Kvh Tracvision C3

[DragonAnchor]

Admiral wants Sat TV, I want Radar. So in running the #'s I came across the KVH TRACVISION C3. Price is right, but I am concerned about the quality and reception.

I do not need HD on the boat,

Does anyone have any practical experience with this model? I will mostly use it at the dock or at anchor, but wouldnt rule out underway. How is the reception underway?

Is this model practical for my 290 with the mini hardtop?

Can I mount this side by side with a 2kw radome? Or should I invest in a mounting tower putting it at a different plane than the radome?

DANG JIM and his spring sale!!

Thank you in advance

 

[tobnpr]

Those things are huge- there's one on a 38 Carver near me. Personally, I think it would look way out of scale on a 29, even if it would fit on your hardtop. It's nearly 3' in diameter and weighs 33 lbs... I'm surprised they're still making it.

The M3st is the way you want to go. Have one and it was/is a dream to install and use.

 

[SR400DB]

Get the M3

 

[Four Suns]

The lack of Ka band support from KVH (and others) is not just an HD issue over the long haul... don't let the salespeople tell you that. DirecTV is actively replacing their land-based antennas for Ka and once their is enough critical mass, they are not going to give a poop about us "boat people" with older KVH antennas. Just be aware of what you are buying...

 

[DragonAnchor]

yeah have been doing my homework...

the dang thing is huge, with the 34" diameter its gonna look like a big piece of crap up there the weight is 63 pounds vs the 34 pounds for the M3) Also, I have cable at the house(big trees in the wrong spot for sat), so adding the boat as a "spare bedroom" isnt an option.

Gary's point is the deal killer on sat on the boat for a while...


Time to wait it out, see what happens with the band move. By then we should have the 15ft itis : :smt038

On the plus side, I am still getting my radome !!, now I have to move the damn Glomex

 

[ANYTIME]

I went through the same process...which KVH to buy. We ended up buying a M2 on eBay for $2400 delivered and it cost me $500 for the installation. It works like a charm and the Admiral is very happy with it.

I would suggest that you get a platform to mount the KVH on. The radar antenna should NOT radiate directly into the KVH, it will destroy the KVH electronics.

Good luck!!

 

[CSR_Admin]

$2400 on ebay... so painful. We have them for $2323 right now shipped, and its not ebay. The M2 and M3 are both the way to go. That C3 is ugly!