Starlink or ???

[Rgpracer]

My wife has given me a "better get" for our camper......

I have to do some kind of internet.....

I've heard that a lot of campers like it, so, is it worth it or not?

If not......what to get.

Thanks
Ray

 

[FT4NOW]

We've been using ours full time since about mid-April, so far I'm happy with it.

 

[Rgpracer]

So, the initial cost is the worst part?
Do you pay for a service?

We've been using ours full time since about mid-April, so far I'm happy with it.

 

[FT4NOW]

So, the initial cost is the worst part?
Do you pay for a service?

The equipment is the biggest cost, plus any extra mounting options you pursue. We use flagpole buddy with Starlink adapter and mount it on the ladder.

Not sure what service you are asking about. We pay $150/mo for Starlink (mobile version, but not the version where you can drive with it connected). Any streaming service costs would exist regardless of internet provider unless they offer any package deals.

 

[Rgpracer]

Thanks Sir.
Will look into it.

The equipment is the biggest cost, plus any extra mounting options you pursue. We use flagpole buddy with Starlink adapter and mount it on the ladder.

Not sure what service you are asking about. We pay $150/mo for Starlink (mobile version, but not the version where you can drive with it connected). Any streaming service costs would exist regardless of internet provider unless they offer any package deals.

 

[ajg617]

We had both Verizon and T-Mobile phones which we would use as hotspots. I was really disappointed in VZ from Indiana west to Montana and again where we stayed in North Carolina. T-Mobile gave us the best signal but always dropped internet access which was very frustrating. The kicker was staying at Custer State Park (beautiful!!) but absolutely NO cell service. So this year, I bit the bullet and ordered Starlink. Installed it and tested it out at home which is surrounded by high trees. The dishy was in between our house and RV but still gave very good (200Mb) performance overall. We'll see how it works this year with Glacier, YNP, Tetons for a few weeks. The equipment price was $300 less than one of our VZ phones which we needed to upgrade and the $150 cost/month (which you can turn on/off service/billing) will be cheaper than what we pay VZ every month. Haven't tested it on the road yet - so we'll see but most folks seem to be pretty happy with it.

 

[Second Chance]

Thread moved to General Tech | Technical Issues (not model specific) -> Mobile Tech: Connectivity On The Road.

Rob

 

[JKJavelin]

We go to many desolate places and are tired of lack of internet service. I've been looking at Starlink for a while and on Memorial Day Weekend Home Depot and Best Buy both had Starlink on sale for $100 off ($499 + tax and free shipping to the store), so I ordered it and picked it up the following week. We are not going anywhere until August so I haven't activated it yet. I also got the Flagpole Buddy for mounting the dishy to the ladder.
Home Depot and Best Buy both began selling Starlink in May.
Happy Hunting!
JK

 

[MoonShadow_1911]

We are full-timers and I work full-time. We have Starlink ($150.00/mo and a $600.00 initial investment) as our primary Internet access. I also have a Verizon MVNO hotspot with 200 GB, an AT&T MVNO eSIM in my phone with 20 GB for tethering, a my T-Mobile SIM in my phone with 10 GB of tethering, and a T-Mobile hotspot with 6 GB that rolls over to the next month if I don't use it.

Since Internet access is required for my job, I need the redundancy.

I also bought a gl.iNET GL-AXT1800 Slate router which allows me to use Starlink as the primary Internet access and will call back to the Verizon MVNO hotspot.

For mounting Dishy, I bought two suction cup handles that you used to move glass with, a 7' galvanized fence rail, and 3" hose clamps. I also bought the starlink pole mount to mount on top of it. I have a write-up on the forum somewhere. I can put Dishy anywhere on the side or back of the coach as needed.

 

[Redapple63]

Starlink has provided us with options. I have not done it yet as I am still working and not nearly full time, however, I would love to have that in my toolbox as I get closer to retirement.

How easy is it to turn on and off (activate/deactivate). If easy enough that makes it a great alternative.

Bill

 

[ajg617]

Looks like you can do it all on-line. From the account page, can turn on/off.

I signed up for Mobile roam which is regional to the continent according to their map:

"Option to pause service is available only to Mobile (Regional/Global) and Mobile Priority service plans.

Your service can be paused or un-paused at any time on your account page."

If you pause your service before the end of your current billing period, you will still receive service for the remainder of your billing period. When you un-pause your service, the monthly subscription fee will be charged immediately, on a pro-rated basis dependent on the plan monthly cost and time remaining on your pre-determined account billing cycle.

If you wish to not be billed for the first months service you will have 14 days from your Starlink's ship date to initiate a pause. If a pause is initiated after the billing statement has generated in your account, your Starlink service will be scheduled to pause the following month. "

 

[trailrydr]

We dont camp in no service areas.... so needing Musklink isn't an necessity. With our setup (vzw hotlink using a ladder/pole mounted Yagi on a high strength booster) my DW can VPN into her work from any CG we visit that has 1+ bars. Which also means we get internet access too in those areas.

