Dry camping with satellite TV possible?
Update/Edit: It seems some people were confused by my original post, and I have some new discoveries. Looking into getting Dish Network's Tailgater and VIP 211K receiver. Or anything, really. ...
Forum Discussion
I have the Winegard Pathway X2. This unit is for Dish only, as is the Tailgater. it sells for about the same price as a Tailgater and uses the same receiver boxes (211K, 211Z). I see $500 (with one 211z receiver included) at the Winegard site, but you can also get them from Amazon or Camping World, etc. The 211z is the latest model of the 211 series.
The Tailgater and the X2 both get their operational power thru the cable that runs to the receiver box - no separate plug in needed.
I believe the X2 has 3 advantages over the Tailgater.
- It has a little larger dish so it should be a little better at latching onto the satellites in marginal conditions (trees, storms, etc).
- It will receive EITHER western arc or eastern arc sats. This might be a big deal in some locations.
- Most important - it has 2 outputs so you can run lines to 2 different TVs. You can watch different programs on the 2 TVs as long as the programs are on the same satellite and you have a separate receiver box for each TV.
I full time so I move a lot. There are no problems with shutting down every few days and then restarting in a different location.
Local channels - All you do is call Dish tech support and give them your current physical address, (including zip code) and they will then push the right buttons to get you the local channels (takes about 10-15 minutes for them to show up in the channel guide). I do this every time I move more then a hundred miles or so with no problems. This process is the same for all the Dish portable sat receivers.
I really like my X2. It has performed great with no problems. So far I have used it everywhere from Florida to Wisconsin to Wyoming.
I have nothing against the Tailgater. I know people really like them and I'm sure it would work fine too.
Both the X2 and the Tailgater have a way to attach a cable and lock so you can securely attach to your RV to make sure it won't walk away. I bought 30 ft of chain and 2 padlocks for that purpose.
I did not get a DirectTV portable because DirectTV doesn't send out an HD signal the portables can receive.
These golf ball sat receivers work great. Just point them south and stand back.
Saw an interesting sight the other day. A motorhome with 2 Tailgaters set up and setting side by side. I assume it's because they had 2 TVs and wanted to watch different programming at the same time. Actually not a bad idea.
Tim
The Tailgater and the X2 both get their operational power thru the cable that runs to the receiver box - no separate plug in needed.
I believe the X2 has 3 advantages over the Tailgater.
- It has a little larger dish so it should be a little better at latching onto the satellites in marginal conditions (trees, storms, etc).
- It will receive EITHER western arc or eastern arc sats. This might be a big deal in some locations.
- Most important - it has 2 outputs so you can run lines to 2 different TVs. You can watch different programs on the 2 TVs as long as the programs are on the same satellite and you have a separate receiver box for each TV.
I full time so I move a lot. There are no problems with shutting down every few days and then restarting in a different location.
Local channels - All you do is call Dish tech support and give them your current physical address, (including zip code) and they will then push the right buttons to get you the local channels (takes about 10-15 minutes for them to show up in the channel guide). I do this every time I move more then a hundred miles or so with no problems. This process is the same for all the Dish portable sat receivers.
I really like my X2. It has performed great with no problems. So far I have used it everywhere from Florida to Wisconsin to Wyoming.
I have nothing against the Tailgater. I know people really like them and I'm sure it would work fine too.
Both the X2 and the Tailgater have a way to attach a cable and lock so you can securely attach to your RV to make sure it won't walk away. I bought 30 ft of chain and 2 padlocks for that purpose.
I did not get a DirectTV portable because DirectTV doesn't send out an HD signal the portables can receive.
These golf ball sat receivers work great. Just point them south and stand back.
Saw an interesting sight the other day. A motorhome with 2 Tailgaters set up and setting side by side. I assume it's because they had 2 TVs and wanted to watch different programming at the same time. Actually not a bad idea.
Tim
