KVH and Sea Tel

[mawyatt]

Hope I'm not wasting everyone's BW with all these sat TV questions. I'm just trying to get to the point where I can make an informed decision.

KVH, Sea Tel and Raymarine have very similar 14" sat TV dish products. I 've been looking mostly at the KVH M3 ST with the DirectTV 12v box, mainly because KVH seems to be the most popular and they are offering the DirectTV 12v box which supplies the dish power thru the one cable connection. I will probably try to install the system myself, so the one cable connection sounds good.

We are not intrested in HD at this time and will probably use the minimum service that includes things the admiral, cap't, and first mate watch (remember I'm the bildge boy!) which includes CNN, Fox, Larry King, and the Blond lady that just had twins and rips everyone a new one, plus the Hollywood stuff (E something). Bildge Boy (that's me) gets the left overs like the ball games, however I do like the Discovery & Science Channels!!

Anyway cost is important including monthly fees. We have Bright House with Road Runner cable at home which the admiral won't change, so getting the DirectTV as a "spare room" will have to wait. The admiral can't stand the idea of a sat dish on the house but is fine with it on the boat...go figure!!

Thanks for all the help and hope I'm not wasting everyone's BW and time,

Mike

 

[tobnpr]

You're right, Mike.
If you're not already a DirecTV subscriber, it becomes a much more expensive proposition to get sat tv on the boat. For many it would be a unjustifiable expense; obviously as an "extra receiver" at $5/month it's nothing.
Interestingly enough, when I installed fiber internet last month the Verizon rep. pushed hard for the "package" to include fiber tv. She realized she wasn't going to get the sale when I explained about the boat...

 

[Pirate]

In my opinion, the 12v receivers SUCK. The guides suck, the power consumption sucks, the interface with the dish sucks, the reliability sucks, and the price sucks. I'm pretty sure I'm not overstating that.

I would REALLY recommend the M3DX since it has a controller box that communicates with the dome and gives you feedback. That allows you to use any $50 DirecTV receiver instead of that abomination that KVH wants $500 for.

It'll save you all kinds of headaches when DirecTV makes changes on the fly. They just changed one of their settings on Monday and the 119 tracking of all TV4's is out again.... The M3DX is not affected by these changes, but all others are.

 

[mawyatt]

You're right, Mike.
If you're not already a DirecTV subscriber, it becomes a much more expensive proposition to get sat tv on the boat. For many it would be a unjustifiable expense; obviously as an "extra receiver" at $5/month it's nothing.
Interestingly enough, when I installed fiber internet last month the Verizon rep. pushed hard for the "package" to include fiber tv. She realized she wasn't going to get the sale when I explained about the boat...

That's the way to do it: fast Verizon internet and DirectTV with an "extra room" or two!! Maybe someday! Hey did you do the KVH install yourself? If so do you have the KVH 12v Rx that has the single cable to the dish..how do you like it?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[mawyatt]

In my opinion, the 12v receivers SUCK. The guides suck, the power consumption sucks, the interface with the dish sucks, the reliability sucks, and the price sucks. I'm pretty sure I'm not overstating that.

I would REALLY recommend the M3DX since it has a controller box that communicates with the dome and gives you feedback. That allows you to use any $50 DirecTV receiver instead of that abomination that KVH wants $500 for.

It'll save you all kinds of headaches when DirecTV makes changes on the fly. They just changed one of their settings on Monday and the 119 tracking of all TV4's is out again.... The M3DX is not affected by these changes, but all others are.

Matt I can see you are not fond of the KVH DirectTV 12v Rx!! BTW it's included with the M3ST. The DX is about $700 more without the sat box. I guess it doesn't make any difference about the sat box as you get that with your subscription from DirectTV I believe. I need to go to the KVH site and check out the install details and see if it's also a one cable connection like the SD. Did you or anyone do the install themselves?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Pirate]

Matt I can see you are not fond of the KVH DirectTV 12v Rx!! BTW it's included with the M3ST. The DX is about $700 more without the sat box. I guess it doesn't make any difference about the sat box as you get that with your subscription from DirectTV I believe. I need to go to the KVH site and check out the install details and see if it's also a one cable connection like the SD. Did you or anyone do the install themselves?

