As a father of three teenage girls, I know how important it is to stay connected to the internet, even when we're out camping in the wilderness. That's why we decided to give Starlink satellite internet a try during our latest RV adventure. In this blog post, I'll share our experience using Starlink for RV use, focusing on how well it met our family's needs for social media, video streaming, and keeping in touch with friends. So, if you're considering Starlink for your next family camping trip, keep reading to learn more about our experience.
Setup and Installation:
Setting up the Starlink Kit was relatively straightforward. It came with a satellite dish (Dishy), a Wi-Fi router, and a power supply. We needed to purchase additional mounting equipment to secure the dish on our RV, but that was a minor inconvenience. Finding a clear view of the sky for Dishy was crucial, and once we positioned it correctly, we were able to establish a reliable internet connection.
Here are some great options for mounting your Starlink to your RV
Internet Speed and Performance:
One of our primary concerns was the internet speed, especially with three teenagers who love streaming videos and browsing social media. Starlink boasts download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, which proved more than sufficient for our needs. The latency was also impressively low (20ms to 40ms), allowing for smooth video calls and online gaming. Our girls could easily stay connected with their friends through social media apps and even watch their favorite shows without any buffering issues.
Coverage and Mobility:
We were happy to discover that Starlink's coverage extends to many remote and rural areas, perfect for our wilderness camping trips. As long as we had a clear view of the sky, we could stay connected almost anywhere. Just make sure to update your location when moving your RV, as this is essential for maintaining a reliable connection.
Coverage Map for Roam can be found here:
Weather Impact:
During our trip, we experienced a few instances of heavy rain, which temporarily impacted Starlink's performance. However, these signal disruptions were short-lived and didn't cause any major issues. It's worth noting that severe weather can affect the satellite connection, but in our experience, the impact was minimal.
Cost:
Starlink Roam provides the ability to pause and un-pause service at any time and is billed in one-month increments, allowing users to customize their service to their individual travel needs.
Starlink Portable (Standard Starlink Kit) $599 one-time cost
The Standard Starlink is designed for portable use at any destination where Starlink has active coverage. With an easy to setup and break down, Starlink delivers high-speed, low latency internet access within minutes, and packs up quickly when it's time to mover to your next destination. *The standard Starlink is not made for in-motion use.*
Starlink In-Motion (Flat High Performance Kit) $2500 one-time cost
The new Flat High Performance Starlink allows users to enjoy high-speed, low-latency Internet while in-motion. With a wider field of view and enhanced GPS capabilities, the Flat High Performance Starlink can connect more satellites, allowing for consistent connectivity on the go. The hardware is designed for a permanent installation on your vehicle and is resilient in harsh environments.
Standard Portable | Flat High Performance | Regional Subscription | Global Subscription |
$599 one-time | $2500 one-time | $150 per month | $200 per month |
Conclusion:
Overall, our family's experience with Starlink for RV use was positive. The setup was straightforward, the internet speeds were impressive, and the coverage allowed us to stay connected even in remote locations. The cost might be a concern for some, but for our family of five, it was a worthwhile investment. So, if you're planning a wilderness adventure with your family and need a reliable internet connection, I highly recommend considering Starlink for your RV.
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