The Victron GX LTE 4G and the GlobalLink 520 both get your Victron system online over cellular, so you can watch it on the VRM portal from anywhere. They solve the problem differently, though. The GX LTE 4G is a modem for a GX device like a Cerbo GX. The GlobalLink 520 is a standalone unit that connects VE.Direct products directly, with no GX device needed. Here’s how they compare, using Victron’s own manual and datasheet.
Victron GX LTE 4G vs GlobalLink 520: Specs
| Item | GX LTE 4G | GlobalLink 520 |
|---|---|---|
| Needs a GX device | Yes | No |
| Network | 2G, 3G and 4G | LTE-M (CAT M1), 17 bands |
| SIM | Your own Mini-SIM | Included 1nce prepaid SIM (5 years of data), custom SIM supported |
| Supply voltage | 8-70 VDC | 8-70 VDC |
| Connects | GX device (Cerbo, Ekrano, etc.) | 2 isolated VE.Direct ports, plus Bluetooth Instant Readout |
| Extras | Built-in GPS (optional antenna) | 2 digital inputs, 1 relay |
| Power draw at 12V | See manual | 50 mA (relay open) |
Sources: Victron GX LTE 4G manual; GlobalLink 520 product page and datasheet.
GX LTE 4G: Pick the Right Model
Victron sells regional versions, and picking the wrong one means poor coverage:
- GX LTE 4G-A for North America (LTE bands 2, 4, 12)
- GX LTE 4G-E for Europe, the Middle East and Africa
- GX LTE 4G-SA for Australia, New Zealand and South America
It ships with a fused DC power cable. Victron says the modem’s ground must match the GX device’s ground, which is usually battery negative. With the optional active GPS antenna, VRM can track the system and set up geofencing.
GlobalLink 520: No Monthly Fee for Five Years
Victron’s datasheet says the GlobalLink 520 includes a prepaid SIM with five years of connectivity, with the option to extend afterward. It plugs into up to two VE.Direct products, such as an MPPT or SmartShunt. It can also read up to 10 more Smart devices over Bluetooth Instant Readout. It has no WiFi, Ethernet, USB or VE.Bus, so it can’t monitor a MultiPlus directly.
Which One Do You Need?
- You have a Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX: get the GX LTE 4G and use your own data SIM.
- You have just an MPPT and a SmartShunt: the GlobalLink 520 is simpler and includes data.
- You want remote control of an inverter/charger: you need a GX device, so get the GX LTE 4G.
Good to Know Before You Buy
- GX LTE 4G: you pay for a data plan, and it needs a GX device.
- GlobalLink 520: LTE-M only, VE.Direct only, and no VE.Bus.
Victron lists every GX LTE 4G variant, with datasheets, on its official product page.
You can download the GlobalLink 520 manual and datasheet from Victron Energy’s website.
What VRM Shows You Remotely
Both devices send data to Victron’s free VRM portal and app. Depending on which devices are connected, you can see:
- Battery state of charge, voltage and current from a SmartShunt or BMV.
- Solar yield today and history from your MPPT charge controllers.
- Inverter/charger status and AC loads (with a GX device and the GX LTE 4G).
- Alarms, such as low battery voltage, sent by email or push notification.
- Historical graphs to check how the system performs over weeks and seasons.
Use Case: Remote Cabin With a Cerbo GX
A 48V cabin with a MultiPlus-II, two MPPTs, a SmartShunt and a Cerbo GX, where there’s no internet when nobody is there. The GX LTE 4G plugs into the Cerbo, and with a data SIM, the owner can check battery state, see solar harvest and change inverter settings from home. If the Cerbo has a generator auto-start set up, its status shows on VRM too.
Use Case: Solar-Only Shed or Gate Opener
A 12V system with one SmartSolar MPPT and a SmartShunt powering a gate opener or security camera. A Cerbo GX would be more than needed. The GlobalLink 520 connects to both over VE.Direct, comes with five years of data, and sends VRM alerts if the battery drops. Its relay and digital inputs can also handle simple tasks, such as monitoring a door contact.
Use Case: RV or Boat
For an RV or boat with a full Victron system, the GX LTE 4G with its built-in GPS lets VRM show the vehicle’s location and set a geofence alert if it moves outside an area. Many owners also use the Cerbo’s Wi-Fi for campground or marina internet, and keep the LTE modem as backup.
Installation Tips
- GX LTE 4G: connect it to the GX device’s USB port, power it with the supplied fused DC cable, and mount the antenna where reception is good, such as outside a metal enclosure.
- GlobalLink 520: connect VE.Direct cables from up to two products, wire the 8–70V supply, and register the device on VRM.
- Both: check mobile coverage at the site first; LTE-M coverage in particular varies by carrier and region.
Other Ways to Get Online
A Cerbo GX can also connect over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If the site already has internet, such as a home or a Starlink-equipped cabin, that may be all you need, with no extra modem.
Quick Comparison by System
| Your system | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Cerbo GX or Ekrano GX, no internet on site | GX LTE 4G |
| MPPT and SmartShunt only | GlobalLink 520 |
| Inverter/charger you want to control remotely | GX LTE 4G with a GX device |
| Small remote site where you don’t want a monthly bill | GlobalLink 520 |
FAQ
Does the Victron GX LTE 4G work without a Cerbo GX?
No. It’s a modem for GX devices. For a system without one, look at the GlobalLink 520.
What SIM does the GX LTE 4G use?
A Mini-SIM. A SIM-PIN is optional.
Can the GlobalLink 520 monitor a MultiPlus?
No. It has VE.Direct ports and no VE.Bus.
Do both work with the VRM app?
Yes. Data from either device shows up in the VRM portal and the VictronConnect app’s VRM section.
What happens after the GlobalLink 520’s five years?
Victron’s datasheet says you can extend the data plan, or use a custom SIM instead.
Sources: Victron GX LTE 4G manual (PDF); GlobalLink 520 product page and Datasheet GlobalLink 520/530, victronenergy.com, accessed Oct 2026.
Related: EcoFlow Delta 3 Max App Guide, EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Offline Without Wi-Fi, EcoFlow Delta 3 Max RV Boondocking, plus the Victron Energy Guide