI because most of these devices assume they are connection to an unlimited broadband connection on WiFi. You can configure settings to reduce data usage. For example, you can enable Low Data Mode for a WiFi connection on iOS which will suppress background tasks in apps and certain iOS syncing (backups, photos, etc) which will save some bandwidth. Learn more about Low Data Mode at support.apple.com/en-us/102433. Laptops, Android, etc may have similar features.
I use a StarDapter Tripod Adapter which are 3D printed adapters that I make for mounting Starlinks on tripods. I normally use a quick release plate as well. In this case, both tripod are using a Arca Swiss plate with a StarDapter. More Info: • Starlink StarDapter Tripod Adapter for Starlink Standard w/ Kickstand go.banthaoverland.com/vwfuXNS • Starlink StarDapter Tripod Adapter for Starlink Mini go.banthaoverland.com/re7fYqa • Tripod Recommendations banthaoverland.com/choosing-a-starlink-tripod-adapter/
@@banthaoverlandthanks ! I just picked up the $299 standard dish for emergency backup purposes. The adapter and tripod recommendations are so appreciated. Wondering if I should just activate it for one month even though I don’t need it to test everything and then cancel the monthly subscription? I’m going to buy an ecoflow 3 on prime day oct 8th to get emergency power.
Y dont you hook it up on your truck with a custom made mechanic stand that adjust the angle itself with cople codes and a custom made pcb ont that custom made stand. Hooked up on your van internet running 24x7 go where ever you want.
According to their website that’s not true. Making standard cheaper than mini. “Note: Currently the Roam 50GB service plan option is only available for Starlink Mini at the time of placing an order. Customers purchasing Starlink Standard may move to the Roam 50GB service plan after their first month. This will not affect any existing Roam 50GB users using Starlink Standard.”
Fair point for the router. I'm mainly focused on real world performance for my uses cases. Both seem good enough for email, web surfing, TH-cam watching, and occasionally photo and video uploads.
Lmao. Here this guy has 400mbs "thats pretty good at camp" and the best any internet provider in my area can give me is 10mb/s and its down almost 50% of the time. Starlink ordered lol
HD? it needs less than 5Mbps to play HD video you know right? you need to at least run 4K livestream or netflix or something to test it, not youtube video that is less than 50 Mb in size total, lol.
Pretty obvious which works better. Standard has more antennas and faster router. Mini has its purpose. Definitely don’t understand comparison purpose. lol
It really depends on your use case and what's most important. Size, portability, cost, bandwidth, etc. For example, I'm picking the Mini even though it's "slower".
3:42 Video Starts. He failed by doing a speed test with the Starlink app instead of an unbiased speed test with a 3rd party website. This video serves no purpose. Channel blocked
Seems like no loss tbh, Nova doesn't seem to understand that the comparison is valid as you used the same speedtest app for both. Regardless of the absolute number you can see the difference between the two units and the numbers are sufficiently different to be significant. Test looks good here, considering residential service now having used mini in the wild and been suitably impressed!
The standard, hands down, is the most logical way to go. It is faster and more resilient than the mini. In my opinion, the mini is nothing more than a gimmick with a "cool" factor. I overland roughly 7 months out of the year and other than the standard being a little more hefty, I find absolutely no valid reason to get the mini. My win is for the standard.
Yeah I go back and forth. I really like not having a separate power supply and router and a basic 2 wire cable. Maybe it’s because I have a small rig with limited space. The standard certainly has more bandwidth potential.
In the video, I accidentally said the Starlink Mini supports an input voltage of 12-24 volts DC as an input. It's actually 12-48v volts DC as an input. Whoops 😬. Electricity is hard.
Is a normal car input enough to power the mini?
@@mikeprestige1168he literally just answered your question right there. I mean, it's in black and white. Your call produces about 13.8 to 14.4 volts.
@@elixier33 thanks, guy. Nice scooter
It's actually 12-60V... And I have also noticed the sped on the Mini is slower than the Gen 2/3 but it's smaller so to be expected
Do you have the links for these products? I am in the market
Thanks Adam. The wait for the Mini was pretty long but, as you've demonstrated, worth it. Storage and power consumption make it more practical for truckcamper/RV applications.
I'm sure we'll learn more as we use it on our travels but so far it seems like a helpful tool and potentially less monthly per month for the service plan. So worth considering.
