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Luxury or Necessity? The Icing on the Cake

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In the final video of this series I show 3 essentials to my vanlife, although I understand some might see them as luxuries.
In order to stay online while I roam the planet in my van, and explore more remote locations, I have opted for Starlink Roam - www.starlink.com/roam which provides unlimited internet for a monthly fee of £85 and allows you to suspend the service at any time, so if I know for the next month I will be in urban areas and my van wifi will be fine I can suspend the starlink subscription, then enable it again if I plan to visit more remote areas with no or limited phone reception.
I then added a very simple and lightweight awning to the van from Ventura, is nice and simple to fit, only £199 (plus postage) and is very sturdy and capable f handling quite breezy conditions. Check out the awning here -venturarooftents.com/collecti...
My final luxury is to have a film applied to my van side windows to block the heat out, driving in the summer sun, or winter sun, and getting baked by the sun is now a thing of the past, the film also acts as a good security measure too, and I used a company I've used for years to put window film on my cars and our old house. Feel free to contact Jonny at Sunguard Solar Control if you want your vehicle or house fitted with window film - sun-guard.co.uk/
The final task was to add the country flags to my van, which now includes the Ukrainian flag to make it 34 countries travelled in a campervan. Get your flag stickers here - ebay.us/EFYdiR
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16 авг 2023

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Комментарии : 97

@pamfreeman5197 11 месяцев назад

Good stuff John. I did take quite a bit of reminding but once my bonce was in the clear, it all became understandable. Thank you for these suggestions. They certainly help. Best wishes, Pam xx

@paulsmith3652 11 месяцев назад

Thanks John another great video. I did enjoy the review of the products,a great unbiased opinion 👍

@grahamb8883 11 месяцев назад

Hi John I have only commented on here a couple of times but your piece about Starlink is great. I bought Starlink just a few days before I set off on my trip. I have gone from Liverpool to Halifax and crossed Canada to Alaska. I have the roaming global package and would be lost without it. It works perfectly. Enjoy your travels, all the best G

@ClewleysOnTour 11 месяцев назад

We are shipping from Liverpool in a couple of weeks to Halifax. Bought one over there and had it delivered to a mate. I guess you’re driving the Pan American Highway too?

@grahamb8883 11 месяцев назад

Yes will be doing part of the Pan. Am in BC at the moment, having to move because of the wildfires😮

@jonesdecorators 11 месяцев назад

Thanks John. I’ve had a load of questions about a star link set up. You’ve answered every one I had. Cheers

@pamchurcher8833 11 месяцев назад

Hi John like the two new items you have fitted also the window coverings ❤❤

@bettyourcampervan 11 месяцев назад

Every van build is individual to the builder and always evolving! 😁😁 great video John 👍

@tinadaly4604 11 месяцев назад

Thanks John for the honest review x

@stephenbulmer7148 11 месяцев назад

good video john and just shows how camper vans evolve as we use them and tweak them. my misses used a Starlink at a running event that she was helping out at. she was up at black sail aha in the lake district which has little to no signal. the starling worked great and was so easy to set up. she was well impressed. be great seeing how you find the starling as you get out on your adventures to more remote places. happy and safe travels guys👍👍👍👍

@vincenthooper7588 11 месяцев назад

Hi John, another amazing video,I agree with your choices mate brilliant, keep I'm coming 😊

@graywake2226 11 месяцев назад

I like the front UV tint never knew about until now.

@vivienne3757 11 месяцев назад

My neighbour has starling and my router is joined to his, pay him a small amount towards his costs, think it is worth the money as works really quickly. Love the tints on the windows, looking good 😊

@nigglemoth 11 месяцев назад

Love the awning, good price too and nice to have some shade. Starlink is out of my price range for what I need but totally agree with your reasons for getting it and imho seems a fair price. I liked how simple the set up was too.

@beepythevellfire 11 месяцев назад

Definitely keen to get an awning as a necessity; having a small van it's great to have somewhere to pull the mobility scooter under when it's raining, to have dry space for getting wet outdoor gear off and sorting out wet dog. I've got a tarp that's attached with suction cups at the moment which is great in good weather but no use at all when it's windy!

