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Topic: Automatic In-Motion Enclosed Compact Dome Satellite Antenna - Today’s World (Read 269 times) previous topic - next topic
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Automatic In-Motion Enclosed Compact Dome Satellite Antenna - Today’s World
Just curious - when purchasing our 2019 RB, we skipped the satellite option ($2000) - thinking we would not use it due to the fact that so many more channels are available over-the-air and programming available with internet - such as Netflix and Amazon ....

But in the meantime - we have camped in places that didn’t have any over-the-air channels that would come in and our hot-spot was weak...

But I’m curious about satellite TV - we have never had dish TV at home - but do folks use their satellite TV?  And if the chance presents itself to order another Lazy Daze, would you spend the $2000 for an in-motion satellite antenna?  Would spending longer periods traveling (such as being retired) be a good reason for purchasing the satellite option?

Thanks - Jay in Fargo ND!
Respectfully --  Jay & Shari

2022 — 31’ Twin Bed
Re: Automatic In-Motion Enclosed Compact Dome Satellite Antenna - Today’s World
Reply #1 –
Jay,

We had the standard sat antenna installed by the Mothership back in ‘15 with retirement looming ahead. Still haven’t used it so I’m not sure the cost of the in-motion system would be a good fit for us.

Like you, we use YouTube and other apps for recreational viewing on a tablet or iPhone or pop in a Blu-ray of some classic tv series (Leave It To Beaver etc) for evening viewing on the OEM tv. Works fine for now.

Although Todd walked us through the pointing of the antenna and it seemed very straight forward, it may be some time before we sign a contract for a satellite service. Oh well.

It’s interesting to note that the rig has a cable tv connection mounted near the dump valves. Wonder if cable tv at resorts is still viable. Hmmm...

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Automatic In-Motion Enclosed Compact Dome Satellite Antenna - Today’s World
Reply #2 –
Jay,

We opted to have the factory install a satellite antennae compatible coaxial cable jack adjacent the standard cable TV jack on the outside of the coach. We did this because some have suggested new dish technology is coming. We also liked the idea of being able to place a portable antennae in the best nearby location for unobstructed sky access. We’ve not felt the need for satellite and hence have never used the feature.

While doing a permanent cable run now would be hard, you could consider acquiring a portable dish/receiver and running a coaxial cable in through a window near your TV.

Or, you could read a book ;-)

Good luck!

Warren
Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL
Re: Automatic In-Motion Enclosed Compact Dome Satellite Antenna - Today’s World
Reply #3 –
I would not get an in-motion unit.  Do you really need to watch TV while underway?

Our solution is a King Tailgater with a King quick-connect mount on the roof and a Dish receiver from home.  The mount is sturdy enough to leave the antenna attached while underway (make storage space a non-issue).  We can detach and put it on a picnic table or tripod if reception is blocked by trees when it's on the roof.  And it cost much less than $2K.  BTW Dish is more RV-friendly than DirecTV.
Re: Automatic In-Motion Enclosed Compact Dome Satellite Antenna - Today’s World
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Jay Krabbenhoft  - 
But I’m curious about satellite TV - we have never had dish TV at home - but do folks use their satellite TV?  And if the chance presents itself to order another Lazy Daze, would you spend the $2000 for an in-motion satellite antenna? 

We use our satellite a lot.  But, no, I wouldn't spend $2,000 for an in-motion satellite antenna.  For the same price, you could have a Winegard Trav'ler installed which will "see" all three satellites at the same time, which is important if you want to watch one program while taping another (all domes, whether in-motion or not, only "see" one satellite at a time so if you want to watch one program while taping another, they would both have to be on the same satellite).

We are Dish customer and have a Hopper 3 receiver (which won't work with a dome) that we move between the house and the RV.  We love it because we do a lot of taping of programs while we're watching something else.

If you want to go the satellite TV route, since you don't already have satellite TV at home, I would recommend Dish since they have a pay-as-you-go plan that DirecTV doesn't offer.  They also make it very easy to change your service address so that you can pick up the local stations as you move from spot beam to spot beam, which is almost impossible to do with DirecTV since they were bought out by AT&T.
Linda Hylton
 
Re: Automatic In-Motion Enclosed Compact Dome Satellite Antenna - Today’s World
Reply #5 –
I might be the first customer to have an in-motion satellite installed in my LD. Steve reluctantly agreed to do it for me as a favor at the time.  It is a KVH low profile system that runs DirectTV and is no longer supported. It's not even HDTV! The antenna itself has since broken down and a replacement costs a fortune.  It's the worst return on investment I have made. Rarely used and I definitely would not do it again.  The technology changes way too fast these days.

If I was a full-timer, perhaps.

Mike S.
'06 30' Anniversary Edition

'06 30' TB Anniversary Edition