Community Forums

DKRITTER · 04-19-2023, 06:34 AM

We decided to try Starlink back in November of last year and quite honestly it is a game changer for us. We initially set it up and ran the cord into our basement where we had power and either hooked up to it directly via Starlink Wi-Fi or set it up to run through our Pepwave Router. it was easier to run it through the Pepwave for us. We also have a Verizon sim card in it.

Shortly thereafter I ordered the ethernet adapter and ran a cable up the the Pepwave. Now I usually use the WAN and the Wi-Fi together.

The only hassle is setting up then taking down the portable dish when we are going to be someplace for a few days. It's to much hassle for an overnight.

Hence the question; Has anyone gone from the Starlink portable dish to the in-motion dish? or Does anyone have the in-motion dish and would care to comment on it?

$2500.00 is a bit spendy.

Yellville · 04-19-2023, 07:00 PM

I have one here in the box. I plan to install it next week. I have high hopes to go along with the high price.

Our next trip isn't until mid May but once I have some feedback I'll post it.

docj · 04-20-2023, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

$2500.00 is a bit spendy.

My concern is the requirement to have it permanently mounted on the roof. We like to stay in RV parks; we don't boondock. But that means you can be out of luck if you're in a site where the front of the coach is shaded. I realize that the high performance system can deal with a bit more obscuration than can the regular system but if you're in a wooded spot you're going to have issues.

The way I see it is that if I had the portable unit I could run the cable out in the hopes of getting to an open area. There's no guarantee of that, however, so I don't know how much of an advantage that would be,

For the time being we plan to rely on our Verizon and AT&T plans and will let Starlink remain our residential system.

Yellville · 04-21-2023, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

My concern is the requirement to have it permanently mounted on the roof. We like to stay in RV parks; we don't boondock. But that means you can be out of luck if you're in a site where the front of the coach is shaded. I realize that the high performance system can deal with a bit more obscuration than can the regular system but if you're in a wooded spot you're going to have issues.

The way I see it is that if I had the portable unit I could run the cable out in the hopes of getting to an open area. There's no guarantee of that, however, so I don't know how much of an advantage that would be,

For the time being we plan to rely on our Verizon and AT&T plans and will let Starlink remain our residential system.

You do have more options when parked with the portable unit, but can’t use it when driving. We travel with 3 kids so having high speed internet on the go keeps the kids from bugging dad!

docj · 04-21-2023, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellville

You do have more options when parked with the portable unit, but can’t use it when driving. We travel with 3 kids so having high speed internet on the go keeps the kids from bugging dad!

Have you thought about using multiple hotspots from different carriers in a Load Balance configuration, using a router? The results may not be all that different from what you would achieve with Starlink.

Isaac-1 · 04-21-2023, 04:03 PM

Be aware that based on online rumors, and FCC filings it looks likely that we will see a new improved smaller Starlink residential dishy, as well as smaller lower profile in motion unit coming likely in the next couple of months. Similar FCC filings showed up a few months before the current square unit went into production.

MRUSA14 · 04-21-2023, 04:25 PM

I found that when driving with a DirecTV in-motion dish, I would frequently lose reception in some areas due to trees, bridges or nearby hills and tall buildings. I don't know how this would affect Starlink, but I would not expect it to be immune.

docj · 04-21-2023, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

I found that when driving with a DirecTV in-motion dish, I would frequently lose reception in some areas due to trees, bridges or nearby hills and tall buildings. I don't know how this would affect Starlink, but I would not expect it to be immune.

With all due respect there's no comparison between pointing a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) dish at a "fixed" object in the sky versus pointing a Starlink dish into a 100 degree area of the sky. Both are difficult, but pointing a DBS dish is much harder.

Captain8 · 04-22-2023, 07:17 PM

I have basically the same setup as you. Starlink setup to pepwave and VZW sim as backup/ dualwan. I mounted my V2 square dish on my roof and use a dishypowa with a 12 to 48v adapter so don't have to use their router and can keep everything on 12v.

I use my starlink while driving and it works great, so much we usually keep the vzw at a lower priority so it only uses starlink. Surprisingly the dish has no issues turning while driving or anything else.

I've been debating switching to the in motion dish but I just don't think it'll work nearly as well since it doesn't move. I'd love to see side by side comparisons. Also I've heard they're testing a bunch of new dish designs and they've changed their marine options a few times in the past month.

I really wish they'd allow us to have multiple dishes and then we could use our in motion dish most times but if stuck in some campsite with bad service we can pull out our V2 with a long cable and pole to move it.

Iceclimber · 04-25-2023, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellville

You do have more options when parked with the portable unit, but can’t use it when driving. We travel with 3 kids so having high speed internet on the go keeps the kids from bugging dad!

Might want to check into the 5g box from Tmobile. It's month to month and $50.
I am also reluctant to plop down 2500 for a mobile starlink setup.

gatorb8 · 04-25-2023, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceclimber

Might want to check into the 5g box from Tmobile. It's month to month and $50.
I am also reluctant to plop down 2500 for a mobile starlink setup.

which tmobile box are you referring to? I google and only see home service.

Iceclimber · 04-25-2023, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorb8

which tmobile box are you referring to? I google and only see home service.

Yes. Just don't mention that the home is mobile

You do need a home address for it. Lots of folks are using it on the road and report good service.

Captain8 · 04-25-2023, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceclimber

Yes. Just don't mention that the home is mobile

You do need a home address for it. Lots of folks are using it on the road and report good service.

Isn't that only 5g service? 5g is basically pointless for RV usage as its very short range

CWSWine · 04-25-2023, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain8

Isn't that only 5g service? 5g is basically pointless for RV usage as its very short range

I use 5G in my travels and we travel about 200 days a year. We use it to stream TV and even use it while driving to stream news/music very seldom lose signal. I do have Starlink also but 5G works 90% of the time. Most of the time T-Mobile 5G is faster than Starlink. If you don't have 5G it will fall back to 4G/LTE which still works for streaming.