Best Tripod system for DirecTV HD (Slimline) Dish?

[Spiceman]

Hi All,

I've been reading and researching, but figured I'd post this question to the group, since your wealth of knowledge far surpases that of the universe!

Which tripod based system do you think would be best for the newer Slimline DirecTV HD dish?

Here are the candidates I've located:

InstallerOasis ($30)

TV4RV - ($110)

Solid Signal ($60)

Maxwell Satellite ($375)

Roving Internet ($223)

Mobile Internet Satellite ($216)

Now, there are lots of ancillary devices in some of these kits, like the compass, satbeeper, bubble level, etc. I can pick any of those items up individually, or get one of the more complete "kits" that are shown. Also, I understand that the dish doesn't come with any of the kits, and I'll need to purchase one of those bad boys for around $100 or so. The core question is, which tripod setup do you think would work best?

I'm not a full timer, so we're on the move all the time, doing shorter duration trips (1 week or less) to different locations.

From what I've read, folks like the idea of the "offset bracket" balancing the HD dish over top of the tripod, rather than the straight up pole method. that eliminates a couple of choices. I also realize that I can source some of these parts independently (like the tripod, the offset bracket, the sat finder, etc.) so I get just what I need, and that may save me some dollars.

What do you folks think? Ayone have any of these setups? Which one looks like it won't tip over when the wind picks up?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[REWahoo]

I vote "none of the above".

I spent an hour and less than $20 building the 4-leg version of this (scroll down for photos). Very wind resistant and has worked great for me.

[Route 66]

That's a clever solution to meet your needs, but the DirecTV HD dish needs to "see" 5 satellites, will have to be right side up.

However, I made this mount and it works well for me.

[REWahoo]

Good point, Dirk. The design can be easily modified so that it stands upright by simply eliminating the 90 elbow on the mounting post. A little less wind resistance, but loading the PVC with sand before sealing makes for a sturdy base. Add a couple of "stabilizers" such as the two on your design, and you should have a winner in all weather conditions!

[wagonmaster2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo I vote "none of the above". I spent an hour and less than $20 building the 4-leg version of this (scroll down for photos). Very wind resistant and has worked great for me.

Ditto here. But I built the 3-leg model, eliminated the 90 degree elbow so the dish mounts upright, and by building it so the dish is close to the ground have not had any problems in 2 years of use. Also used small bolts to hold some of the joints together so it could be dismanttled some for travel. And the cost was a little less than $10. Directv sent me a tall 3-legged tri-pod with the dish but it now rests in the attic as it would be terrible to haul it around and would definitely need some weight to keep from blowing over.

Wagonmaster2

[Route 66]

Back to Todd's original question.

We must have some members with tripods.

I investigated the tripods and they are pricey but since I only use my portable dish when the rooftop dish is blocked by trees, I decided to go with a cheaper solution.

The DirecTV HD dish has a 2" diameter mount whereas the SD has a 1 1/2" diameter mount. A DirecTV installer told me that they do not have tripods for the HD dish. SD only.

[TXiceman]

I have used the Bullseye mount for a number of years and once set up, it stays set.

ken

[jrcnlc]

I use a transit tripod bought at lowes or home depot 50$ works good

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman I have used the Bullseye mount for a number of years and once set up, it stays set. ken

Ken,
Do you use the bigger Slimline or 1000.2 dish with your bullseye?
I also notice that the Bullseye designer and retired and whoever has taken the business over is not currently producing any mounts. Promised delivery time "was" May 2009.

[TXiceman]

I use the older Dish 500. We had it installed semi-permanently when we lived in the RV for a year.

Currently not using it as we do not bother to take the dish on shorter trips.

Sure ashamed that the unit si not being manufactured. I gave up with trying to keep a tripod anchored and vertical.

Ken

[Spiceman]

You know, I'm really loving the PVC idea! It's a very inexpensive solution that can disassemble easily, and with the leveling feet on bottom, I can get leveled with a bubble fairly easily. I'm going to look into building it with 1" PVC, then getting some kind of reducer to get the vertical post to 2", which is the size of the mounting post needed for the HD DirecTV dish. From what I've read, I need about a 5" offset from dead center of the base to be center balanced.

When I get it done, I'll post a photo or two.

Thanks all! You guys have probably saved me a couple hundred bucks!!

Todd

[Spiceman]

Status update - Yesterday, I went to my local big box store, and purchased 1" PVC for the frame and an adapter to convert to 2" for the actual mounting pole.

Today, the wonderful folks at DirecTV delivered me a brand new slimline HD dish for free. I called them a couple of days ago, told them what I wanted to do (first I asked for the RV department, but the guy on the line said he could help me), and after a few minutes, I convinced the rep to deliver me a dish. Originally, he was hesitant, but I then suggested that I may call back the next day and tell them somebody stole the dish off the roof of my house, at which point they'd come out and put a new one up anyway. I think that did the trick. I saved both them and I a trip to my roof having it done this way. When the techs arrived, they were squirrely about just leaving the dish behind, because they explained how difficult it is to sight one in. they called their supervisors, and after some additional cajoling, they agreed to leave the dish with me, under the pretense that the "warranty" for the "install" would be void. Sounds good to me - there was no "install" anyway!

What I have discovered is, the dish accepts a 2" diameter pole. A 2" PVC pipe is actually 2" INNER DIAMETER. The outer diameter is more like 2 1/4". I'll need to go back to the big box store amd make a couple of changes to my kit.

Also, the DirecTV installers were kind enough to leave me one of their mounting poles as well. It's got a bubble level built in, so I may try to adapt it into the setup.

So far, I'm in for about $16, and a phone call.

More details to follow as construction moves along!

[footdoc]

I have been using the Bullseye with the big SL5 dish for over a year now...If you can get one, I HIGHLY recommend it since having a vertical mast is most important for aligning all the birds..I found a PVC adapter on ebay that slips over the 1 5/8" mast that makes it 2" OD..I have set up the dish and pointed it in the presumed compass heading and gone inside to set the receiver on the signal meter screen and found myself loading date THREE different times!!!

[DaveyD1]

Spiceman we also have direct Tv but not the slimline When we 1st got it we called Direct and they sent us a emergency kit that had the tripod,cable,dish and bubble for $40 this is what we use all the time no problems with it and stores in the comparment
It would be worth a try DaveyD