@johnallan5821 11 месяцев назад

Great video pal love ur starling ur van looks great 👍🏻

@andrewjohnson9896 11 месяцев назад

Only as a creator can you justify Starlink. Good on you for going for it. We have a 4/5g with EE that has worked all over the UK and now round Europe. I can't wait for Starling to come down in price once the UK version goes live. As vanlifers we would jump at. Our Adria twin has a Thule awning wouldn't be without it. Great video.

@viv-i-vangoesforth 11 месяцев назад

great video John. I'm not ever going to be able to afford starlink but I can afford soon to get the awning. a great addition to the van. Loving the film idea!!!!! Bessy regs- Kenny

@PK_Blinder 11 месяцев назад

I bought Starlink when they did the £99 deal. Circumstances changed so I gave it to Em and Lou. I also had the extra mount that fits to the roof so you don't need the official base... I think they are getting on with it OK..

@timstradling7764 11 месяцев назад

Starlink is interesting if only to know what it can do, and how irrelevant it is to my leisure camper use.😢 Fiamma awning i have, and enjoy the ‘heavy’ benefits when parked up - keeps the sun off the side of the van ( and the consequential heat gain inside ) and off me whilst I relounge - nice😊 Now the solar films definitely very interesting - I’ve definitely had my fill of truckers arm over the years, and melanoma is certainly a risk to counter. Thanks for bringing us these informative and informed insights into available products that can enhance our enjoyment of van living. Great vid as ever, Thanks John.😊

@Pugwash. 11 месяцев назад

Some people say an enclosed toilet is a luxury but who wants to sit in front of their loved ones when the time comes?

@robaire.b 10 месяцев назад

Though many in vans do live alone

@lyndamiller2623 11 месяцев назад

Glad the flags are back, they look great, as do the vans 👍

@commuterbranchline8132 11 месяцев назад

Everyone’s essentials for a full time van travel is different. Heat, cooking, sink, water, food storage, gear storage all seem reasonable. For me, I would consider a composting toilet, shower, solar panels, battery will off grid potential, secure bike storage and a Dishy McDish Face would need to be on that list too.

@yaminthegrey 11 месяцев назад

Hari Om I can appreciate why you have gone for the Starlink, John... though it's far beyond what I want or need. Will be interesting to hear an update in, say, three months, as to how you've found it and whether that power draw might become a bit of burden... Love the look of the window stuff - will think on about that for The Grey. YAM xx

@Albert_206 11 месяцев назад

Hehehe 👍👍 curious about the performance ! Ow that is super, good for you John :-)

@DA11NOON 11 месяцев назад

Great vlog John 👍 Can they do the windows on MH side windows like the window you have on your van

@victoriahaworth2651 11 месяцев назад

Interesting as usual . It would take me days to knock the aerial off if I had it on my roof , I would be bound to forget it was there 😂

@BigVanSmallWorld 11 месяцев назад

Hi John i've been waiting for you to do a revue on starlink as i trust and respect your opinion 👍

@MrSnowMen 11 месяцев назад

Nice Speed Testing there. (Better than my landline) So, If Mandy needs files uploading to the internet, she can email them to you. YES, I am kidding. Surprised about the power usage & it's a shame your unable to use it when driving. The need to be able to work 24/7 when SHTF is part of our jobs. Wonderful idea. Take care and thanks for sharing.

