Starlink Questions (for those that have used it a while)

[ajg617]

Check Tweetys. Just ordered recently and it was around $180, no tax. (For the Starlink specific model)

Just ordered. Thank you!

 

[Billn59]

Just installed a Flag Pole Buddy. Works great. I have an extra length of pole if I need another 4 ft in height.

 

[pappcam]

Just installed a Flag Pole Buddy. Works great. I have an extra length of pole if I need another 4 ft in height.

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I just got my Starlink yesterday. I like the Flagpole Buddy but it's the same price as my whole Starlink package was which seems ridiculous.

 

[FT4NOW]

I just got my Starlink yesterday. I like the Flagpole Buddy but it's the same price as my whole Starlink package was which seems ridiculous.

You can get it for about $180 shipped from Tweetys.

 

[pappcam]

You can get it for about $180 shipped from Tweetys.

Unfortunately not to where I am in Canada.

Anyone have any idea of a good source to get one of these in Canada?

 

[Billn59]

Unfortunately not to where I am in Canada.

Anyone have any idea of a good source to get one of these in Canada?

Check Ebay. Thats where I ordered mine $200 USD and free shipping.

 

[pappcam]

So the first use of Starlink is happening. Not the best or optimal tree situation but it's working great so far.

 

[GoodScout]

We've used Starlink for over a year now. Very pleased. Here's some responses to OP's questions:

a) Can it still be paused when not traveling? Say you are on the road 6 months out of the year off and on. Is it easy to pause and resume? Are there fees associated with that process?
Yes, you can pause it. We winterize our camper from Halloween until April Fool's Day. You simply select on your app that you want to pause service, and it will pause it at the end of your current paid cycle. Then you restart it when you're ready to resume, and within 5 minutes you're active again. No additional fee, but if you pause it 5 days after your last payment, it will be 25 or so days before you're service is shut off and you don't get charged again.

b) We prefer shaded spots over baking in the sun. Does that basically make Starlink a no-go? Or, do you find you can still use it even when in state or county parks where there is usually shaded parking?
We chose not to mount it to our RV for this very reason. We park in a variety of sites, and shady ones means we have to stretch out our dishy cord to locate the dish out from under the trees. We've been able to get about 50% open sky and still get streaming speeds with no problem.

c) If you had to choose between a cellular router (cellular data plan) or Starlink, which would you recommend? (Looking for opinions from those that have actually had Starlink experience please.)
We have both. We use cellular data when we're boondocking or otherwise can't generate 110V power for Starlink (or are just too last to hook it up,) and then use Starlink when we have no cell service or really, really bad signal.

 

[Riverbug]

Update from OP: We finally decided on Starlink and have been using it for a month now. Works great. Somewhat limited speeds due to tree cover but it's still usable without buffering. Purchased a Recpro flag pole on Amazon along with a ladder mount kit, and an adapter off Etsy for the dish. All works perfectly and very secure. Appreciate all the feedback and advice as we considered our options.

 

[60356jai]

I'm glad I found this thread. Great information.

My question/concern with Starlink is the lack of someone to call to get set up. Is there a number for sales or service to call? I can't find one. Just don't understand it enough to pay for the hardware needed until I speak to a live person. I don't know if it is simple to set up or if I need a dealership to install for example. I have Verizon 4G as the router is 4G and I just bought the router the fall of 2021 when I bought my fifth wheel.

Is it easy set up and I'm over thinking not having a number/person to talk to?

 

[FT4NOW]

I'm glad I found this thread. Great information.

My question/concern with Starlink is the lack of someone to call to get set up. Is there a number for sales or service to call? I can't find one. Just don't understand it enough to pay for the hardware needed until I speak to a live person. I don't know if it is simple to set up or if I need a dealership to install for example. I have Verizon 4G as the router is 4G and I just bought the router the fall of 2021 when I bought my fifth wheel.

Is it easy set up and I'm over thinking not having a number/person to talk to?

It is very easy to setup and comes with instructions. Doesn't take long at all. Hardest part is figuring out a dish mount if you choose to mount it, but even that is easy to do.

