*This article is updated and includes the new Starlink Mini as well as Gen 3 12v modification*
Why Starlink for RVs and VanLife?
Starlink provides comprehensive coverage with no dead zones and consistently high speeds, revolutionizing connectivity for:
Remote Workers and Mobile Offices: Stay connected and productive from anywhere.
Dog or Pet Owners: Monitor temperature, indoor cameras, and battery levels remotely for peace of mind.
VanLifers: Access the 9 Best VanLife Apps of 2024 seamlessly.
Movie Enthusiasts: Enjoy streaming your favorite movies without interruptions.
Adventurous Travelers: Maintain connections with friends and ensure safety even in remote areas without cell towers.
Why is Brooklyn Campervans qualified to write this?
Brooklyn Campervans has been experimenting with Starlink since it first came out - finding new solutions to modify it, install it, and incorporate it with #VanLife. They have installed it on over 25 camper vans, and have experience with every Starlink and various modifications.
What's new with Starlink for RVs and Van Life?
The new Starlink Mini was just released and the Gen 3 Standard Starlink was also released in the beginning of 2024. The last update prior to that was the Starlink High Performance (ROAM) that came out in October 2022.
We're updating the article now with tests and information on the Starlink Mini.
Should I use the Starlink Mini for Van Life?
We've played around with the Starlink Mini for a bit, and have been quite surprised by how well it works considering it's the size and weight of a textbook.
Below are a few tests by Reddit user r/cdhutzler who did an amazing job. The Starlink V3 is on the left; the Mini, right.
"They show performance of the two while in motion on the highway and local roads and also in a big open parking lot (parked - that is the graph that is nearly flat/perfect). You can see the mini lags just a bit behind the v3 in being able to maintain connectivity. The mini is quite good but not as good as the bigger v3 dish. The mini typically is about 1-3% worse at packet loss."
A packet loss of 1-2% is generally acceptable, while higher rates (above 5%) start to cause noticeable issues, particularly in applications that rely on real-time data, like video conferencing or gaming.
In conclusion, the Gen 3 12v Starlink is about 25% faster, however at that speed, the difference is not noticeable. What is noticeable, is the occasional drops in connectivity for the Starlink Mini.
The Starlink Mini starts at $50 for 50gb / month (which is about 20 hours of HD streaming), however you can always upgrade. The Standard Starlink Gen 3 is $120 / month, but these prices seem to change every month.
The hardware on the Starlink Mini is cheaper, simpler, with minimal set-up required.
Now let's chat about the Gen 3 12v Standard Starlink!
The Standard Starlink Gen 3 vs. the older High Performance Starlink
We have been able to partner with Trio Flatmount to offer a 12v version of the Standard Starlink and the results are astounding.
Before we get into the comparisons, I would like to say as of now Starlink is $120 a month at its cheapest. You can pause subscription at any point with a tap on the Starlink app. If that price is over budget, then I would recommend you check out our other article on the "Ultimate Guide for Internet" (COMING SOON) for more economical solutions.
How does the 12v Standard Starlink Gen 3 work?
We remove the original kick stand and easily click in the Trio Gen 3 Standard Flatmount, which bolts to our 80/20 Unaka roof rack. Then we pass the original Starlink ethernet cable through the roof to the original Starlink router. We use a 12v to 56v power adapter which replaces the 110v power adapter from Starlink. This eliminates the wasted idle draw of powering it through a large inverter (~40 watts waste for a 3000W inverter.) Since there are no modifications to Starlink, this does not void the warranty.
By switching from AC to DC (110v to 12v) we save tremendously on energy consumption AND COST.
The High Performance Starlink hardware right now is $2500 and at $250/month for it's in-motion ROAM capabilities. You can purchase the Standard at $499 with $250 / month in-motion as well, BUT we find the below to be an even cheaper option!
The residential Standard Starlink Kit (Gen 3) is $299 at $120 / month. It's not meant to be used while driving, but we have found no lapse in connectivity while driving from initial tests in New York. However, even if it gets disconnected, reconnecting is only a matter of seconds.
Is there a set-up required like the old Starlink Gen 2?
In the Gen 2 Standard Starlink, one had to take the satellite dish outside, put it on a tripod, connect the ethernet cable, the power cable, open the app, and wait for connectivity. While enjoying internet inside the van, there's always a nagging worry that someone may run away with the freestanding Starlink dish.
Now we can turn the Starlink on with a button, and connect in a few seconds at any point with the app - no set-up required.
