Best Satellite System
Our Dutch Star has a roof mounted, in-motion satellite receiver. The previous owner used it with Direct TV. We never bothered to subscribe and try to use it as we were/are not TV fans to any great ext...
Forum Discussion
Here is my .02
I have a Winegard Pathway X2 and have been using it almost every day since I started full timing 1.5 years ago. It is great. It receives Dish programming - only.
It has outlets for 2 cables so you can watch different programs on 2 different TVs AS LONG AS BOTH CHANNELS COME OFF THE SAME SATELLITE. But at least you can watch different channels. I once did see a 5er set up with 2 Tailgaters - assume it was so they could watch different channels on 2 TVs.
I believe the X2 might be the best of the portables. For one thing, it allows you to choose between either the Western arc or Eastern arc set of Dish satellites. If the Western arc sats are blocked, just use the Eastern ones, or vice versa. I think this is a very important advantage of this particular receiver.
The antenna size is a little bigger then the Tailgater - and bigger is always better with these things, especially when shooting around trees, etc.
Why did I go with Dish over DirecTV ?
- Dish offers HD programming that can be received by the golf ball sat dishes but DirecTV does not.
There is no contract in place between Dish and their RV customers. I can stop at any time. I can also add and delete programming whenever I want to. I call Dish whenever I move the rig to a new location and they switch me to the local channels.
So if you want HD programming and you want a portable, then I would recommend the X2.
I got a portable receiver so that I could move it around to get reception in areas with a lot of trees. If you have a permanent one on your Class A or 5er, you would need to move the entire rig if blocked at your site.
If you get the X2, I also recommend getting the tripod stand to get it up off the ground. Twice now I have been in CGs when it monsooned. Luckily I had the stand or the X2 would probably have been damaged - the owner's manual states that water over 2 inches deep can damage the electronics. I suspect that would be the same situation for all of them.
When shopping, look for the bundle that includes a receiver box. Amazon or Camping World (sometimes) have deals on them.
The one drawback is that the X2 is definitely bulkier then the Tailgater.
If I had it to do over gain, I would still buy the X2.
Last - I have an app on my Iphone to help me find the satellites so I can position my X2 in a good place to start with. It's called DishformyRV. This app works great. Costs $5.00
One thing to know about all the 'golf ball' portables - They get their operating power via the cable from the receiver box inside your rig - and there must be a direct connection in order for that to happen. If your rig is already pre-wired, it may have 1 or more in-line switches. These will probably stop the flow of juice to the outside antenna - but you really can't tell till you hook it up. Many people just run the outside cable thru a window or sneak it past a slide-in. The other option is to permanently run a new interior cable from an exterior plug directly to the inside cable box.
Tim
I have a Winegard Pathway X2 and have been using it almost every day since I started full timing 1.5 years ago. It is great. It receives Dish programming - only.
It has outlets for 2 cables so you can watch different programs on 2 different TVs AS LONG AS BOTH CHANNELS COME OFF THE SAME SATELLITE. But at least you can watch different channels. I once did see a 5er set up with 2 Tailgaters - assume it was so they could watch different channels on 2 TVs.
I believe the X2 might be the best of the portables. For one thing, it allows you to choose between either the Western arc or Eastern arc set of Dish satellites. If the Western arc sats are blocked, just use the Eastern ones, or vice versa. I think this is a very important advantage of this particular receiver.
The antenna size is a little bigger then the Tailgater - and bigger is always better with these things, especially when shooting around trees, etc.
Why did I go with Dish over DirecTV ?
- Dish offers HD programming that can be received by the golf ball sat dishes but DirecTV does not.
There is no contract in place between Dish and their RV customers. I can stop at any time. I can also add and delete programming whenever I want to. I call Dish whenever I move the rig to a new location and they switch me to the local channels.
So if you want HD programming and you want a portable, then I would recommend the X2.
I got a portable receiver so that I could move it around to get reception in areas with a lot of trees. If you have a permanent one on your Class A or 5er, you would need to move the entire rig if blocked at your site.
If you get the X2, I also recommend getting the tripod stand to get it up off the ground. Twice now I have been in CGs when it monsooned. Luckily I had the stand or the X2 would probably have been damaged - the owner's manual states that water over 2 inches deep can damage the electronics. I suspect that would be the same situation for all of them.
When shopping, look for the bundle that includes a receiver box. Amazon or Camping World (sometimes) have deals on them.
The one drawback is that the X2 is definitely bulkier then the Tailgater.
If I had it to do over gain, I would still buy the X2.
Last - I have an app on my Iphone to help me find the satellites so I can position my X2 in a good place to start with. It's called DishformyRV. This app works great. Costs $5.00
One thing to know about all the 'golf ball' portables - They get their operating power via the cable from the receiver box inside your rig - and there must be a direct connection in order for that to happen. If your rig is already pre-wired, it may have 1 or more in-line switches. These will probably stop the flow of juice to the outside antenna - but you really can't tell till you hook it up. Many people just run the outside cable thru a window or sneak it past a slide-in. The other option is to permanently run a new interior cable from an exterior plug directly to the inside cable box.
Tim
