Dish Antenna, which one?

[rbs]

We would like to purchase an antenna to take with us to pick up Dish network. We already subscribe and have an extra receiver, but would like opinion/advice on which one folks have found works the best, with the least amount of problems.
Thanks

[SteveH]

Not sure it will work with your receiver, but we have a Tailgater and it works well. The reason I say your receiver may not work with the Tailgater is we bought it as a system, receiver and Tailgater antenna, and the receiver sends 12VDC to the antenna so it can find the satellites and align itself. (Don't know if all receivers do this) As with any such system, we have to have a clear shot thru trees and such, which the portable Tailgater is easier for this because you can move it anywhere it needs to be to get the clear shot.

This is the only satellite system we have ever had, so can't tell you about any others or give you an comparison.

[ghaynes755]

I don't think that the Auto antennas like the Tailgater or the Winegard X1 work with the standard RX's from DISH. No signal and power for the auto antenna on the cable connection. But if you get the Winegard X1 package with the ViP 211z receiver the RX is only $50. Cost of another RX on your DISH bill is $7 per month and if you aren't traveling you can cancel that RX for those months.

You can get a manual dish but then you have the hassle of setup and aiming. With DISH using 3 sats personally that would just be to much work.

[jcanavera]

I've got the Tailgater also with a Dish 211z receiver. The portability of the dish itself is the best feature of the Tailgater. It comes with a 50' 3GHz cable but in talking to Dish tech support, they noted that you should be able to go up to 150' using a 3GHz cable. So far I've not had any issue reaching a clear sightline with my 50' cable, but I probably will get a 100' cable to give me just a little more flexibility since at times I need to use all of that 50' length.

As noted the Tailgater is limited as to receiver types and note that the 211z receiver does not have a coaxial output. If you need a coaxial output to your TV, get a 211k receiver. Also note that the 211z receiver is ready for the Tailgater. Some 211k's may need a special one time software download dependent upon the production date of the 211k. You have to get that download from a dish authorized reseller. I prefer the 211z since it has HDMI and composite cable connectivity. It has the smallest footprint at this time of any receiver that is compatible with the Tailgater.

I've seen some sales for the combo receiver and Tailgater dish. Camping World was one and the other place was Solidsignal.com Search: dish tailgater - Solid Signal

If you buy from Solid Signal note that they are providing a 211z or 211k with their combo package. If you want a 211z, make sure you verify that is what they will ship you.

I activate my 211z and deactivate it all the time. Cost is $7.00 monthly when it is activated but they will prorate it for actual time. Last September I activated it for one week only. If you do like I do, its always suggested that you activate it before you leave and test it at your home. The reason being it's better to activate it where you have a known good signal vs. out in a campground where you may have reception issues. I use an iPad/iPhone app that works with the camera that allows me to look up in the sky when I place the Tailgater. That way I'm assured that the satellites are all in view.

Obviously the best thing about the Tailgater is that it aims itself. When you first turn on the receiver, it asks you what state you are in. From there it starts a process where the Tailgater dish finds the satellites on its own. It will also inform you if it can't see all three Dish satellites and can offer limited services if a specific satellite is blocked by an obstacle. When you change channels the Tailgater unit automatically moves the dish to the proper satellite. Whats remarkable is how fast it does this. Your home dish on the roof has multiple LNB's which allows your dish to remain in a fixed position. The Tailgater dish has to move. The alignment process finds the three satellites which then allows the dish to instantly move to the right satellite when you change channels.

One thing to be aware of is the Tailgater exclusively uses the Dish western arc satellites. This provides a decent signal level in most parts of the US except for the New England area which relies on the eastern arc Dish satellites. So understand that limitation.

Jack

[mojo]

The Dish Tailgater will work with the 211k or 211z receiver. Both provide HD service. If you have Dish at home, they can provide you with a 211k receiver that you can use at home. When you travel, unplug the receiver and take it with you and plug in the tailgater. It takes about 10-15 minutes to locate the satellites and reset to your location. This way there is no need to turn on/off additional service for travel. You can also get a separate hard drive to connect to the receiver to record like a DVR. You can record movies or programs at home and then take with you for those times when nothing is good is on.

Cost is $350 at Camping World. You can get other dish satellites that will work with other receivers and allow connection of 2 TV's but they cost twice as much.

[Zigidachs]

Direct TV!

We switched from Dish to Direct TV several years ago because Dish Network cancelled some of our favorite stations resulting from contract disputes ...like the ABC Rose Bowl! ...and these problems have recurred around the country from time to time.

Direct TV has been flawless. Thus we purchased the Winegard Trav'ler roof mounted slimline dish about 6 years ago. Absolutely no problems! Cost has increased about $200 since then, and it's still expensive, but a reliable product. ....also use the iPhone app to locate satellites when you anchor your 'stream.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Zigidachs

Direct TV!

We switched from Dish to Direct TV several years ago because Dish Network cancelled some of our favorite stations resulting from contract disputes ...like the ABC Rose Bowl! ...and these problems have recurred around the country from time to time.

