Help choosing satellite dish

[RollerCoastr]

I need to buy a new satellite system for the boat. I currently have HD DirecTV at home, and as is typical with DirecTV contracts, I’d have to pay to drop them. I have an SD DVR on the boat that feeds 2 HD-TV’s and 1 SD-TV via the onboard coax network. I also ran an RCA video feed up to the MDS at the dash. I don’t have a need to watch different channels at the same time.

I think I’ve already decided against HD. Aside from the huge jump in price over SD, the DirecTV HD receivers I’ve seen lack coax outputs, which would complicate feeding the other TV’s.

I also have no need for in-motion tracking. I never have, and never will watch tv while underway.

Giving up on DirecTV HD brings KVH into the running, I think. Otherwise it seems that Intellian has the advantage with their Ka capabilities.

I’m looking at the Intellian i2 and i3, and probably the whole range of the lower-end of the KVH offerings. I’m not against the suggestion of ditching DirecTV and going with Dish. It could cost me a few hundred to get out of the contact, but that’s not much in comparison to the whole project. (not to mention the possibility of leveraging a deal with Dish to make the switch)

Any input?

 

[WDCboater]

I'm in the same boat in terms of dealing with DirectTV (no pun intended)

unfortunately DirectTV uses Ka for their HD service while Dish uses KU. Most KVH dishes are KU until you get to the more expensive models. The first dish they offer that works with DirectTV is a steep 11k.

I went with a KVH M3 with an SD DirectTV box on my new boat. This works with the existing wiring. I have a digital antenna for picking up HD local channels. It just didn't seem worth it to go with the more expensive HD setup.

 

[RollerCoastr]

What steered you to the M3 over other models? (M1 etc)

 

[alnav]

I need to buy a new satellite system for the boat. I currently have HD DirecTV at home, and as is typical with DirecTV contracts, I’d have to pay to drop them. I have an SD DVR on the boat that feeds 2 HD-TV’s and 1 SD-TV via the onboard coax network. I also ran an RCA video feed up to the MDS at the dash. I don’t have a need to watch different channels at the same time.

I think I’ve already decided against HD. Aside from the huge jump in price over SD, the DirecTV HD receivers I’ve seen lack coax outputs, which would complicate feeding the other TV’s.

I also have no need for in-motion tracking. I never have, and never will watch tv while underway.

Giving up on DirecTV HD brings KVH into the running, I think. Otherwise it seems that Intellian has the advantage with their Ka capabilities.

I’m looking at the Intellian i2 and i3, and probably the whole range of the lower-end of the KVH offerings. I’m not against the suggestion of ditching DirecTV and going with Dish. It could cost me a few hundred to get out of the contact, but that’s not much in comparison to the whole project. (not to mention the possibility of leveraging a deal with Dish to make the switch)

Any input?

If you don't want/need motion tracking, which is really the purpose for having a dome, have you considered putting an antenna on the dock? That would seem to be the lowest-cost solution for your requirements. There are also manual acquisition portable antennas made for the RV market that you could use if you want satellite at the pier as a transient.

 

[WDCboater]

What steered you to the M3 over other models? (M1 etc)

I spoke with a couple of boaters at my miring who have them and the gadget tech at my dealer who will be installing the system next month. Since I would like to use the satellite while out on the hook, everyone recommended the M3 over the M1. It has a slightly bigger dish, and I have been told is better at holding a signal over the M1. Reviews I read we're also favorable to the M3.

I also think the M1 looks a bit tiny mounted above the hard top, just looks funny to me. I like that the M3 is HD capable, although not with DirectTV.

I looked at the more expensive models, but decided the M3 was a decent compromise.

 

[Alex F]

I need to buy a new satellite system for the boat. I currently have HD DirecTV at home, and as is typical with DirecTV contracts, I’d have to pay to drop them. I have an SD DVR on the boat that feeds 2 HD-TV’s and 1 SD-TV via the onboard coax network. I also ran an RCA video feed up to the MDS at the dash. I don’t have a need to watch different channels at the same time.

