jmiller
S.E. Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2003
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X2 on dish network and the tailgater...
Joel, Sallie and our 2 labs Chance and Jager.(father and son)
2009 Ford F150 4x4 XLT scab 5.6' Tow Command (NEW 4/09)
2007 Trail Bay TB27RL(NEW 7/09)
Hensley Arrow / Barker VIP 3500 / Steadyfast / Dish Tailgater
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Dave From AK
On the road since 2002
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Joined: 06/15/2003
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We have been using Dish Network almost since we began full-timing 10 years ago.
DirecTV is more popular with RVers because until a few years ago you could get all DirecTV stations with a single-LNB antenna. For rooftop installations, those are much cheaper than Dish's old dual-LNB rooftop dish. For tripod-mounted antennas, the single-LNB dish is easier to aim.
Nowadays, though, both Dish and DirecTV require multiple-LNB antennas to get all their programming, so that advantage is gone, especially if you want HD.
The only advantage that I am aware of over DirecTV is that we get Distant Network Services for $5/month, which is $10/month less than DirecTV. Dish Network DNS also includes both west coast and east coast feeds, while DirecTV only allows one (existing customers were able to keep both coasts--at additional cost--when they made this change). Note, however, that with Dish's DNS, only one of the two coasts will be in HD.
We use a tripod-mounted antenna. If we moved as often as we did the first seven or eight years on the road, I would spring for an automatic triple-LNB rooftop dish. We have a single-LNB under-a-dome rooftop antenna that we use for overnight stops, but that only gets us about a third of our stations.
* This post was
edited 01/15/12 11:03am by Dave From AK *
Dave Rudisill
Fulltimer since 2002
2004 Beaver Monterey
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nazpaz
Texas
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Joined: 11/13/2011
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At this time, we're occasional rv-ers, but hope to move to full time in a couple of years. I've often taken my Dish DVR along, with no dish - just to watch stuff already recorded. It works fine like that.
Still, it would be nice to have satellite tv for those trips so I'm thinking about getting some kind of dish to take along. I'd like to get something that I can continue using once we go full time and have been looking over the various threads on the topic.
The triple LNB interests me because I'd be able to basically watch tv like I do at home, so I've looked at the Dish Network 1000.2 setup plus a tripod and satellite finder.
However, I keep seeing comments about how easy the single LNB domes are. Of course, that comes with a higher price tag.
So:
1. Just how difficult is it to set up a regular dish on a tripod. Are we talking about 10 minutes or an hour?
2. If I got a Tailgater (edit to say I now understand that I'd need a VuCube 2000 and not a Tailgater) would I be able to do what I'm wanting just for now - to take my DVR receiver out of the house and hook it up to the Tailgater for my (all too rare) time in the camper?
3. Since the Tailgater has to re-aim for different satellites (at least that's my understanding) what's the lag when channel surfing?
Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.
* This post was
edited 01/18/12 01:56pm by nazpaz *
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paulcardoza
Southeastern Massachusetts
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Tailgater ONLY works with the 211k receiver. You would have to upgrade to a VuCube 2000 (~~$750) to use a different Receiver. Note that with these, you can only record one channel and watch another if both channels are on the same satellite.
There is really no lag when changing satellites, as the cube PRE-locates them and changes very quickly.
nazpaz wrote:At this time, we're occasional rv-ers, but hope to move to full time in a couple of years. I've often taken my Dish DVR along, with no dish - just to watch stuff already recorded. It works fine like that.
Still, it would be nice to have satellite tv for those trips so I'm thinking about getting some kind of dish to take along. I'd like to get something that I can continue using once we go full time and have been looking over the various threads on the topic.
The triple LNB interests me because I'd be able to basically watch tv like I do at home, so I've looked at the Dish Network 1000.2 setup plus a tripod and satellite finder.
However, I keep seeing comments about how easy the single LNB domes are. Of course, that comes with a higher price tag.
So:
1. Just how difficult is it to set up a regular dish on a tripod. Are we talking about 10 minutes or an hour?
2. If I got a Tailgater would I be able to do what I'm wanting just for now - to take my DVR receiver out of the house and hook it up to the Tailgater for my (all to rare) time in the camper?
