Starlink mini (2 Viewers)

[speakout525]

First trip out with the starlink mini. I have to say this thing is a game changer. We were in Wyoming and Utah and went through some winter storms and remote areas where we are always out of signal even with weboost. Having the mini was very reassuring. And the speeds, even while moving and in snowstorms, averaged over 120mbps. It's amazing technology and so easy to set up and install. My buddy and I fabbed a customer carbon infused mount for it that was rock solid, much more so than traditional 3d print materials and with much higher thermal and water absorption ratings. It was rock solid and the automatic snow melting feature on the mini comes in very handy.

I'm wondering now if this will make my weboost and even satellite comms obsolete. Not getting rid of anything yet, as I like redundancies, but the performance in very adverse conditions was very impressive.

 

[xeuxaz]

I agree, our Starlink mini has changed moab and other trips forever. Any details on your mount setup?

 

[speakout525]

Sure, I looked at and ordered what is available out there now and found the quality and build to be subpar for true overlanding and offloading applications. I didn't trust they could hold up over time so a friend and I designed this first version as a beta test for something truly more robust.

This also is designed to allow me to easily slide in and out the mini in case I want to remove it. You simply loosen the bolts on the small corners and rotate them away to allow the mini to be released.

We are in process on the next iteration which would include interlocking pieces (rather than six separate pieces) for easier installation and a cuved fairing edge for wind. We are also considering a way to allow for a couple mm of flex for shifting movement in the rack itself particularly during heavy offroading.

The material itself is PAHT-CF which combines PA12 and carbon fiber, offering low water absorption with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties, performing well in wet conditions. Its superior layer adhesion and flexibility make it ideal for engineering parts.

 

[OregonLC]

Does the Mini work any better in treed camping area? I had the original Starlink and it needed such a large section of sky that it was useless at both home and where I tend to camp.

I get that full obscuration of the sky is a no-go situation, but I'm not willing to camp in the full sun just to tweet with Elon.

 

[speakout525]

I only had it under a group of trees one night and the speeds did reduce to 45-65 or so

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Really cool!
We're headed out to Arches, Moab, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier leaving June 1 '25.
We need this!

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

It is best to have the option of a long cable so to place it for optimal reception.

 

[speakout525]

In my experience, limited thus far, the mini seems to capture a great signal much more efficiently and consistently than the original. That said, we designed the mount so the mini can easily slide out in the event i want to relocate it at camp. I keep an extra long cable in the rig for that but haven't had to do that yet. I don't use it for internet browsing at camp though.

 

[Artie]

We just wrapped up our first trip with the mini, having moved from the dishy. Mini is better in every way for mobile use; the smaller size, single cable, and smaller power draw seal the deal.

Have you experimented at all with the angle and alignment with regards to performance? The mount I ended up using is magnetic and attaches to our camper roof but the angle is incorrect. I have noticed a increase in performance when I get alignment perfect but not enough to bother me while in motion.

 

[TeCKis300]

First trip out with the starlink mini. I have to say this thing is a game changer. We were in Wyoming and Utah and went through some winter storms and remote areas where we are always out of signal even with weboost. Having the mini was very reassuring. And the speeds, even while moving and in snowstorms, averaged over 120mbps. It's amazing technology and so easy to set up and install. My buddy and I fabbed a customer carbon infused mount for it that was rock solid, much more so than traditional 3d print materials and with much higher thermal and water absorption ratings. It was rock solid and the automatic snow melting feature on the mini comes in very handy.

I'm wondering now if this will make my weboost and even satellite comms obsolete. Not getting rid of anything yet, as I like redundancies, but the performance in very adverse conditions was very impressive.
View attachment 3803917

Nice. Been thinking about picking one up. These new minis are much more power efficient which helps making it more reasonable to power for extended periods off grid.

These minis will pull 20-40w in operation. 15w standby. Or about 500-750wh of battery in a 24hr period.

WeBoost pulls about 8-14w. Or about 200-300wh a day.

 

[speakout525]

I have mine mounted completely flat and honestly I couldn't ask for faster speeds than avg 120 while on the move.

As it turns out, power draw is variable depending on what you are using to power it.

I watched a bunch of tests and the best for power draw (and ease of setup) was using a usb-c with a 100w 12v charger. I picked up these and they work perfectly together and draw minimum power. These are connected via fuse panel to my 200ah aux bank. Anything less than a 100w charger and the mini will turn on but not boot up and connect.

https://a.co/d/6dy49rb

https://a.co/d/dL2nyJQ

Also had to pick up one of these to switch it on and off with style.

CH4x4 Small Push Switch for Toyota – Starlink Symbol – CH4X4 Industries

ch4x4.com

 

[speakout525]

Nice. Been thinking about picking one up. These new minis are much more power efficient which helps making it more reasonable to power for extended periods off grid.