At 1/3 the bandwidth it doesn't sound worth it at all.
@@banthaoverland You need a million subscribers. Thank you. Cutting At&t now! Merry Christmas.
Great comparison video! Thanks for doing this. Just received my Starlink mini and excited about using it.
Great video. Thank you! 425 Mbps!! Holy Moly!!!!
Definitely can watch 4K UHD, Dolby Atmos content from Movie Streamers.😅😅😅😅. I am cutting off At&t now!
Thank you for taking the time to make this video very informative
You know I found it helpful. Will get the mini. Thanks mate.
Thanks for sharing your experience ! I am in the process of buying one ,as a back up here in Belgium.
Love our SL Mini so far for our RV travels and we are now using it at home too. Cancelled our $215/month cable. Run our Mini off of a 12v to 24v booster off our RV 12v lithium battery system.
Same. We’re running our Mini off a 12v to 24v 5amp step up amzn.to/3XosOpM from our lithium battery bank and solar. We tried it at 12v but it doesn’t work with the included Starlink Mini cable due to the voltage drop.
Are you using with the 50GB per month plan or did you upgrade plans? Curious to learn from your experience.
Did you mount your mini to the house? Are you able to live stream multiple TVs off of it?
Can you use 1 starlink for home and travel?
Great test! love the Mini for the ease of use ❤
I am powering the mini through an inexpensive 36V boost converter, it was an easy addition to my camper's electrical system. With this voltage I can likely tether the mini to a cable long enough that the built-in WiFi will be more of a limiter than the voltage drop through 18AWG cables. Labor Day weekend was my first solid test of the mini and it performed flawlessly. The decreased power consumption is a game changer for smaller electrical systems.
Thanks for sharing your setup. Similarly, I'm using a 12v to 24v 5a setup up amzn.to/3XwNtIm with the cable included with the Starlink Mini. It was a bit of a surprise at first not being able to run it at 12v even though the Mini specs state 12-48v input. Oh voltage drop 😬.
Great video. Also that’s one of my favorite camping spots ;)
Glad it was helpful. And yep, an awesome spot for sure.
Thanks for the comparison Adam!
Gr8 video. I would love to hear about the tripod mount.
Check out shop.banthaoverland.com
Thank you for the great info we’re trying to decide which equipment to go with.
Could I use either for my full time Internet service? Be cheaper than my current provider
I might consider the Gen 3 if it's your full time service just b/c of the additional bandwidth capacity. But if you don't need a lot of concurrent bandwidth and are trying to save, the Mini might be the way to go.
@@banthaoverlandhave you tested how many people can steam high definition videos at the same time using the mini? I've tested my old Internet by connecting all our devices at the same time and have them all play high definition videos... If it could not steam them all them I'd cut one off at a time until the ones left would continue to steam without problems.
Great comparison. Did you notice a difference in sensitivity to obstructions between the two?
That’s a good question and I wish I had a better answer. I’ve encountered situations with both of them where overhanging trees result in a periodic drop - ex 10 minutes online, 30 seconds offline - where repositioning the dish just a bit resolved it and got to 100% online. So in my experience I’d say they feel about equivalent so far.
Very informative, thank you.
Very helpful, thanks very much
next time you should also do an advanced speedtest, to measure the speed between the satellite and the antena, because the final speed could be different depending on your wifi configuration... if the difference between the standard and the advanced is big, then you need a 3rd party router or better wifi settings to take advantage of your dish
Yep good point. I'll do that next time I'm comparing them side by side. Thanks for the tip!
Where was this shot, name of lake? Gorgeous location.
Great video!
Will you please tell me where this camp site is?
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Awesome video-bravo🎉
Really helpful...subscribed!
great test
Mini for me, along with something like a Peplink router.
That sounds like a great combo. I've heard great things about those routers!
I have Gen2 Starlink standard actuated with grandfathered $145/mo home/roam plan and I have never seen 400Mbs even with current location set has “home” and doing advanced test directly from router. Max I’ve seen is in the 200s and more typically averages closer to ether side of 100. That average includes 3 years of nomad-ing across entire USA and I have noticed the speeds have gotten better. Wondering if the new current standard panel is inherently faster than the old actuated standard panel or if you just got lucky where you were in Colorado when you were testing. I’m considering moving from Gen2 to the mini for space considerations in my Winnebago Revel.
