Satellite Meters/Finders....are they worth it?

[JEly]

I was wondering if anyone uses a meter/finder when they set up at a campground? I am planning on taking my dish receiver with me and a friend of mine who is an installer came out and showed me how to do it but he also used a Acutrac 22 meter and had the signal in 5 sec. I did a online search and that meter goes for 120 or just the acutrac goes for 90. Im just wondering if I really need one.



Thanks

JIM

 

[jfrow2]

It depends.



If you are like us and move frequently, visit areas with lots of trees and other obstructions, and have a dual satellite dish like our Dish 500 service, I would definitely recommend one. In heavily forested areas, we frequently have to search for TWO holes in the trees (one for each satellite, some 10-15 degrees apart). To do this, I have to put the dish on a tripod and may have to locate it some distance from the RV. This causes a problem since the dish setup signal strength indication cannot be seen on the TV. Nor can strength indicator tone be heard. So I carry and use a meter in most all the places we visit. In a few instances, where there was a clear, unobstructed path looking South, I have used only a compass for alignment. So, for the small cost, I think they are well worth buying.



I bought mine at Camping World. The same meter is sold with under many brand names and can be purchased at some satellite stores and off the internet.

 

[bombero]

Ya, you need one. I think a got mine at a flea market for about $30. You should be able to find one for under $50

 

[GerryDrake]

The disparity in price made me search.



Hadn't seen the Accutrac.



The $25 -$30 ones you can get at RatShack or elsewhere are well worth it. I wouldn't want to be without one and trying in any kind of tree cover whatsoever.



To each his own, but the Acutrac seems like overkill (and $$$) for anyone that has set up a few times with the $25-30 meter.

 

[ramtifosi]

I bought one at camping world a few years ago (7 years I think) and returned it, was not impressed. Setup is not that bad without one. To me the abilty to LEVEL the dish is much more important. I made some feet from bolts and buttons (cheap) to level it and been using that system eversince. JMHO

 

[Bob Wagner]

a compass works perfect for me , as long as you know what the numbers you are shooting for



tomorrow for me will be 147 and 36 on the beach





today in seatte area



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[John - K5AWO]

The one at Camping world is $39. 95 regular and $10 bux off a couple times a year.

 

[JEly]

I have the one from camping world and I have not had any luck using it that is why I am looking at other options.



Jim

 

[clem]

You might have a Bad meter, or not got the hang of it. Once you get it to work you will never go back. Setting up dishes is right in there with boat launches. They can be great to watch. A Dish can drive one up a wall. If money is no problem you could get a Auto set-up dish, then all you have to do is push a button. Then you have to move the rig to a clear spot. Nothing in life is Free,and no matter what life will go on. Have a Nice Day

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

As a side question I just got onboard with Dish Network at home and want to look into what's necessary to take it on the road. Anyone have a site with good information on what you need to buy, etc? I have a seperate receiver at home for the downstairs TV that I'd take on the road. I'm sure I'd need to buy another dish but what else? TIA

 

[clem]

Just another Dish and a mount,Camping World has a couple,alot of people make there own. Radio Shack has a house roof mount that a lot carry and use. Just get a meter and a mount and about 50ft of cable. The Meter comes with a short cable so you don't need anything else. O a gallon jug will help for a weight(when filled with water) to hold down the dish when set up.

 

[jfrow2]

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

As a side question I just got onboard with Dish Network at home and want to look into what's necessary to take it on the road. Anyone have a site with good information on what you need to buy, etc? I have a seperate receiver at home for the downstairs TV that I'd take on the road. I'm sure I'd need to buy another dish but what else? TIA

Buying another dish is optional, you can always dismount the existing dish and take it with you and reinstall it when you return (a real PITA which I DO NOT recommend). I bought a new Dish 500 dual dish at a flea market for about $100.



You need some RG6 coaxial cable, I carry a 100' piece and two 25' pieces.



Depending on your dish model, you may need an external switch such as SW21 or similar (newer model dishes have the switch built in).



Also is some type of mount to hold the dish, available from Radio Shack or this Bullseye , (which I find more versatile).



And if you have a Dish 500 system I HIGHLY recommend a satellite finder meter.

 

[DLBurns]

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

As a side question I just got onboard with Dish Network at home and want to look into what's necessary to take it on the road. Anyone have a site with good information on what you need to buy, etc? I have a seperate receiver at home for the downstairs TV that I'd take on the road. I'm sure I'd need to buy another dish but what else? TIA

Steve,

We just got back from a long vacation in the Pacific Northwest, when I set up my dish at the campground in La Conner I could not get my local channels. I have Direct TV and the spot beam would not carry that far north so we were without any major networks for the 10 days we were in La Conner. When we moved down to Seaside Oregon I was able to get my local channels again!

So... . if you are addicted to Reality TV, then make sure you get a West Coast or East Coast feed with your programming!

On the issue of the meter... I bought mine on Ebay for 20 bucks and would not be without it. Also carry at leat 100' of coaxial cable... you may have to set your dish up quite aways from the RV.

 

[rblomquist]

If you don't use a RV-mounted dish, be sure to buy the tripod that has a compass on the stand (mine is removable by velcro). The biggest PITA is if you don't get your stand level. Leveling the stand is everything; after that it's a couple minute job (if that).

 

[Sarge]

I would highly recommend the dish that camping world sells that disassembles. The L&B arm disconnects from the dish with a few wingnuts, and stores on the back of the dish for easy packing. I used a regualr dish for a few years, and always grumbled when I was breaking down camp. Now I take apart the dish, and it stores in about a 3 inch space. Well worth the 100 bucks. Sarge

 

[jfrow2]

Originally posted by Sarge

I would highly recommend the dish that camping world sells that disassembles. The L&B arm disconnects from the dish with a few wingnuts, and stores on the back of the dish for easy packing. I used a regualr dish for a few years, and always grumbled when I was breaking down camp. Now I take apart the dish, and it stores in about a 3 inch space. Well worth the 100 bucks. Sarge

If this is the Winegard mount/dish that I am familiar with, it looks at only one satellite at a time. If you want to look at a second satellite (which is required to get all channels) you have to physically move the aim of the dish from one bird to another

 

[Joe G.]

I use a fold up dish that has a level bubble and a compass built in. Pretty easy to set up and adjust.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I went camping with the satellite dish setup for the first time this weekend and it rocked! I bought the bullseye mount that jfrow2 recommended for $76, bought a dish 500 off of ebay for $52 shipped, and a $22 satellite finder meter (came with a compass too) off ebay. Bought a few cables off ebay for $40 total (100', 25', and a flat piece to pass through the window). I modified the dish to allow me to use wing nuts on all the adjustments. First time out I had it setup, aimed, and watching tv in 5 minutes. It was great being able to check out the weather channel and most of all having the cartoon channels for my daughter. Thanks for all the help from everyone.

 

[klenger]

We have DirecTV and Sirius Radio at home and in our camper. We never listen to standard broadcast TV or radio any more. Enjoy Steve.

 

[phoekema]

I have the Wineguard unit and wouldn't be without it. The biggest advantages are it is real-time instead of checking periodically as the RCA receiver I have does and a lot easier to use when the dish is some distance from the RV. I though of the rooftop unit (I have a tripod style now), but Michigan has lots of trees and we often end up where a roof top wouln't get a clear view.