Starlink Mini or Starlink Standard (Gen 3) for RV Use? First Look Video Comparison!

[@utahiker]

My Gen 3 will remain my primary dish. I’m using the Mini (50GB) for road trips and when power is an issue. Night, stormy weather. Utah desert 2 weeks ago - Zero cell service (3 data plans) - Gen 3: 300-380mbps - Mini: 80-180mbps

[@craigbishop]

Fantastic analysis, Dan! Thank you! Because the $50/50GB can be used in-motion, I had assumed it was priority data; thanks for clarifying that its deprioritized.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Yeah unfortunately it's still deprioritized data even though Starlink does allow you to use it in motion.

[@peterj7813]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter So the Gen3 or the mini can't be used while in motion?

[@Wrenchmonkey1]

@@peterj7813 Recent changes to the plans. All of the Roam plans now have have 'in-motion' and are available on either hardware option. The unlimited Roam plan went up by $15 at the same time those changes came about, the $50/50GB plan is the same price as before.

[@appala]

@@peterj7813 both can be used in motion but the speed is reduced. Another important factor is, if you want the 50gig plan, only mini is supported. the Gen3 does not as per starlink. Gen3 only supports unlimited plan.

[@littlevanontheprairie9753]

Thanks for the informative video! We’re two years in to van camping, and had only used mobile phones for hot spot until now. Which has caused some limitations when I need to work on the road. Just got the Gen3 in last week, hadn’t had a chance to use yet, and wanted to make sure we didn’t want the mini instead, due to lower power consumption. I’m going to stick with the Gen3 thanks to your video. We have about 9k watts total available in our van (battery bank plus portable power), so I think the pros of the Gen3 outweigh the pros of the mini for us.

[@Winter-zv1dv]

I have both and full time RV on zoom calls all day long. They both work the same for all actual real world purposes and situations. The real difference is Mini is way smaller, way lighter, way less power, way less precarious on a tall pole, can run on USB-c with the right cable and is one unit not a clunky separate router. Mini is way more enjoyable to use.

[@aviation2infinity802]

I currently have the gen 2 starling and it works great for my zoom calls. I was curious about the mini so I appreciate the feedback. The big appeal is the 50gb package but I assume I would chew into that in no time with zoom calls on a daily.

[@Wrenchmonkey1]

@@aviation2infinity802 Yeah, 50gb would be gone pretty fast if you're doing anything video related. If you just need to do some emails and text messaging, and a limited amount of voice calling, 50gb would probably be fine. Even up to 165GB, you'd be dollars ahead. But if you're going to do video calls, streaming, KZbin uploads, etc, Unlimited is a no-brainer. Video chews up bandwitdth faster than just about anything else you are likely to be doing short of "torrenting linux ISOs". ;)

[@STF68]

Love the Starlink Mini for our RV. Didn’t like the $599 upfront price. Had to add a 12v to 24v booster to my RV’s Lithium battery system but it is working great.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Thanks for sharing your setup!

[@samwalker3441]

Outstanding comparison. Thank you so much for creating the video.

[@ToniAdventures]

Thanks Dan! Good points to think on! I’m thinking of the Mini for my campervan.

[@wenvalley1825]

Thank You! This report had all of the info that I have been looking for. You answered all of my question. Thank You1

[@bineausmiami]

Thank you Dan....love the size of the mini, but trading the stock market SPEED for sure is priority. So it looks I will stick to my Standard Gen3

[@AdventureAryck]

I’m looking for this same purpose. Currently using Att with tmobile backup. How do you find the reliability for trades? Are you mobile powering your gen 3 off batteries or generator? I assume you’re using the $250/mo priority plan. Thanks from a fellow trader. Hopefully you’re enjoying a green year. Feels like 20/21 all over again. GL💰💵

[@jamesw5836]

I had already decided to keep the Gen3 after our first trip with Starlink. We had good service even in areas with trees. In one case we were only about 30ft from a wall of trees and could still make calls using WIFI calling. Streaming was zero issues no matter where we camped. Once the price dropped to $299 it was not much of a choice.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Starlink has definitely made it possible to stay connected in areas you would never have been able to before with only cellular! Thanks for sharing your setup!

[@glazed_vaseline]

You use a power station when on trips ? I’ve been looking for a portable power station myself to travel but can’t decide on what brand or size.

[@jamesw5836]

@@glazed_vaselinewe used a couple of 100 amp MillerTech lithiums on this trip. Our truck has a 110plug in the bed and a small charger kept them topped off as we drove every day. 4-5 hours of Starlink will run the batteries to about 75%. I can charge to 100% with my generator if needed.

