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Topic: Dish Network Tailgater (Read 831 times) previous topic - next topic

Dish Network Tailgater

Is anyone using one of these yet?  If so.  Pros?  Cons?
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #1 –
Jerry,

It's just an updated version of King's VuCube with 3 satellite capability instead of 2. I have to manually select the 3rd satellite on my VuCube so is a bit of a pain. They do work well and have the advantage of being able to set it where it has a good view of the sky if your coach is parked where it doesn't. Won't blow over like a bigger dish on a tripod. Another big plus is being able to store it almost anywhere, closet, compartment without taking much room. It weighs almost nothing. Don't know how well it would do south of the border. Perhaps John has an answer to that one in Sayulita.

It's a winner.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Jerry & Coleen –
Is anyone using one of these yet?  If so.  Pros?  Cons?

Read on Escapees' the other day that it will only work with the new Dish VIP 211k receiver.  Not sure if that's true but worth checking if you were planning to use it with a different (older) receiver).

Receiver VIP 211 K - Escapees Discussion Forum

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Quote from: Jerry & Coleen –
Is anyone using one of these yet?  If so.  Pros?  Cons?

Read on Escapees' the other day that it will only work with the new Dish VIP 211k receiver.  Not sure if that's true but worth checking if you were planning to use it with a different (older) receiver).

Receiver VIP 211 K - Escapees Discussion Forum

Michelle

Yes, I did order a VIP 211K off of ebay. I ordered one but two came so no complaints. Was $114 as I remember. It works well at home and on the road. I just set up both for home use but unplug and move one to the U300 for trips.

Dish does have another HD receiver but best to call them about compatibility.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #4 –
I have one but only downloaded the software and had it listed on my account.  So I did get to see it in action and check every thing out before turning it off.  That is the nice part of the tailgater.  When we leave on our southern trip this February, I can call them up and tell them to turn it on.  And because it is set up on our account it will only cost us as a extra receiver (or DVD is using a external hard drive) on our home Dish account.  I will lose my locals on the Tailgater setup while traveling.  But they said when we get down to Florida to call and tell them where we are and they will switch our account to receive the locals from there.  But we will lose our locals at home so if set up to record something on locals we will not  get it.  You could chose to get the east west networks instead. But that can get complacated with billing.

The one down side is difficulty of receiving the 129 bird when in the northeast.  Draw a line from Erie, Pa to Wilmington NC, and everyplace east of that line you will have difficulty receiving, or not receive the 129 bird.  What does that mean to you?  I think it means you may lose the ability to receive some HD stations when in that area, but you will still receive them in SD.  Here is what Dish says "Your television programming is delivered from up to 3 satellites located at the 110°, 119°, and 129° west longitudes.  The Tailgater will automatically find and then switch between satellites as you change channels to offer you the ideal viewing experience.

Due to the low look angle for the 129 satellite in the northeastern region of the United States, you may experience difficulty viewing programming from the 129 satellite while in the northeastern region.  (Programming from the 110 and 119 satellites should still be available.)"  This was quoted from the Tailgater's users guide - www.dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/tailgater/tailgater-userguide.pdf  and here is another Dish resource for the Tailgater - EKB: Tailgater Dish. 

If you have problems getting set up when dealing with the Dish Customer Support people, I posted a phone number a while back which you can contact the old Dish RV support people.  That RV support unit had been done away with, but the number will still put you in touch with people that can help with RV support issues.  They seem much more knowledgeable than the regular customer service folks at Dish.  It is 888-309-0370.  But start out with the regular number that is listed in your tailgater manual,  1-800-333-DISH (3474).  Another place I have found help with Dish Network is over at DBSTalk.Com.  It is a satellite resource forum where you can actually talk to Dish Customer Service people.  They can actually help your out with Dish Network problems.  And there are also Direct Customer Service people there too!  Really a cool resource for trouble shooting a receiver or antenna.

Oh, the Tailgater is a VuQube 2500.  But no body will tell you that
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #5 –
I just noticed on another site regarding receiver compatibility: " THEY WORK WITH THE 211, 411,& 211K RECEIVER FOR DISH NETWORK"

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #6 –
Thanks everyone.  I was thinking of installing a Traveler on the roof, but we want to upgrade our U240 to a U300 next year.  I am using a dish on a tripod.  Hard to aim and have to store it on the bed when moving.  I think I will order one when we get back to Texas this month.  We have sat hookups in our port at home.  I have VIP722K and VIP222K receivers now.  I want to put both receivers in the house.  The 211K would live in the coach.  I assume the 211K would work off my regular sat dish on our house and off the cube when traveling.
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #7 –
Yes and Yes. Traveler is AWESOME - and Dish very easy to do business with.

ONly drawback of 211K is $40 one time charge and and cos external hard drive to make VP211K into DVR. Can only record one ting at a time - and only watch that channel or prior recorded content while recording.

You will love the traveler.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Jerry & Coleen –
Thanks everyone.  I was thinking of installing a Traveler on the roof, but we want to upgrade our U240 to a U300 next year.  I am using a dish on a tripod.  Hard to aim and have to store it on the bed when moving.  I think I will order one when we get back to Texas this month.  We have sat hookups in our port at home.  I have VIP722K and VIP222K receivers now.  I want to put both receivers in the house.  The 211K would live in the coach.  I assume the 211K would work off my regular sat dish on our house and off the cube when traveling.

Yes, if you have the triple LNBF (110, 119 and 129) on your HD Dish, it will work fine on a 211K and in addition, any legacy receivers. This is the receiver/LNBF combination we  have at home for use on Dish Network.

We bought two Dish Turbo HD dishes with the triple LNBFs so we could take one along with us. $65/each new from a Craigslist "out of his house" supplier in Sacramento.

The dish is too big to lug along most of the time so we use the VQ1000 VuCube but have to use the remote to get over to 129 as it will not store three satellites. The VuCube VQ1000 does HD on Dish Network or SD on Direct TV. Going to sell the VQ1000 as we don't use Direct TV and would like an automatic setup like the Tailgater VQ2500 has.

New VQ2500 Tailgaters are about $370 plus shipping on ebay. Some supplier will add a 211K receiver for an additional $99.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Dish Network Tailgater

Reply #9 –
I envy you guys with deep basements!!!  I packing up for a trip and will have to haul my Tailgater inside the coach or the toad.  Will probably end up in the toad.  No way can I fit in inside the basement without putting it on its side, and I don't think that is a good idea!!!

Oh, and a word of warning concerning the Tailgator.  Tie it down with bungie cords or something when it is in use.  Heard of one that blew away when it was windy.  Put it out of comission while waiting for warranty work.
1994 U225
build #4514