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Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Yahoo Message Number: 64397
I usually am on the road - not in parks with trees. I overnight at Flying Js or Wally World. I want the best dish I can get that will let me push 1 button when parked and levelled and have the dish find the satellites for HD viewing. I do not need in motion. I have heard the domes can cause reception problems with dew, etc as opposed to the open dish type but that may not be true. I have not decided on which network either. I am not looking to spend a fortune but want a good one. I have already swapped out the old CRT type in the BR for a new LED and the front one is next - any experience, advice, source, etc. will be greatly appreciated. (My local RV Svce Mgr installs after hours)
We just came home from a 2200 mi round trip with the old CRT w/converter up front - never again!

bojangles5169

'97 Intrigue #10414

email: bojangles5169@...

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64399
I have a Motosat Executive and since installation in Aug of '01 it has operated flawlessly. I am staying with Motosat when I upgrade to HD this fall.
It is true that domes have problems with heavy rain and dew and I will not have one.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64400
MotoSat, IMHO. Talk to Dale Morris. I assume you have been reading the group posts of the last few days???

--

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13
----------------

Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64401
I don't believe you can have a dome and HD. Motosat is the way to go for Direct or presumably Dish. I just got mine at Oregon Motor Coach in August around 4500 with DVR, GPS and Blue player/Amp.
Push one button and it locks in, even faster if you get the GPS option.

John

2007 Inspire 52028

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64402

I am sure you will get many responses to this, but here is mine.
As a former customer service rep for Motosat, at one time about 5 years ago, 80 % of our customers had Direc tv. That leaves a ballance of 20, shared by Dish Network, and Bell Express Vue from Canada. At that time, bout 80% of trouble calls came from dish network people who had their service. Now the past few years, they build equipment that is designed for Dish Network, and they work much better. I still believe that if you have the correct dish, that you will have less issues with Direct TV. Reguardless of what either of them say, the costs are about the same. Open faces dishes work best, and will only work when stationary. There are two systems available for HD, one from Winegard, and one from Motosat.
I am a little prejudice, as I worked for Motosat for many years, and believe they build the best product, and that is their only business, mobile satellite tv product. All their units are fixable in the field, should there be an issue. With Winegard, you have a problem, you will need to send it to factory for repairs, sort of a big problem for a traveler.
Motosat has a 3 year warranty, and Winegard has a 2 year warranty.
Motosat is the oldest RV satellite manuafacture out there, and have a record as the industies most toughest. They have always handled wind issues, of high winds, but the new Winegard has maybe got a handle on this also. Before their latest model, 25 mph winds would cause picture failure.
Motosat will most likely cost your more than you may have to pay to get a winegard. I am a dealer and only sell Motosat, and my web site says, we sell the best and service the rest. However, the new HD from Winegard, is not field serviceable.

Hope this may help some,
Dale Morris 91 Savanna #4702
dmsrvsatellite.com

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64403
Quote from: Glen Pankratz"

> I usually am on the road - not in parks with trees. I overnight at Flying Js or Wally World. I want the best dish I can get that will let me push 1 button when parked and levelled and have the dish find the satellites for HD viewing. I do not need in motion. I have heard the domes can cause reception problems with dew, etc as opposed to the open dish type but that may not be true. > > bojangles5169

'97 Intrigue #10414

email: bojangles5169@...
We have the dome now. Would not buy another one. Go with the open kind. Any kind of water pixilates, fog, dew rain etc.

Ken 2007 Beaver Contessa

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64404
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/winegard-travler-automatic-multi-satellite-tv-antennas/6795
One button up and locked on all 3 Dish network birds. One button down, locked for storage. Not effected by rain or wind, first hand experience like this last weekend on Oregon coast. Heavy wind to rock coach matched by heavy rain. Not one signal drop. The dome we had would loose signal when it got wet, useless in rain. Pick your network. We have been Dish customers for over 15 years. Good equipment-free upgrade once a year on receiver, good customer service now days, they had growing pains. Told by tech, yesterday to call Dish with what ever Zip code you are in and you can get the local stations. All the HD out there. Can do install yourself. Not hard at all. Biggest job would be getting dish on roof. I did it using a extension ladder and slide dish up ladder. Ran cables on roof and dropped through hole where the old roof mount off-air antenna was. Have the latest dual DVR in house. No DVR in coach. Would if we full timed it. One thing would suggest you check out is the menu and receiver responsiveness. Kids have Direct, I like Dish much, much better. Give the Travler system a 10 out of 10.

Leonard Kerns
97' Magna 5418

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64407
Glen,

Not up on the latest domes but I think the new ones are all pretty fast. As far as the rain and dew are concerned, I have an old Kingdome and it is only in very heavy rain or very heavy dew that I have a problem. That Dome Magic spray really helps. If you are really in those conditions a lot, KVH makes dome models with heaters for dew, I believe. If you want HD right now, and a dome, only Dishnetwork will work. I like Dish anyway. They make the best DVR's. The programming is all about the same.

Rich 2002

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64409

Another thought, not wanting inmotion, open face is the best. Lets say you decide on a DVR, with any dome, you can only see one of the 3 satellites that are available, dish network, and if you want to record something that may be on another satellite, it can not be done. And of course, Direct TV, Hd is just not available with any dome. If you get one of the two multiheaded dishes from the two previous mentioned systems, and properly wired, you could run 2 DVR's and tape any thing on your guide. If you use a KVH dome, each time you go east coast or west coast, you need a computer to change the satellite access as they use different satellites on each coast. Domes just are two small a dish to to get what they offer.
Either pop up they make, will make you a happy camper if properly installed. There is no maintenance to a popup, and all domes require cleaning, and even solutions to help the water from forming and wiping out your signal.
If you happen to get 2 receivers, you would be stuck with the same satellite for both receivers by having a dome system. Sometimes, this is not a fun way to go. If you and your wife have favorite programs, and they happen to be on different satellites, you may loose.

