Flat High-Performance Starlink: As you may already know, Starlink internet plans come with accessories like dishes, cables, and routers.
You might not know that some of these plans allow you to choose the type of dish you want. As per the company, two dish/antenna models exist.
These are the standard or the old model, and the Flat high performance, the newer version.
Today, I will walk you through the flat high-performance Starlink, its benefits, features, and other information.
What Is Flat High-Performance Starlink
As indicated above, the flat high-performance Starlink is the newest version of the Starlink antennae.
It comes as a part of the third-generation kit after the round dish and the standard actuated dish.
In most cases, the flat high-performance dish is the default and recommended dish for Starlink maritime, business, and Starlink roam.
The antenna features powerful specifications like a wider field of view, as we will see later in this article.
It improved the former version regarding design, reception, durability, and general internet performance.
Additionally, it is the only Starlink dish allowed for in-motion use when using Starlink RV.
You can only use the RV standard dish while parked rather than in transit.
Also, while flat high-performance is the recommended dish for the above services, you can still use the standard one.
Features of Flat High-Performance Dish
Now that we know what the flat high-performance dish is, let’s discuss its amazing features:
What’s Included in the Kit?
Before discussing the operating specifications that make this dish excellent, let’s see what’s in the box.
Now, when you order the kit from the Starlink online store, you can expect the following items in the package:
- Flat high-performance dish for facilitating communication between your router and the satellites in space
- Router for receiving signals from the dish and for making your premises a WiFi hot spot
- A router mount for fixing your router on the wall inside your house
- The power supply for the router and its mount used to install it
- 2 AC cables, one for the router and the other for the power supply
- An ethernet cable for wired connections
- Starlink cable for linking your router to the dish
Note that this setup does not come with a tripod stand since it is meant for placing on a flat surface.
A sample modern router on the table
Specifications
You now know what you will get in the box and how to use it. In this section, we will discuss the specifications of the flat high-performance dish:
- 38 lb weight
- Height x width x depth is 13 x 28.25 x 24.25 inches
- Its Download speed is 5 to 350 Mbps, while the upload is 1 to 20 Mbps
- Waterproof rating of IP56
- Operating temperature of 30 to 50 degrees Celcius
- 174 kph wind endurance
- 75 mm per hour snow melting capability
- 110 – 150 watts power consumption
- 140-degree field of view
- With an enhanced GPS chip
- Electronic phased array technology antenna
Note that apart from the mounting pole, the dish also omits the motor used for self-orientation.
What Are the Advantages of Flat High-Performance Dish?
Let’s talk about some of the numerous advantages of this new dish compared to the older models:
Allows for a More Permanent Installation
Do you recall the standard model comes with a tripod that you can you to set up your dish on the ground?
Well, the downside of this arrangement is that you can incur damage and vandalism. In addition, it is tedious always to park when driving and set it up again when you park.
The good news is that the flat high-performance allows for a permanent installation on the roof of your RV.
It allows not only easy integration but also eliminates the tedious work of setting and parking.
A satellite dish Installed or an RV roof
Better Speed and Performance
Remember that the dish can achieve up to 350 Mbps download speed, the speed business plan.
In addition, you can expect latencies of lower than 20 ms capable of professional gaming.
This performance is much more than the standard dish, which can achieve only 220 Mbps speed and 20-40 latency.
However, note that the performance depends on your chosen package, with RV always deprioritized.
In-Motion Use
Unlike the standard dish you must use while parking, this one allows for usage while in motion.
The feature is mainly because of the enhanced field of view, allowing for improved satellite connection.
What I love about the in-motion feature is that you and your family can use the internet even in transit.
Enlarged Field of View
As I indicated above, the field of view for this dish is also a talking point. Unlike the older model, which had 100 degrees, this one has a 140-degree field of view.
The capability allows it to establish several satellite connections simultaneously. Doing so ensures you don’t lose a signal in transit or network-crowded areas.
Better Heating
Another hindrance in the performance of satellite dishes is the snow during the winter, which blocks signals.
Knowing this, Starlink made this dish to have better heating for snow-melting capability enhancement. With that side, expect it to melt up to 3 inches of snow per hour, double the standard dish.
Features Improved Operating temperatures
With the melting capability, you expect the dish to overheat at some point. In addition, the device can also heat when you travel to high-temperature regions.
This overheating causes the device to slow or shut down, as may be witnessed in the standard models. However, the company enhanced the operational temperature of this model to up to 50 degrees Celsius.
With Enhance Wind Protection
Like heavy rains, strong winds can also distort internet signals from the satellite. With this in mind, Starlink engineered this dish to endure up to 174 mph wind.
While this ensures reception, it’s also way better than the standard dish which can withstand only 50 mph.
What’s the Price and Cost of Starlink RV With Flat High-performance Dish
Interestingly, Starlink does not raise or lower the $135 monthly cost of an RV subscription with either dish.
However, when you opt for the flat high-performance dish, you pay a $2500 one-time equipment fee. This price is way higher than the $599 you pay for the standard dish.
Should You Buy the Flat High-Performance Dish?
First, the answer to the above question is not as simple as it looks since it depends on you. You will need to consider if you have the 2500 in your budget.
Then, check if you want to use the kit while in transit. Lastly, check the condition of your environment, such as snow, wind, and heat.
With that said, I would recommend the kit if you want in-motion browsing while on your boat or RV.
A man Installing a Starlink dish
Final thought
We can argue forever if the flat high-performance kit is worth considering given cheaper one exists for the same purpose. However, according to this research, it’s a notch higher in terms of performance and specifications.