I am sure this has been discussed many times.
In fact I have seen several threads concerning this topic
BUT Technology changes and I am about to part with some cash so I want the latest information.
What are the thoughts on Kingdome and Winegard antennae systems.
I am mostly concerned with the in motion systems.
They both seem to be priced at about 1600 dollars.
Thanks for any info
Melbo
Hi Melbo,
If you want the best of the best, follow this link. This system is far superior to ordinary in motion units.
http://www.kvh.com/products/Product.asp?id=92
Nick-
Nick
Thanks for the response but I am a dish network guy not direct tv.
Melbo
I've said this once... and I will say it again!!! TRACVISION...TRACVISION...TRACVISION...I am bias to TRACVISION because I have both KVH and TRACVISION. When you have a problem and you will, KVH will require you to go to an authorize service center. Minimal service fee is approximately 75.00. just to diagnose the problem because you have to hook up to a pc. TRACVISION on the other hand, will put you through to a service tech and they will troubleshoot with you as long as it takes to find and correct the problem. They will also send you test equipment to test the boards, gyros and cables. They sent me all the equipment I needed and I rebuilt my entire system for less than 200.00. Then they offered me a job as a field rep. ;D
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BILL
If you don't want to go the hi-line then most in-motion is still gonna be from about $1,500 up to $6,000
All have some inherent problems at some point.
I use a KingDome semi-auto @ $700 but it is a stationary system. I use Dish also
and that switching between satellites can be a pain. ( 110 & 119 )
Note: The LNB's are the same for either service since the satellites are on the same frequencies.
Most systems will have a configuration for either service.
Winegard is supposed to have a lower priced entry into the full motion arena but they are still expensive.
I actually don't know if any of the new technology systems are multi-satellite capable yet. Haven't
looked this week.
Quote from: sivrtnge2 on May 10, 2007, 08:17:18 PM
I've said this once... and I will say it again!!! TRACVISION...TRACVISION...TRACVISION...I am bias to TRACVISION because I have both KVH and TRACVISION. When you have a problem and you will, KVH will require you to go to an authorize service center. Minimal service fee is approximately 75.00. just to diagnose the problem because you have to hook up to a pc. TRACVISION on the other hand, will put you through to a service tech and they will troubleshoot with you as long as it takes to find and correct the problem. They will also send you test equipment to test the boards, gyros and cables. They sent me all the equipment I needed and I rebuilt my entire system for less than 200.00. Then they offered me a job as a field rep. ;D
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BILL
Hay Bill,
Funny, thats what my neighbor says about TrackVision... He has problems about once a month with it locking up and
there are no service centers here in NJ.. ~To Each His Own~
Nick-
What am I missing? (hopefullly not my brain)
I went to the KVH website listed below, and it seems that KVH makes TracVision - so how is one better than the other when they are the same? It looks like they make R4, R5, R6 and R7 units, all seem pretty good and are TracVision
Hi Jim,
I think we both ment to say TrackStar. Well, thats what I thought anyway..
Nick-
Thanks for the clarification.
Getting a satellite system is on my list, but I am waiting for the technology to mature a litte. I like the idea of the in motion, little or no setup, and the possibility of getting satellite radio with it. Everytime I look at the systems, it seems they have gotten better. So when to get wet and jump in. What seems to stop me is that I still choke on the idea of creating another monthly expense. Although I don't mind spending a wad one time to get a great system.
Hi Jim,
Do you have satelite at home?
If so, like me, my recievers in my bus cost me $5 each a month to maintain from Direct TV. They are added to my home account.
There are no monthly charges incurred with the in-motion roof dish if that is your concern.
The only short comming with the recievers in the bus is, I'm not able to order Pay Per View movies with my remote. I'm forced to
either order them on line or call by phone. [not a bad inconvience]
The KVH A-7 looks at the satelite in a different way then regular dishes. They use technolagy from the millitary thats called
hybrid phased-array technology
This system picks up the signal in a "funnel shaped" way. This eliminates blockage from tall trees and buildings that dish type
antennas have lots of trouble with.
Nick-
That's pretty cool about the flat dish being able to "see" through or around trees. I'd have thought it would be less good at that than the others. More reason to order it! Is this a brand new unit and is there any history of its reliability?
My sister's son lives with me, and he works for Cox. I get free cable, so I guess my protests sound a little weak. I haven't found a way to get a cable long enough to hook it to the bus...
Does it look ilke there are other competing systems about ready to come out? This is the best unit I've seen. The installation instruction manual seems to think its market is SUV's and Hummers.
It seems to be set up the work with Direct TV the best.
