I have the same thoughts....with my RV I use a dish on a tripod. Works. SD only. I really don't care about HD in the RV.
Now..here is the problem: I read an article that says SD with DIRECTV will no longer be available after 2019. The SD satellite (101?) will "run out of fuel" to keep it where it should be) and when that happens, as it burns up on the way down, SD will be discontinued. HD only from that point on.
So...thinking...500 bucks for maybe 2 years of (SD) service? I'm gonna wait and see what happens in 2019.