I used a dish 500 on a tripod for years (two beer set up time, then a winegard 1000 (not much better maybe one beer), but now have the tailgater with 211K set up with DVR ext HD and this is the best thing I've paid for in along time (even DW can do it). Very simple to use and has worked in places I never thought it would. Can also use it at our cabin. Can pay monthly if you want and if you are not a current dish customer you can get the RV set-up for $199 or at least you could a few months ago. I had to pay $430m for the receiver/tailger package and another $40 for activation, and the external HD $45 but it was worth it.