Any reasons NOT to buy a Dish KING Tailgater?

I have been using a tailgater for a couple of years and love it. Just a couple of tips that may come in handy.

If you want local network channels and are out of your home viewing area, you can call dish and give them your location and they can change your programming. Most of the csr's at Dish will not understand what you are trying to do, but if you are persistent you will eventually get transferred to someone who does. But, your should be aware that if you are using a Dish DVR at home, once you change your programming you will miss all your scheduled recordings on those local channels. I recommend getting the dongle that allows you to hook up your powered roof antenna to one of the usb ports on the back of the 211Z reciever. Then you can just go to setup and tell it to scan and then add local channels. It will even add the info to your guide. You can avoid a 30 minute phone call, your home DVR will continue to record.

Also, If you have an iphone I highly recommend the free app called "Dish Align". It will use your phone's gps to locate you, and the show you exactly where to point your dish. I know the tailgater automatically finds satelites, but I have used the app many times when camping in wooded areas to avoid obstructions before running the setup.

derh20 wrote:
bobbo--thanks for the heads up about DNS services. As far as the tailgater with Direct TV, it is now available with the "King" Tailgater. What i am checking on now is if Direct TV has a similar plan as Dish's "pay as you go". I don't think they do, but I am going to check.

Here is the website for the maker of the King Tailgater. The website says it is DISH NETWORK only. The one they make that is compatible with both DISH and DIRECTV is the King Flex. That is the one I have, but from when it was called the Vuqube Flex.
They also have one called the King Quest that is compatible only with Directv.

I am pretty sure that Directv does not have pay as you go.

Dish connects to the receiver not the antenna. They don't know what a tailgater is. They do know what the receiver is, usually a VIP 211Z. I've had them for two years and the service has been superb. I use a Wingeard Pathway X2 as the dish is bigger than the tailgater. My brother-in-law uses a Tailgater. We choose Dish for the 1 month service fees and the HD reception.

We have Dish at home and have had no issues over the last year. I found the tech who installed it very helpful and knowledgeable. He gave me his cell number to call if I ever had any questions or issues.

Our used RV came with a Tailgater which I sold. Primarily because we don't watch much TV when camping and the RV had a roof mounted dish already. The other reason was that the Tailgater took up a lot of room when traveling or had to be secured for some reason. There will still be the issue of line of sight for us but then again, we don't watch TV that much.

We found we got a lot more for our money than Direct TV and tremendously more than cable. The service was leaps and bounds better than Comcast.

bobbo--thanks for the heads up about DNS services. As far as the tailgater with Direct TV, it is now available with the "King" Tailgater. What i am checking on now is if Direct TV has a similar plan as Dish's "pay as you go". I don't think they do, but I am going to check.

derh20 wrote:
Also, it appears that CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS aren't offered in any of packages.

To get these networks, you have to have something called Distant Network Service, often abbreviated DNS. Dish Network does not offer DNS due to a federal consent decree years ago. At one time, Dish allowed a third party company to offer DNS for its customers, but that ended a while back. If you want DNS service, thus the networks, Directv is your only choice, and the Tailgater won't work with Directv.

derh20 wrote:
I called back a second and third time trying to figure out what their channel line up is.

I'm sure that's online.

I am having 2nd thoughts about going with Dish. I called their 800 # three times yesterday. I don't know what country or planet their customer service is located in, but this was clearly "no customer service". On the first call, the rep said she knew nothing about the Tailgater and could only refer me to their web site. I called back a second and third time trying to figure out what their channel line up is. Both of those calls ended after about 30 seconds when I was disconnected. that makes me wonder what would happen if i needed to call them with a problem. Also, it appears that CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS aren't offered in any of packages. We are not big TV watchers, just want to get the news (weather) and a few sporting events throughout the year.

The VQ 4500 can be used portable or permanent mount.

That is one of the main disadvantages not to be taken lightly. We have a dome unit AND a carry out for those too many times when a tree is in the way. If you camp in the desert then no problem.