Satellite TV Systems

[Dakota_Wagon_Ma]

My wife and I will be taking our first extended (6 month) trip in our motorhome and want to add a satellite system before we depart. We will be mostly in the USA with some time in Canada and Alaska.
Any suggestions on "best" systems and required components?
Thanks.

[GoPackGo]

One last thing. I also bought 40 ft of chain and two Master locks. The X2 has a place near the 2 cable connections that you can run a chain through. Then, I just wrap the other end around a tree or one of the legs on my 5er.

Yes, I know many will say this isn't needed. All I know for sure is that it's still there every morning when I get up.

I also suggest getting an additional 50 ft of cable. Check Amazon for good prices.

Tim

[BoxinTheCompass]

I think you convinced me thats the way to go... thanks for the nice reply there.

GoPackGo wrote:
This gets discussed fairly often. You may want to do a search on the forums.

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 believe the X2 might be the best of the portables for DISH. 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.

As for coverage, I have been all over the western US during the last 2 years and as far north as the middle of Wisconsin and have always been able to get DISH. I am on the California/Oregon border right now and have no problems. I think there are 2 ways to help yourself - Get a sat antenna that can access both the eastern and western satellites and also get an app to help you find them. These satellite antennas automatically find the satellites, but they can't see through trees, telephone poles, etc. You need to give them a good starting point.

Tim

[Dutch_12078]

GoPackGo wrote:
Assuming that I want to stay with a fully automatic, portable, receiver, what Other choice Is there ?

I don't want to give up either 'portable' or 'automatic'.

Basically none if you want an HD multi-channel DVR/receiver setup.

[GoPackGo]

Assuming that I want to stay with a fully automatic, portable, receiver, what Other choice Is there ?

I don't want to give up either 'portable' or 'automatic'.

[Dutch_12078]

The Pathway X2 is a good choice IF you're planning to stick with one of the limited VIP series Dish receivers required to control it. Neither the X2 nor any other single LNB dishes will work effectively, or likely even at all, with a full featured DVR/receiver like the Hopper/Joey series.

[GoPackGo]

This gets discussed fairly often. You may want to do a search on the forums.

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 believe the X2 might be the best of the portables for DISH. 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.

As for coverage, I have been all over the western US during the last 2 years and as far north as the middle of Wisconsin and have always been able to get DISH. I am on the California/Oregon border right now and have no problems. I think there are 2 ways to help yourself - Get a sat antenna that can access both the eastern and western satellites and also get an app to help you find them. These satellite antennas automatically find the satellites, but they can't see through trees, telephone poles, etc. You need to give them a good starting point.

Tim

[AAFD]

8ntw8tn wrote:
We had DirecTV in our sticks and bricks for over 10 years, but when we started going South for the winter we encountered customer service issues. We eventually cancelled DirecTV and subscribed to Dish not only at the house but another receiver with a Pathway X2 for the RV. Granted, we've only had a little over two years' experience with them, but have nothing but good things to say for both the equipment and customer service. Hope this helps.

My Parents had the direct opposite issues, they have nothing but issues with there Dish service going from Mi to FL.

KC

[8ntw8tn]

We had DirecTV in our sticks and bricks for over 10 years, but when we started going South for the winter we encountered customer service issues. We eventually cancelled DirecTV and subscribed to Dish not only at the house but another receiver with a Pathway X2 for the RV. Granted, we've only had a little over two years' experience with them, but have nothing but good things to say for both the equipment and customer service. Hope this helps.

[Kenc_AL]

bgum wrote:
I have been told that Dish network does not reach very far North. It seems their bird spots central U S A.

Totally untrue.

It is true you have difficulty hitting the western dish birds (110, 119 & 129) the further north and east you go. A problem with the tailgater and some other auto acquire units is they only acquire the western sats.

The solution, buy a auto sat such as the Pathway which gives you a choice of hitting the dish western or eastern (61, 72, 77) sats. The Dish Eastern sats are much higher in the sky in the north and east and thus helping to resolve tree issues. As you go north and west, then the eastern sats become harder to hit but the western sats become easier.

In many parts of the country, with a unit such as the Pathway, you have a choice of which to hit and makes dish placement to get around the trees easier. For these reasons and the fact that Dish has a pay as you go plan for RV's, one has a strong argument that Dish is better solution than Direct for RV's. Also, with Dish you can get HD easier and with a cheaper investment.

[Bill_Satellite]

Dish Network has the only part time plan so it might be best for you. In Canada you will have a much better chance at getting a signal if you have an open faced antenna vs. one of the dome style. The Dish signal is quite weak in Canada so the larger antenna really helps. The DirecTV signal is stronger but using a dome you likely will not get any farther N. than along a line through Lake Louise. An open faced antenna (and DirecTV) should get you as far N. as Edmonton.

[realladyat57]

We travel with a dish unit and have been as far north as the UP in Michigan (near Lake Superior) and in northern WA state. We had no problems getting the unit tuned in.

[SCVJeff]

bgum wrote:
I have been told that Dish network does not reach very far North. It seems their bird spots central U S A.

a spot beam 'spots' regions and cities. A CONUS beam doesn't just stop at the border. Google Satellite Footprints and you will find footprint plots of almost any satellite flying.

[lryrob9301]

bgum wrote:
I have been told that Dish network does not reach very far North. It seems their bird spots central U S A.

That's odd since I received DISH Network in Canada on a trip last year.

[1492]

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