IMO, having to have cell phone/service anyways for everyday phone communications with the current tech of "enhanced" 4G almost everywhere of atleast 1+ bars, we didnt want to pony up for another monthly payment for an ISP + one-time equipment cost when our setup works great and we already own it.

So +1, for ??? for us.

 

[ajg617]

We dont camp in no service areas.... so needing Musklink isn't an necessity. With our setup (vzw hotlink using a ladder/pole mounted Yagi on a high strength booster) my DW can VPN into her work from any CG we visit that has 1+ bars. Which also means we get internet access too in those areas.

IMO, having to have cell phone/service anyways for everyday phone communications with the current tech of "enhanced" 4G almost everywhere of atleast 1+ bars, we didnt want to pony up for another monthly payment for an ISP + one-time equipment cost when our setup works great and we already own it.

So +1, for ??? for us.

Starlink will allow me to drop one of my cell phone services - VZ or T-Mobile. Since VZ told me to go find another carrier because I can no longer receive 1 bar of 4G after having 7 VZ phones for 25 years in the same house and they have no plans on improving service here in NH, I have another option to use at home. And $150/mo is less than our monthly military discount plan with VZ. T-Mobile's 55 plan is $75/mo and I get 2-3 bars of 5G and/or 4G. In all but two of the 40 campground locations we stayed at last year, VZ was pretty near invisible and we used T-Mobile for work.

We stayed at Custer State Park and there are ZERO bars of any carrier there. Had to drive to a park restaurant to get any service.

 

[trailrydr]

Starlink will allow me to drop one of my cell phone services - VZ or T-Mobile. Since VZ told me to go find another carrier because I can no longer receive 1 bar of 4G after having 7 VZ phones for 25 years in the same house and they have no plans on improving service here in NH, I have another option to use at home. And $150/mo is less than our monthly military discount plan with VZ. T-Mobile's 55 plan is $75/mo and I get 2-3 bars of 5G and/or 4G. In all but two of the 40 campground locations we stayed at last year, VZ was pretty near invisible and we used T-Mobile for work.

We stayed at Custer State Park and there are ZERO bars of any carrier there. Had to drive to a park restaurant to get any service.

Agree that VZW doesnt do a good job of investing into existing areas, and that talking to them (or other carriers from past experience) can be pointless since they are mostly interested in that "new" monthly service agreement. Which is why one hardly sees discounts on service and more on equipment purchases associated with it.

In our experience, T-Mobile wasn't any different. Although its been 10 years or so, we had to get legal help to get out of a T-Mobile trial and wont ever go back. Thats why we stuck with VZW (also military disc) for 20+ yrs and ended up finding a way to make our service work with sketchy 1+ bars in the first place which eventually lead to our using it in CGs with the same situations.

Im sure Musklink has its dissenters too..... just like Hughesnet. Thats why we plan our stays around CGs with "some" VZW coverage and have been able to make it work each time

 

[Kelleys53]

I have had mine for over a year. It was a game-changer. I use it most times. You need a clear sky view, just like any satellite dish. The app shows you obstructions to find a good spot before setting up. I am full-time. I use my hot spot when it is a short stop or overnight. Equipment is usually $599 plus shipping. Watch for sales at Home Depot or Best Buy. I helped two friends purchase from Best Buy @ $499 with no shipping. Monthly cost is $150 with no contract.

 

[Leons_Bad_Side]

Do they have options for part timers? Say you wanted to take an extended trip and work along the way but you still have a home base that you don’t want to give up.

 

[Leons_Bad_Side]

Ok I do see there is a pay as you go plan. I’ll check that out.

 

[ItsAllGood!]

For those of us who are not full timers, is it possible to use Starlink at your bricks and sticks and then take it along in the RV when you go on the road?

 

[Second Chance]

For those of us who are not full timers, is it possible to use Starlink at your bricks and sticks and then take it along in the RV when you go on the road?

I'm not a StarLink user, but from what I've read, it is anchored to a service location unless you pay for the RV/mobile plan (more expensive, of course).

Rob

 

[Ynot4me2]

For those of us who are not full timers, is it possible to use Starlink at your bricks and sticks and then take it along in the RV when you go on the road?

Yes but as [MENTION=870]Second Chance[/MENTION] mentioned, you'll need to use the mobile plan. In Canada, its $20 more a month. The other advantage with that plan is you can stop it and restart it anytime. Stopping it is not instant in the sense that it stop at the end of the bill cycle. However,, if you're the type of RVer that travels to a destination and stay there for weeks, you could get by with using the regular plan and simply moving your address. Some have been able to get away with it. When we travel, we are at a different spot every other day so we opted for the mobile plan and keep our regular internet provider at home.