Replacement for the Anser

[johndeerefarmer]

I have the Anser but I don't like it. It is a pain to set it up, wait for it to find the satellite and unplug it at just the right time. If I am too early or too late I have to start over.
I want an automatic one this time.
Here is what I am looking for:
1. Smaller than the Anser and a portable unit.
2. Automatic- just plug it in and wait for it to lock in
3. I will bring my standard def DISH network receiver from home with me so I want it to work with that. I have no need to be able to run two separate TV's but if it has that feature that is fine.
4. I would also like it to work with HD if I decide to upgrade later

Last question, what are the signal strength differences between the portable units? I want one that will easily fit in the trailer (the Anser is nearly too big to fit in the trailer door)but also have sufficient gain.

Thanks

[johndeerefarmer]

I have it working with my G2 now.

I am saying that neither DISH nor Winegard told me that I had to connect the 211 to another dish to get the latest software BEFORE I connected it to my G2. I had to figure it out on my own after wasting half a day. If DISH is too stupid to add that step to their instructions or to have the person that you call to activate it tell you that, then I would have hoped that Winegard could mention that most important step in their instructions. After all they are using a 211 in their instruction manual and selling them on their website. There is nothing in the Winegard G2 instruction manual, or on the Winegard website that mentions this step. If you go to the Winegard "receiver" webpage the only info there is an exact copy of the instructions that I already have. It sure would have been easy to have a note there saying that you need to connect your receiver to a stationary dish before trying to connect it to the G2.

Happy Labor Day

[Bill_Satellite]

johndeerefarmer wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The 211Z is the issue. If you still have your Anser, hook the 211K to that and point to 72.7. You will be able to get through the receiver actiavation and once you are watching TV you can hook things up to the G2, do the new check switch EXACTLY following the instructions and you should be good to go.

I already have it working after I had hooked it to my home dish. Too bad that neither the G2 or the DISH manual gave me a clue as to what to do

Not sure what you are trying to say here. If you have a working 211Z and move it to a G2, the Winegard G2 instructions are VERY detailed as to what you need to do to change the setup from a home setup to a dome setup. If you are having problems you should make a call to Winegard tech support and detail any issues you might be having. Because so many people call with problems that are very clearly described in the users paperwork, it may take a couple of days before a tech is free to call you back. However, they WILL call you back.

[johndeerefarmer]

lryrob9301 wrote:

johndeerefarmer wrote:
I received the G2, then called DISH and had my DP301 activated. It would never work (even when connected to my home dish). After multiple phone calls and hours wasted they told me that the DP301 was too old and would not work with current technology. So I bought a 211z. I had it activated this morning. I spent most of the day getting the 211z and G2 working. I would disconnect the SAT in cable, run the "test switch" to clear any previous setting, then connect the SAT cable, run the "test switch" again and I would never get a signal or SW64 would never appear. After doing this multiple times I finally connected my 211z to my home dish to make sure that it was in fact working and it was. I then connected my DVR to the G2 and did the test switch twice as instructed. The DVR worked with the G2. I then reconnected my 221z to the G2, ran the test switch and now it's working. What a deal! If I hadn't of had my DVR and home satellite to aid me in the troubleshooting I would still be sitting here working on it.

My only hope is that the 211z will save the settings and the next time I connect it to the G2 it will work without problems.

I am beginning to think that the semi-automatic Anser was a whole lot faster than the "automatic" G2.

Has anybody else had issues getting the G2 and 211 to work together without having to go through all of the******that I did? Got any tips in case I have this trouble again.
Thanks

The reason you had a problem is the 211Z does not have the latest programming installed. When you connected it to your home dish it automatically updated it's programming. It will now continue to work with either the home fixed dish antenna or the automatic G2. Neither DISH network techs nor some Winegard techs are aware of this. It is recommended to take a new 211Z to a local DISH retailer for the upgrade before using.

Thanks very much.

[johndeerefarmer]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The 211Z is the issue. If you still have your Anser, hook the 211K to that and point to 72.7. You will be able to get through the receiver actiavation and once you are watching TV you can hook things up to the G2, do the new check switch EXACTLY following the instructions and you should be good to go.

