General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: DaddyAce on March 08, 2021, 03:23:56 PM
Title: Starlink experience update
Post by: DaddyAce on March 08, 2021, 03:23:56 PM
My Starlink went through some serious winter challenges so far, and as far as I'm concerned it has continued to exceed my expectations. Unlike where many of you live the very cold is normal winter weather here. We had as cold as -30 F, had a week or so where we did not get above 0, and it looked to me from the ground that my dish was at least partially covered by snow and ice at times. Apparently the heat given off by the dish was not sufficient to always keep the dish clear.
Through heavy snow, 100% cloud cover, extreme cold, and snow & ice on the dish I never noticed an obvious deterioration in service. The service seems to continue to improve overall. I still sometimes disco in game, but that was my situation with 4G LTE, with lower quality, inconsistent service. I have a more consistent better ping than I had with 4G. With Starlink my AH ping is mostly about 70 to 110 ms. Downloads happen right now.....overall in all categories Starlink blows at least the 4G I have here totally out of the water, and I am loving it! It has hurt my AH gaming because with the high speed streaming & no data cap, I now spend more time streaming TV with my wife. I spent about 4+ hours online last Saturday in the Leyte scenario, and only had one small burp in service, but not long enough to disco.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: svaalbar on March 08, 2021, 04:32:02 PM
You might have mentioned this before but where in the US are you? A pretty rural area?
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Shuffler on March 08, 2021, 04:49:03 PM
Montana folks go out in shorts when it's 5 above. LOL
Staying connected with heavy cloud cover and snow IS impressive.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: DaddyAce on March 08, 2021, 06:43:10 PM
Yes, small community in the Big Belt Mountains, kind of SW/Central Montana. Mostly National Forest out here. About 200 + residences spread around mostly in clumps in our 100 Square mile Fire District.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: DaddyAce on March 08, 2021, 06:47:24 PM
Montana folks go out in shorts when it's 5 above. LOL Staying connected with heavy cloud cover and snow IS impressive.
Folks who like this country usually are often quite comfortable with the cold......
....and yes, I've been really impressed with the quality of the service so far, my prior experience with satellite was not at all positive. I was very skeptical of Starlink, and then hopeful as I looked into it. I think it may be past time to retire my mifi....
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mano on March 09, 2021, 03:22:11 PM
I logged onto YouTube yesterday and an add came up for Hugh's Sat service. The lady said fast 5th generation speed with no data cap. They are offering 25 meg d/l speeds.......hmmmm... I kinda chuckled......as StarLink users are getting as fast 150 meg d/l speeds for 99 per month. My niece just received her set up kit. They live in a rural area where no cable, dsl, fiber, is offered and cell service is spotty at best. Now they can watch Netflix, Youtube, browse the internet, ect
StarLink is planning on doubling the speed later this year. I hope that happens.
:aok
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: DaddyAce on March 09, 2021, 04:08:26 PM
I logged onto YouTube yesterday and an add came up for Hugh's Sat service. The lady said fast 5th generation speed with no data cap. They are offering 25 meg d/l speeds.......hmmmm... I kinda chuckled......as StarLink users are getting as fast 150 meg d/l speeds for 99 per month. My niece just received her set up kit. They live in a rural area where no cable, dsl, fiber, is offered and cell service is spotty at best. Now they can watch Netflix, Youtube, browse the internet, ect
StarLink is planning on doubling the speed later this year. I hope that happens.
:aok
Just checked my speeds using Speedtest. Ping 47 ms, DL 234.79 megs UL 29.26 megs. Snowing lightly, ~ 80 % cloud cover. Definitely degrades with weather, but the only way I notice it is if I actually measure it. Checked again and got ping as low as 23 & DL as high as 288.9!
When I came back to Aces High about 2008 I had WildBlue Satellite...ended up buying a dial-up modem and a dial up account so I could get reasonable enough latency to play Aces High. Was happy when Verizon put in a new tower close enough that I could get a boostable 4G signal, but that doesn't come close to what I have now with Starlink....first time I've had true broadband at home and we're loving it!
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: RichardDarkwood on March 12, 2021, 02:53:12 PM
I logged onto YouTube yesterday and an add came up for Hugh's Sat service. The lady said fast 5th generation speed with no data cap. They are offering 25 meg d/l speeds.......hmmmm... I kinda chuckled......as StarLink users are getting as fast 150 meg d/l speeds for 99 per month. My niece just received her set up kit. They live in a rural area where no cable, dsl, fiber, is offered and cell service is spotty at best. Now they can watch Netflix, Youtube, browse the internet, ect
StarLink is planning on doubling the speed later this year. I hope that happens.