It's a good question. Not sure. I've seen speeds vary a bit in different locations and different times of the day. The Mini does have a bit less bandwidth than the Gen 2 / 3 but the question is does it matter for what you need to do. The benefits of the small size, build in router, and DC power are hard to say no to. It'd be fun to do a Gen 2 vs Gen 3 comparison some day but I'd have to reactivate both plans 😬.
You can actually save some money going with the residential plan. You just have to switch your new "address" in the app every time you move into another Starlink cell, which are about 15 miles across. Up to you if that's worth saving 30 bucks a month.
Thanks for the tip.
Hi have to get approval when you change your new address. They catch on after a while
Is this same for Mexico
Great video, but really needs testing in WEATHER rain/cloud etc
Good idea. I'll try to do another video testing under different conditions. From talking to other people, it doesn't seem to be a big issue.
Do you notice certain areas have more or less speed when you find connectivity or is it pretty consistent if you do have a connection? Trying to decide if the standard would provide better reliability in more remote areas but I really like the portability and power usage of the mini which seems to have enough speed, I just wonder about consistency in remote areas.
In my personal experience, I do find variability but it often seems like it's more common to have lower throughput in busy areas with a lot of users (urban areas) vs remote areas. I've always had all the bandwidth I need in remote areas.
Test can bee only better with cable :)
Nice comparison. Thanks for the effort. Everything looks like you are not using it when traveling. you only use it when parked and put the dish outside?
Yep we only use it at camp and only sometimes (as needed). We like being offline and enjoying camp. There’s a blog post with more info about it banthaoverland.com/internet-hour-aka-when-we-dont-use-starlink/.
Does the mini work in transit like the older one now?
Yes, both the Starlink Standard and Mini are officially supported In Motion with any of the Starlink Roam plans.
I would love to know the range of the wifi range.... Since it is built in to the dish, what happens when you need to place the dish far from camp to get a line of site of the sky..... A speed test showing the speed test at 10' increments away form the dish would be great!
I was curious about that too and did a separate video. Check out th-cam.com/video/KaK7jDf7zwo/w-d-xo.html.
Awesome video 👍
“The Mini uses half the power.” How many watts for each?
Check out the Starlink specs at www.starlink.com/specifications?spec=5. Starlink Standard 75 - 100 W. Starlink Mini 25-40W. Those match my experience as well. Normally the highest power is for snow melt, then a bit less during boot up and orientation, and then the lower power is during normal operation without high bandwidth use cases (ex uploading a 2GB TH-cam video).
yeah, my home internet speed is only around 40 dl and works fine, so thinking 400 should cover it
🤣🤣🤣
Great video
Would you let us know more about how the per gig over 50, works out for you? I’m thinking of taking the same approach.
Yep, I'm planning to make a followup video about it. I'm curious how it works out as well.
Should of played a 4K or 8K video on TH-cam, see if it can handle it
I'll do some more testing to see how this works. I'm also going to do some file download and upload tests for the next test.
Could I use either for my full time Internet service? Be cheaper than my current provider
Yeah right!
Would you be able to provide a link to the smart plug connector (that is mounted to your trailer)?
It's a SmartPlug ethernet jack. I really like it but it's a bit expensive and hard to find these days. I've been looking at these similar connectors for my next project amzn.to/400Aij5 which to work well based on reviews. More info about my installation at banthaoverland.com/lessons-in-drilling-through-the-side-of-your-camper/.
@banthaoverland I was referring to the 5.5mm x 2.1mm DC Jack, Keystone Plate wall mount.
Great vid. I am concerned with finding clear sky with only 50’ of cable vs 150’ with the standard. Also, the computer in my RV has to reach up to 50’ to the router in the antenna , right? Do you think either of those would become issues? Thank you for some great info, and would greatly appreciate your thoughts. Liked and Subscribed 😉!
Wi-Fi 5, which the Starlink mini uses, has a theoretical range of about 800 feet, but is about half that in real world unobstructed use. Even going through standard home walls it'll usually get 100-200 foot range, so shouldn't have any issues at 50 foot with very little obstructing the signal.
If you're going to put the dish father away I think you could just get a longer cable for mini and if the router is too far away you run a long Ethernet to a separate router, if you really wanted mini. Otherwise, go with standard and a long Ethernet cable so you can have the router inside/near your rig.