Contract disputes have become the norm for the satellite industry and cable providers. Bottom line every provider has lost some channels for various lengths of time due to contract issues. Dish just concluded a contentious negotiation period with Turner which led to most of Turner's channels being dropped by Dish since October 20th. That fight is over and those channels are back. While I hate the negotiation process and the loss of channels, it's part of the process as cable and satellite providers attempt to hold prices down. Direct has had their disputes, with the latest being the Weather Channel early this year which led to a 3 month interruption of that channel.

Personally, hopping services due to these fights is futile since it is only a matter of time before the service you moved to has their battles with the providers. I have yet to see a provider that has permanently dropped a major service or network due to contract negotiations.

Jack

[m.hony]

I have the Winegard dish antenna in a case that resembles a hat box. It is manual setup. Go to DirecTV's website and enter the ZIP code to get azimuth and elevation. Use the compass on my iPhone. Get a clear view of the southern sky. Listen to the beep beep beep beep beeeeeeeeee...

[ghaynes755]

One of the big differences between DISH and DirecTv is lack of HD on DirecTv unless you get the Travler dish or do a manual dish setup on the ground. There are marine systems that do DirecTv HD starting at about $15,000 for the 24" diameter dome.

[rbs]

we have a VIP211k that we would take with us. spoke with a Dish representative who told me it would be as simple as calling them our location and they would send a signal to activate, including local channels. Also talked with the local Dish contractor who suggested the Wineguard Pathway X1, described as very good reception and easy to set up. There is also a Pathway X2 that might be a good choice, as he felt both were better than the tailgater unit.

[ghaynes755]

X1 is one of the newest models. Buy it and buy the stand. Setup, leveling and keeping it out of the dirt makes it a piece o' cake to use. Just confirm with DISH and/or Winegard that it works with the 211k. Bought as a package (Amazon) the 211z only adds $50.

[Silverbee]

We use the Tailgater to pick up Dish Network channels. We received the Tailgator and Dish Network receiver as a retirement gift. All we do is call Dish Network and tell them we want to use it. We do this on a month to month basis for an additional $7 per month. It has worked well for us. Just set it outside and generally point it in a southern direction. It finds the satellites and takes all the pointing and aiming work away from you.

[LandSailor]

We just purchases the Dish Tailgater with 211Z receiver from Camping World (on sale). Works great. First set it up in Portland and yesterday set it up to work on Blakely Island, WA (San Juan Islands, North of Anacortes, WA, and North East of Victoria, BC). Easy as can be, set out antenna facing South, hooked up receiver, called Dish with Zip code to get local Seattle stations and less than 10 minutes later we we're watching all our favorite channels for just $7.00 per month - only when we use it- added to our home base Portland, OR account. So fat we're impressed.

[Pat Cassity]

I am about to take delivery of my new Airstream to replace the one that was destroyed in the wreck earlier this year and am considering the purchase of a satellite system, as well. It sounds like the Tailgater system would work well for me. However, I currently have Direct TV instead of Dish. Does Dish have a 'pay when you need it' plan for RV use? I am purchasing a 27' Serenity FB. Where does the receiver connect? And, how is it connected to the TV? Thanks for your help!


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[RVDreamer]

I have a 2015 27'FB Serenity with Directv. I ordered it through Airstream of Spokane.

Nick, the owner, hired an outside installation specialist to install a Winegard HD Travler antenna to install the antenna on the roof. I love the system, although it is a little pricey. Total installation + dish was $2500.00.

The Travler antenna automatically unfolds itself and locates the satellites when powered on. My Directv receiver is mounted in the same overhead storage area as the Blu-ray player. The installer included a nice remote control HDMI switch so that you can switch between Blu-ray player, Satellite TV, Front or Rear TV.

We love the setup. Since we were already a DirecTV subscriber, we just wanted to use one of our spare receivers. Directv is the only satellite system that supports full 1080p HD TV and 3D TV. It is also the only company that has NFL Sunday ticket for watching all the NFL games.

[rp709]

Do you know if the satellite dish will find the satellites if you were to continue North into Canada? You can aim a manual dish low enough for it to work, but I wonder if the auto finders dishes restrict this search, since the provider doesn't in include Canada in the packages. Thanks, Ron

[azflycaster]

My experience is that you can get service if you are close to the border by selecting the closest state in the setup. When you get away from the border you can not get service.

[pmclemore]

Be sure to get the X2 rather than the X1. The X2 will find either the southern or the western arc satellites. If you have the X1 and don't have a clear view to the south, you are hosed. I have found that I can usually find one or the other with the X2.

Otherwise, I agree with what was said about the Dish service above. I don't see how they could have done any better for us.

Also, I've found that when we are traveling in Canada, I can just tell them I'm in Buffalo or some similar nearby city and get local channels that way. Farthest I've been successful with this is the Mont Temblant region north of Montreal.

Pat

[RickP]

I have a Winegard on top of my trailer, but most times I cannot get signal due to trees. Do I need to get a tailgater dish too for when my trailer-top unit can't get a signal?

[Pencilpusher]

I have the Pathway X1. Works great with cabling up to 125 feet. Trees are still a problem especially with satellite 129 which carries the HD channels. Sat 129 is fairly low on the horizon and I rarely get signal strength greater than 40.