I think I’ve already decided against HD. Aside from the huge jump in price over SD, the DirecTV HD receivers I’ve seen lack coax outputs, which would complicate feeding the other TV’s.

I also have no need for in-motion tracking. I never have, and never will watch tv while underway.

Giving up on DirecTV HD brings KVH into the running, I think. Otherwise it seems that Intellian has the advantage with their Ka capabilities.

I’m looking at the Intellian i2 and i3, and probably the whole range of the lower-end of the KVH offerings. I’m not against the suggestion of ditching DirecTV and going with Dish. It could cost me a few hundred to get out of the contact, but that’s not much in comparison to the whole project. (not to mention the possibility of leveraging a deal with Dish to make the switch)

Any input?

I'm using DirectTV for home and boat. All I do is use regular D12 receivers on the boat with coax cable connections. The only issue I have is when I wanted to use my DVR, this one as you said does not have coax, so RCA cables is the easiest connection option.

I have M5, but in regards to the service provider I think it's irrelevant.

You said you don't need in-motion tracking. The trick is not having a need to watch tv while underway, but mostly while you're anchored. The boat swings, so no stationary antenna will do any good. If you only planning to watch tv while docked, then it's a different story.

 

[RollerCoastr]

If you don't want/need motion tracking, which is really the purpose for having a dome, have you considered putting an antenna on the dock? That would seem to be the lowest-cost solution for your requirements. There are also manual acquisition portable antennas made for the RV market that you could use if you want satellite at the pier as a transient.

I'm actually replacing an RV unit that's been on the arch for 10 years. It worked really well, but time and strong winds have taken their toll on the aiming mechanism. I contacted Winegard about the possibility of refurbishment, but they don't think they can do it. Their current products lack the housing/shell mine has, so they're even uglier than what I have now. (which is already uglier than what I'm comfortable with) The prices are also considerably higher than what I paid ten years ago - close enough to justify the leap to a dome.

I spoke with a couple of boaters at my miring who have them and the gadget tech at my dealer who will be installing the system next month. Since I would like to use the satellite while out on the hook, everyone recommended the M3 over the M1. It has a slightly bigger dish, and I have been told is better at holding a signal over the M1. Reviews I read we're also favorable to the M3.

I also think the M1 looks a bit tiny mounted above the hard top, just looks funny to me. I like that the M3 is HD capable, although not with DirectTV.

I looked at the more expensive models, but decided the M3 was a decent compromise.

So that's the M3-DX? I kept thinking that smaller is better. I don't have a hardtop, so I'll be looking at a lift bracket to get it above the radar. I hadn't thought about it being too SMALL up there - but that's a good point!

 

[RollerCoastr]

I'm using DirectTV for home and boat. All I do is use regular D12 receivers on the boat with coax cable connections. The only issue I have is when I wanted to use my DVR, this one as you said does not have coax, so RCA cables is the easiest connection option.

I have M5, but in regards to the service provider I think it's irrelevant.

You said you don't need in-motion tracking. The trick is not having a need to watch tv while underway, but mostly while you're anchored. The boat swings, so no stationary antenna will do any good. If you only planning to watch tv while docked, then it's a different story.

I was wondering about the DVR too. I assume your primary receiver controls the dome, so you can't just rely on a DVR receiver?

 

[Alex F]

I was wondering about the DVR too. I assume your primary receiver controls the dome, so you can't just rely on a DVR receiver?

I could use DVR as primary, but I just didn't feel like messing with the wires right before our long voyage (it was just a low priority item and I didn't have time to find the long RCA wires). The DVR is our primary at the house family room and I use it every day. The difference is that it needs two coax inputs from the dish (if you want to take full advantage of recording multiple programs and watch TV at the same time). The output to TV cannot be via coax. It has couple of options, but I just use RCA cables. I think for the next season I'll get the long RCA cables and run them from the receiver to the main salon TV in order to use the DVR.