You can certainly use a longer cable. You can also use a portable power bank or solar panel and position the Starlink Mini by itself without running a cable back to your camp assuming the router reaches. If you're running a long cable at 12v DC, check out this video th-cam.com/video/iizaHJnMI2Y/w-d-xo.html because you might run into a voltage drop issue and want to step up the voltage to 24v DC.
@@banthaoverland : Great answer! I did not know the mini was wireless, except for power. Thank you for the additional info.
Thanks for the excellent Vlog. I see that Starlink has changed their plans very recently. More expensive, so does that now mean you can have Mini now with Unlimited Data instead of 50GB?
Check out my video comparing the 50GB vs unlimited plan th-cam.com/video/RkGswnIagL8/w-d-xo.html
Unlimited data on the roam plan is $155 I think. So basically if you're going to use over 155 gb monthly go with that, otherwise 50 gb plan with $1 per extra gb is better.
good stuff!
Can you suggest an alternative to mounting the Gen 3 other than rooftop?
That's why I put it on a tripod, so I can get it off the ground or roof and place it where it has the best view of the sky. Which is often not where I'm camped (eg under a tree). Check out my video about why and how I use a tripod with Starlink at th-cam.com/video/D01Ir5ISUK8/w-d-xo.html.
@banthaoverland thanks, will do
I bought 15 meters extra cable and mounted Starlink standard on a 4 ft pole in the back yard, behind some foliage. Works great x 3 months so far.
I have a question. If I buy both, one to mount on my home and another to use while traveling, can I only pay for the subscription for the standard size one and use both devices? I understand I won’t be able to connect both at the same time.
My understanding is that you need a plan for each device. So you'd need two plans but could pause one or both for a period of time. However, pausing doesn't start until the end of the current billing period which could be 3 or 30 days away from today.
If the Mini had a better data cap or the standard had a lower cost I'd certainly be interested. Currently I don't see a use for either.
Yep, it's still fairly expensive. I think it's a good deal for the magical almost anywhere connection it provides but that still requires money for sure. I'm sure the price will evolve over time.
@@banthaoverland I hope so, would be nice to break up with monopoly I am forced to support here (Comcast). But even they are still 2-3x cheaper and with fewer limitations.
I agree it is useful for certain people.
@@banthaoverland so far it only evolved up 😅
Does the mini antenna also have a motor for orientation?
or is it just pointing up?
Video on tripod vs Permanent roof mount would be helpful.
Thank you from a long ongoing Sprinter converter.
Check out this video I did comparing roof vs tripod for in-motion use while driving and camping. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
Great Channel, Hey is there anyway to get the starlink mini up to the Bigstarlink speeds, ?? ( maybe a different plan it would be faster??) and how much
In my experience, Starlink speeds can vary quite a bit based on location and conditions. So it's possible an area with fast speeds and a Mini will be faster than an area with slow speeds and a Standard. That said, Starlink is working to increase speeds for all devices, so given enough time (months? years?) all Starlinks should be faster.
What is the theft deterrent? Where I would use it I would not always be able to babysit it. What keeps it from walking off?
That's not a problem I've had but certainly a consideration depending on where you're using it.
How often do trees make it hard to get either dish working? I am concerned that most of the time trees will keep it from working when we camp.
It really depends on where I'm traveling. When I'm traveling in the western US it's fairly easy as there are wide open sky. It's more challenging when traveling in the eastern US. That said, I'm always able to find somewhere to use the Starlink if needed but it might not be at camp or might not be the camp I would have chosen if I wasn't using Starlink. There are certainly sites in dense trees where it's not going to work and a cell phone booster might be a better option.
The Mini has its WiFi router built in. I've heard reports that the WiFi performance of the mini isn't that great when your WiFI client devices are inside an RV. Any thoughts?
I haven't had any issues using the Starlink Mini positioned within 30' or so of my rig, using it both when indoors and outdoors. But it's something I've heard from others and will do some additional testing. The Mini can also be used with an external router via an Ethernet cable connected to its Ethernet port. So an option if needed. Overall there are tradeoffs for the smaller form factor.
Have you used the mini while moving/traveling as you drive? If so. How's the performance?
@@shannonagain3 in my experience, it's fine, our company truck has a mini, in a magnetic mount and it's just attached on top of a toolbox, they installed a cool gear 100w type C outlet , all 5 of us can have phone and internet anywhere, working on drilling rig locations in some very rural areas, works fine doing 80 down the highway
@@Liimpy excellent! Thanks!!