[@williampirlot6647]

​@@glazed_vaseline X2 Lithium Power Bank

[@StateNewsService]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter Thank you for the comparison. I have some questions. If I understand correctly your gen 3 standard is on a fixed home plan and your mini is on a mobile plan. Might you have any idea if the speed diff. is due to plans or to size? And have you had a chance to do a side by side to determine when both are flat (like on an rv roof) if one antenna performs better signal wise or angle wise that it sees the sky or picking up signal with slight tree blockage? I'm assuming the standard collects a bit more signal but I would like to hear if that is true in reality? Thanks Dean

[@ShaneEngelman]

I tested over DC and it does not work with less than around 12.9V under load. I’m pushing 49V to it and it’s very happy on my boat in Tahiti.

[@ShaneEngelman]

Also, I’m getting 150mbps+ out here.

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

What is the input voltage range? 49v is a lot for a 12v appliance

[@ShaneEngelman]

@@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk It says it accepts "12" (not really lower than 13, realistically) to 48, but consider the voltage loss under load. It's not actually a 12V appliance. It has a voltage regulator inside of it so it accepts a wide range. The power adapter pushes 30V to it.

[@fabianacamargo2273]

Are you able to use the ROAM plan with the Gen 3? I would like to use the Gen 3 at home and then also take it on the road when I am not home and on the road in my van?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Yes - all plans can be used with all dishes.

[@smsmyth]

Thank you !

[@patsytankersley1372]

You can now use the Gen 3 with the 50gb plan. Starlink will let me purchase $299 G3 & 50gb plan just wont give me the $100 credit for my area on that plan.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Yes.. here's our coverage of this recent change: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYnOl56KZdyJm8U

[@cmclause]

Great video!!!!!

[@carmas54]

I'm so glad I have gen 2

[@jimshorts3263]

So the standard gen 3 requires a separate router, correct?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

The Standard comes with the Gen 3 router, it is external to the dish.

[@roberts8783]

12v works if cable very short and heavy guage. stock cable works if connected to a usb c pd trigger to 20v

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Correct, higher input voltage or heavier gauge wire is the trick to getting it to work and not having the voltage loss that keeps the stock cable at 12v from working.

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

@@MobileInternetResourceCentertoo many make the mistake of using their usb cables to reach the device. I’d rather use a much higher gauge cable to supply a distribution panel near the device and then use a shorter usb cable to actually power it. It’s the same if you use a AC brick. Use a standard AC extension cord, which is cheap to get close to your device, than plug in the brick and use a short usb cable. A 10 or 20 foot usb cable is expensive in comparison to a standard extension cord rated at 1000 watt. And a 50’ 10awg marine wire and distribution panel is easier than a 50’ usb cable. This is important because if we move the dish often, the cable suffers. I rather replace a cheap cable instead of an expensive one.

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

Can I still use the mini when at anchor in the Caribbean?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Yes.. you'll just be subject to the 2-month rule if you're on the Roam plan, not Mobile Priority.

[@dustinbiu6346]

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.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

It turns out the specs are wrong and it is 5.5mm x 2.1mm.

[@shannonyork5300]

If you have an external antenna for your Peplink router (e.g. a Peplink 42G), would that negate the WiFi issue with the Mini?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

You could use the Wi-Fi as WAN feature to repeat the Wi-Fi signal... but there will always be degradation of performance.

[@shannonyork5300]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter Ok, thank you. I didn't realize that using the Wi-Fi as WAN feature on the Peplink router results in degradation of the native WiFi signal.

[@markratliff7991]

Why is degradation of native WiFi an issue. I thought when connection Starlink to a PepLink router you then use the Peplink Wifi vs the Starlink Wifi

[@nht306]

Great write up, thank you

[@jeffking3693]

Can the gen3 be used in motion as the mini can be? i.e. less than 250,ph

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Yes - all of the current US dishes are certified for in motion use.

[@davidlegge8303]

Is the Gen3 with its higher power less susceptible to obstructions like trees?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Not really. Both the Gen 3 and the Mini have the same 110 degree field of view and obstructions such as trees really can't be "punched" through. It's an area where the dish can't see the satellites. Where I have been testing, there are tree obstructions and both hardware seems to be affected similarly. Where you may see more of a difference is inclement weather such as rain where the higher transmitter of the Gen 3 might be able to keep a better connection if it was affecting both hardware. Having snow melt on which allows the transmitter to use maximum power also can come into play here too.

[@klinez]

​@@MobileInternetResourceCenter is gen3 better for outages compared to the mini?

[@flawsome7]

Does the mini need to be plugged in for power at all times? Or does it have that lithium battery where I can charge it and unplug it and it still works without being plugged into a power outlet?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

The Mini does not have any internal battery power - you need to provide power to the dish when you want it operational.

[@infosec1812]

So Im looking at the gen 3 router to create a mesh for my mini but for 141 more dollars I can get a standard dish. Was this planned?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We've not found much of a strategy in Starlink's constantly changing offerings.

[@priscillawrites6685]

Wish the grid stayed on the page long enough to read

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Our linked guide has all of the information, including the grid: www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink (you can also click the pause button ;) )

[@Wrenchmonkey1]

Hit the space bar to pause the video for unlimited read time.

[@Josh-ri7hy]

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