:aok
They keep sending more starlink satellites up and increase the ground terminals the service will improve.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: AKKuya on March 13, 2021, 10:42:39 PM
When the first massive CME hits the Earth, that's when Starlink will either pass the mustard or...
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mister Fork on March 15, 2021, 10:17:53 AM
When the first massive CME hits the Earth, that's when Starlink will either pass the mustard or...
...cause a mass chain collision reaction and turn the lower space orbit of our planet into a impenetrable shield of Starlink space junk bits, and ending space exploration as we know it... just saying.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Meatwad on March 15, 2021, 09:19:02 PM
I can navigate through it, I played Frogger and Freeway on the Atari :aok
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Slate on March 16, 2021, 08:12:28 PM
I been waiting for starlink to IPO a stock. I think this will scare the pants off the hardwired providers.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mano on March 17, 2021, 04:38:34 PM
Indeed Slate. Technology disrupters put companies out of business. The Osborne Effect keeps many companies from rolling out important updates in a more timely manner as well.
:salute
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mano on March 23, 2021, 03:32:42 PM
He mentions the cost in this video, but that is Canadian dollars. Canada may have higher taxes as well. Maybe someone in the forum who lives in Canada would have an explanation for that part concerning costs. Over all he is getting some decent speeds d/l and u/l. Hopefully StarLink will offer a special rate for those who travel alot with their RV's. ( I did not GV's :D).
:salute
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Maverick on March 25, 2021, 10:10:45 AM
Mano, if you are thinking of RV use you better find out if starlink does "spot beaming" like hughesnet went to. If that is the case then you can't travel with it. For RV use you need a broad beam signal like hughesnet USED to have. I used hughesnet for several years and was even an installer for other RVers. The new system killed it for traveling though and with the stupid low data limit 270 meg a day regular hours (unlimited at 0200 to 0500 Eastern time) not practical for streaming. I got better internet capabilities using my verizon phone as a modem (tethering) to my tabletop. Of course even verizon has dead zones and where I live I had to buy a cell booster for the house because our valley is almost a dead zone.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: eddiek on March 25, 2021, 10:48:47 AM
If/when Starlink becomes truly mobile/portable with full functionality, I'll be very interested. Having satellite internet was a huge plus in my line of work, when I was in locations that had little or no cell signal at all. Wasn't a fan of HughesNet at all.......too quirky and hard to set up. Went with ViaSat (I believe they were also know as WildBlue at some point) and loved it. Super easy set up, unlimited data, quick download speeds.....ended up having the pumpers and other client personnel coming by to "borrow" my internet when they needed to get their reports sent out quickly and reliably. Took it as far east as eastern Oklahoma and as far north as Colorado, south to Pecos, TX......no matter where I took it on a job, it worked without a hitch. Kept my "service address" here in the Texas Panhandle, used it everywhere BUT here at home. So yeah, once they make it truly mobile and portable like ViaSat was, I'll be signing up. Got work in ND and UT coming up where cell signals are iffy at best, even with the best 4G/5G cell booster I can afford.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: DaddyAce on April 04, 2021, 06:39:02 PM
To add to my update....I mentioned lack of discos during the first Leyte frame. Well during the second frame I had a good 4 or more discos, very annoying. Starlink service is still Beta status, so they have periodic short outages while they update things. Thankfully during the last 2 Leyte frames was back to no discos at all.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mano on April 05, 2021, 01:28:52 PM
They just launched another batch of satellites. It will get better.
:aok
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: morfiend on April 05, 2021, 02:09:14 PM
He mentions the cost in this video, but that is Canadian dollars. Canada may have higher taxes as well. Maybe someone in the forum who lives in Canada would have an explanation for that part concerning costs. Over all he is getting some decent speeds d/l and u/l. Hopefully StarLink will offer a special rate for those who travel alot with their RV's. ( I did not GV's :D).
:salute
I didnt watch the video but 2 thing,our dollar is worth about 80 cents US and our taxes vary from province to province,where I live there's a 13% sales tax or as they call it HST.Thats both fed and province. It's now called the homalganated sales tax and it used to be called GST or goods and service tax.
I have fiber-optic net1 gig down and 300 megs up,cost about 100 dollars for that,but it include my phone as well,no data plan on the cell tho.Add in cable TV and all the extra channels I never watch and it's about 200 total per month.
:salute
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Eagler on May 16, 2021, 07:00:35 AM
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Rondar on May 18, 2021, 07:06:21 PM
I think you guys are just looking for a problem since it's Musk doing it. As the article states... it is very much still in beta form. Also, any satellite dish I have ever had has a problem with trees. It's just not starlink that has a problem with trees. I've had a dish of some sort for over 40 years, and heavy rain, snow, etc will block the signal for a bit til it clears.