I’m guessing there’s no way to get a wired internet connection out of the mini with it just being wifi. Is this correct? I run several wired network devices on my boat so this is a potential drawback. I’m sure there’s an external device that can extend the WiFi network to wired Ethernet. Will have to look into that.
The Mini has an Ethernet port which can be used with an external router. I haven't tried it myself but that's a supported use case. For example, Starlink talks about using it with the Gen 3 router since it has better specs.
@ thanks. I did find that after more research. Appreciate the response 🙏
How about the distance for ring wireless cameras? If the mini can pull that off and a few tvs or phones watching TH-cam or Netflix? I have a standard on the way, i was on the fence. Still am. Maybe the Tmobile home internet might use.
I'll be posting a video in the coming weeks showing distance tests using the Starlink Mini. Stay tuned.
Nice video/ I just received the Mini/ had trouble running it off my EcoFlow delta max/ 100w usb-c / wouldnt power up,the mini. Why I don’t know, researching that/ were do you get those light weight tripods ? I like those! Tx
Check out banthaoverland.com/choosing-a-starlink-tripod-adapter/ for my thoughts on the best tripods to use with Starlink. I’ve tried a bunch of them 😁.
Curious what you learn about the USB-C. I had some issues running at 12v due to the voltage drop across such a long thin cable (the one supplied with the Mini). I stepped up the 12v to 24v 5amps and it’s working great. You could try a shorter / thicker cable if it’s a voltage drop problem or use the outlet adapter which outputs 30v 2amps.
@@banthaoverland tx I just ordered one off your link/ I also ordered that adapter for the tripod mini/ to tri pod Hoping I get it in a timely fashion/ tx
@@banthaoverland I am thinking it’s the usb-c 100w on EcoFlow delta Max / not programed correctly for the mini/ doing some research. See if there is a update from EcoFlow for that.
@@banthaoverland I looked in the manual for my ecflow delta max. It says usb-c/ 5/9/12/15/20v. 5a 100w per port/ seems like it should work with this mini? what do you think?
I would like to have one in case of a disaster- if our property becomes a refuge for many people - can a number of people use it to contact relatives? What unit would you recommend?
After the Maui wildfires- someone had one and it helped a lot of people .
If you’re keeping it at home I’d maybe think about the Standard. It’s on sale until 10/6 and has a bit more bandwidth potential if you don’t mind the larger size and separate router.
So, can you watch TH-cam videos for 5 days straight. Or is it like one a day for 5 days. Also is the unlimited option unlimited? Actually not a stupid question because many cell phones say unlimited, but they are not. Like T mobile told me.
As an example, using my iPhone for normal web surfing, email, videos, and Zoom calls over an 8 hour work day used 5GB. Also devices connected to WiFI assume they have all the bandwidth they want and also do background tasks - backups, syncing, etc. So you could turn on low data mode but I still think you'd use a lot of bandwidth.
el mini tiene un limite de velocidad de 160mb , pero con prioridad de los satelites a la standar por eso le marca 146mb
Hi Are you satisfied with the wifi signal from the mini when you are inside the RV with the doors closed? Some say it does not perform well through the metal skin of and RV or caravan. Thinking of days when it’s raining outside and we are snug inside
I haven't had an issues but I've only used it on two trips so far. So time will tell. My rig is an aluminum / steel truck with a fiberglass truck camper. Using it outdoors or in the truck camper has been fine. When using it outdoors, I try to have line of sight between me and the Starlink Mini which seems helpful. I'll do more testing on an upcoming trip. It's worth noting that you can still use an external router with the Starlink Mini via the Ethernet port, so there's always that option if there are issues.
Is the speed disparity in any way related to the service plan you have?
Based on my understanding it’s related to the hardware (Standard vs Mini) not the service plan.
how long did it take to ship? Im full time and im worried to ship it to a camp when they dont tell you anything about ship time and the stories ive heard about taking months to ship.
I think it took about 2-3 weeks. It definitely took a bit longer than I expected but I can imagine it's a popular item at the moment. Accessories from the Starlink Store also seem to be taking a few weeks. It often seems like there's a wait for the container to come into port (a few weeks) and then the tracking info gets updated and it arrives a few days later (my guess anyway).