Installation differences between Standard Starlink and Starlink High Performance at Brooklyn Campervans?
The first item to discuss is the space on your roof. The High Performance dish is quite large, measuring 20.1" x 22.6", and requires more surface area to be mounted. We fabricate a custom bracket that allows the dish to be mounted directly on top of the air conditioning unit, which adds 4" of height to the vehicle but allows for maximum solar panel installation at the front of the roof rack.
The Gen 3 dish, being slimmer at 15.07" x 23.4", allows us to install the air conditioning unit all the way to the passenger side of the vehicle, enabling us to flat-mount the dish directly to the 80/20 of the roof rack without adding any height to the vehicle.
The rest of the installation is identical for both Starlink models. We create a waterproof cable pass through the roof of the van and hardwire the routers into the garage area. The only difference is that the High Performance requires a 110v outlet for power.
We take it a step further by 3D printing a mount for the router so it is out of the way.
What is the difference in energy consumption between 12v Gen 3 Standard Starlink and Starlink High Performance?
The consumption of the Standard Starlinkg Gen 3 is less than half that of Starlink High Performance. To do this test, our EcoFlow monitor tracks our battery usage. We had everything shut off on both of our vans installed with each Starlink. Then we turned on Starlink for 1 hour on both vans. Below is the daily usage for both vans after an hour (60 minutes exactly) of testing.
The Gen 3 12v Starlink came out to 68Wh. The Starlink ROAM came out to 129WH. That is a 41Wh difference plus the roughly 40w from having the AC 110v on - which is not shown on the EcoFlow!
That's nearly 250% more energy consumption! For those using Starlink High Performance, that is often your largest battery draw unless you're running the Air Conditioner. Imagine saving all that power!
Next Big Question: What's the Speed Test between Gen 3 Starlink and Starlink High Performance?
We parked these two vans we have for sale butt to butt so the Starlinks were just 4 feet away. However, with the Starlink High Performance mount angle vs the Standard's flat mount, they were often times connecting with different satellites.
We tested it 3 times throughout the day at 12:35pm, 3pm, and 4pm to see which had faster internet speeds. We did not need to move the van as the satellites were moving throughout the day. We saw some pretty big up and down swings. Here are screenshots from the Starlink App.
The average speed of the 12v Gen 3 Starlink is 116 Mbps vs 153 on the Starlink High Performance. At nearly 40Mbps internet more, that checks out with what's on Starlink's website.
Here's a breakdown of the minimum internet speeds recommended for each activity:
HD Netflix:
Download speed: At least 5 Mbps for HD streaming.
FaceTime:
Download and upload speed: At least 3 Mbps for HD video calls.
Google Meet Conference:
Download and upload speed: At least 3.2 Mbps for HD video calls (up to 10 Mbps for higher quality and multiple participants).
Online Gaming:
Download speed: At least 3 Mbps.
Upload speed: At least 1 Mbps (higher speeds may be needed for better performance).
To run all these activities simultaneously, you would need to sum up the individual requirements:
Total Download speed: 5 Mbps (Netflix) + 3 Mbps (FaceTime) + 3.2 Mbps (Google Meet) + 3 Mbps (Gaming) = 14.2 Mbps
Total Upload speed: 3 Mbps (FaceTime) + 3.2 Mbps (Google Meet) + 1 Mbps (Gaming) = 7.2 Mbps
So, for a smooth experience with all these activities running simultaneously, you should aim for an internet connection with at least:
Download speed: 15-20 Mbps
Upload speed: 10 Mbps
In the end, these Starlink internet speeds are far faster than what's generally needed. You can always opt for Starlink mobile priority offered on both Standard and High Performance Starlink for $250 / month for some real high speed internet. We did a FaceTime at around 80Mbps and it was perfectly clear. Here's a screenshot of our pretty faces.
So, what's the best Starlink for RVs or Van Life?
Well if the internet speed difference is negligible for daily usage then the consequential performance indicator is the energy consumption. With the Gen 3 Standard Starlink 12v modification saving 250% more energy at a small fraction of the price, the 12v Standard Starlink is the clear winner compared to the High Performance Starlink. However, if consistent connectivity for video calls / games is not a big issue, then go with the Starlink Mini.
Ok, so should I get a Starlink?
We absolutely love Starlink, as it has surpassed all other options available! We've also created a comprehensive guide on alternative Internet solutions for VanLife which you can read here. If you can afford the $50 or 120 per month, Starlink is undoubtedly the way forward.