I installed a Wingard phased array- in motion antenna on a bus. On the test drive, when I came to a place where there was a row of tall australian pines along the south side of the road, I lost the signal until I was past the trees. Maybe the other brands work better. Jack
Quote from: H3Jim on May 11, 2007, 12:10:34 PM
That's pretty cool about the flat dish being able to "see" through or around trees. I'd have thought it would be less good at that than the others. More reason to order it! Is this a brand new unit and is there any history of its reliability?
My sister's son lives with me, and he works for Cox. I get free cable, so I guess my protests sound a little weak. I haven't found a way to get a cable long enough to hook it to the bus...
Does it look ilke there are other competing systems about ready to come out? This is the best unit I've seen. The installation instruction manual seems to think its market is SUV's and Hummers.
It seems to be set up the work with Direct TV the best.
Hi Jim,
Here is another artical that details more about the A-7
http://www.kvh.com/inthenews/pdf/110306_abcnews.pdf
Our Military uses KVH too
04/2007 U.S. Army TACOM chooses KVH TACNAV navigation systems for combat vehicles
"U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) personnel in Warren, Mich., needed a navigation system for Army combat vehicles, for which they turned to KVH Industries." (pdf link)
Nick-
IMHO, unless you have children who can't live without TV while traveling the 'in motion' system is pie in the sky. Even as far as a roof mounted system is concerned I've yet to find someone who enjoys manually tuning their system, and retuning after the bus settles.
So, being basically conservative (read cheap) I'm still in the dark ages...using my tripod for the dish and the road map instead of the GPS.
Though I do admire those who are brave enough to venture into the 21st Century..... :D
NCbob
As much as I love high tech toys, I'm with NCBob on this one. I don't have any children on board and there is a lot of other things $5000 can do for my bus. And if sometime I did have children on a long trip, a dvd player and a video game box should keep them occupied most of the time.
But that is part of the allure of bus conversion, make it your own by putting in the features that are important to you.
I have dish network at home and have it on all day because it carries music and news and the tv so that is the reason that I am looking for in motion.
Even if it is not perfect but works most of the time ( like 95% ) while on the road I can live with that I just wanted to get something that was at least past the beta test stage.
Melbo
I guess I am a kid at heart ;D. I have no children and I have in motion satellite even on my rig. My wife and I are truck drivers and I watch tv when I'm suppose to be sleeping ::).
As for the flat units, I have two friends that have them and unless something has changed recently, they lose signal much more than I. If it rains, the water beads up on the unit and they lose signal, If the wind blow, they lose signal. The best thing I can suggest is to do your homework and go from there. But just remember, they all will tell you that they are better than their competition!!!
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BILL
by the way...TRACKSTAR is definitely not TRACKVISION, and will work great with dish or directv.
Anybody ever hear of Ray Sat System. Here is the link to their web site
http://www.raysat.com/
Gary
Hi Gary,
RaySat seems to be a up and comming company in the sat busisness.
The only draw back I have noticed so far is that they only have 2 places in the US [Vienna, VA & Detroit MI] that sell and service their units.
Not a bad thing but, tech support doesn't seem to exist since I have tried to call their #'s tonight with only recordings available to me.
There are most likely live support for the millitary units. ??
I'll give them time since I like the info they provided on their site.
Nick-
Melbo:
Go with KVH for sure. I have an in-motion (older) L model and although there were some initial hiccups, it does work fine. I actually bought mine on eBay for a lot less than the "then" over-the-counter selling price. I installed it myself and worked out the bugs with a KVH tech on the phone. I downloaded the KVH Wizzard software and using my laptop and a DB9 pin cable, worked it all out.
The only issues I have with the sat. system is when the coach is parked in the polebarn for any length of time. It loses the signal connection with Dish TV. So if you need a quick connection again, you call Dish and they do something (re-boot, dunno). Or ... wait 24 hours and the connection comes back after Dish and the receiver once again begin talking with one another.
If I were buying another dish, I'd probably go with the A7 model. From what I understand, the in-motion mode is better than the domed models. I "think" the domed models work better while stationary. The tech made mention of some issues when parked. That (then) was based on the A5 model, so maybe they've worked out the bugs.
But again, I have Dish TV and have no problems using with a KVH system. Feel free to message me with any specific questions. If you're near me, feel free to stop by. I've also had this thing apart (at the dome) to tweak and repair other issues related to purchasing a used unit.
Good luck,
Jerry H.
Ahhh...a PS: 1) As Nick said, KVH used for military equipment (FWIW). 2) Where we live, the in-motion option is "OK" at best. With buildings, trees, signs, overpasses, etc., etc. ... the sat. systems are only as good as a direct line of sight signal.
I asked the high end bus converters what they use. All answered the same. Tracstar. That is what I bought at the FMCA convention a year ago at Pomona and have been very happy. It works best on Direct, but will work Dish also.
Bill