Having the Dish eastern and western arc sat sets both available gives your portable dish more aiming opportunities in parks with trees, etc. The "look" angle for the eastern arc is steeper than the western arc east of the Mississippi, also making aiming easier at times. That makes the X2 the better overall choice. Both satellite arcs carry essentially the same programming, except that some locals are only available on one arc, with others available in HD on one arc and SD on the other. Note that the X2 and the Tailgater only work with the VIP series, such as the 211K and 211Z receivers, not with the multiple tuner Hopper.