These minis will pull 20-40w in operation. 15w standby. Or about 500-750wh of battery in a 24hr period.

WeBoost pulls about 8-14w. Or about 200-300wh a day.

Just an fyi, as of right now the mini is still on sale through starlink.

Starlink | Roam

Stay connected on the go, starting at $50/mo. $449 $599 for the Mini Kit for a limited time.

www.starlink.com

 

[Artie]

I have mine mounted completely flat and honestly I couldn't ask for faster speeds than avg 120 while on the move.

As it turns out, power draw is variable depending on what you are using to power it.

I watched a bunch of tests and the best for power draw (and ease of setup) was using a usb-c with a 100w 12v charger. I picked up these and they work perfectly together and draw minimum power. These are connected via fuse panel to my 200ah aux bank. Anything less than a 100w charger and the mini will turn on but not boot up and connect.

https://a.co/d/6dy49rb

https://a.co/d/dL2nyJQ

Also had to pick up one of these to switch it on and off with style.

CH4x4 Small Push Switch for Toyota – Starlink Symbol – CH4X4 Industries

ch4x4.com

How hot does that cigarette adapter get? I had ordered one similar but canceled the order when I saw that Starlink began to offer their own. I have not had a chance to test it yet though.

 

[speakout525]

How hot does that cigarette adapter get? I had ordered one similar but canceled the order when I saw that Starlink began to offer their own. I have not had a chance to test it yet though.

So far so good. I've run it for hours and even overnight accidentally and not had any heat issues to speak of. I'd love to know how the starlink adapter compares though. I was just too impatient to wait 4 weeks for the starlink version to ship.

 

[OffRoadScott]

I have tossed around the idea of getting rid of my We Boost in favor of Starlink. I was thinking of mounting it to an eventual RTT but then I would have to park in a certain direction, so most likely I will go with another mounting solution or free standing.

The comfort of being able to make a wifi call or send a text is reassuring. With several cell phone carriers offering text via satellite but with unknown reliability make Starlink the better choice.

 

[speakout525]

I have tossed around the idea of getting rid of my We Boost in favor of Starlink. I was thinking of mounting it to an eventual RTT but then I would have to park in a certain direction, so most likely I will go with another mounting or free standing.

The comfort of being able to make a wifi call or send a text is reassuring. With several cell phone carriers offering text via satellite but with unknown reliability make Starlink the better choice.

Maybe someone else has a better technical explanation, but the mini doesn't seem to have any particular need to face in a specific direction. You can use the app as recommended to do that if you want, and I assume it would get better speeds, but I never do. I just turn it on and within seconds it's locked and loaded and as fast as I need it to be. The only obstacle seems to be total coverage block above. I designed my mount to easily release the mini so I could move it, but I've not needed to do that yet. Its super impressive in a static position and while moving.

With that all said, I'm still keeping my weboost and satellite device.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Maybe someone else has a better technical explanation, but the mini doesn't seem to have any particular need to face in a specific direction. You can use the app as recommended to do that if you want, and I assume it would get better speeds, but I never do. I just turn it on and within seconds it's locked and loaded and as fast as I need it to be. The only obstacle seems to be total coverage block above. I designed my mount to easily release the mini so I could move it, but I've not needed to do that yet. Its super impressive in a static position and while moving.

With that all said, I'm still keeping my weboost and satellite device.

Good to know. I also seen this mounting option as well and pretty intrigued.

SAT GEAR Starlink mount

 

[speakout525]

Good to know. I also seen this mounting option as well and pretty intrigued.

SAT GEAR Starlink mount

The magnetic mounting options seem to be really popular and very handy. Wasn't an option for me with my rack and I was concerned with sticky fingers having an easy time swiping it off anyway. But otherwise the magnetic or suction cup options are very tempting particularly if you want a less permanent install. People are even using suction cups on THE INSIDE of their vehicle on glass and sunroof and the mini works great.

 

[OffRoadScott]

The magnetic mounting options seem to be really popular and very handy. Wasn't an option for me with my rack and I was concerned with sticky fingers having an easy time swiping it off anyway. But otherwise the magnetic or suction cup options are very tempting particularly if you want a less permanent install. People are even using suction cups on THE INSIDE of their vehicle on glass and sunroof and the mini works great.

That same company makes amount similar to what you are talking about.

 

[Julian73]

We just wrapped up our first trip with the mini, having moved from the dishy. Mini is better in every way for mobile use; the smaller size, single cable, and smaller power draw seal the deal.

Have you experimented at all with the angle and alignment with regards to performance? The mount I ended up using is magnetic and attaches to our camper roof but the angle is incorrect. I have noticed a increase in performance when I get alignment perfect but not enough to bother me while in motion.

The only significance of the angle is a) to allow for rain and snow shedding (not such a concern in motion) and b) to point south to pick up more satellites (a worthless consideration on a mobile mount, where flat is the best compromise vs any other angle).