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Since switching to Starlink by SpaceX, my internet experience has transformed. Initially, I used the Gen 2 disk, but recently upgraded to the Gen 3 dish. Let’s dive into how these two compare and why they’ve been a game-changer for me.
Why Starlink?
Working from home with a poor ADSL connection of just 10Mbps was a nightmare. Enter Starlink. Both the Gen 2 dish and Gen 3 dish have provided me with reliable, high-speed internet that has revolutionized my work and leisure for just £75 a month in the UK.
With the Gen 2 dish, I enjoyed speeds (up to 200Mbps at times) that were a significant leap from my ADSL. However, the Gen 3 dish has taken things to another level. It’s faster and more stable, making it perfect for my needs.
Comparing Gen 2 and Gen 3
The Gen 2 dish was a solid performer, I had it running for over 2 years. It offered speeds that were more than enough for my work and streaming. Yet, the Gen 3 dish has brought noticeable improvements.
Firstly, the Gen 3 dish is easy to set up. It’s designed for simplicity: unbox, plug in, point at the sky, and connect via the app. This streamlined process is perfect if you just need a basic setup without advanced features.
If you want advanced features, you’ll need to put it in bypass mode like me and to connect to another router (For me this is my Ubiquiti UDM Pro, which has been fantastic for my network setup)
Maximizing Starlink’s Potential
One of the coolest things I’ve done is set up Tailscale to get around the CGNAT issue. This has allowed me to connect back into my network from outside when I’m away.
Since I now have a Gen3, I’ve put my old Gen 2 dish on an £8 a month roam plan. It serves as a failover via my Ubiquiti UDM Pro, ensuring I always have a backup connection (just in case) – I can even take it away with me and use it in motion too!
Before ordering anything, I recommend downloading the Starlink App and checking for clear sky / no instructions via the built in tool.
Performance and Uptime
Both the Gen 2 dish and Gen 3 dish have provided incredibly high uptime. In over two years, I’ve only noticed one outage, which lasted just 20 minutes. This reliability is something I never experienced with my ADSL connection.
The Gen 3 dish hasn’t missed a bet so far, daily work calls and gaming have worked flawlessly. Latency is around the 25ms mark, which is incredible considering the connection goes up to space and back.
Final Thoughts
Overall, both the Gen 2 dish and Gen 3 dish have been fantastic.
If you’re struggling with poor internet like I was, Starlink is a game-changer. The high speeds, reliability, and ease of use make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their internet experience.
You can buy one online via the Starlink store (with 30 day free trial) : https://www.starlink.com
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