Deciding between Starlink Gen 1 vs. Gen 2 is common amongst satellite internet users.
After all, these two dishes are different.
So you might ask which can outlast the other and has better qualities.
Everyone wants the absolute best out of their dish, no matter where it’s mounted.
And comparing the two goes a long way in your decision-making.
Let’s raise those signals and have a closer look!
Table of Contents
Differences Between Starlink Gen 1 And Gen 2
Here are some ideas based on each Starlink satellite dish differs from the other.
These will help you figure out what you should buy.
Ingress Protection Rating
Starlink Gen 1 and Gen 2 are water-resistant and have the same rating — IP54.
However, there’s one slight difference between the two. Gen 1 can handle temperatures from 32 – 86°F.
Gen 2 stands out more in this category because it operates in worse temperatures (-22°F – 122°F).
That’s reassuring if you live in an area with that climate.
Router
A router.
One major downfall of the router is that it allows a few people to use it simultaneously without lowering the connection speed.
For example, two users can connect to Starlink Gen 1. Gen 2, on the other hand, provides connectivity for up to three others.
Form Factor
What’s interesting about each dish is the shape.
Gen 1 appears circular, while the other looks rectangular.
Also, you can tell that they have varying heights, mast widths, and weights.
Gen 1 measures 23.2” wide with a 1.4” mast width while weighing 16 pounds.
Gen 2 (1.3″ mast width) is 19” x 12” and weighs 9.2 pounds.
Ethernet Port
A row of ethernet ports.
This might disappoint you, but only Starlink’s Gen 1 features an ethernet port.
Sadly, there’s no ethernet port on the Gen 2 satellite dish.
But that’s not bad news because you can buy an ethernet adapter from Starlink instead.
Because of that limitation, however, users won’t be able to use certain applications.
That goes for plugging in any gaming console as well.
Also, don’t expect to add coverage through an extra router you may have lying around.
Power Usage
There isn’t much to say about energy consumption between the two dishes.
Both aren’t very power intensive since Gen 1 uses 65W – 100W while Gen 2 needs 50W – 75W.
Cables
You can replace the cables on the Gen 2 satellite dish.
The cable on Gen 1 may break at some point due to Starlink’s attached cabling approach.
That would be a huge nightmare if that happened because the cables are irreplaceable.
Hence, your only option involves buying another dish.
Meanwhile, Gen 2 includes a removable cable.
This one is much easier to manage.
If it breaks, you can buy a replacement cable instead of a new dish.
Mount Type
The Starlink Gen 1 uses a tripod setup for support.
However, you may have difficulty mounting it because of the circular design.
On the other hand, the Gen 2 features four legs that can handle a strong mount and the mast.
You’ll even find it easier to mount the Gen 2 because it has a more compact size and shape.
Production
Starlink Gen 2 satellite dish.
Gen 1 takes longer to build compared to the V2 dish.
That’s because it has a bigger dimension and shape.
Additionally, engineers use sophisticated tech to fabricate Gen 2 to ensure its high quality.
More importantly, you’ll gain more value from Starlink’s 2nd Gen dish since it has a low production time and cost.
Price
The Gen 1 satellite is more expensive due to its size and shape.
Also, you’re exempt from paying a hefty price to have the lighter 2nd Gen dish shipped to your home.
FAQs
Why is Gen 2 an improvement?
Gen 2 is more qualitative since it outlasts Gen 1 by a wide margin.
Even then, you won’t get hit with a high energy bill due to its low power requirements.
What is the Gen 2 dish?
In general terms, Gen 2 refers to the superior dish with improved features that comes after Gen 1.
Summary
There is so much more to write home about with the V2 dishy.
It works better in harsh environments and saves you a pretty penny.
So this choice may float your boat when it comes to shopping for a way to connect to the network high in the sky.
