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How that works battery / consumption wise?
As the article says... > That means you can power the Mini dish for two to three hours from something like an Anker Prime 27,650mAh (99.54Wh) power bank, or a little over an hour with smaller 10,000mAh (40Wh) portable batteries you probably already have laying about. It requires a USB-C PD power source with a minimum rating of 100W (20V/5A).
Regular backpacker here. I don't want or need this. Literally we all use eSIMs and just have downtime occasionally, which is partially the point of it.
Regular backpacker here. I don't want or need this. Literally we all use eSIMs and just have downtime occasionally, which is partially the point of it.
You’re in luck! As far as I can tell from the article, Starlink doesn’t have any plans to make you buy/subscribe by force.
- FlexSolar 40W panel: 1.35kg
- Nitecore NB20000 ~75Wh battery: 300g
- Starlink Mini: 1.1kg
- Smartphone: 250g
For 3kg you have something that should give 2-3 hours of Internet usage on an average EU/USA good weather day (assuming 20% solar panel for 10 hours = 80Wh/day, 25-35W power usage of Starlink Mini + smartphone).
For each extra 1.65kg you get an additional 2-3 hours, resulting in 7.95kg for 8-12 hours, 11.25kg for 12-16 hours.
Not bad, but not good either.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You’re in luck! As far as I can tell from the article, Starlink doesn’t have any plans to make you buy/subscribe by force.
Of course. But some idiots will fall for the marketing and buy it and end up dead.
> Starlink Mini is a compact, portable kit that can easily fit in a backpack, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet on the go.
In no way whatsoever is this marketed as a replacement for a satellite messenger or a PLB. I think the chance of somebody getting only this and ending up in a pickle is much lower than that of somebody just outright bringing nothing at all. Besides that, all recent iPhones support satellite SOS these days, and with Starlink direct to cell, all other phones will likely catch up very soon.
And why does the fact that backpackers are mentioned as one possible user group enrage you so much? Have you considered that people enjoy the outdoors in all kinds of ways, some very different from you, and maybe that includes internet access? Again, nobody has to use it!
Regular backpacker here. I don't want or need this. Literally we all use eSIMs and just have downtime occasionally, which is partially the point of it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is a very short sided view. Something like this could save a bunch of lives of hikers because it means you are always connected when you need to be in case you get injured or lost.
That's an unrealistic view. It's unlikely. Firstly because we already have well defined systems for that which are tested in the field and are specifically designed for it and emergency routing (InReach for example). Secondly a lot of places people tend to go backpacking have limited search and rescue capabilities so you're not guaranteed a rescue anyway. Thirdly a lot of places it'll get stolen before it gets used.…
This is useful for working away from home somewhere on the mountains. Where you have a cabin, have some proper solar panels setup and doesn't make sense (finantially-wise) to keep a starlink installed permanently there. The other option is car-travelling, not everything needs to be solar and using electricity from a gasoline car works great while using little space on the storage.
It isn't meant as side partner for your walking hikes.
So basically, you can carry: - FlexSolar 40W panel: 1.35kg - Nitecore NB20000 ~75Wh battery: 300g - Starlink Mini: 1.1kg - Smartphone: 250g For 3kg you have something that should give 2-3 hours of Internet usage on an average EU/USA good weather day (assuming 20% solar panel for 10 hours = 80Wh/day, 25-35W power usage of Starlink Mini + smartphone). For each extra 1.65kg you get an additional 2-3 hours, resulting in…