Sat dome or wind up dish

[Deleted member 12539]

I am considering a sat dish this year, not sure yet if to go for the dome version which would add more height to what is already just over 3m, or a wind up type which would still add height, but not so much.
I understand that a dome can be used in windy weather, and a crank type may catch the wind, but I am still not sure.
I have been looking at the square type Avtex / Selfsat Snipe Portable Satellite TV Antenna System 12v Caravan Dish | eBay
Has anybody got experience of this type of dish, in UK and abroad?

 

[champstar]

I have a camos flat crank up dish and works fine for me. It can be used in winds as it has a smaller footprint than an oval dish. It even worked in Southern France and Germany.

For the price I paid it was well worth it. All you need to do ii to get used to finding the sat with it.

 

[Obanboy666]

I was going for a dome but after speaking to Jacksons satellites went for an automatic Oyster Caro.
He explained from his experience the dome build quality is not as high as normal panels, they can be effected by condensation inside the dome which can cause corrosion and they can get rain effect where the signal fades in heavy rain. More wind resistance when driving, my dish is 5 1/2 " when retracted.
On the plus side they can be used in high winds.
To date in 18 months I've yet to detract my dish in high winds and I've used it at least 100 nights in 18 months.

 

[El Veterano]

I have lots of experience of the Megasat dome as there was one fitted to our MH when we bought it. The short answer to your question is yes, they will work in just about any sort of wind, but generally are only considered good for the UK. Domes will just about work in Northern France but I would not expect to get much more out of them than that. This company are well up to speed on all the latest domes and dishes Sat Fi Automatic Satellite Dome - Products - Conrad Anderson UK and there is a version of the Satfi dome that is being developed for Europe, but I'm not sure it is in production yet. Either way your decision needs to be based on two things, price and whether you really need a fully automatic system or not. The price difference between systems is massive and ranges from about £250 for a crank up dish to a whopping £2,500 for an all singing all dancing fully automatic dish. The Euro Satfi auto dome by the way is going to retail at about £1,200.
I looked closely a year ago at the Snipe dish that Champstar has recommended but I wasn't convinced that it would be any better than my current set up, particularly with regard to use in Europe. I would be interested to hear if Champstar's dish still works in Southern France after February 2014, which was when Astra started moving satellites about? If it does still work, then for the money that would be the way to go, and I might even take another look at the product myself.
However, generally the only way you are going to get anywhere near all the channels you might expect to get in the South of France (Spain is another matter altogether) is with an 85cm dish.
So you are now left with the decision whether to go crank-up or fully auto. Having had a fully auto dome now for a while I'm not sure I could be bothered twiddling a dish/panel about manually, especially as we only usually stay in one place for one night at a time. All of the dome's (I think) are automatic, and there is a hefty price to pay going from a manual crank-up dish to a fully automatic dish.
Only when you have considered all the options above can you consider whether the thing is going to stay on your roof in a gale. Good luck

 

[Deleted member 967]

I am considering a sat dish this year, not sure yet if to go for the dome version which would add more height to what is already just over 3m, or a wind up type which would still add height, but not so much.
I understand that a dome can be used in windy weather, and a crank type may catch the wind, but I am still not sure.
I have been looking at the square type Avtex / Selfsat Snipe Portable Satellite TV Antenna System 12v Caravan Dish | eBay
Has anybody got experience of this type of dish, in UK and abroad?

We have the 85cm Oyster automatic dish, but we bought it when you could receive the UK channels in Europe. I don't think we would bother now as we spend half the year in Spain. We can pick up UK tv at Capbreton but as soon as you cross the Pyrenees you lose the lot. We used our Status antenna most of the time.

 

[El Veterano]

We have the 85cm Oyster automatic dish, but we bought it when you could receive the UK channels in Europe. I don't think we would bother now as we spend half the year in Spain. We can pick up UK tv at Capbreton but as soon as you cross the Pyrenees you lose the lot. We used our Status antenna most of the time.

The omnidirectional ariel is something that we have considered before now. What would you be watching using that in Spain? It's a little while since I lived there so I'm not fully up to date with what is available on terrestrial TV there these days. We are both Spanish speakers so it is not essential that it is in English either.

 

[BGT180]

I was going for a dome but after speaking to Jacksons satellites went for an automatic Oyster Caro.
He explained from his experience the dome build quality is not as high as normal panels, they can be effected by condensation inside the dome which can cause corrosion and they can get rain effect where the signal fades in heavy rain. More wind resistance when driving, my dish is 5 1/2 " when retracted.
On the plus side they can be used in high winds.
To date in 18 months I've yet to detract my dish in high winds and I've used it at least 100 nights in 18 months.