And I'll tell you what is obnoxious, it's someone with a diesel pickup who just lets them run all the time. I don't think anyone needs a diesel pickup. Gas ones have enough power. If you are pulling thaaaaat big of a load, you need a real truck.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: guncrasher on May 18, 2021, 09:14:52 PM
funny that you mention the diesel truck, just a bit ago, saw a guy revving up a diesel pick up truck, he had one mod that sends a lot of smoke, then his engine started smoking. was funny as hell, i was 3 cars behind him at a stop sign, everybody started laughing at him. was funny as hell.
semp
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Eagler on May 19, 2021, 07:28:11 AM
LOS required
I used to install microwave dishes on > 100 ft towers in north fl when I was 19 in 1979 for a single cable channel Showtime for MDU's and then private residence
Required LOS sucks in many locations
Yes if rain and clouds affect it too...guess it will be better than nothing for the folks who have nothing now
Eagler
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: BoilerDown on June 26, 2021, 10:55:02 AM
All 72 orbital planes activate in August, plus many other improvements, enabling global coverage, except for polar regions, which will take another 6 months
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: mikeWe9a on June 28, 2021, 09:22:04 AM
I think you guys are just looking for a problem since it's Musk doing it. As the article states... it is very much still in beta form. Also, any satellite dish I have ever had has a problem with trees. It's just not starlink that has a problem with trees. I've had a dish of some sort for over 40 years, and heavy rain, snow, etc will block the signal for a bit til it clears.
Starlink may have more of a problem with trees than the "traditional" satellite systems, in that those are typically Geostationary, so if you can find a spot with good LOS to the satellite it will stay that way for a while (until the tree grows up or someone puts a building in the way). With Starlink, the direct line to the satellite will be continuously changing, so your area where obstacles can interfere is going to be much larger, resulting in interruptions in service.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Eagler on June 28, 2021, 10:12:46 AM
Sun outages a factor with these?
Huge cable TV dishes suffered these twice a year
Better than nothing for those in the sticks but not worth ruining the night sky over if it does IMO
Eagler
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: BoilerDown on June 28, 2021, 12:40:08 PM
Probably but when there's enough sats up there it should be able to just pick a different one. When I had DirecTV there was nothing I could do until the Earth rotated those couple of times a year.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: BoilerDown on August 23, 2021, 04:56:06 PM
Starlink service expanded to many more countries world-wide:
I think you guys are just looking for a problem since it's Musk doing it. As the article states... it is very much still in beta form. Also, any satellite dish I have ever had has a problem with trees. It's just not starlink that has a problem with trees. I've had a dish of some sort for over 40 years, and heavy rain, snow, etc will block the signal for a bit til it clears.
And I'll tell you what is obnoxious, it's someone with a diesel pickup who just lets them run all the time. I don't think anyone needs a diesel pickup. Gas ones have enough power. If you are pulling thaaaaat big of a load, you need a real truck.
I have been on starlink for about 3 months in the rural foothils of WA state. It's been nearly flawless.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: icepac on August 30, 2021, 12:54:22 PM
I used to install microwave dishes on > 100 ft towers in north fl when I was 19 in 1979 for a single cable channel Showtime for MDU's and then private residence
Eagler
In south florida, it was called "OnTV"
Remember those huge ATT "long lines" towers with the giant horns? They were there for continuation of government in case of a disaster.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mano on September 07, 2021, 08:36:09 PM
I asked Gali if there was any way he could present it a little faster. You know how those really slow talkers make you go to sleep. :D :D :D
:salute
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: CptTrips on September 13, 2021, 10:45:33 AM
Well, pulled the trigger.
I have some rural land with a cabin and I would spend more time out there (at least in Spring and Fall :cool:) if I could work remotely from out there. My current phone hotspot is not reliable enough.
We'll see how it goes. Not sure how long I'll be waiting in line for my dishy though.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mister Fork on September 13, 2021, 11:25:53 AM
My wait was about 3 months? Still not good enough up here in Canuckland. Will wait until next spring before I turn back on the subscription.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: CptTrips on September 13, 2021, 12:07:18 PM
My wait was about 3 months? Still not good enough up here in Canuckland. Will wait until next spring before I turn back on the subscription.
That's weird. I would have expected it to work better in the Northern latitudes. What was your main problem? Just no connection? How long ago was that?
Most of the reviews I've seen lately have been surprisingly positive. Especially compared to other rural options like traditional satellite internet, which seems to be universally panned.
