Decision?? King Dome or Kvh R-5 Satellite

[VACMAN]

I am here in my easy chair finishing filling out my option sheet, so I can call my dealer Monday to place my order for a new 2009 4317 Dutch Aire. I think I have all the options checked that I want, but i am having a tough time choosing between the : KING DOME In Motion Satellite Dish, Without Receiver. OR Kvh R-5 In Motion Satellite Dish, Without Receiver. Anyone know the difference between these two? And could you recommend one over the other, and why. Thanks all John the Vacman

[VACMAN]

I am here in my easy chair finishing filling out my option sheet, so I can call my dealer Monday to place my order for a new 2009 4317 Dutch Aire. I think I have all the options checked that I want, but i am having a tough time choosing between the : KING DOME In Motion Satellite Dish, Without Receiver. OR Kvh R-5 In Motion Satellite Dish, Without Receiver. Anyone know the difference between these two? And could you recommend one over the other, and why. Thanks all John the Vacman

[MonacoMama]

Maybe you can PM Cb5300. He has the new kvh..and I think his old rig had the Kingdome.

I had the fixed KingDome ... and will never have one again.Maybe it was a bad one... but the signal loss was awful.

[Bill Adams]

Are any of your TV's going to use HD? Are you a Direct TV subscriber? Would you like to watch HD via satellite? If you answered Yes to any of these questions then the answer to your question is "You do not want to buy a dome!"

[JamieB]

John.

Bill is right. If you want HD and DirecTV, a dome will not work. If you want standard programming, a dome will work, but not as well as an open face dish. An open face dish, whether an automatic pointing or a manual tripod dish will give you better performance than a dome.

Your post however leads me to believe that you want to be able to watch television while in-motion, and if that is the case, a dome is your only option. So to answer your question, I believe the KVH R5 would be a nicer unit than the KingDome. Part of the problem with a dome is what is referred to as "rain-fade" and it is actually more of a problem with mist or dew. The signal will pass throug a sheet of water, but water droplets are hard on the signal. The KVH has a rounder top and it sheds water better than the King Dome. Also, I have had less customer problems with KVH than with King Dome.

So bottom line, KVH gets my vote between these two.

[Aridon]

With a DVR you can have the best of both worlds. Get a Motosat 5LNB which is pretty much future proof, you gain the HD and you can use the DVR for in motion viewing.

[NYMoose "Lenny"]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Aridon:
With a DVR you can have the best of both worlds. Get a Motosat 5LNB which is pretty much future proof, you gain the HD and you can use the DVR for in motion viewing. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Although I agree with you Winegard and KVH reccomend that you unplug your DVR while you are driving, it is supposed to prolong their longevity. I guess there have been tons of DVR's hard drives that cannot handle the bouncing of the coach.

[phototex]

VACMAN, you might also want to consider the KVH R-6, which would be a special option from Newmar. I recently had my King Dome replaced with the new Motosat 5LNB dish. Lots of info on this topic in the iRV2 Technology Forum.

[Lug_Nut]

I would tend toward the KVH. I have owned 2, a L3 and now a R-6. For just normal TV watching, I would probably go with the R-5. Reason being, it can be turned off after sat aquasition which the R-6 can not. My L3 allowed me to turn off the antenna after the sat was locked in, as does all KVH except the R-6. Turn the R-6 off and bye, bye picture. This requires it be programmed to be in sleep mode (by laptop, not the box buttons) in most cases as they came not "sleep" enabled.

Peter

[VACMAN]

Jamie, Lot of good info Thanks. I plan on Subscribing to DISH NETWORK. And from what I have heard, I think it would be wise to go with the Kvh R-5 Satellite.

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I would probably go with the R-5. Reason being, it can be turned off after sat aquasition </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! It can only be turned off if it is not set up for HD. If it has the Tri Sat HD option installed it must be left on. The Tri Sat switch gets its power from the unit. R6 DX & ST are being shipped with the sleep mode enabled. Paul

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Are any of your TV's going to use HD? Are you a Direct TV subscriber? Would you like to watch HD via satellite? If you answered Yes to any of these questions then the answer to your question is "You do not want to buy a dome!" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! Not quite a true statement. Paul

[Aridon]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jetsmania:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Are any of your TV's going to use HD? Are you a Direct TV subscriber? Would you like to watch HD via satellite? If you answered Yes to any of these questions then the answer to your question is "You do not want to buy a dome!" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi! Not quite a true statement. Paul </div></BLOCKQUOTE>



Care to explain?


Seems in my limited knowledge that is a very true statement considering if you want HD and are with DirecTV you and buy a dome you will be missing out on around 80 or so HD stations including most of the national feeds. Seems sorta pointless to go that route if you want HD. Perhaps you have a better explanation?



As for Dish Network. Currently you can get HD with them as they have not made the KA/KU switch although it is in the plans. The Satellite that was lost AMC 13 or whatever it was called and recently launched was set to use the new frequencies for their MPEG 4 programming. Now that it is lost there is a big gap in HD capacity and locals between the two carriers. Also keep in mind Dish is on the losing end of a lawsuit with TIVO which has some pretty serious consequences and its not looking good for Dish.

So be careful with what provider you choose and make an educated decision. Previously the Dish 622 DVRs would not work with domes due to the sat switching and errors with the dual tuners. So please make sure what you are buying will actually work. Obviously if you don't care then please carry on but please do your research.

[VACMAN]

think after all I have read I will just mark that option off (save $2,700.00 at this time) Because they state in the standard side that an antenna Satellite Pre-wire is included in the base price. At this point the coach will only be used on week-ends, and the I can always add a unit if they have it pre-wired. Good Move??????