Anyone switched from Starlink 2 to Starlink Mini ?

[Ridgeway]

Might switch our home connection to Starlink and if we do then we get a free Starlink Mini thrown in currently on an offer. Just testing the speeds at home with our current SL2 to see what speeds we can get (dish not mounted yet) and so far it looks pretty good vs our crappy wired overhead internet connection…

My question is if any of you have switched from an SL2 dish to a Mini for your van use and how have you found it ? I know there’s loads of reviews on YT but for some reason i trust you lot

 

[Mr porky]

We use a starlink mini for card payments when we are working in the uk and are now using it to stream tv whilst we are in blighty..
We have also used it throughout Spain and found it never missed a beat, streaming TV was superb. Hope that helps.

 

[NR]

You won’t go wrong with a mini.

 

[fred_jb]

I changed from the SL2 (if that is the one with motorised arm) to Mini. I don't see quite such high speeds but still more than adequate. The big advantage of the Mini is that I can leave it mounted flat on the roof, and use it while in motion, though can also put it on a tripod at the end of a long cable if I'm parked under trees and want it placed well away from the van.

I have alternative connection points for roof and tripod, but both use a single cable utilising POE (power over Ethernet) and a power/network splitter attached to the dish. This means I can run the dish off a 48V supply which avoids the voltage drop problems than happen running off 12V, especially over long cables when tripod mounted.

 

[Fragle]

Might switch our home connection to Starlink and if we do then we get a free Starlink Mini thrown in currently on an offer. Just testing the speeds at home with our current SL2 to see what speeds we can get (dish not mounted yet) and so far it looks pretty good vs our crappy wired overhead internet connection…

My question is if any of you have switched from an SL2 dish to a Mini for your van use and how have you found it ? I know there’s loads of reviews on YT but for some reason i trust you lot

Yes we have both.
Most of the time we use the mini. Registered in France.
I still have the gen 2 I was going to sell but kept it and registered it in Spain.
Helps me with the 60 day out of country rule

 

[DangerMousy]

Just changed from a Gen2 to a Mini. This post here, summarises my thoughts from a technical point of view. But basically, you'll hardly notice the slower download speed, the mini delivers plenty. The big advantage of the mini is that its much easier to store than the Gen2 (we've regained almost a whole locker).

 

[Ridgeway]

Sounds very positive and I’m curious about fred_jb’s roof vs tripod mounting options, sounds very good indeed.

I did wonder about chucking it up on the roof once pitched up so better reception and also so that the integrated router isn’t too far away.

 

[fred_jb]

Sounds very positive and I’m curious about fred_jb’s roof vs tripod mounting options, sounds very good indeed.

I did wonder about chucking it up on the roof once pitched up so better reception and also so that the integrated router isn’t too far away.

There is a fair amount of complexity involved in powering the Mini over a network cable from 48V, especially if you want to be able to have a changeover from roof cable to tripod cable, but let me know if you want more details.

One big advantage of powering over a network cable is that you can then plug the network cable into a separate router sited inside the van, so are not relying on the not so good signal strength of the built-in Mini router when it is sited outside the van.

What a lot people do to avoid such complications is to hang the dish up inside a skylight. The Mini's router is then inside the van for good WiFi reception, and the cable can be short enough to run off 12V, though it does affect use of the skylight and involves having the power cable dangling from the roof.

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[Fragle]

What a lot people do to avoid such complications is to hang the dish up inside a skylight. The Mini's router is then inside the van for good WiFi reception, and the cable can be short enough to run off 12V, though it does affect use of the skylight and involves having the power cable dangling from the roof.

Exactly what we do. Also buy a short cable. Never had a problem with signal
Whatever you do don’t get the holder with suction cups to the roof light. It can damage the plastic

 

[Deafender]

Yep, with very little difference in performance - big must for me was the Mini still being able to hold a perfect connection for video calls in work while sitting in the wilds of Connemara in Western Republic of Ireland - which it does as well as the Gen2 did - my Starlink Mini sits on the roof permanently now, and even works also when on the road- an incidental benefit, but not practical with the Gen2…

 

[Ridgeway]

Exactly what we do. Also buy a short cable. Never had a problem with signal
Whatever you do don’t get the holder with suction cups to the roof light. It can damage the plastic

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That’s a very simple solution, love that.