 

[60356jai]

Thanks for the info! Are there options for a dish on the roof that only is put up when camping? Or is the pole the only option? I have seen folks on you tube that have Starlink and it seems like they pull out a dish and place it on the roof or ground depending on the area and need.

 

[FT4NOW]

Thanks for the info! Are there options for a dish on the roof that only is put up when camping? Or is the pole the only option? I have seen folks on you tube that have Starlink and it seems like they pull out a dish and place it on the roof or ground depending on the area and need.

I mainly use the flagpole buddy on my ladder, but lately I've been putting it on the ground because of tree obstruction.

 

[60356jai]

Thank you!

 

[SilentService]

I mainly use the flagpole buddy on my ladder, but lately I've been putting it on the ground because of tree obstruction.

X2. As FT4NOW stated, those are your best portable options that give you the advantage of finding the the open spots for stronger signals. For a roof mount, you would have to go up on the roof every time to mount/dismount the dish.

 

[Riverbug]

I'm glad I found this thread. Great information.

My question/concern with Starlink is the lack of someone to call to get set up. Is there a number for sales or service to call? I can't find one. Just don't understand it enough to pay for the hardware needed until I speak to a live person. I don't know if it is simple to set up or if I need a dealership to install for example. I have Verizon 4G as the router is 4G and I just bought the router the fall of 2021 when I bought my fifth wheel.

Is it easy set up and I'm over thinking not having a number/person to talk to?

I wasn't too sure either when I bought mine but since there is a trial period I thought I'd give it a shot. It's pretty easy. If you're comfortable with a smart phone and loading the starlink app, it'll be no issue. Plug the dish into the router and the router into the wall outlet. Download the app, set up your account, and you're off. I also decided to use my own router just because the signal distance from the starlink router is pretty limited compared to a typical Netgear or other router. Takes a few minutes to get to know your way around the app if you want to bypass their router or pause the subscription, but no harder than any other app.

 

[Billn59]

I use one these 2 options for setting up Dishy:


Flag Pole Buddy which I use most of the time. If I'm parked under a tree, I use this:



This is a speaker stand you can get on Amazon. On ETSY you can get an adaptor that will attach to the stand so I can put Dishy anywhere within 75 or 150 ft from the trailer depending on what cord you have.

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

I'm glad I found this thread. Great information.

My question/concern with Starlink is the lack of someone to call to get set up. Is there a number for sales or service to call? I can't find one. Just don't understand it enough to pay for the hardware needed until I speak to a live person. I don't know if it is simple to set up or if I need a dealership to install for example. I have Verizon 4G as the router is 4G and I just bought the router the fall of 2021 when I bought my fifth wheel.

Is it easy set up and I'm over thinking not having a number/person to talk to?

It's extremely easy to set up. The app is user friendly (mostly) and provides easy setup. It's got all the components out of the box you need (stand, dish, router, power cable, that's it). There is no dealership needed, UNLESS you want to have it permanently installed and not wantingto DIY it. I have my router plugged into wetbay power outlet, the cable run through the hole for the water hose, and then it runs to dish... that's it. Trying to combine with with your existing setup might not be doable, so it's just signing onto a different wifi network, basically.

 

[COGrandDes]

It's extremely easy to set up. The app is user friendly (mostly) and provides easy setup. It's got all the components out of the box you need (stand, dish, router, power cable, that's it). There is no dealership needed, UNLESS you want to have it permanently installed and not wantingto DIY it. I have my router plugged into wetbay power outlet, the cable run through the hole for the water hose, and then it runs to dish... that's it. Trying to combine with with your existing setup might not be doable, so it's just signing onto a different wifi network, basically.

I just bought one and set it up. Super easy. I went the extra mile and made it 12v DC rather than AC so I dont have to run my inverter when boondocking which is all we do. Highly recommend.

 

[Riverbug]

I just bought one and set it up. Super easy. I went the extra mile and made it 12v DC rather than AC so I dont have to run my inverter when boondocking which is all we do. Highly recommend.

I'd love to do that and I've watched a couple videos on it but not sure about it. Not really ready to void any warranties or anything just yet. Would you mind sharing what method you used to accomplish it?