Starlink Tips Needed -- Data Management

[Dockhead]

So we have a Mini set up on our boat. We are in Annapolis getting ready to sail South to Florida and then Belize.

Setup was remarkably easy and the device is pumping out 76Bmps even without fine alignment.

We opted for the 50GB Mobile Priority plan because we can't risk getting stuck offshore with the Roam plan unable to get priority GB's activated. We might play with that later.

Now before leaving we need to get our devices set up to avoid sucking down all that priority data. Anyone have any tips?

For Windows devices, I'm thinking to simply do this, crudely and simply: 1. put into "metered network" mode; and 2. connect only briefly, when there's a specific need to upload or download something, or make a call.

For Android devices, I don't know.

Any ideas? Obviously this is not nearly as critical as with the old TracPhone system where 1gb cost $1000 or whatever it was. $2/gb for going over doesn't seem so bad -- I've seen mobile phone plans worse than that.

What are others doing?

[rslifkin]

Android also allows you to set a WiFi network as a metered connection. Then it behaves the same as it would on a cellular connection as far as what is / isn't allowed to transfer data.

[Peregrine1983]

I currently have mobile priority 50gb and am just diligent about turning the unit off so my devices don't connect and using marina wifi or cellular when possible.

I used to have the basic RV plan and it stopped working one time between Martha's Vineyard and Block Island while a friend was on a work Zoom because we were "in the ocean." We had not been that far off yet during that trip and so I guess they hadn't noticed until then. I paid $80 or so for the step up in service through the app and it came back on immediately and continued to work "offshore."

My point is that I *think* you can upgrade the service offshore as long as you have Starlink signal.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

I currently have mobile priority 50gb and am just diligent about turning the unit off so my devices don't connect and using marina wifi or cellular when possible.

I used to have the basic RV plan and it stopped working one time between Martha's Vineyard and Block Island while a friend was on a work Zoom because we were "in the ocean." We had not been that far off yet during that trip and so I guess they hadn't noticed until then. I paid $80 for the step up in service through the app and it came back on immediately.

My point is that I *think* you can upgrade the service offshore as long as you have Starlink signal.

OK, well this month we have a lot of miles to do offshore so we'll stick with the 50gb Priority plan. We'll do some research and then maybe drop down to the Roam plan after that.

[carstenb]

dockhead we simply pay the $2 per giga - but we don't leave our devices turned on - we simply turn off the wifi connection. of shore - most of what we want is weather and check some emails. It only takes a minute to turn on the wifi on our device again. Sometimes we simply shut off the starlink - takes maybe 10 minutes for it to fire up and connection (that is when it is a long time)

[Peregrine1983]

And when you shut off the Starlink you're immediately reminded how terrible marina wifi always is...

[Mal Reynolds]

Hi DH,

My Mini is on Roam - Unlimited. I don't have to think about data use when within 12 miles of land. Then I toggle on Mobile Priority for $2/GB when offshore. I do pay attention to data usage offshore.

Spent about 9 days offshore on a run from Great Salt Pond down to Georgetown, Exuma. Connectivity was great. When it was rough it took just a few minutes to connect. Averaging 22 watts consumption (Read from Starlink App, so I assume the Mesh Router adds to this.)

Your usage needs may differ, but I'm more than satisfied with this setup.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

OK, well this month we have a lot of miles to do offshore so we'll stick with the 50gb Priority plan. We'll do some research and then maybe drop down to the Roam plan after that.

I'm watching with interest. I'll be getting a Mini next summer. My usage will be primarily for weather and emails, and my main concerns are the 2-month limit on usage outside the country where it was purchased and the constant plan changes.

[wholybee]

There are a few things you can do. For sure metered connection. The thing with metered mode, is you do need to turn it off and let the devices update, it is not intended as a permanent solution to prevent updates.