Dale Morris

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64410
Rich

If you are a sports nut then Direct TV is your best choice.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64415
Dale, I have a "TracStar" dome and I get HD with Dir TV. Also, I have two recievers and can watch two different programs.

Terry

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64416
Motosat is the way to go if you can afford it and particularly if you have Directv. Also, the LED Displays are the way to go especially LG Displays.

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64424
Richard,

Just for my info, why do you say Motosat is the way to go? What makes it better than Winegard?

Jim

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64425
Good question JIm. We had a Motostat with Internet on the coach when we got it. Looked the system over, needed a computer to turn it on, plus it has an old out of date system, seems there was a fee to even start it, never could tell for sure. Could not give it away even to the local dealer. He had two like it and didn't want another. Had the Winegard, all you need is power and a finger to push the button to operate it. The Motostat went in the recycle scrap bin. No need to carry something that big around when the Winegard is smaller, lighter and works great. Use Verzion wireless for Internet. Even the local Motostat dealer confessed to doing the same for the Internet. Guess I'm looking forward to being educated on the Motostat. Maybe I missed something I should have found.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64428
And by the way, when I removed the big aluminum base plate, found standing water. Lots of standing water and yes it looked sealed.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64433
Well, I meant it was the Best Choice for me after doing alot of research and hearing discussions about both units which both will get the job done but the overwhelming choice has been Motosat.
However, I always Value all comments and reviews of products and yours is the first I have heard that thought Winegard was better than Motosat so I will research further to see what others who have had both units feel about the respective devices.
All I want is Ease of Use and Dependability and I will be using it for Directv in a stationary environment not on the road traveling.

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64436
Richard,

I used to follow your line of reasoning, i.e., folks on these forums favored the Motosat. It was about the only thing available that was automatic. Some of the units included the kind that had internet access. I had a Motosat on my last MH and bought it for the same reason. It retrospect, it wasn't all that great. Failed several times and had to call for help to get it working again. Also, the programming had to be upgraded occasionally, which required a special module that I had to buy. Seems the programming was rather complicated. That cost $60.
A couple years ago Winegard came out with an automatic unit. Very small control module, just push one button and in a couple minutes your ready to go. Never requires programming upgrades and never fails to locate satellites. Couple hundred bucks cheaper also.
Now, having said all that, the new Motatsat units might be different.
Did I misunderstand, why do you want an auto system if you are stationary?

Jim

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64437
What Winegard Unit do you recommend? I am a Directv Software Beta Tester and I will of course be using Directv and I want Ease Of Use, Dependability and Easy Maintenance and Low Maintenance Costs.

Thanks for your input!!!

Also, I meant that I don't need an In-Motion Dome because I want be using it while driving as I have my Verizon Droid for emails and weather.

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64438
Winegard Trav'ler Slimline Model SK-3005

Jim

Re: Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64439
How can you get HD Channels on a Dome when they have been all moved to Sats 99 and 103 which are MPEG-4 which can not be picked up by Domes that only get MPEG-2 Sats??? These Domes can only pick up MPEG-2 Sats and they are either foreign channels or SD channels.
There is only one In-Motion Dome capable of picking up and locking onto the new MPEG-4 Sats 99 & 103 and that unit is the TracVision HD7 which is designed for Yachts that move slower than an RV. Also, they are very expensive and are too tall to put on the top of your RV.

Need Advice on BEST Satallite antenna

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64442
John,

I just checked a web site which has the following domed in-motion antenna which appears to offer some HD channels.
KVH is pleased to offer full support for DIRECTV's complete Ku-band programming selection, including all standard definition programming and a selection of 15-20 HDTV channels (when using KVH's Tri-Sat AutoSwitch option and a DIRECTV H21-200 or H20-600 HD receiver). KVH part #01-0263-04 Price    $2,174.00

Web site is: http://www.satellitesinmotion.com/m7/KVH-R6%20ST%20WHT%20DTV.html
Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040

Calais Maine Border Crossing

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64446
Looking for a bit of advice, we're crossing into the US tomorrow at Calais Maine. Never used this crossing before and would like to avoid any problems before it's too late, got into the wrong lane (customs officer's fault) previously at another crossing and couldn't make the turn in front of the booth. Had to disconnect the toad, backup and take another run at it in the next lane, only blocked traffic for 5 minutes.
For those that may have crossed at Calais in the past are there any lanes that a 45' plus toad should avoid? Also, just wondering if someone can recommend a fuel stop past Calais?

Thanks.

Graeme Arnott

09 Allure CP #31690

Re: Calais Maine Border Crossing

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64448
We made that crossing in July. Follow the signs to the truck crossing and it is easy. There are two crossings in Calais, the old one is for cars and located in the middle of town. A new one on the edge of town is designed for large vehicles. At the entry point of each lane there are two tall yellow metal poles and a line painted on the ground between them. Do not pull between these poles until directed to do so. If you block them for several minutes an alarm goes off and you will be delayed. They took our fruit, would have taken our PEI potatoes if we had them, and my wife sweet talked them into letting us keep our small house plants. The Customs agents we had were young ladies and very nice. If you have any more questions give me a call 970-690-6629.

Jerry Summerlin
'07 Allure 32485
JSMMRLIN@...

Re: Calais Maine Border Crossing

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64449
I forgot to respond to the fuel stop question. On US-1 near the intersection with Hwy-9 is an Irving Station with several truck lanes on the side.

Jerry