I already have it working after I had hooked it to my home dish. Too bad that neither the G2 or the DISH manual gave me a clue as to what to do

[lryrob9301]

johndeerefarmer wrote:
I received the G2, then called DISH and had my DP301 activated. It would never work (even when connected to my home dish). After multiple phone calls and hours wasted they told me that the DP301 was too old and would not work with current technology. So I bought a 211z. I had it activated this morning. I spent most of the day getting the 211z and G2 working. I would disconnect the SAT in cable, run the "test switch" to clear any previous setting, then connect the SAT cable, run the "test switch" again and I would never get a signal or SW64 would never appear. After doing this multiple times I finally connected my 211z to my home dish to make sure that it was in fact working and it was. I then connected my DVR to the G2 and did the test switch twice as instructed. The DVR worked with the G2. I then reconnected my 221z to the G2, ran the test switch and now it's working. What a deal! If I hadn't of had my DVR and home satellite to aid me in the troubleshooting I would still be sitting here working on it.

My only hope is that the 211z will save the settings and the next time I connect it to the G2 it will work without problems.

I am beginning to think that the semi-automatic Anser was a whole lot faster than the "automatic" G2.

Has anybody else had issues getting the G2 and 211 to work together without having to go through all of the******that I did? Got any tips in case I have this trouble again.
Thanks

The reason you had a problem is the 211Z does not have the latest programming installed. When you connected it to your home dish it automatically updated it's programming. It will now continue to work with either the home fixed dish antenna or the automatic G2. Neither DISH network techs nor some Winegard techs are aware of this. It is recommended to take a new 211Z to a local DISH retailer for the upgrade before using.

[Bill_Satellite]

The 211Z is the issue. If you still have your Anser, hook the 211K to that and point to 72.7. You will be able to get through the receiver actiavation and once you are watching TV you can hook things up to the G2, do the new check switch EXACTLY following the instructions and you should be good to go.

[johndeerefarmer]

I received the G2, then called DISH and had my DP301 activated. It would never work (even when connected to my home dish). After multiple phone calls and hours wasted they told me that the DP301 was too old and would not work with current technology. So I bought a 211z. I had it activated this morning. I spent most of the day getting the 211z and G2 working. I would disconnect the SAT in cable, run the "test switch" to clear any previous setting, then connect the SAT cable, run the "test switch" again and I would never get a signal or SW64 would never appear. After doing this multiple times I finally connected my 211z to my home dish to make sure that it was in fact working and it was. I then connected my DVR to the G2 and did the test switch twice as instructed. The DVR worked with the G2. I then reconnected my 221z to the G2, ran the test switch and now it's working. What a deal! If I hadn't of had my DVR and home satellite to aid me in the troubleshooting I would still be sitting here working on it.

My only hope is that the 211z will save the settings and the next time I connect it to the G2 it will work without problems.

I am beginning to think that the semi-automatic Anser was a whole lot faster than the "automatic" G2.

Has anybody else had issues getting the G2 and 211 to work together without having to go through all of the******that I did? Got any tips in case I have this trouble again.
Thanks

[Bill_Satellite]

Sounds like you answered your own question!

[johndeerefarmer]

Thanks. What is the gain difference between the G2, Pathway X1 and my current Anser?
Then what are the differences between the G2 and Pathway X1 as they appear to be the same size?

The Pathway X1 and Tailgater only work with a 211 receiver which I think only receives HD programming. If so then I will not be able to add that to my current home DISH subscription as I don't have HD at home. Correct?

I really want the smaller package size and I like the idea that I can mount the G2 on the roof if I decide that I wanted too.



Thanks

[Bill_Satellite]

Any other dome antenna is going to result in a somewhat lower signal strength due to the smaller antenna size. You might be better off getting/buying a Dish 211K or Z so you could use the Tailgater or Winegard Pathway X1 (X2 is the same housing as the Anser but has better signal strength.
If you want to use an older receiver than I would suggest the Winegard G2. It's fully automatic, VERY small and compatible with your current receiver or an HD receiver if you choose to go that route later.