📡 - “When Bars Matter” - A commentary on PSI, connectivity and Starlink

[Emergencymed]

On the recommendation of a friend (NoNameX) who is no longer on the forum, I purchased a Starlink mini ($199) in anticipation of our San Juan Mountain trip.

One of the salient aspects of having this device is “powering it..” as it is typically powered via AC.

I found this useful cigarette lighter plugin booster that was excellent, and functioned perfectly on the trip.

Starlink Mini Car Adapter, 105W... Amazon.com

As we made our way onto off the beaten path, Google and Maps, we’re no longer the most viable go to, and my transition was to OnX an Offroad App. OnX is discounted for first responders and available at discounts around the holidays. (Including Labor Day, 4th etc).

The Best Off Road App & GPS Trail Maps | onX Offroad

Find off-road trails, download offline maps, and navigate with GPS even without cell service. Explore 650K+ miles of 4x4, ATV, UTV, dirt bike, and overlanding trails with the best off roading app, onX Offroad.

www.onxmaps.com

So back to “Bars” - it was really superb having comm access via satellite on this trip.

Previously I looked at it as a superfluous waste of money - until it was needed - and having “bars” on my phone gave me the ability to call my dad via WhatsApp on his birthday while we were off the grid. Also it gave us continued Nav via OnX - with trail updates.

The other “Bar” to be aware of is that relating to tire pressure. 1 bar =14.504 PSI… why is that relevant when PSI is what we use most places when inflating tires.

Well I learned the necessity of the conversion when I found my self off trail, needing to air down the Defender, and the on board compressor only read in “Bar” and I could not get the unit to switch to PSI.

So keep the conversion in mind - there are rare moments when it’s becomes exceedingly relevant!

 

[1sjshrk]

Which subscription plan did you go with? I am taking a slightly different route for the time being with the Garmin Inreach Mini 3 Plus.... more of an emegency SOS/communicator... works off of the Iridium Sat system.
I am planning to be a chaperone for my grandaughter's wilderness class adventure later this year... and a good chance to take the GX offroad for a bit

 

[GoGetIt]

Newer phones with sat capability is excellent for an emergency. The starlink I’ve only found really needed if you are camping or overlanding, or you want to set up an iPad to stream movies or work while out in the boonies. If so, a portable power station would be a good idea so you aren’t letting your car idle.

 

[Ctprelude]

For anyone wanting to wire up a Starlink to their GX(assuming Overtrail), I ran my power cable to the cigarette style plug in the factory air compressor in the back. You have to tweak the settings on the compressor, but once done that outlet will receive power automatically anytime you start the vehicle. I then have my actual Starlink mini in a magnet mount between crossbars and just butted it up against the back of my roof rack. Had the same setup on my prior 4Runner and it holds great and is awesome for road trips here out West where you can lose service for a good while.

 

[Emergencymed]

Which subscription plan did you go with? I am taking a slightly different route for the time being with the Garmin Inreach Mini 3 Plus.... more of an emegency SOS/communicator... works off of the Iridium Sat system.
I am planning to be a chaperone for my grandaughter's wilderness class adventure later this year... and a good chance to take the GX offroad for a bit

So when I got my subscription about a month ago, immediately put it on standby mode. So it cost me only $10 per month. (and during that time, I’m really not using it… and I have low speed internet 24/7).

When I’m going on a trip I go into the App and swap to the $55/ month pkg (only for the time I’m away) and which gives me 300 gb/month before it downgrades to low speed for the remainder of that month.

Lesson: ALWAYS keep your starlink on standby ($10/month) UNLESS you are actively using it at which point you can upgrade it at a moments notice.

Starlink packages are a moving target and they can change at any time,