@caravanmatters 11 месяцев назад

We’ve tried starlink recently got to admit it’s brilliant yes expensive but really does work well apart from both holidays I’ve used it I’ve had the speed throttled after 200gb but apart from that it’s been good only using it for longer holidays though as use cellular generally

@geoffcampbell7846 11 месяцев назад

Great additions to the van John, and no doubt tax deductible for the starlink as its a work expense. I wouldn't be without an awning, though if I had the spare weight capacity, and was looking for one, I'd look for a shorter second-hand windout one given the bother of packing away a high-up manual one, especially when you need to make it up in a hurry. I've had both and our van came with a full length windout awning so there in lies part of the reason we have such limited spare weight capacity 😂. Necessity or luxury? I'd just say justifiable improvements, and there's nothing wrong with that. A great, informative video again John, cheers.👋

@paulgrant371 11 месяцев назад

Spot left there for the irish flag, great work and insight as usual John 👍

@kevinp1948 10 месяцев назад

My starlink points to the north east in UK and in the north of Norway it pointed North west which surprised me iI thoughtit would point south . Getting around 150Mbps download and 26Mbps upload average.

@user-fr5tc3lz7w 11 месяцев назад

Considering what you do and the need for connection starlink is in your case a necessity and it's your home so the tint and the awning is as well to make your life more comfortable.

@davidl1338 11 месяцев назад

That awning looks very similar to the Fiamma Caravanstor. I used the Caravanstor on my last two conversions and it was good :) only downsides was one you pointed out ... Bit of a reach to get to it to deploy, and also you had to use it all the way out, so it was a bit of an all-or-nothing usage. Not sure it yours has the same limitation? So not quite as good as a windout, but a decent weight saving and a very useful money saving option. Like the tints and the price is very reasonable for a proper job on both vans (it is harder than it looks to get a bubble-free tint! I gave up the DIY application long long ago with tints and just have them done by those who can :) ) Starlink looks good (shame run by that muskrat :( ). I don't think I have seen anyone quote the daily power usage before? 91Ah! wow, that is a hefty chunk out a battery system. Love the flags on the back (not going to copy that idea. A van with just a Scotland and England flag would look too sad :( )

@traceybootle1005 11 месяцев назад

You must have heard me earlier today! Went through loads of your videos looking for one with your telescopic ladders lol Wanted to know how high and how many treads, now I know thanks John

@voyageadventurevans 11 месяцев назад

I didn't realise the Starlink used so much power. I like to turn the inverter off when its niot needed as that also uses nearly 1amp per hour on standby. I can see the point for someone whose work requires the internet wherever you are parked. But for me, the power usage and the constant set up / take down would be such a faff that I wouldn't bother. I wonder if they can contain the dish like an RV sat dish, so that it can be permanently fixed and useable....and do a 12v version (after all, they do sell it as the RV model). For me it would be a luxury, but I dont need internet all the time. As far as the rest goes, my current van build has lots of things I regard as a necessity🤣🤣....Cheers Ed

@asaandthemarchharepart2903 11 месяцев назад

All Necessary really. Especially working and living in your van.

@JohnnyBurr 11 месяцев назад

Coffee machine without a doubt!! Mandy will agree with that😁

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

I don’t drink coffee 😮🤯😂

@MarcelEling 11 месяцев назад

It works even on the middle of the ocean😅

@darrenjones5885 11 месяцев назад

Was that mountain at the end the one on Toblerone packaging? They’re an essential. The most one cost me was £300 after it pulled a filling out of a back tooth.

@ari.voutilainen 11 месяцев назад

In your line of work having a good internet connection is a tool. I wonder, though,if they are going to make a better vehicle mount for the ”dishy”. The furniture leg that comes with the mobile Starlink kit does not seem very practical unless you only use it on the ground. I saw one US RV user mount a pole holder on their back ladder and they could easily erect a ”dishy mast” when they parked up.

