Starlink, use the Mini or Standard dish

[ransch]

I am wondering what most people see or use for the Starlink receiver. I will purchase a Mini if it can work well under tree coverage since it is very portable. But if the standard works better under tree coverage then that may be the better option.
I would like to know what most campers are using.

 

[George]

I chose the standard because the router is inside the RV. The mini's router is outside built in to the antenna.
I'm not claiming that's a GOOD reason — just my reason 😜
Good info on obstructions and dish comparison

 

[brenkco]

I have the standard, gen 3. On a few occasions, I've had some tree issues. Although the app shows that I have some obstructions, the performance has been fine. I can't address the mini as I have no experience with it. I do like having the router separate. The 2026 310RL has starlink wiring....I'll be anxious to use it when we take delivery

 

[Mark & Kim]

We have the standard, Gen 3 and have a couple of different set-ups for it. With the new 2026 Avenue's, they placed an antenna hook-up in the pass-through of our 23ML. We run our antenna wire through to the other side and place the receiver either on the ground at various locations depending on visibility or on a pole attached to our ladder for when we are staying at a location longer. We like that that the router is inside our RV.

 

[Chaseweston]

We use the mini and either have it on top of one of the AC units or off to the side of the rig depending on site conditions (I prefer on top of the rig so I don't worry about it getting run over since the mini sits a lot lower than the standard and can easily disappear in grass) - I got the mini because it runs on about a third of the power for boondocking (connected to an up converter to 30v) - it is our backup connectivity solution since I have to physically "deploy" it. We use TMHI running off 12v system and connected to a Winegard 360 5g external antenna as primary since it stays on 24/7 and works while traveling for the kids to stream Disney plus. Some places, TMHI is too congested or no service and then the Starlink gets deployed.

 

[M and E]

I am wondering what most people see or use for the Starlink receiver. I will purchase a Mini if it can work well under tree coverage since it is very portable. But if the standard works better under tree coverage then that may be the better option.
I would like to know what most campers are using.

I have a gen 3 standard and have had issues with trees obstructing the signal at the site in the picture below. There was enough BW to stream some services. But we were working from the rig and Zoom was very problematic. This is a pretty good tree canopy though.





THis is the best I was able to get. I probably could have had a much better outcome with a Flagpole Buddy (guessing) which we now have.

 

[BryanValRox]

I have a gen 3 standard and have had issues with trees obstructing the signal at the site in the picture below. There was enough BW to stream some services. But we were working from the rig and Zoom was very problematic. This is a pretty good tree canopy though.

View attachment 4096

View attachment 4100

THis is the best I was able to get. I probably could have had a much better outcome with a Flagpole Buddy (guessing) which we now have.

View attachment 4097

Mike, that is one large site!

 

[M and E]

Mike, that is one large site!

Pretty nice place up in Lake Wales. No WiFi though! The name escapes me at the moment. But very quiet, clean, and pretty area.

 

[Lantley]

We use the mini and either have it on top of one of the AC units or off to the side of the rig depending on site conditions (I prefer on top of the rig so I don't worry about it getting run over since the mini sits a lot lower than the standard and can easily disappear in grass) - I got the mini because it runs on about a third of the power for boondocking (connected to an up converter to 30v) - it is our backup connectivity solution since I have to physically "deploy" it. We use TMHI running off 12v system and connected to a Winegard 360 5g external antenna as primary since it stays on 24/7 and works while traveling for the kids to stream Disney plus. Some places, TMHI is too congested or no service and then the Starlink gets deployed.

I thought it was just me. I also use T-Mobile home internet -TMHI. It works like a champ. Granted I am not traveling nationwide like many of you guys.
But in my area of the world it has been great. Urban , rural, and remote locations I always have signal and am able to stream.
Trees are never an issue. I am surprised how well it works. I am certainly not naive enough to believe it works everywhere.
But I am satisfied enough that I am not looking for any alternate solutions.

 

[Creek Jenkins]

We have the gen 3 standard. I like it because if we are in a area with a lot of trees, I can take it off the pole and move it to a clear area and not have to worry about getting too far away from the camper with the router as it is in the camper, not on the antenna. Probably not a real issue but that was my thinking when we bought it.
Cheers
Creek

 

[Oregon_Camper]

We have both (Gen 2 is in "storage" mode). The mini can easily cover the entire RV with signal, even when the entire 15 meter cable is used. Having the mini use just DC power is primary reason for the change.

If anyone is looking for a used Gen 2...ping me and we might make a deal

 

[Chaseweston]

I thought it was just me. I also use T-Mobile home internet -TMHI. It works like a champ. Granted I am not traveling nationwide like many of you guys.
But in my area of the world it has been great. Urban , rural, and remote locations I always have signal and am able to stream.
Trees are never an issue. I am surprised how well it works. I am certainly not naive enough to believe it works everywhere.
But I am satisfied enough that I am not looking for any alternate solutions.

Yup! that's why we use it as the primary other than it's installed "built-in" and is always on, and is 1/3 the price of starlink service. Our first year out, we only had TMHI and there were only a few spots in the Rockies that surrounding ranges blocked signal to nothing on phones and TMHI. This time, oddly enough a few locations in the Carolinas the congestion was too much and it showed full signal but would not connect to internet at all. Even took it to the T Mobile store where it worked fine on their store tower but down the road, nothing. I learned that when you use it mobile, the users in the area that have their address registered get preferred and anyone else gets deprioritized. This has only affected us in two locations in the past two years moving at least every two weeks most places between East Coast and CO

 

[Lantley]

Yup! that's why we use it as the primary other than it's installed "built-in" and is always on, and is 1/3 the price of starlink service. Our first year out, we only had TMHI and there were only a few spots in the Rockies that surrounding ranges blocked signal to nothing on phones and TMHI. This time, oddly enough a few locations in the Carolinas the congestion was too much and it showed full signal but would not connect to internet at all. Even took it to the T Mobile store where it worked fine on their store tower but down the road, nothing. I learned that when you use it mobile, the users in the area that have their address registered get preferred and anyone else gets deprioritized. This has only affected us in two locations in the past two years moving at least every two weeks most places between East Coast and CO

First I've heard of the congestion issue, but it's good to know that issue exist.

 

[M and E]

Mike, that is one large site!

Pretty nice place up in Lake Wales. No WiFi though! The name escapes me at the moment. But very quiet, clean, and pretty area.

Remembered the name of the resort, River Ranch.