Thanks,

Mike

Mike- The DX uses a single RG-6Q cable as well. It is included with the kit. I've tried using the cable that went to the Glomex before, but it is RG-59 and the results were sporadic, so I recommend running a new line. I install a lot of these units. In fact, Capt. Ted Jones is going to film me putting an M3DX on tomorrow so he can feature it in his TV show, Pleasure Boater. I feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk.... I'm SOMEBODY. :grin:

 

[mawyatt]

Mike- The DX uses a single RG-6Q cable as well. It is included with the kit. I've tried using the cable that went to the Glomex before, but it is RG-59 and the results were sporadic, so I recommend running a new line. I install a lot of these units. In fact, Capt. Ted Jones is going to film me putting an M3DX on tomorrow so he can feature it in his TV show, Pleasure Boater. I feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk.... I'm SOMEBODY. :grin:

Matt,

That's cool, congradulations!! We'll all be watching, maybe you can give us an autograph! Since you do the installs all the time I guess I just need to save up another $700 for the DX version. More $ for Jim! Is the install difficult on a SR 38? I'll be studing the 38 schematics later to see how everything should hook up. Any opinions on the Sea Tel?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Pirate]

Matt,

That's cool, congradulations!! We'll all be watching, maybe you can give us an autograph! Since you do the installs all the time I guess I just need to save up another $700 for the DX version. More $ for Jim! Is the install difficult on a SR 38? I'll be studing the 38 schematics later to see how everything should hook up. Any opinions on the Sea Tel?

Thanks,

Mike

Mike- I haven't seen the '08 380, but I would surmise that the wire paths and construction with regard to this installation are not largely different from the latest 39/40/44DA's. The arch is simple enough (though you will need a fish tape or equiv.). Arch into the hull is a bit tricky. Usually, you can remove a cup holder and/or go under the rear bench seat to get access. I assume there is a 'catchall' recessed into the starboard side at the helm that can be removed. Then you can go forward behind the electrical panel, etc. Again, I have not seen the '08 380DA. If I've made incorrect assumptions, feel free to post pics and I can likely tell you the easiest route if that would be helpful.

While you're running an RG-6 to the arch, run a spare. You can use it for a cockpit TV if you ever decide you want one.

Jim may have seen your exact boat and have more accurate info.

Good luck.

 

[mawyatt]

Mike- I haven't seen the '08 380, but I would surmise that the wire paths and construction with regard to this installation are not largely different from the latest 39/40/44DA's. The arch is simple enough (though you will need a fish tape or equiv.). Arch into the hull is a bit tricky. Usually, you can remove a cup holder and/or go under the rear bench seat to get access. I assume there is a 'catchall' recessed into the starboard side at the helm that can be removed. Then you can go forward behind the electrical panel, etc. Again, I have not seen the '08 380DA. If I've made incorrect assumptions, feel free to post pics and I can likely tell you the easiest route if that would be helpful.

While you're running an RG-6 to the arch, run a spare. You can use it for a cockpit TV if you ever decide you want one.

Jim may have seen your exact boat and have more accurate info.

Good luck.

Matt,

Thanks for the reply. Our 38 has the cockpit TV, it's mounted (removable) on a short post behind the helm seat between the rear facing seats.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[tobnpr]

Mike-
Did the M3st install myself and it's as simple as can be (don't know about your particular boat and rigging access, though).
If you find yourself up by NPR sometime and want to take a look at one before taking the plunge feel free to pm me.

 

[bahamabreisus]

I installed the M2 KVH with the 12 volt reciever on our 500 DA about 3 months ago. I bought the unit on the internet for $2450. with free shipping. It took about 3 hours to install, with some help from friends. I have had not problems, and get great reception. The M2 is supposed to be an "at dock" unit, but we have gone doen the ICW at 10-12 knots, and not lost the picture. If you don't get the 12 volt reciever, I hear they tend to loose programming when switch from shore power to generator. Hope this helps

 

[SR400DB]

I have second M3 unit shipped from the factory installed on my 400db. Love it, love it, love it. DTV is the only way to go $5 bucks a month for the extra rx.....My dad has seatel....tons of problems, it does not keep it's signal under way etc, etc.

 

[brimanst]

The M3 install is very easy. The hardest part is running the coax. The setup is clear in the manual. I used my own receivers so I have control over the features.

briman