3. Since the Tailgater has to re-aim for different satellites (at least that's my understanding) what's the lag when channel surfing?
Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
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nazpaz
Texas
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paulcardoza wrote:Tailgater ONLY works with the 211k receiver. You would have to upgrade to a VuCube 2000 (~~$750) to use a different Receiver. Note that with these, you can only record one channel and watch another if both channels are on the same satellite.
There is really no lag when changing satellites, as the cube PRE-locates them and changes very quickly.
Very helpful! Thanks. I see them on Amazon for $500 or so. A bit more than I expected to pay but definitely in play for me.
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ixswab
montana
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Joined: 02/02/2009
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2. If I got a Tailgater would I be able to do what I'm wanting just for now - to take my DVR receiver out of the house and hook it up to the Tailgater for my (all too rare) time in the camper? yes
3. Since the Tailgater has to re-aim for different satellites (at least that's my understanding) what's the lag when channel surfing? none
Tailgater works just as advertised.
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TechWriter
Green Bay, WI USA
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Joined: 12/22/2002
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nazpaz wrote:
The triple LNB interests me because I'd be able to basically watch tv like I do at home, so I've looked at the Dish Network 1000.2 setup plus a tripod and satellite finder.
First, if you're getting a portable dish, then get a Dish 1000.4, not a 1000.2. With a 1000.4, you can put either a Western Arc (sats 110, 119, & 129) or an Eastern Arc (sats 61.5, 72, & 77) LNB arm on it.
Having the ability to switch out Western & Eastern Arc LNBs gives you more sky to aim at. Helpful if you're camping in the woods.
The 1000.4 ships with an Eastern Arc LNB, but you can pick up a Western Arc LNB arm on eBay. Since the LNB arm is bolted to a 1000.4 (instead of tack welded), the arm comes off and the dish is much easier to store. A 1000.4 is also easier to aim than a 1000.2.
That said, even with clear sky, a Dish triple-LNB antenna can be challenging to aim. I bought a good tripod and sat meter for it. When you add it all up (dish + tripod + meter), you're approaching (or passing) the cost of a Tailgater.
My full timer setup consists of a roof top Travler + a portable 1000.4 dish when trees prevent the Travler from working.
I use this setup because I have two receivers and I have to run dual cables from the Travler and the 1000.4.
Unless you need two receivers, the Tailgater is a great deal -- and Direct has nothing like it.
2001 Newmar Mountain Aire 4095 DP
Wisconsin, USA
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Dave From AK
On the road since 2002
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Joined: 06/15/2003
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nazpaz wrote:The triple LNB interests me because I'd be able to basically watch tv like I do at home, so I've looked at the Dish Network 1000.2 setup plus a tripod and satellite finder.
However, I keep seeing comments about how easy the single LNB domes are. Of course, that comes with a higher price tag.
So:
1. Just how difficult is it to set up a regular dish on a tripod. Are we talking about 10 minutes or an hour?
We have a Dish 1000.2 antenna and a heavy-duty tripod.
I drilled out the spot welds that attach the LNB arm to the dish and use quick-release clevis pins to connect the two when we set it up.
I know of no advantage of the 1000.2 over the 1000.4 dish.
A couple months ago I sprang for $239 for an AcuTrac III satellite finder. That makes it very easy to tweak in all three satellites simultaneously. I have done it many times without the AcuTrac, but it sure makes it simpler.
I timed myself when I set up the system last time, and it took me ten minutes. Much of that time was spent digging the parts out of the various basement compartments. We are in a wide open spot, though, so I didn't have to spend time finding a hole through trees where all three satellites are visible.
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Tbarrett34
TENNESSEE
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Joined: 01/08/2012
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I saw today that dish network has a system now that works with the Internet. You buy a new receiver and a DISH sling adapter that will allow you to watch live tv, DVR shows etc on a phone, computer, iPad, and tv anywhere. I wonder if this would work instead of satellite in an rv. Of course all would depend on Internet connection when traveling. This Dish network announcement was made on Jan 9th so I'm sure most are not aware of this.
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