Community Forums

gjtrafl · 09-13-2015, 08:34 PM

I have an '07 National with the standard Winegard Batman antenna.

My question is where do you get the most bang for your buck... going with the Wingman attachment or would I be better off by replacing to the Jack Antenna?

Costs seem to range from in the $30-$40 range for the wingman and $60-$70 for the Jack.

Looking for a cheap improvement. Any thoughts and experiences?

Thanks!

mel s · 09-13-2015, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjtrafl

I have an '07 National with the standard Winegard Batman antenna.
My question is where do you get the most bang for your buck... going with the Wingman attachment or would I be better off by replacing to the Jack Antenna?
Costs seem to range from in the $30-$40 range for the wingman and $60-$70 for the Jack.
Looking for a cheap improvement. Any thoughts and experiences?
Thanks!

When I compared the two...my 19 year old Winegard batwing, (with the $20 Wingman attached), received more far away TV stations than the new King Controls Jack I bought.
Winegard GS-WING Wingman HDTV Antenna at TigerDirect.com
I returned the Jack antenna and got my money back.
Mel
'96 Safari

gjtrafl · 09-13-2015, 09:13 PM

Thanks so much Mel! Thanks for the link to the great price too... best I have seen.

Any other comments/experiences out there please don't hesitate to share or point me to an established thread.

wa8yxm · 09-14-2015, 07:28 AM

In independent lab testing by a fellow forum member posted to these forums the Batwing outperformed the Jack .. I forget how the basic batwing did but when you added the Wingman there was no contest. Batwing + wingman was the best rooftop (NOTE The Rayzer had yet to be releaSed)

Add the Sensar Pro indoor module to the batwing+wingman and ... Well one channel here in S.E. Ga comes in better over the air than on park cable most of the time.

gjtrafl · 09-15-2015, 09:17 AM

Thanks Guys!

I continue to hear the wingman is the way to go.

Even though my closest RV dealer says otherwise.

I trust the forum!

mel s · 09-15-2015, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjtrafl

Thanks Guys!
I continue to hear the wingman is the way to go.
Even though my closest RV dealer says otherwise.
I trust the forum!

gjtrafl
Good for you.
IMO, it's always better to trust someone with real world experience...who isn't trying to sell you something.

Mel
'96 Safari... (batwing with Wingman)

OS1SW · 09-16-2015, 08:34 AM

I installed the Jack antenna several months ago in an attempt to improve my reception. It did not improve. Yesterday I installed the Winegard Sensar IV Integrated Amp. Replacement Head and was only picking up UHF stations. Perplexed I ran a test coax out my passenger window to the antenna and hooked it to the back of the amp switch. Searched for channels an got 67 channels. Most of them from Mexico and a few from LA (we are camping at the Silver Strand State Beach in San Diego) Very impressed with the antenna. I also hooked the Jack antenna up with a separate coax and only got UHF, just so we are comparing apples to apples. I tried to replace the existing coax but it is routed from the amp switch to somewhere through the overhead and onto the left side of the coach still looking for a diagram of the coax system....Good luck I recommend the Winegard Sensar IV Integrated Amp. Replacement Head I paid $70 but I bought it at a local RV shop. I saw it on-line for much less.

Bill Hesson
National RV 34' Dolphin
Ford V10 Workhorse Chassis
Alpine Ca (San Diego County)

mel s · 09-16-2015, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OS1SW

I installed the Jack antenna several months ago in an attempt to improve my reception. It did not improve. Yesterday I installed the Winegard Sensar IV Integrated Amp. Replacement Head and was only picking up UHF stations. Perplexed I ran a test coax out my passenger window to the antenna and hooked it to the back of the amp switch. Searched for channels an got 67 channels. Most of them from Mexico and a few from LA (we are camping at the Silver Strand State Beach in San Diego) Very impressed with the antenna. I also hooked the Jack antenna up with a separate coax and only got UHF, just so we are comparing apples to apples. I tried to replace the existing coax but it is routed from the amp switch to somewhere through the overhead and onto the left side of the coach still looking for a diagram of the coax system....Good luck I recommend the Winegard Sensar IV Integrated Amp. Replacement Head I paid $70 but I bought it at a local RV shop. I saw it on-line for much less.

Bill Hesson
National RV 34' Dolphin
Ford V10 Workhorse Chassis
Alpine Ca (San Diego County)

OS1SW
I think the Winegard Sensar IV is nothing more than an original Winegard batwing antenna with a Wingman added.
Me thinks by adding a $20 Wingman to your old batwing you could have saved $50.
Mel
'96 Safari

OS1SW · 09-16-2015, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

OS1SW
I think the Winegard Sensar IV is nothing more than an original Winegard batwing antenna with a Wingman added.
Me thinks by adding a $20 Wingman to your old batwing you could have saved $50.
Mel
'96 Safari

Mel You are probably right but since I already switched to the Jack antenna the top bracket on the antenna pole was lost or thrown away and the SenSar IV has the bracket molded into the unit.
Bill

**NLOVNIT** · 09-16-2015, 10:06 AM

In a side-by-side comparison with a fellow RV-r in a site next to us who had the Jack, our Wingman won out hands down. Yeah, I'm sure brand of TV's, wiring, booster (if applicable) & other such things could've impacted the results, but I'm sticking with what works best for us.

Lori-