Starlink for basecamp?

[zrodwyo]

FYI, the Starlink mini works through glass. I put mine under my sunroof shroud. It is pretty awesome driving 80 mph through middle of nowhere Wyo fully connected.

 

[wesfromky]

My starlink mini pulls around 20-25 watts once running. Maybe double that for the first 10-15 minutes. So, you can just do some math to get an idea of how long any give battery pack will run it.

And the $50.00 for 50gb roam plan is pretty nice if you are not using it a ton. A single teams video call used like 8gb an hour, but I barely used any data for most of the time. Even teams voice calls were not too bad.

One other thing that is pretty cool with the mini - I power it over USB C via a cable that starlink sells.

 

[Boarmaster]

Definitely a plus for me to be able to turn off service out of season. I would only need it October thru February.

 

[Subliminal1]

Past 2 season we have been keeping the Starlink up at base camp with pops (truck, conversion trailer, wall tent). Allows him to have service so we can easily InReach him if we need to. He can communicate with family and friends, while my hunting partner and I go out and spike camp/backpack from there. Personally I don't enjoy having it around and think it takes away from the experience but using this method has worked pretty well for us

 

[chukwithak]

That was something I was going to mention but forgot. If you’re someone that is deep in necks, it’s nice to have Starlink as a backup source of communication in an emergency. Being able call and text instead of Inreach can be invaluable at times.


Charlie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chukwithak]

My starlink mini pulls around 20-25 watts once running. Maybe double that for the first 10-15 minutes. So, you can just do some math to get an idea of how long any give battery pack will run it.

And the $50.00 for 50gb roam plan is pretty nice if you are not using it a ton. A single teams video call used like 8gb an hour, but I barely used any data for most of the time. Even teams voice calls were not too bad.

Yeah it draws about 35w when searching for satellites and establishing a connection, then it settles in to about 20w depending on location. Under heavy use it will fluctuate back up to about 35w.


Charlie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pilgs]

Are there activation and other fees associated with buying a mini? Or is it just the cost of the unit and your subscription plan?

 

[fmyth]

Are there activation and other fees associated with buying a mini? Or is it just the cost of the unit and your subscription plan?

I only paid for the unit and my monthly service. There was no activation fee.

 

[wapitibob]

I remember sitting in Elk camp with my hunting partner and his dad.
partner says, "Chit, no service"
dad says, "maybe we could just talk?"
LOL

I'm getting the Mini before season this year.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I remember sitting in Elk camp with my hunting partner and his dad.
partner says, "Chit, no service"
dad says, "maybe we could just talk?"
LOL

I'm getting the Mini before season this year.

Lol... The older I get the more I can relate with his dad.

 

[fngTony]

Lol... The older I get the more I can relate with his dad.

Me too! and I love technology but stories when you’re away from the daily grind is priceless.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Me too! and I love technology but stories when you’re away from the daily grind is priceless.

I work in IT and I frequently work from our off grid camp and various places, but part of the allure of Elk/mountain hunting out West is it's one of the few places I can get away from all that. Sitting in camp with people staring at their phones doesn't appeal to me honestly. My couch at home is super comfy for staring at my phone. Spending quality time with friends and family is becoming a lost art.

 

[fngTony]

I work in IT and I frequently work from our off grid camp and various places, but part of the allure of Elk/mountain hunting out West is it's one of the few places I can get away from all that. Sitting in camp with people staring at their phones doesn't appeal to me honestly. My couch at home is super comfy for staring at my phone. Spending quality time with friends and family is becoming a lost art.

I think I have a rare ability to shut it off when it counts. Pretty impressive considering I process work on a phone along with regular use so it would be easy to become completely addicted to it. Maybe because I carry two phones around when at work that I can appreciate not having one in hand.

 

[Pilgs]

Does anyone have experience with using a mini while traveling in the vehicle? What's the service like as you're driving? Is there a mount for the vehicle or just set it on the dash with a clear view to the sky?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Nine Banger]

Does anyone have experience with using a mini while traveling in the vehicle? What's the service like as you're driving? Is there a mount for the vehicle or just set it on the dash with a clear view to the sky?

Thanks for any feedback.

Might work on a long straight interstate but i would not bet on it.

I use mine at work sometimes and I have to mess with it and wait at every stop. I prefer Verizon Mifi and only pull out the mini if Mifi isn't working.

 

[Pilgs]

Might work on a long straight interstate but i would not bet on it.

I use mine at work sometimes and I have to mess with it and wait at every stop. I prefer Verizon Mifi and only pull out the mini if Mifi isn't working.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I'm looking for something on those long drives through the midwest states where there is little to no cell service, but also no mountains or trees obstructing signals.

 

[Nine Banger]

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I'm looking for something on those long drives through the midwest states where there is little to no cell service, but also no mountains or trees obstructing signals.

If you stop every time the road shifts direction and go thru alignment in app it may work.

You will probably have to stop moving and do your thing tho.

I was able to make calls thru iphone app in north maine woods with phone in airplane mode. I was very impressed with its capabilities but its also heavy as shite with battery bank and it sucks energy. Lots of milliamps to run it.

 

[parshal]

I toss mine on the dash and hit the interstate and through backroads without much issue. Throughput may be affected slightly if it's not in perfect alignment but it works when not aligned. The only time I've had slight issues is headed south because the satellites are in the northern hemisphere.

 

[chukwithak]

Does anyone have experience with using a mini while traveling in the vehicle? What's the service like as you're driving? Is there a mount for the vehicle or just set it on the dash with a clear view to the sky?

Thanks for any feedback.

I recently just did this while driving from Reno, NV to Stanley, ID. Just found a 100w cigarette lighter adapter, a UBC Starlink cable and set it on the dash. I was getting 200gb down while driving 70-80mph and I drive a Tacoma, so not a lot of windshield space. I was surprised when I got in the canyon how good the service was. The lady was doing an internet intense
work project while we were driving the canyon and she had zero issues.

I was truly blown away how good it was.

Key note: if you plan to use a cigarette lighter, the USB-C port needs to be 100w or more for the mini, even though it only draws 30-40w. I had a 67w off amazon and it didn’t work. After a little research saw this not somewhere and got the Anker with a 100w and it works great.

 

[Pilgs]

I recently just did this while driving from Reno, NV to Stanley, ID. Just found a 100w cigarette lighter adapter, a UBC Starlink cable and set it on the dash. I was getting 200gb down while driving 70-80mph and I drive a Tacoma, so not a lot of windshield space. I was surprised when I got in the canyon how good the service was. The lady was doing an internet intense
work project while we were driving the canyon and she had zero issues.

I was truly blown away how good it was.

Key note: if you plan to use a cigarette lighter, the USB-C port needs to be 100w or more for the mini, even though it only draws 30-40w. I had a 67w off amazon and it didn’t work. After a little research saw this not somewhere and got the Anker with a 100w and it works great.

Thank you for all the info! My truck has a regular plug in, would that work? Or is the 100w adapter the only thing that works?