Starlink Mini Sunroof Mount

I mounted my Starlink mini in the rear of the truck’s sunroof/moonroof, and I would love for it to live there full time. Problem is, I also would like to be able to close the visor, and I haven’t found a reliable mount quite low profile enough to squeeze the gap. This one I’ve tried from Amazon is super close! But still just a little too tall. Anyone else familiar with any super slim window mounts that might work? Thought I’d ask before spending a ton of time and energy buying a bunch of them to find out which one would work, if any at all. Thanks!

 

3M?

 

Dark ceramic tint!!

 

Sometimes it’s the simplest of things we tend to over complicate. Though while I’d like the unit to live in the truck, I’d still like to be able to detach and reset. But Velcro may actually offer a similar solution. I guess covering the perimeter of the unit would not effect the reception?

 

?

 

If you want to pull the shade. Why not just do windot tint?

 

he doesn’t want to lose the shade.

 

Ah I see. so I actually just got my windows and windshield done and I honestly didn’t even think about the sunroof until after the fact, but more so for the purpose of heat reduction. But if it makes a noticeable difference with the heat, it’d totally be worth it. My intent is more so to hide the unit from the interior when not in use. It’s not particularly aesthetic imo. And my windows are dark enough that you can’t really see inside so security isn’t really a concern.

 

I had the same issue i only use mine a couple times a year at the Baja Races the last race i mounted it on the inside of the sunroof and covered the rest of the sunroof with foil and painters tape lol i am going to mount it next time on my dash with a ram mount mounted to my bulletproof dash phone mount panel. If i didnt have a bed cover i would have someone fabricate one of these since they dont sell them for tundras yet.

 

move the antenna as far forward as possible and close the shade 2/3rd closed?
Would a Starlink connection would work just resting the antenna on the dash?

 

yes it works i tried it just resting on my dash
Here is the setup another member posted @aaronlee

 

I'm stupid, but what is the point of these things? Internet connectivity out in the middle of nowhere when you can't get phone reception? I'm not as traveled as some of you guys, but I've yet to find myself somewhere where I can't get a cell signal but must have Internet connectivity.

Please enlighten me and help me be less stupid.

 

Satellite connections are the only option for communications and equipment needing internet access with a reliable and consistent connection. Starlink is a satellite based unlimited data internet link, portable, consistent and reasonably fast with good weather and good line of sight. Quite helpful for traveling long distance in remote areas or homes and businesses on the limiting edge of cell tower coverage, or off grid completely. There are also affordable high power radio based internet options that require line of sight in some areas. 15-20 million people use satellite internet connections in the US.

 

Got it. Thanks.

 

He pretty much hit it spot on. For my scenario, my job puts me in remote areas with no cell signal for long periods of time. The idea of permanently mounting the hardware is very appealing to me so it’s always available to get connected. but also securing it between the sun shade and moonroof would be extremely ideal, as it would draw less attention than mounting in the dash. I could leave it in the roof at all times with no security concerns. The dash setup is sweet, but I feel it could draw unwanted attention. And the kit is just big enough to be kinda annoying to setup and take down constantly.

 

I assume you’ve considered just deploying it when needed? Keep it stowed away normally.

 

That’s what I’ve always done. Which is fine, but it’s just more equipment I have to find room for in an already loaded down truck. It’s just big enough to be really annoying, especially with its protective case I keep it in when traveling.

 

@Mextoondra does that setup work well for you? Does it obstruct your view when driving much? I like the easy access and hook up without running a wire outside. However, I’d also be worried if an accident were to happen and that thing becomes a projectile. It also might be more secured keeping it inside versus outside. Hate to have to remove it every time I park it somewhere if I had it mounted on my roof top. Trying to figure out which would be best place to put it.

 

@BC-TRD if I have a sunroof I would definitely mount it like that as it’s somewhat incognito. I thought about the veritas van option. Mounting it on top of my roof, but too lazy to take it off every time I park somewhere, plus the dangling cord outside. On the plus side, the veritas option allows me to take it and move to any vehicle I like and use STARLINK. I like the portability aspect. Whereas, the ram mount setup is harder to replicate in any other vehicle. The windshield option is nice, but I feel like it will obstruct my view, possibly glare from direct sunlight, safety concerns, and exposed (drawing unwanted attention when parked). Just brainstorming on best practice.

 

FWIW, I've had a mini mounted on either the roof of our Sprinter (visible from the rear as it was at the very back of the roof for ease of access/removal) or on the roof rack of my Grenadier since last year and never have I been worried about it being taken while parked. Granted, on the Grenadier it wasn't easily visible, but it is mounted with 4 60lb (or 80?) magnets on a Trio Flat Mount; which makes it a huge PITA to remove.

For the Tundra I'll end up just waiting until my GFC Topper arrives next month (assuming my truck is fixed by then and I don't have to go play the lemon law game) and mount it to the roof of that, primarily because I'm not a huge fan of using suction cups on tint (my sunroof is tinted).

 

I hear those magnets are strong. Yeah nowadays hard to trust anyone. Theft is on the rise. Out of sight out of mind. Hence my hesitation to leave outside. But I hear what you’re saying. Thanks for sharing @Mallcrl

 

@Mallcrl do you have pictures of how you wired it in to your vehicle? Or pictures of your setup?

 

I haven’t wired it up in the Tundra (it’s blown up at the dealer), but in the other two vehicles it goes from which ever switching set up it has (Sprinter uses an sPod, Grenadier had a SwitchPros) to a 12v->24v converter, and then to a 5m cable to the dish. In the sprinter the wiring goes over the rear door seal with a drip loop, the Grenadier had a bundle of wires headed to the roof for other stuff so it went with that

 

I have a question about the portable Starlink system. I guess I could research it, but I'm lazy this morning.

My home wifi is on Starlink. The panel/dish (or whatever it's called) automatically positions itself to point in a specific direction to maximize reception.

Do the portable units do the same automatic positioning, or does it work differently?

 

I’ve tried 3 mounts now and none of them have been slim enough to fit in the sunroof. Only other thing I can try would be to 3m directly to the glass. But I found some others discussing this on a random ford forum while researching this option that the heat combined with rough roads caused this to fail for one user. So I’m running out of options and faith this will work unfortunately. Unless I just keep my sunroof shade open at all times.

 

No. You have to manually position the mini unit. You may be able to get an accessory to auto position it, but it would probably start taking away from the portability of the dish.
The portable unit has a setup phase each time it is deployed where you point it up in the air, and the app has you adjust according to satellite positioning. Usually, if I point it up, north dominant direction with no obstructions it’s good to go.

 

@BC-TRD maybe we both gotta mount it outside on top of our roof? lol, better for heat dissipation too.

 

How come I still can’t hit reply to people’s messages? No option to do that. Pleas help moderators. Thanks

 

it’s an option, just not the one I was hoping for. Figuring this out was actually a main reason I wanted a tundra model with a sunroof when I bought it. Still will need to remove and stow every use and figure out wiring solution. This option here is a clean option for a sunroof but is kinda sketch too if magnets are super strong.

 

Thanks. I've been considering the mini unit for our RV, but I'm torn because I kinda enjoy being away from the "connected" life when we travel to remote areas.

Good luck with your quest to find the perfect dish mounting solution.