Starlink for offshore passages

[PhilipS JR]

Has anyone used Starlink along with Predictwind Iridium Go exec for offshore passages and is it necessary to have both?

[Mexican Hat]

I've used starlink offshore and access Predict Wind through my laptop and tablet/phone. You wouldn't need both.

Iridium is very slow and is also a very expensive option if you want an alternative emergency system. The Garmin In Reach gives all the emergency contact capability a lot cheaper. You can also access written weather forecasts on the Garmin.

[Networker]

I use both, Starlink doesn't always work on the high seas and you can't take Starlink in your life raft and call for help.

[bergius]

We don't have Iridium, but have used Starlink (v2 dishy with Roam Unlimited plan) for multiple offshore passages including an Atlantic crossing. It works if you enable Priority Data before leaving.

However, the rules may change at any point leaving you without internet. There are many rules that ban the way most cruisers use it, like the whole being able to use it only for couple months per year out of your home country thing. These are not enforced right now - usually - but who knows when that changes.

Because of this we have a Garmin Inreach as a fallback device, and will likely install SSB before next passage. We also carry the Inreach on hikes.

Iridium Go Exec is nice in the sense that it doesn't use as much electricity, and it works without constant weird ToS changes. However, it is both slow and expensive. But I see there's now an unlimited plan at least.

[CarlF]

I also have found Starlink to be incredibly reliable at sea using the $2/GB priority data when more than 12 miles from shore (Roam Unlimited Plan). I used to have a Iridium Go and Starlink is MUCH more reliable in bad weather.

There have been no changes to the Roam Unlimited plan for over two years. While there are constant rumors of change there is no sign that anything is gong to happen soon. And if the plan changes it is always possible to switch to a new plan even at sea.

The one restriction with Roam Unlimited is that it can not be used for more than 60 days in a country where the government has refused to grant Starlink a license to operate (like Grenada). Without a license it is technically illegal to use Starlink or even have the dish aboard (although there are no reports of cruisers having their dishes seized). In many cases this is happening because politically powerful people own the local cell phone company and don't want Starlink cutting into their profits. In countries that have granted a license (Bahamas, EU, Mexico etc) there is no 60 day time limit. You can see which countries are "available" on the map on the Starlink web site.

I also carry a Garmin Inreach as any piece of hardware can fail (although the Starlink dish is incredibly rugged. I've never heard of one failing for water intrusion unless it was dropped over the side. The Inreach is much cheaper than Iridium GO both to buy and on a monthly basis. It connects more reliably. It has a four day battery and can go in a liferaft.

[FlyingScot]

We carry two Starlink Minis. One active and one spare. Garmin Explorer+ as our backup. To me this is an optimal setup. The price for two Minis in Central America was the same as I paid for the Garmin Explorer+ 6 years ago.

[bergius]

Originally Posted by CarlF

The one restriction with Roam Unlimited is that it can not be used for more than 60 days in a country where the government has refused to grant Starlink a license to operate (like Grenada).

Yes, that seems to be the way the rules are currently enforced. However, it is not how the rules are actually written. Here's what the actual rules for Roam say:

Originally Posted by Starlink.com

International travel is allowed in available markets for up to 2 months per trip.

Coastal ocean coverage (up to 12 nautical miles off the coast) is provided by Starlink with active coverage around the world for up to 5 consecutive days at a time and a total of 60 days over the course of a one-year period.

Hence, I wouldn't rely on the "relaxed attitude" prevailing forever.

[Windpilot]

Real Simply, I do use both. iridium go exec is always running my PW tracking only, starlink gets plugged in when I need the internet.

Iridium is for me, sat phone, very portable with long lasting battery, back up whatsapp communication and 247 tracking.

Starlink for PW forecasts and everything internet related, only on when needed, usually daytime with sun out for obvious reasons.

[ol1970]

We just finished 4,500 miles crossing the Atlantic from South Africa and Starlink worked flawlessly. We have the flat panel high performance.

We also have a Mini as a back up that we can actually bring on the life raft and can be powered by battery with a USB-C. I see no need for an Iridium Go these days.

[barnakiel]

one source is great


two sources do not hurt if you can afford them


I found Starlink unreliable on many boats smaller boats (below 50 ft generally) in heavy seas.


Perhaps Iridium Go is less directional or something. It is slower for sure, but more it is the more stable of the two when the sea is very lumby and the boat is anything but a proper yacht.


barnakiel

[CrispyCringle]

We just completed the Baja Bash with Starlink. Worked great in pretty lumpy seas the whole time. I did figure out how to turn on Priority Data even after being cut off because of being too far from shore. Unfortunately, I didn't take screen shots and it is appropriately un-intuitive. But on the phone app you start by clicking on the warning box that pops up in the app telling you your in an "unexpected location". From there you work your way to your account and can switch on the Priority Data. Two GB goes fast!

[Statistical]

Go Exec is very expensive and very slow compared to Starlink. You may wish to have a satphone as an emergency backup to starlink (something I would recommend) but you can get a low minute plan and just never use it except in an emergency.

[PippaB]

Starlink will dump 6,000 tons of burned up satellite debris into the very fragile (opinion, backed by fact) upper atmosphere every year. Is that the legacy you want in order to stay online?

[barnakiel]

Amazon is shooting up their already too. And China has a parallel project running.


Those constellation expected to be publicly available round 2027-2032.


They say competition is a good thing in technology and business.


barnakiel

[CarlF]

I also carry a spare Starlink. Other than the initial $400 payment for the dish it's been paused on Roam Unlimited for over two years so $0 running cost (I turn it on once a year to let it update it's software but don't unpause the account).

So this is much cheaper than keeping an Iridium available as a backup.

I also think that Starlink network with over 5000 satelites is likely far more reliable than the 75 Iridium statelite network. This is especialy true as the owner, Irdium Communications (who took over when the origional Iridium went bankrupt) is unprofitable and its stock is close to a 10 year low. There's real doubt about its long term survival.

The Starlink design using phased array dishes is also better adapted to reception in rough seas and bad weather than the Iridium design. Typically a Starlink dish has five or more satelites "in view" that it is constantly switching between (using electronically steered radios rather than moving the dish).

I do carry a Garmin Inreach too - but that is really for abandon ship situations rather than distress communications when onboard.