What Dome to Buy???

[fansill]

Good Evening All,

I am looking at replacing our old KVH Tracvision with a system that will work for us without that ARRRGGGHHHH feeling when we have to restart the Dome about 50 times until it finds the signal...

I am looking for opinions on which one I should look at...Winegard or another KVH or any other good brand?? (We currently have Directv in the coach because we have it in the stick and brick house...)

I don't think that we will need in-motion, stationary should be sufficient. And we will also be looking for a dealership or repair facility that can install the new system.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

Faith

[UFO Pilot]

I have had 3 domes and now have the Winegard Travler and wouldn't go back!
TRAV'LER Automatic Multi-Satellite HDTV Antennas - Winegard

[bgj6905]

Faith:
I have been facing the same dilmena, I beleieve I'm going to go portable type replacement such as the windguard carry or the tailgate model dish just came out with. My rational for being portable, I can move it around the camp site to avoid the trees and other things that may block the signal. Just my opinion Cheaper too..
Mark
2002 HR Ambassador and the Goldwing

[fansill]

Mark,

Thanks for your opinion. We already have the Wineguard Portable Dome from our last coach. We have gotten so spoiled by the Dome already set up on the roof...ready to go with a touch of a button without getting the dome out and possibly facing the chance of it "walking" away...we think that we may want to bite the bullet and go with another mounted system.

I may purchase one for Hubby's early Christmas gift...

Faith

[JMonroe]

I'll second the Traveler 3005 suggestion. The only value to a dome is if you want or need the 'in motion' feature. We never used it when we had a dome. This time we had the Traveler installed and it is much better at finding and keeping a signal in less than optimal conditions than the dome was.

[fansill]

Jay,

Is the Traveler an open Dish system vs. a Domed System? And if it is, do I need to fear that the exposure of the system to the elements will be a drawback over time? I will be exposing the roof to the snow and ice much of the winter while it is parked next to our home and worry about the life of an open system.

Faith

[DRBARBER001]

we have had a king dome for 7yrs. & have had no problems, we to have dtv

[paz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fansill Jay, Is the Traveler an open Dish system vs. a Domed System? And if it is, do I need to fear that the exposure of the system to the elements will be a drawback over time? I will be exposing the roof to the snow and ice much of the winter while it is parked next to our home and worry about the life of an open system. Faith

The Trav'ler is an open dish. The advantage to an open dish is less interference with reception from rain and dew.

Dishes that are installed in fixed residences are all open and are exposed to the elements all the time. This does not seem to be an issue as far as damage is concerned. The motors and gears of the Trav'ler are protected by housings, and dish of the Trav'ler even folds down over the LNBs to protect them when the system is not in use.

BTW, if you want HD with Direct now or in the future, an open dish is your only option.

[Bill Adams]

I would avoid KVH as all other choices are likely going to give you better performance both now and in the future. As mentioned above, I recommend that you skip the dome entirely and buy a Winegard Trav'ler. The SK-3005 is the one designed for use with DirecTV. Even if you don't want/need the HD programming from DirecTV today, you are likely going to want it in the future and you will have thrown money down the drain if you buy a dome today.

[FreshAir]

Fansill, you may be giving your KVH an unfair rap. I have used the KVH R4, stationary, since 2005. It's worked great EXCEPT when Dish Net, which I use, changed some satelite codes, and KVH needed to update much of their equipment. KVH's poor customer service fails to notify it's customers of needed software updates and let's us stumble around thinking our equipment is broke when all we need is a simple software update. I think their equipment is as good as most but their customer support leaves a lot to be desired. In this area I believe KVH has fallen on their own sword and has caused them selves a bad reputation overall.

That said, leaves me to this conclusion, if I were in need of a new dome system today, w/o a doubt I would go with the Trav'ler, especially if I were using Dish Net and wanted full HD.

However, what worries me in todays dish market is that it appeares that Dish and Direct are in an update satelite and services mode and I'm not sure if anyone know's what's comming down the road? It could spell bad news for a system purchassed today that would need modifications tomorrow. But! that's technology and should not be a consideration, so I'm told. I would let the dust settle for awhile.

My conclusion and .02 worth is I will keep my portable dish along with my perfectly good 2005 KVH system for now.

BTW, KVH in 2006 made some changes with the R4 and I believe the R5 in motion unit where if you want HD and are using Dish Net you can program your unit to receive sat 129 and thus all HD programing. For the R4 the SN must be SN 0605xxxxx and higher. Lower, it will cost about $500.00 for a new ckt card.

Pat

[faye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ufo pilot i have had 3 domes and now have the winegard travler and wouldn't go back! trav'ler automatic multi-satellite hdtv antennas - winegard

what does the traveler cost?

[UFO Pilot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by faye what does the traveler cost?

I have the DISH version, $1525, installed by Bill Adams at a FMCA Rally.

[FreshAir]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot I have the DISH version, $1525, installed by Bill Adams at a FMCA Rally.

WOW! $2100 at Sirea RV in N.Utah. I'll drive to Bill's

[Mr_D]

We have the Winegard RM-9946 satellite antenna on our DSDP, installed as factory option in 2002. Didn't start using it till very late last year. No parts available now and I know in the future something will go wrong with it. We have Direct in the house and I just bring one of the receivers with us. So far it's worked fine BUT......
So keep the discussion going so I can figure out what I need later!