@LeisureBit 11 месяцев назад

I wonder if they will come up with a roof mount dish which could be permanently mounted a bit like the automatic dome ones for satellite TV. I would forget and drive off with it still up 😊 Makes sense why you would want it with what you do and where you go. Surprised how power hungry it is probably double what I expected you to say. Have a great weekend, David 👍

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

They sell a roof mounted version, it’s around £2,500 though 🤦🏼‍♂️

@LeisureBit 11 месяцев назад

@@GadgetJohn ah, so they do - looks like the monthly cost on that is nearly £250 also… will pop the lottery on for that one I think 🤞

@ClewleysOnTour 11 месяцев назад

There are roof mounts available but it does mean you have to cut open the dish DirtSunrise have just released a video about the way they went. 👍🏽👍🏽

@susangoodall5037 11 месяцев назад

I'm sure the Roaming Redfords are using their Starlink in Morocco ❤ They put there's through the skylight ❤

@lisathompson4273 11 месяцев назад

Yes The Roaming Redfords are using their starlink in Morocco they have shown it working I think a couple of video's ago 😊 Lisa UK xxxx

@linz_in_NZ 11 месяцев назад

As you 'work from home' you need good reliable internet, so its a necessity, for me that would be a luxury, as I travel for pleasure now and then. My luxuries for Sprintie are a (second hand) Fiamma wind out awning and Privacy room so we have more space and my friend and her son can come along on trips too. I wanted a wind out awning so I could manage it on my own. They cost me about NZ$500, so less than 10% of the price new - bargain! The next luxury on my shopping list is an ebike rack....

@denisecafferky2248 11 месяцев назад

Nice

@russholah 11 месяцев назад

like the front UV tint stuff need to look into that. I say to the misses, is it a want or is it a need? she still buys stuff !!

@victor007ven 11 месяцев назад

😊

@dangleeballs8382 11 месяцев назад

John, did you have the windscreen done with the Sungard film!? I really need my VW crafter done

@welshieonwheels 11 месяцев назад

Great video thank you very much 👍 well done good luck don’t forget the welsh flag you know it’s a kick ass flag😂👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇨🇦

@RetroBytesUK 11 месяцев назад

Does it have an ethernet port, or is it wifi only ? I could do with a backup internet connection, as BT has broken my connection 4 times in the last 6 months due to misc incompetence. Each time they accidentally configure my line into oblivion it takes them about a week to fix it. 4G peeks at about 2Mbit near me, so thats not really a backup.

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

You can get great Wi-Fi repeaters with gigabit ports, so you could easily add Starlink.

@bodgerliz5138 11 месяцев назад

Hi John. Useful comments, especially about the awning. However, I need an unusual roof rack to attach one too and noticed that yours looks interesting and light-weight. Could you advise on who did yours rack for you, please. Thanks.

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

I fitted the roof rack. Here’s a previous video of me fitting the same roof rack to our old van. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-n0Waspo6Neg.html

@bodgerliz5138 11 месяцев назад

Thank you.@@GadgetJohn

@tnyexp 11 месяцев назад

I wonder if you’ve thought of (or actually tried) experimenting with mast and directional 5g antenna -I know you’re a ham radio fella, and it might help in remote areas for not a lot of dosh

@IverKnackerov 11 месяцев назад

I don’t really understand Starlink supplying an RV system that’s 240 volts …but there seem to be lots of hacks these days to change to 12volt

@campervanchris4171 11 месяцев назад

Nope starling is a must I think costs a bit each month but assists van life for the better 👍🏻

@glennclifton8655 11 месяцев назад

They do or there is a 12v adapter

@paidoluca 11 месяцев назад

I'm using Starlink in my campervan for about a year. So far so good! What's that red bottle behind you? Close to the remote

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

It’s a safety fire stick fie extinguisher

@StephenandSusan6557 11 месяцев назад

Starlink and an awning are definitely not luxuries for you as you like going to wild places and being outdoors. We love that we can be in really remote places and still have internet. We don’t have any sort of good excuse for having it😃 we have an iPhone 14 for emergency satellite access, so can’t argue that Starlink is for safety.

@hairadditions 11 месяцев назад

I would love one, but for me it would be a luxury, but if I went to the places you go then it would be more justifiable. One question, does the wind effect the dish on the roof, would you have to take it down if it go too windy?

