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We think Starlink is the best solution for sailors wanting high speed internet on their boat. Starlink is the largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting video streaming, video calls and more.
PredictWind has no affiliation with Starlink, but we are impressed by the technology that supports our main goal to deliver accurate weather data to anyone in the world. PredictWind is a reseller of the Iridium GO! exec, which we believe is complementary to the Starlink service. Both Starlink and the GO! exec have full integration with PredictWind.
Please view the comparison table below.
¹ Starlink max download speed in ideal conditions. In congested areas download speed can drop to a few MB/s. In addition obstructions can cause dropouts.
² Starlink terms and conditions state the Roam Global / Standard Antenna version is for land use only, and not in motion use.
³ The GO! exec has an internal battery so in the event of a power failure or life-raft evacuation, you have up to 6 hours of talk/data time or 24 hours of standby time.
⁴ Antenna with a larger beam angle allows better tracking of satellites, and less potential for dropouts due to obstructions such as masts, etc.
⁵ The L-band frequency is rain-resistant while K-band frequencies are subject to degradation during rain or snow.
We would recommend having both services onboard your boat! Starlink offers blazing fast internet at an affordable cost if you are using the Global Roam version. However, to get the full picture, consider these points below:
Coverage Limitations
The terms and conditions of the Global Roam / Standard Antenna version state the unit is not for use on water, or whilst in motion, and this will possibly be enforced to land use only, in the near future, so you can only rely on this service whilst at anchor. The Maritime Basic service at present only offers 50% global coverage.
Power Usage
The higher power requirements of Starlink for GPS tracking, auto-polar updates and the PredictWind Anchor Alert App can be a significant power draw on your batteries when using these monitoring services 24hrs a day.
Emergency Situations
In an emergency you cannot take a Starlink device onto a liferaft, or ashore, nor does Starlink have an SOS button to connect you directly to GEOS emergency services.
Voice Communication
Starlink does not have a dedicated voice line for emergency use. Having this in a boat or during an emergency is essential, and not available on other devices like the Garmin Inreach. Many countries marine safety regulations specify you must have a satellite phone such as the GO! exec, as an emergency safety device.
Backup Power Supply
The GO! exec has an internal battery so in the event of a power failure (such as an invertor failure) on the boat, the unit can be switched on for short periods of time to get essential weather and communications for the remainder of your passage. The battery gives you 6 hours of talk/data time or 24 hours of standby time.
Weather Proofing
The GO! exec is a rugged unit with an IP65 rating designed for the marine environment.
Lightning Protection
In a thunderstorm event you can disconnect and store the GO! exec in a microwave (it acts like faraday cage) to protect your essential weather and communication device.
If your budget allows, we recommend getting a Starlink and a GO! exec as the two devices are complementary. In fact the ultimate solution is to backup Starlink with a PredictWind DataHub / cellular modem so when on anchor with possible obstructions such as masts or hills, and Starlink congestion issues, Starlink will have a cellular modem backup to eliminate any outages.
However, if you have a limited budget, we would recommend the GO! exec and a mobile data sim card from a local network provider. Never compromise the safety of your crew when heading offshore by only having Starlink as your main safety and communication device.