I ordered through Home Depot and had my mini 4 days later.
I'm only interested in the roam version only. And is there an option for limited use payments. Because I would only need this while traveling in my rv? I don't need satellite service at home. I'm an antenna only viewer. I don't need to spend that much money on TV and Internet. We pulled the plug over 10 years ago on cable.
Check out our other video comparing the two Roam plans th-cam.com/video/RkGswnIagL8/w-d-xo.html. You might want to start with the $50 per month 50GB Roam plan.
"The Starlink mini uses the power it draws to heat itself and melt snow. This helps prevent service disruptions and the need to remove snow from the roof. The Starlink mini can melt up to 1.5 inches of snow per hour."
Indeed. All the Starlinks have snow melt capabilities.
So does the standard
Can the mini battery work for home use?
Like the melting snow thing, need to learn about this.
Need to be able to setup inside homes
Bantha… like from Star Wars?
Oh yeah 😜! Out tight is big and we take our time but can go lots of harsh desolate places. Reminded us of a bantha.
Do you know how much half the power is? Curious
they are launching much faster data plans in a couple of years. up to 5Gbps. which is almost as fast as google fiber. i had no idea google fiber was 8Gbps i remember it being 1Gbps not that long ago.
Starlink Mini users, help! The DC power cable in the Starlink spec sheet is listed as 5.5mm x 2.5mm. However, when I checked several online shops, they show it as 5.5mm x 2.1mm. This has really confused me. Could it be that the DC power cable has two different ends, with the end that connects to the dish being 5.5mm x 2.1mm and the end that connects to the power supply being 5.5mm x 2.5mm? I'm not sure if this is the case.
I can confirm it's a 5.5mm x 2.1mm male barrel jack plug. I purchase these 16awg barrel connector wire ends amzn.to/3AP9IjQ to make my own Starlink Mini cable and it's working great.
Also if you're powering at 12v, you'll probably need to step up to 24v or higher if using a long cable due to the voltage drop over long distances. I used a 12v to 24v step up amzn.to/3Zaug0m in my rig. I'll be posting a video about it shortly.
What plans did you have for each? Were they different plans or the same plan?
Standard is on Roam - Regional. Mini is on Roam - 50GB. Check out my video comparing the plans at th-cam.com/video/RkGswnIagL8/w-d-xo.html.
👍 Thanks, good job. Bezos needs to get on the ball and add some competition. Do you know if unused gigs roll over to the next month or not, or is there $ taken off or what?
Haha, right! I think there were some other startups trying to do it but I haven't heard much about them.
Your data just resets each month
@@Liimpy Sooo, use it or lose it I guess, thanks.
Are the kickstands on the mini amd the standard the same size/angle? Im looking to buy a wall mount, but it says its for starlink standard, and i have a mini.
Based on my understanding the orientation (north) and angle (45 degrees) for positioning are the same for all Starlinks. However, the mounts and dimensions / angles are different between them b/c they are very different sizes. For example, a Starlink Standard Kickstand will not work on a Mini.
in the years to come, I'd say two years, maybe 3, with the mini because by then Starlink will probably come in on your phone.
Yep. You can see it - each version of Starlink is smaller and smaller and smaller.
That mini is 3 times faster then my standard ( Alberta , Canada) same upload though.
That's awesome! I was hoping to hear from other people in different locations. Is that comparing them side by side at the same time or comparing your previous experience with the Standard to the current experience with the Mini. Asking because I know Starlink performance can vary a bit from time to time as the satellites move around.
Is a slower download speed more economical if you are on the Roam data plan? Specifically, if you are satisfied with say video quality at 150 Mbps does it use less of your data plan than 450 Mbps?
The Starlink doesn't take which plan you have into consideration nor does your device. Modern devices (laptops, phones, etc) use a lot of data IMHO when they're on WIFI because most of these devices assume they are connection to an unlimited broadband connection on WiFi. You can configure settings to reduce data usage. For example, you can enable Low Data Mode for a WiFi connection on iOS which will suppress background tasks in apps and certain iOS syncing (backups, photos, etc) which will save some bandwidth. Learn more about Low Data Mode at support.apple.com/en-us/102433. Laptops, Android, etc may have similar features.
Nice
What did you use to mount these to a tripod?
Is it an adapter for Arca Swiss plate or something?
