Directv / Dish Network ?

[filrupmark]

We are not fulltimers and have been DIRECTV customers for 20 years. I take a HD receiver with us while traveling and setup my tripod and dish manually.
We are tired of DIRECTV always raising our rates and charging for HD programming.
We are contemplating switching to Dish Network with one DVR and a Wally receiver along with the automatic tailgater dish.
We would like to hear your thoughts and issues.

[Bill_Satellite]

Sandia Man wrote:
With Directv we would get locals within our spotbeam, with Dish we can get them anywhere we go.

This is not true. You don't get Dish locals anywhere you go unless you call or chat and request a change. The exact same thing is true with DirecTV.

[Sandia_Man]

Have had both satellite services several times over the last couple of decades and their pricing is really about the same whether you are in their promotion period or after it expires. Currently with Dish primarily due to them having a sports package that is unavailable on Directv at this time. We always set up our own sat antenna on a tripod, done it for so long it takes just a couple of minutes with either service.

We have thought of purchasing one of the automated portable sat finding domes but we require all our channels in HD to be fed to three receivers simultaneously, we might option the roof mounted Winegard Traveler on our next new rig although dropping a couple of grand is a lot of $$$ and wouldn't help when camping in the forest. With Directv we would get locals within our spotbeam, with Dish we can get them anywhere we go.

[Homeless_by_Cho]

I just call DISH and give them my street address and ZIP code. You need to have your name, account number, userid, and password ready when they ask for it. I usually have local channels on my TV before we say good bye. Sometimes it can take up to five minutes or so.

Some people have their DISH information (name, account number, userid, password) and the basic "new location" request saved on their computer. Then they finalize the address and use DISH's chatroom to paste in their request. They claim it is much faster than the phone but I never used any chatrooms so I am not sure how that works.

LeRoy

[filrupmark]

I want to thank everyone for their input. I believe we are going to switch to dish. Mainly because of the automatic dish setup. One more Question.
What about local channels. With DirecTV we don't receive any when we get out of our home cone of signal broadcast.

[Big_Katuna]

Had both, use DISH now. Prefer DISH.

I recommend a Winegard Pathway X2 carry out.

It is the only one that lets you choose between western and eastern arcs so you have better options when trees are a factor.

It also has a bigger dish than a Tailgator so works better with rain.

DISH support is more RV friendly than DTV.

[Dave_H_M]

What Donnn said.

I currently do DTV same as you when out in the fifth wheel.

I would suggest that you have a conversation with DTV about how to get your charges down to an acceptable amount. The DW does that usually when the cost starts climbing into the ozone layer.

BTW, I would suggest having a conversation, that ole "I am gonna switch to Direct" doesn't seem to work that great from my observation point.

[RJsfishin]

These switching service threads are almost funny.
Many have switched, only to find out there is nothing to gain in the long run.
I've had SD direct for 20 yrs, and have to call every year,... sometimes threaten them into giving me some kind of a special for another year. Friends switched from Dish to Direct a year ago, but now right back into the same hi prices. Sometimes I forget to take the sat rec w/ us in the RV, and find out that we don't need sat tv,.....sometimes watching the network OTA in HD.
As soon as Direct stops the SD, they are history in my house and RV. Both services are such a ripoff, its pathetic !!

[Bill_Satellite]

filrupmark wrote:
We are not fulltimers and have been DIRECTV customers for 20 years. I take a HD receiver with us while traveling and setup my tripod and dish manually.
We are tired of DIRECTV always raising our rates and charging for HD programming.
We are contemplating switching to Dish Network with one DVR and a Wally receiver along with the automatic tailgater dish.
We would like to hear your thoughts and issues.

This will not work with a Wally. You must use 1 or 2 211 or Wally series receiver with the Tailgater. You will not be able to use a standard 2 tuner DVR at all. You could use 2 Wally's and add a hard drive to 1 or both but you will only be able to watch or record 1 channel on each receiver and the TV channel you want to watch/record on each receiver must be coming from the same satellite.

[jerseyjim]

Been a DirecTV customer (and happy) for around 12 years. In the house, I have a HD receiver for the big screen living room TV. In the bedroom, a small TV, used sparingly, with a SD receiver.
I take the SD box out to the RV and set it up there. Like you, a tripod, dish, strength meter and compass. No muss, no fuss.

Strange how it takes 8 minits for the HD unit to boot up...but the SD unit..instant. For the RV, SD is just fine.

[Rover_Bill]

I have a Wally and Playmaker antenna for my TT and we are VERY HAPPY with our Dish service. The Playmaker accepts signals only from the western arc satellites so reception in the New England states is very spotty. The more expensive Pathways X2 antenna accepts both eastern and western arc satellites.

[Community Alumni]

donn0128 wrote:
At the end ofmthe day your not going to save anything. Once you get past the initial bargain to lock you in the price will be nearly the same.

This is true. However, there are some people that go back and forth between both services every 2 years to take advantage of the "new customer" promotions.

You can get a Winegard dome antenna with dip switches that will allow you to use the antenna with both services. Good luck!

[donn0128]

At the end ofmthe day your not going to save anything. Once you get past the initial bargain to lock you in the price will be nearly the same.

[Homeless_by_Cho]

"Wally receiver along with the automatic tailgater dish."

That is what I use and I am 100% satisfied with the results.I have two friends with the same setup and they are completely happy.

LeRoy