I am hoping I have waited long enough to avoid the worst of the bleeding edge pain. But watch them come out with a new dish 1/3 the cost right after I get mine, or Elon just bails on it when he gets interested in the next shiny toy. That would be my usual luck. ;)
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Gman on September 13, 2021, 05:39:39 PM
My wait was about 3 months? Still not good enough up here in Canuckland. Will wait until next spring before I turn back on the subscription.
Give me a shout Ed, we have a unit set up on our farm outside of our city home, Lat 50.3 long 105.6, lower central Saskatchewan, and it has been excellent IMO. There have been downtimes, and it lost connection during a brutal rainstorm for a short bit, but overall it's downtime hasn't been any worse than most ISPs I've had (so far). Seen well North of 120mps down, average I'd say when I run speed tests is in the high 80mps, and frequently see 100s. Certainly "better than nothing" as their beta slogan claims, in fact it's better than any other rural option in my area right now, and in Alberta where our primary home is, although I've only seen a couple friends Starlinks in Alberta, we don't have a need for it there.
Cpt Trips, depending on your location (sounds like you've done the research on this and already are all know'd up), you have a really good chance of being satisfied with it. We had one of the older satellite phone company connections on the farm, and it sucked, big time. Then switched to one of the tower line of sight direct connection deals, and it was better, but still sucked compared to our city connections (one fiber 1gb, one cable 1.5gb), where the speed was obviously 20 times slower, the ping times making gaming impossible really, and the data cap VERY low, making viewing 4k or any video extremely expensive in overage charges.
Starlink has provided a pretty steady connection, I've had worse dsl and cable services back in the mid to late 2000s to be frank. While it isn't up to the fiber/cable options we have in town, it's more than good enough for most gaming (not pro level FPS, but everything else is OK IMO), and very good for viewing streaming services. Cost isn't great compared to city available connections, but it's a hell of a lot better than the other rural options in pretty much every area I know.
IMO give it a whirl, I won't be surprised to see your report back that it's working well for you CptTrips.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Mister Fork on September 14, 2021, 10:59:50 AM
Give me a shout Ed, we have a unit set up on our farm outside of our city home, Lat 50.3 long 105.6, lower central Saskatchewan, and it has been excellent IMO. There have been downtimes, and it lost connection during a brutal rainstorm for a short bit, but overall it's downtime hasn't been any worse than most ISPs I've had (so far). Seen well North of 120mps down, average I'd say when I run speed tests is in the high 80mps, and frequently see 100s. Certainly "better than nothing" as their beta slogan claims, in fact it's better than any other rural option in my area right now, and in Alberta where our primary home is, although I've only seen a couple friends Starlinks in Alberta, we don't have a need for it there.
Cpt Trips, depending on your location (sounds like you've done the research on this and already are all know'd up), you have a really good chance of being satisfied with it. We had one of the older satellite phone company connections on the farm, and it sucked, big time. Then switched to one of the tower line of sight direct connection deals, and it was better, but still sucked compared to our city connections (one fiber 1gb, one cable 1.5gb), where the speed was obviously 20 times slower, the ping times making gaming impossible really, and the data cap VERY low, making viewing 4k or any video extremely expensive in overage charges.
Starlink has provided a pretty steady connection, I've had worse dsl and cable services back in the mid to late 2000s to be frank. While it isn't up to the fiber/cable options we have in town, it's more than good enough for most gaming (not pro level FPS, but everything else is OK IMO), and very good for viewing streaming services. Cost isn't great compared to city available connections, but it's a hell of a lot better than the other rural options in pretty much every area I know.
IMO give it a whirl, I won't be surprised to see your report back that it's working well for you CptTrips.
:aok Will do G.
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: CptTrips on June 05, 2022, 03:21:20 PM
I have some rural land with a cabin and I would spend more time out there (at least in Spring and Fall :cool:) if I could work remotely from out there. My current phone hotspot is not reliable enough.
We'll see how it goes. Not sure how long I'll be waiting in line for my dishy though.
Got it installed today. Very impressed so far.
The only effort was getting it physically mounted. Setup took like 5 min from plug in to surfing.
Right now I'm getting 70mbps down and 9.3mps up with 46ms latency. It's supposed to improve over 24 hours as it maps its available sats at this location.
Several orders of magnitude better than my phone already! It would lose connection like every 3 min.
(Yes, the observatory needs a paint job. I have repairs to do and will paint later this summer.)
This means I can live out here at my cabin for long stretches when the weather is nice. I don't mind outhouses and rainwater showers. I only need AC and internet (need to work remotely). ;)
Title: Re: Starlink experience update
Post by: Shuffler on June 06, 2022, 09:38:04 AM
I see a lot of disgruntled folks getting letters putting off their shipments over and over. Seems like several areas have reached their max users at this point in time.