Have had a Camos 40 for over 6 years on 2 motorhomes without any problems. Satelitte seeking is automatic and takes little time with access to 5 satellites. High winds have no effect on reception and only lost signal once in switzerland in rain. No sign of poor build quality and corrosion - added about 40cm to height. Would buy again. Will be in Spain during May so will see if reception has gone with changes in footprint

 

[barryd]

Have had a Camos 40 for over 6 years on 2 motorhomes without any problems. Satelitte seeking is automatic and takes little time with access to 5 satellites. High winds have no effect on reception and only lost signal once in switzerland in rain. No sign of poor build quality and corrosion - added about 40cm to height. Would buy again

Snap. Our Camos used to work with Astra 2 (BBc1, ITV etc) all over France, into Northern Spain (just) and as far east as Austria and the Italian Lakes. you can chop about a third or more off that now but further than just northern France. About as far as the northern Dordogne. As you say though at the flick of the a switch you can automatically switch to another 4 satellites where you will find English programs but mainly foreign TV. We spent 6 weeks in the Pyrenees last Summer and even on Astra 2 pan European beam we still picked up Sky news, Pick Tv and a couple of other channels. They really have scuppered it with the move though. No matter how much money you chuck at it if your getting a wiggle on into Spain or south eastern Europe you can soon kiss goodbye to BBC1 etc.

I will also add we have not had a single problem with the Camos and in winter have often been at places in Gales where dishes had to be taken down. Would also buy again.

 

[Byronic]

In France & Spain I've been noting the increasing use of height bars at supermarket carparks & the like. Usually set @ 3.0m or 3.3m. Seen M/homes taking evasive action & having to find alternative parking. Actually there's a margin of tolerance & some would make it, but the drivers obviously reckon rather safe than sorry.
And on toll roads, being over 3m. height may also put you into a higher toll class, or so some claim. As yet I have not got the definitive answer on that one. and perhaps the laser beam only picks up on the vehicle's centreline in any case.

 

[yeoblade]

I have fitted a snipe flat panel recently. Very pleased with it, I got feed up of setting up a tripod stand dish so went fully automatic with this "dish".

I have recently been on a trip to Belgium and Amsterdam with perfect pictures all the way. And was in Calais when the high winds hit 10 days ago, with the dish up and no problems (except with the van rocking so much the signal dimminished while rocking!

bought mine from ebay uk but from a German seller for about £550. complete with THE MOUNTING PLATE.


Pic Here, http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...dio-reception-rubbish-img_20150104_092658.jpg

Cabling now tidied up properly now

 

[Siimplyloco]

I have fitted a snipe flat panel recently. Very pleased with it, I got feed up of setting up a tripod stand dish so went fully automatic with this "dish".

I have recently been on a trip to Belgium and Amsterdam with perfect pictures all the way. And was in Calais when the high winds hit 10 days ago, with the dish up and no problems (except with the van rocking so much the signal dimminished while rocking!

bought mine from ebay uk but from a German seller for about £550. complete with THE MOUNTING PLATE.


Pic Here, http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...dio-reception-rubbish-img_20150104_092658.jpg

Cabling now tidied up properly now

That's a good price considering the plate is included: I was considering buying one. I presume that you can remove the unit easily and position it elsewhere when you are in shade?
John

 

[yorkslass]

Our van came with a crank up dish. It turns in the wind and I can't work out how to use it. Would love a dome.

 

[yeoblade]

That's a good price considering the plate is included: I was considering buying one. I presume that you can remove the unit easily and position it elsewhere when you are in shade?
John

It was such a good price I couldn't resist it, just looked up my ebay buying history it was £470 + £11 delivery :tongue:

Seller ebay name was called: digi-sat-online

It is fixed to the mounting plate with 8 Soc. hd. cap screws, you would then need 2 extension cables (F connectors for both power and signal cables) to couple it up to its temp location, quite feasible as long as you have a ladder with you but I have not tried it yet.

 

[Siimplyloco]

It was such a good price I couldn't resist it, just looked up my ebay buying history it was £470 + £11 delivery :tongue:

Seller ebay name was called: digi-sat-online

It is fixed to the mounting plate with 8 Soc. hd. cap screws, you would then need 2 extension cables (F connectors for both power and signal cables) to couple it up to its temp location, quite feasible as long as you have a ladder with you but I have not tried it yet.

