Forum Discussion
nomad297
Nov 17, 2014Explorer
Big Katuna wrote:nomad297 wrote:LarryJM wrote:Big Katuna wrote:
I use mine on asphalt often so I can't drive stakes which seems like a pain anyways.
Mine has never fallen over. I just spread the legs out very far.
An Align a site is a $160 piece of un neccesary plastic.
I use Dishpointer on my iphone.
Spoken like a true "UNINFORMED" non Align-a-site owner/user. I won't even attempt to explain the advantages of something like the Align-a-site over things like the iphone apps, but having used both there is "NO COMPARISION". Try using an iphone app to site a dish between two tree branches with leaves on them and see which is easier and more effective to use.
Also, as already mentioned the Sat dish mount does not have to be "plumb" to properly aim the dish using the Align-a-site system.
Larry
Not saying that the Align-a-site doesn't work, but when used with a Slimline dish, if the mast isn't plumb, how do you obtain the correct skew for satellites 99 and 103?
Bruce
I think You have to loosen the adjustment bolts and re level it to the
Level on the Align a sight which is a way bigger pain than leveling the tripod.
The surveyors tripod levels in seconds no wrenches.
I have watched the AAS being used and I think my $5 app that superimposes the sats on my camera screen works just as good for $150 less.
I set up in tree covered state parks routinely.
I agree the TVRV setup is fine. But I'm a cheapskate DIYer.
I went a scrap yard and found a 1/4" thick aluminum plate 4" wide and 12" long.
I drill a 5/8" hole in the middle and bolt it to the hole on the tripod with an upside down 1/2 eye bolt with a wing nut. You could use a bungee thru the eye bolt to a stake or a bucket of dirt but I have never had to the tripod is so stable.
I sat the dish bracket on one end of the plate and outlined the mast hole.
I drilled three holes and bolted the dish mount to the flat bracket with J bolts.
Total cost about $8. I paid $30 for the Pentax tripod on Craigslist. I out a plastic bubble level on the bracket.
I guess it all depends on your situation, but to me, time is money. And if I was to spend the time you spent rounding up the parts and making a setup like you have, I would be out big bucks compared to buying the tripod setup from tv4rv.
Bruce
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