Starlink 2 Month Review - Is it worth it?

In this video, we discuss how Starlink has performed vs the expectations that I had. In short, Starlink has fallen way short of what it promised and in many cases is most definitely not worth the upfront or monthly expenditures, but when there is nothing else that will work it is a “Must Have”. While I’m disappointed in its overall performance, I will be keeping it active because it opens up a whole new set of camping areas that I couldn’t use before due to the total lack of connectivity in those areas.
#starlink
#starlinkreview
#airstream
#starlinkrv

[@elimlife5980]

And here it comes - Soft caps as predicted: www.starlinkhardware.com/starlink-introduces-soft-data-cap-in-france/#more-1426

[@Justthe2ofUs843]

I've had Starlink for over 3 months and traveled in Montana, Idaho, Utah , Nevada and Arizona full time RV. The slowest speed I have seen is 30 Mbps and fastest is 260Mbps. Starlink has been a game changer and a lifesaver. Totally worth it. In the last 3 months there has been hundreds of sattelites added to the constellation and it will only get better.

[@Mike-mr8ui]

I'd like a video on HOW to use Starlink. Where do you load streaming services? How do you send/receive emails? etc . . .

[@elimlife5980]

Starlink is just another ISP (Internet Service Provider). All it does is give you connectivity to the Internet. All of those services (streaming, email, web browsing, etc..) are the same services you would use with a normal provider like a DSL or Cable company (or even cellular hot spot) use. Once it's connected, it acts just like all the rest (Except for other satellite services like Hughes net, or excede. It's way better than those - faster and much less delay)

[@LESTERBATE]

Just got mine today in Cabo San Lucas. 150 Mbps…

[@ctvandyne]

An update on this would be great. Has service improved since?

[@jasocaz]

Thanks for the review. I didn't catch your location - where have you experienced poor speeds, and have speeds been better while boondocking / away from urban centers? How much faster has it been during the day?

[@elimlife5980]

Home base is central NM. We've used it while traveling most of the SW US including CA. The best speeds we had were in UT around the Zion area. Our home base is the worst speeds we have experienced, but CA was pretty bad as well. (Both northern and southern). The speeds are bad enough that I wouldn't keep it except for the fact that many places out here, just have no cellular footprints at all. As long as you stick to the populated corridors along major Interstates, you have good cellular, but when you venture away from that, it gets spotty. While not performing optimally, at least Starlink works everywhere. If I can get 5 to 10 Mb/s, I can do my work. I didn't mention in the video, but we have a presence on all three major cell networks. My phone is Verizon, my wife's is T-mobile and the Airstream has AT&T. Even then, about half of the places we like to go have no coverage at all. Speeds seem to very wildly. If not during the prime portion of daily usage ~3pm to 11pm, Starlink has speeds that are adequate but they still vary wildly. (from 15 Mb/s to 80 Mb/s). UT was the best and regularly exceeded 50 Mb/s anywhere we were in the state.

[@dewdropin2010]

You need to look up star link satellite 2.0. Star link 1.5 has a gross weight of 650 pounds. Starlink 2.0 satellite have a gross weight of 2000 pounds. Laser communication between satellite have not been activated yet. Thank you for the video

[@elimlife5980]

I'm anxiously awaiting 2.0 - the laser communication is less important to me. That only helps satellites that are not within range of a ground station which is probably more important for boats and planes. Elon says the performance of the 2.0 will on order of a magnitude greater. Of course, he also promised 150-200Mb/s and I'm only getting 2-4Mb/s during prime time. The bottleneck is in how many satellites are in range vs how many customers they serve and what their backbone throughput is. Another bottleneck is the ground stations to the POPs. I think I read that they are 100Gb/s fiber links. And then, of course, the POPs themselves. I do not know what their ultimate capabilities are. But that is the struggle of all ISPs. I think they are over the hump (assuming they can launch 2.0 in the near future). But hey, it's better than nothing - which is where I would be in many places without it.

[@dontwantnospam]

Another of Musk's smoke and mirrors. Just like the maybe in the next decade cybertruck. As with Tesla, Musk overpromises and under delivers. I know a few people who get decent speeds from starlink, but the greater number are getting similar results as you. I'm sticking with cell service and if I want TV, then it's Dish. Until users quit the service, Musk and starlink won't do anything to improve it. The promised V2 satellites are still years from actually be in place and working. And the number of satellites are causing issues for astronomers and I'm not sure, but also equipment (satellites) that are finding low earth orbit being loaded with more junk. Think about the movie Gravity. Keep putting things up, they run into each other and make space unusable. Just my view. And Thank You for an honest review of your experience with starlink.

[@elimlife5980]

I definitely understand the frustration. It's not what I'd hoped it would be, but... in many areas it's better than nothing. I seem to have a choice between just avoiding some of my favorite areas due to lack of connectivity or paying too much for the current service. Hard choice at times.