Many cruisers, both motor and sail, have the device and service. A lot of RVs use it, too. Some folks rave about it and more than once I was told it was better than at home!
The hardware cost $600 and the monthly charge was $135. Since I was still working during our 10-month cruise, it seemed like a good solution for my business and as an upgrade for our boat.
Unfortunately, the hardware has high power demands that would suck my batteries dry in about a half hour. To properly install it on my little boat would require completely rewiring and new lithium ion batteries; total cost = $7,000. Additionally, some boaters complained that SpaceX was ”geo-locking” their transceivers so they would only work in specific regions, (I think that was the term).
We were mostly satisfied using cell networks for internet and only once did we bump up against a data limit.
SpaceX’s customer service is non-existent and their website is terrible. We had to contact the Better Business Bureau in order to get the return authorization. It then took almost three months to get my money back; I still had to pay for two months of the service!
Nice little shitty company you’ve built, Elon.
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