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09-21-2016, 02:03 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,467
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Replace the Sensar TV antenna with what?
Now that Winegard has introduced the Rayzar z1 is it worth ditching the old wind-up Sensar and replace it with this, or is it worth spending the extra money and go for the Sensar Automatic? I see that some people have had problems with the early Automatic, are they still having problems?
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John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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09-22-2016, 12:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: MidWest
Posts: 1,062
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I installed the Rayzar Automatic, replacing a Sensar powered lift. The Rayzar gave me the dreaded E3 failure after 9 months of operation. The unit still operated with the E3 (hard stop, antenna will not move) failure, just could not fine tune the stations. Contacted Winegard and they immediately shipped a replacement antenna. Installed the unit and we're back up operating... I really do like the "completely automated" function of the Rayzar.
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Ken & Anita[FONT=Lucida Console] 2011 Newmar Essex,4522,Cummins 500 ISM,2013 CRV,RVI2 Brake with TPMS
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09-23-2016, 08:52 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 151
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I hope you find an answer. Search here for "E3" and you'll find many of us who have struggled with the Rayzar Automatic. I am on my second one, it's dead now with E3 again, and headed to Newmar in a couple weeks for yet another replacement.
I'd say proceed with caution if you make that change.
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2023 Fleetwood Fortis 32RW
2018 Ford Flex Toad
Roadmaster Sterling AT towbar + Invisibrake
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09-23-2016, 10:42 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,467
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ficodek
I hope you find an answer. Search here for "E3" and you'll find many of us who have struggled with the Rayzar Automatic. I am on my second one, it's dead now with E3 again, and headed to Newmar in a couple weeks for yet another replacement.
I'd say proceed with caution if you make that change.
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I have been following that issue which is why I thought about the z1 instead. On the other hand raising the Sensar isn't that big a deal but rotating it by hand to pick up stations is a PITA. I also have seen comments that the Automatic is not as sensitive (less stations) and that a noisy 12v supply (led lights and generator) can cause problems. Did any of these affect you?
If I made the change I would mount the Automatic away from the Sensar and leave that in place as a back-up.
__________________
John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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09-23-2016, 10:57 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algoma
Now that Winegard has introduced the Rayzar z1 is it worth ditching the old wind-up Sensar and replace it with this, or is it worth spending the extra money and go for the Sensar Automatic? I see that some people have had problems with the early Automatic, are they still having problems?
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Algoma
Why spend the $60+ to replace a Winegard Sensar, (aka: "batwing anttena") which, (by experimenting with many differnt RV antennas), I have found to be the perfect OTA for RV use?
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09-23-2016, 11:08 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 3,467
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mel s
Algoma
Why spend the $60+ to replace a Winegard Sensar, (aka: "batwing anttena") which, (by experimenting with many differnt RV antennas), I have found to be the perfect OTA for RV use?
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Well, the z1 like the King Jack would mean no raising and lowering the antenna but it would still need rotating to get the stations. The Automatic would remove even that step. Both the z1 and King are around $120, add another $200 for the automatic. Not that expensive an upgrade but I have yet to be convinced it is worth the trouble. We need a Consumer Reports for RV's to independently test this stuff rather than rely on marketing hype. But users like yourself are a good alternative. Thanks for your advice.
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John and Mary Knight
2015 Newmar Ventana 4311 - wheelchair accessible
2015 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD
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09-24-2016, 08:49 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algoma
We need a Consumer Reports for RV's to independently test this stuff rather than rely on marketing hype.
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There is a guy on the other forum that tests these antennas when they come out. The old batwing is always the winner.
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09-24-2016, 02:47 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: CO, CA and Baja
Posts: 187
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Quote:
Originally Posted by az99
There is a guy on the other forum that tests these antennas when they come out. The old batwing is always the winner.
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Destroyed my bat wing recently when a tree branch hit it. Didn't help that it was up when I was pulling out. (IT's on my check list when breaking camp but DW didn't get all the way down the list.)
Anyone add a ''Wingman'' to their bat wing?
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2017 Newmar Canyon Star 3710
2002 Class C Lazy Daze (26' MB)
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09-24-2016, 06:44 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tabernacle NJ
Posts: 129
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Just added the new batwing whole replacement top with the wingman on it. literally a 5 minute deal. Almost got the whole king conversion kit glad I didn't works great. My Rca dtv converter has a signal meter which displays on the Tv so rotating the antenna is easy following the signal strength.
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09-24-2016, 11:03 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Byhalia, MS
Posts: 3,367
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Replace the Sensar TV antenna with what?
I replaced mine with the Razer antenna. It looks like a big flyswatter. Works very well.
__________________
2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH
2005 Newmar Kountry Star Gas (Sold)
2022 JL Wrangler 4xe or 2017 Harley Ultra in tow
JT, Em & the boys, Kong & Baxter (rescued grey tabbies)
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09-25-2016, 06:52 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harleyjt
I replaced mine with the Razer antenna. It looks like a big flyswatter. Works very well.
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The Razer TV antenna I tried on my coach make a better flyswatter than a TV antenna, (so I'm once again using the batwing antenna).
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09-25-2016, 02:11 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Byhalia, MS
Posts: 3,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mel s
The Razer TV antenna I tried on my coach make a better flyswatter than a TV antenna, (so I'm once again using the batwing antenna).
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I have no complaints with mine. It does an excellent job of pulling stations in. It may be a bit more directional than the sensar however.
__________________
2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH
2005 Newmar Kountry Star Gas (Sold)
2022 JL Wrangler 4xe or 2017 Harley Ultra in tow
JT, Em & the boys, Kong & Baxter (rescued grey tabbies)
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09-25-2016, 04:22 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 617
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I have the automatic one and so far, we really love it. We do not have to worry about raising and lowering the antenna and it has done a good job of picking up the stations. We have had it for about 6 months.
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09-25-2016, 04:47 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,834
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algoma
Now that Winegard has introduced the Rayzar z1 is it worth ditching the old wind-up Sensar and replace it with this, or is it worth spending the extra money and go for the Sensar Automatic? I see that some people have had problems with the early Automatic, are they still having problems?
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My opinions, I have had all of these on various RVs ...
The crank up Sensar IV with the Sensar Pro TV Signal Strength Meter / Amplifier is the most sensitive setup and is very directional. The Sensar Pro makes it easy to aim and to figure out if you need lower the gain if you are in an urban area with very signals that overload your amplifier and TV. Survives driving under low hanging branches on the passenger side well when cranked down.
The crank up Razar with the Sensar Pro TV Signal Strength Meter / Amplifier is next best and is less directional. The Sensar Pro makes it easy to aim and to figure out if you need lower the gain if you are in an urban area with very signals that overload your amplifier and TV. Survives driving under low hanging branches on the passenger side well when cranked down.
The Batwings (Jack) are OK but under perform the Winegards in fringe areas. When signal is strong they work fine. Slightly directional. You can also use the Sensar Pro to get them aimed to a specific channel, as the "dumb" signal lights just let you peak all signals not a particular one. Can't crank it down and it will not survive low hanging branches - it breaks off easily.
I don't have any experience on the new automatic aiming ones, personally I would never spend that kind of money when the manual crank up ones work so well for me.
The Sensar IV is getting harder to find it seems that the Rayzar is all that is being made new now by Winegard.
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Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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