Be aware that on Windows the metered connection will delay updates for 30 days, then they will happen anyway. So at the end of your passage be sure to turn the metered connection off and do the updates when they won't cost you. And, the longer you go without updates, the bigger it will be when it hits. Windows Updates are actually not very large and not usually a problem if you keep up with them.

On android, metered mode, also open the play store app, and disable automatic updates for all your apps. I don't exactly recall how to do that, but I manage to figure it out every time I get a new phone. I don't think you can disable system updates, but I think metered mode might disable or delay them.

Also, many routers (my cheap ASUS does it) will allow setting a bandwidth limit. You can set it to about 2 Mbps to allow video to stream, but keep it at standard definition instead of sucking tons of data at HD or 4k. Or you can go even lower to 512kbps or 1Mbps to mostly break video playback but still allow email etc.

Turn your devices off when not in use, or disable the network adapter if you are using a computer but not the Internet.

[CrispyCringle]

The thing about the Mobile Priority Plan is it uses that 50 GB of priority data first, no matter what. I find that very annoying. Because after that, you can get unlimited roam if you are on or near land. If they had half a brain they would make it the opposite- unlimited mobile roam until you are "off shore" and need the priority data.

Therefore, Ive come to the conclusion that the most effective plan, as of 10 Dec 2024, is the Mobile Roam. You get unlimited "land data", and when off shore we just switch to priority. It rarely works out to where its not cost effective because you have a price difference of $85 from the Mobile Roam to Mobile Priority ($165 to $250). Since we arent watching movies when on passage, it rarely breaks the $250/month cost of Mobile Priority. And it doesnt burn up the Priority data first.

Starlink has a history of revamping their plans. None seem to currently fit the regular guy cruiser. Its a fantastic service, and Im willing to pay up to a point. Hopefully they will evolve into something that works for us minority cruisers.

[svtickles]

We have the ROAM unlimited plan the last two years. I put the phones with all apps with zero background use, except the navigation ones like Navionics and NoForeignLand which I use to track our journey. We don't watch Netflix, stream anything, etc. Only light use of FB, emails and the navigation and weather apps.

On average, Starlink says we use 14 GB per day.

There's no way we use this much, of course. If I did, my mobile plan would be in the thousands when we are roaming - uploading pictures, using Maps, etc. when visiting exotic islands and towns (i.e. not on the boat); but actually Virgin Ireland says we never exceeded the cap - even when it was only 12 GB per month (for free in the EU).

We do have an external router on the Starlink dish, so I'll try to turn that off next summer and see what happens. But looking back in history, even when this hadn't arrived yet, the dish & oem modem was going through data faster than I drank water.

Data screenshot:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/shar...9Dsd278GrufdVM

[CrispyCringle]

Another thing that will save a ton of GB is stepping down the video quality options. We use a Fire Stick for streaming and in the settings you can set it for 4K, 1080p, etc. Same for Netflix. I think using 1080p is about 25% of 4K bandwidth. Our small flat screen doesnt even have 4K. I think its 720. So when I lowered the video quality I got a huge drop in data usage, and really no drop in quality to what we were used to. All the streaming services seem to default to the 4K service.

[donradcliffe]

There can be constant background data usage every time the starlink is on. The summer before last I delivered a boat with a iridium satphone/data system, and had just bought a new phone before I left port. I burned up $4000 worth of data, trying every thing I could to stop the background flow, and only turning on the phone for a quick weather update from Predict Wind. Fortunately, Starlink data is less expensive by a factor of about a hundred.

[Mal Reynolds]

For Mac users, there is Tripmode: https://tripmode.ch/

Not sure about how to lock down iPhones, iPads. Just turn them off, I guess.

[Capt.Don]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

...
For Windows devices, I'm thinking to simply do this, crudely and simply: 1. put into "metered network" mode; and 2. connect only briefly, when there's a specific need to upload or download something, or make a call.
...

On Windows, be sure to turn off updates..... Had Windows once try to download updates over Iridium connection.
Don