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

The dish copes very well with strong gusts of wind

@Terry-zs4ir 10 месяцев назад

Hi John, Im a full timer for the past 2 years. I've been using 3 with the ZTE router, and whilst its okay, im thinking about adopting Starlink due to no roaming charges whilst abroad. I'd be interested to know your thoughts regarding power consumption. I'd be using it around 3 hours a day working and then about the same on social media during the evenings. There have been a few people who have flat mounted the dish. Will you be going that way or stick to your mounting? You've spoken a little about power, but now you've had a little time for real-life usage, perhaps an updated video please.

@GadgetJohn 10 месяцев назад

I spoke about my use in the video, I stuck with that idea and just keep it powered up only when I’m using the internet, then it’s powered off.

@wevegonetouring 11 месяцев назад

So are you now hinking you should have left that lithium battery in you just removed to compensate for the huge amps drawn by the Star Link ? 🤔

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

Nope, watch the battery video again, you missed a very crucial part, don’t worry so did most people. The ALLPOWERS I added has 75% of the battery I removed, plus the ALLPOWERS is a great secondary backup system.

@Ric_Crawford 11 месяцев назад

Wow did you say the starlink used 90ah per 24 hours? I was thinking of getting one but no way I could keep it powered

@IverKnackerov 11 месяцев назад

It doesn’t have to be switched on 24/7 …

@chimchef 11 месяцев назад

What is the point of having your own mind if you can’t change it… look forward to see how the starlink works in the wild…. Im sure you will tell us what you think😉

@robturner3546 11 месяцев назад

Do you think you’ll permanently mount it like Everlanders?

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

It really, I looked into flat mounting bit it’s crazy expensive, 3D printed case isn’t an option as it’ll melt in the summer, plus I’ll still always have a regular cellphone data router in my van as they don’t need clear skies to work.

@hazelcameron9503 11 месяцев назад

For me it's all luxury but it is your money to spend however you want. One man's necessity is another man's luxury.

@jamiemanning7885 11 месяцев назад

It’s now getting beyond van life and house in a van for me.. high speed internet is the antithesis of what campervanning is all about. Enjoy though 👍

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

So I’m not supposed to work for a living ?

@brucefay5126 11 месяцев назад

Luxury vs. necessity? If it improves the usability and/or comfort of the rig, and you can afford it, then it’s nice to have.

@tgrx1901 11 месяцев назад

John is that a filter or some weird background you are using in the intro to this video!?

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

Do you mean my van interior?

@tgrx1901 11 месяцев назад

@@GadgetJohn Yes! You seem weirdly silhouetted against the background! Trick of the light?

@terrynewey5313 11 месяцев назад

Why not position the awning over the doorway? Surely that would be better ? Just saying J

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

Because then you’re blocking the entrance to the van if you sit under the awning if it’s fitted that way. My way you can enjoy the awning without restricting access to the van.

@terrynewey5313 11 месяцев назад

@@GadgetJohn never thought of that... I'm not a van lifer

@yogibear9540 11 месяцев назад

Awning and tints, yes. Starlink no, but, I am not a creator, or plan to work from 'van....so not a criticism!

@mattmanjack 11 месяцев назад

I could,nt live in a van without a shower,I live fulltime in van and work fulltime,no shower would be very uncomfortable.

@rhadley958 11 месяцев назад

For goodness sake Jon…you didn’t have a bottle opener / corkscrew on your essential list 🙄

@GadgetJohn 11 месяцев назад

Oh don’t worry, they’re already in the van.

@tonyhennessy3294 11 месяцев назад

I notice there is no Irish flag there

@Rob.1340 11 месяцев назад

👍🚐🚐😎

@brianmcclure8012 11 месяцев назад

ActuallyJohn, I have watched you for years, respect and often follow your technical solutions. I am sure you have told us many times that your internet solutions based on 4G / 5G work great. My similar solution does as well. Now to watch you share that you have installed Starlink with a month,y charge of 85GBP and it only works on mains voltage and consumes 85AHR per day, I honestly don't get this one on so many dimension for a vanlifer - at least in my head goes against all know logic. You obviously have soo much unused solar power, you had to dream up some way to consume it. Clearly you believe it will work and add value to you, but for sure not me and my rythmn