Thanks for the info: we have a ladder on Hugo. I was hoping that the mounting plate would have incorporated some sort of quick release mechanism: could I use wingnuts? I have an Avtex TV which allegedly will power the unit via the aerial cable thus dispensing with the extra cable???
John

 

[andy63]

hi , just add my set up, which is a road pro 30cm dome... the really good thing about it is as long as it has clear view of the sky you just flick a switch and it finds the sat.. no messing around lining anything up.. I did make it easily removable and can fit a 100w solar in its place if im not bothered about telly or the battery charging is more important. .depending on where im going..
if im parked up under trees or the like I use a little digital aerial and in uk never not been able to get a picture from one or other..
ta andy

 

[yeoblade]

Thanks for the info: we have a ladder on Hugo. I was hoping that the mounting plate would have incorporated some sort of quick release mechanism: could I use wingnuts? I have an Avtex TV which allegedly will power the unit via the aerial cable thus dispensing with the extra cable???
John

No to the wings nuts, they're socket headed cap screws so they sit below the path of the rotating dish plate as it wizzes around. If your in a hurry a battery drill with 6mm hex bit would have them out in seconds.
The 'power cable' is actually the data cable giving the signals and power to move the dish alignment position from the internal control box so you would have to use this cable, with an extension, (F connector female to male extension cable required required for both). Or just use another set of cables direct from controller box to the Snipe Panel. Easily done though, the hardest bit would be lifting it up and down each time, I think it weighs about 7Kg.

 

[Siimplyloco]

No to the wings nuts, they're socket headed cap screws so they sit below the path of the rotating dish plate as it wizzes around. If your in a hurry a battery drill with 6mm hex bit would have them out in seconds.
The 'power cable' is actually the data cable giving the signals and power to move the dish alignment position from the internal control box so you would have to use this cable, with an extension, (F connector female to male extension cable required required for both). Or just use another set of cables direct from controller box to the Snipe Panel. Easily done though, the hardest bit would be lifting it up and down each time, I think it weighs about 7Kg.

Thanks again, very useful. I carry a Maplin tripod mounted folding 60cm dish behind my driving seat, which works well when deployed, but I'm getting lazier in my 'older' age so was considering the Snipe. I'll give it a miss this season but look again next year.
Thanks
John

 

[Deleted member 967]

The omnidirectional ariel is something that we have considered before now. What would you be watching using that in Spain? It's a little while since I lived there so I'm not fully up to date with what is available on terrestrial TV there these days. We are both Spanish speakers so it is not essential that it is in English either.

Well we like to see the Spanish news, both local and national as it helps with our learning the language. There is Discovery Max, which can sometimes have good programmes apart from the container auctions. Any film or programme that was originally made in English can be reverted back by pressing the language button on the remote control. It usually works but not always.

All we could get on the satellite in southern Spain was Sky news, More Movies1&2, selling channels and pop music.

We are fulltiming and must be the only ones who actually pay for a TV licence , which is very annoying as half the year we get nowt.

 

[philstoke]

No to the wings nuts, they're socket headed cap screws so they sit below the path of the rotating dish plate as it wizzes around. If your in a hurry a battery drill with 6mm hex bit would have them out in seconds.
The 'power cable' is actually the data cable giving the signals and power to move the dish alignment position from the internal control box so you would have to use this cable, with an extension, (F connector female to male extension cable required required for both). Or just use another set of cables direct from controller box to the Snipe Panel. Easily done though, the hardest bit would be lifting it up and down each time, I think it weighs about 7Kg.

When I bought mine a couple of years ago the base plate wasn't available, if we can't get a signal through the normal tele aerial, depending where we are I either stand it on the ground outside or with the aid of small step ladder put it on the roof through the skylight, it is heavy though as you say.
I have just seen a plate on Ebay but its nearly £100, I would be worried about drilling in the roof though in case there was any wiring underneath

 

[El Veterano]

Well we like to see the Spanish news, both local and national as it helps with our learning the language. There is Discovery Max, which can sometimes have good programmes apart from the container auctions. Any film or programme that was originally made in English can be reverted back by pressing the language button on the remote control. It usually works but not always.

All we could get on the satellite in southern Spain was Sky news, More Movies1&2, selling channels and pop music.

We are fulltiming and must be the only ones who actually pay for a TV licence , which is very annoying as half the year we get nowt.

Well, that would about do us, using the ariel, along with a smattering of DVD's. Bearing in mind that we move just about every day, would I have to re-tune the TV every time as well?