Tailgater Satellite Dish

[DonJ68]

Hey All,
We've decided to upgrade yet again, but I'm looking for some feedback first. I am considering the portable satellite dish (Tailgater http://www.12volt-travel.com/tailgater-portable-automatic-satellite-for-dish-p-23348.html). I wanted to know if anyone here has experience with these and if you're happy with it or not.

I've seen them in the camp grounds many times over the years, but I've never stopped to chat with anyone about the units.

Thanks a bunch, Don

[BB_TX]

We have had a Tailgater for 5-6 years. Has worked fine for us. Sometimes takes 2-3 reboots to initially find the sats. But once it does it is good until the next move. I bought a high quality 25' quad shielded RG 6 coax cable for better signal, i.e. less loss. Even in trees the 25' normally allows me to find a "hole" thru the trees to see the sats. I do also have a 50' coax but can't remember the last time I used it.

[DonJ68]

Hi Green,
I was thinking that 50 feet might not be quite enough. Knowing I should be able to double that is a great thing. Thank you very much for your feedback. Hope all's well with your noggin. The specs say they aren't very heavy but I can only imagine being clobbered by one. 🙂

Thanks again, Don

[greenrvgreen]

Don, you will enjoy your Tailgater and Dish service. I've used a Tailgater and VIP 211k for about four years now, and I am VERY happy with the portability and the ease of use.

I can tell you from experience that the Tailgater will work well with 100-ft of cable, which will give you even better placement options than the 50-feet it comes with.

Setting aside all the quacking about eastern arcs and locals, I think the Pathway X2 does offer better reception in bad weather, although no one has yet demonstrated how much better. In poor weather the picture from the Tailgater will break up and/or go black.

The Pathway is bigger and does require a bit more care in handling. I've dropped my Tailgater from eight feet without damage, and one more time onto my noggin, with damage to my forehead. But TV service was uninterupted!

[DonJ68]

Yup I'm from everywhere and feel as though I belong nowhere. Either way I've just purchased the tailgater. This one does have both coax jacks so it supports two receivers. http://www.12volt-travel.com/tailgater-portable-automatic-satellite-for-dish-p-23348.html.

They say it'll be here on Friday. If I'm not too excited and happen to remember I'll post back with my results!

Since I only have one TV, I only purchased one receiver. Thanks a bunch for the feedback.

[JiminDenver]

Have tailgater and love it. who needs streaming.

[lbrjet]

Get the X2 if you spend a lot of time in the north east.

[TechWriter]

DonJ68 wrote:

I'd say that five years should be enough time to give good feedback and yours is much appreciated.

That depends.

The poster you responded to is from CA, an area of the country that only uses DISH's Western Arc sats.

Since you (OP) said you're from "Everywhere", I would think you would want a DISH antenna that works everywhere -- and that's not a Tailgater.

Get a Pathway X2. It works everywhere.

Finally, as of August 1st, DISH is dropping Western Arc locals for a number of cities. Another reason to get an X2 that supports both Western & Eastern Arc sats.

[lj2654]

We have used a tailgater for over 4 years with no issues. But there is a new one that you can use two receivers too so you can have 2 tvs hooked up instead of 1!

[DonJ68]

Thank you both very much. Yes, storage space is an issue. I'm only interested in DISH Network. Rain fade is a consideration though as that's typically when I'd want to watch TV while camping...

I understand about the Tailgater working only with certain satellite receivers. I'd say that five years should be enough time to give good feedback and yours is much appreciated.

Don.

[the_bear_II]

We've had one for about 5 years. Very happy with it.

Only certain Dish receiver boxes will work with it.

I no longer have to spend a half hour (or more) putting up the tripod, our old antenna and aligning it.

[Dutch_12078]

The extra bucks for a Winegard Pathway X2 would be a better choice in my opinion. The X2 has a larger reflector than the Tailgater for less rain fade, and is also capable of receiving both the Dish western arc satellites (110, 119, 129) and eastern arc satellites (61.5, 72.7, 77). The X2 is slightly larger than the Tailgater though, if storage space is a critical issue.