I use a StarDapter Tripod Adapter which are 3D printed adapters that I make for mounting Starlinks on tripods. I normally use a quick release plate as well. In this case, both tripod are using a Arca Swiss plate with a StarDapter.
More Info:
• Starlink StarDapter Tripod Adapter for Starlink Standard w/ Kickstand go.banthaoverland.com/vwfuXNS
• Starlink StarDapter Tripod Adapter for Starlink Mini go.banthaoverland.com/re7fYqa
• Tripod Recommendations banthaoverland.com/choosing-a-starlink-tripod-adapter/
@@banthaoverlandthanks ! I just picked up the $299 standard dish for emergency backup purposes. The adapter and tripod recommendations are so appreciated.
Wondering if I should just activate it for one month even though I don’t need it to test everything and then cancel the monthly subscription? I’m going to buy an ecoflow 3 on prime day oct 8th to get emergency power.
Your video really helped me get through the process so thank you 🙏🏽
You should go to advance and run that speed test. You're only testing what your phone can reach too the router. Not tthe router too the satellites
Yep that's what I've been doing in newer videos. Thanks for the feedback!
Mini 12 to 36 volts
Y dont you hook it up on your truck with a custom made mechanic stand that adjust the angle itself with cople codes and a custom made pcb ont that custom made stand. Hooked up on your van internet running 24x7 go where ever you want.
That sounds pretty amazing to me. Let's do it!
So off grid, go mini. If u have space and full hook up, go standard.
Also cost. The cheapest Mini plan is $50/month. The cheapest Standard plan is $165/month.
According to their website that’s not true. Making standard cheaper than mini.
“Note: Currently the Roam 50GB service plan option is only available for Starlink Mini at the time of placing an order. Customers purchasing Starlink Standard may move to the Roam 50GB service plan after their first month. This will not affect any existing Roam 50GB users using Starlink Standard.”
Great review. Could easily be trimmed down to 5 min
Lol, considering one is wifi 5 and one is wifi 6, not really a comparison in speed
Fair point for the router. I'm mainly focused on real world performance for my uses cases. Both seem good enough for email, web surfing, TH-cam watching, and occasionally photo and video uploads.
@@banthaoverland and for games?
🙏🙏🙏🤛👍😎🦅🇺🇸
Lmao. Here this guy has 400mbs "thats pretty good at camp" and the best any internet provider in my area can give me is 10mb/s and its down almost 50% of the time. Starlink ordered lol
Haha. I hope it's a better connection for you.
HD? it needs less than 5Mbps to play HD video you know right? you need to at least run 4K livestream or netflix or something to test it, not youtube video that is less than 50 Mb in size total, lol.
Great point. That's not really my use case but would be good to test for sure.
Twin Lakes.
Pretty obvious which works better. Standard has more antennas and faster router. Mini has its purpose. Definitely don’t understand comparison purpose. lol
It really depends on your use case and what's most important. Size, portability, cost, bandwidth, etc. For example, I'm picking the Mini even though it's "slower".
It’s pretty obvious which is better but you Don’t understand the comparison purpose. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's way too easy to hack into someone's Starlink and infiltrate their network. It's a big no for me.
3:42 Video Starts. He failed by doing a speed test with the Starlink app instead of an unbiased speed test with a 3rd party website. This video serves no purpose. Channel blocked
What would you suggest for testing?
Seems like no loss tbh, Nova doesn't seem to understand that the comparison is valid as you used the same speedtest app for both.
Regardless of the absolute number you can see the difference between the two units and the numbers are sufficiently different to be significant.
Test looks good here, considering residential service now having used mini in the wild and been suitably impressed!
@@lmaoroflcopter Starlink lies about speeds on their app. Use Google speed test and stop whining.
@@Nova-m8d aww poor Nova, doesn't understand relative measurements.
@@lmaoroflcopter You seem upset. Elon, is that you?
This guy being so out of breath just from speaking makes this so hard to watch
The standard, hands down, is the most logical way to go. It is faster and more resilient than the mini. In my opinion, the mini is nothing more than a gimmick with a "cool" factor. I overland roughly 7 months out of the year and other than the standard being a little more hefty, I find absolutely no valid reason to get the mini.
My win is for the standard.
Yeah I go back and forth. I really like not having a separate power supply and router and a basic 2 wire cable. Maybe it’s because I have a small rig with limited space. The standard certainly has more bandwidth potential.