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Topic: In Motion versus Static (Read 847 times) previous topic - next topic

In Motion versus Static

Howdy, future neighbors.  I am a full timing, Foretravel wannabee who is trying to learn as much as possible before commiting an obscene amount of money to a new life style.  Therefore, I am asking the all wise, all knowing members of the Forum for advice on the question of whether an in-motion satelite system is a great improvement over the alternatives.  Is it easier to set up?  Does it really work that well when you're cruising down the road?  Does it work well with a DVR?  Any comments, opinions or observations will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #1 –
Bottom line-- what are you willing to pay to be able to have someone (NOT DRIVER) watching TV while on the road??

For us ZERO.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #2 –
I wanted HD, which precludes in-motion.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Bottom line-- what are you willing to pay to be able to have someone (NOT DRIVER) watching TV while on the road??

For us ZERO.

+1 from us. Also we really like HD (although on 19 and 22 inch HDTV sets it's probably not that much of a deal.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Ivan Snickleweed –
.............................Does it really work that well when you're cruising down the road?  Does it work well with a DVR?  Any comments, opinions or observations will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

 When we first purchased our in-motion system (1998), HD, Sirius  and XM radio were not options. 

We were particularly interested in the Music Channels to alleviate the need to constantly search for good FM stations as we travelled.  We still use it that way a lot today.

We infrequently make use of other in-motion channel availability, including trying to record programs, while in-motion.  Set up is "one push button easy" with any good system then and today, whether in-motion or static.

We have found, in 180K of travels, that for much of the South and most of the Southwest, an in-motion system works very well (few terrain and vegetation obstructions due to the high overhead angle of the satellites) and the parked reception is superb, provided the dish has a clear view of the (Direct TV) satellite (essentially parked over Texas).  One does have to keep the dome highly slippery (waxed/Wash 'n Waxed/whatever) to shed rain/moisture.  However, in the East and Northeast (satellites are only 10 to 15 degrees above the SW horizon), and especially on the odd numbered Interstates (North -South orientation) trees and terrain intermittently/frequently obscure lines of sight to the satellites, making in-motion reception maddeningly unstable (along with the dense population of overpasses). 

We have also learned to keep the in-motion system active, as we park, to know whether or not we were parking so as to receive or obscure satellite reception (a few inches often making all the difference in the world).
Today, we find XM far more reliable and rich in choice, nationwide, and we would opt for static, open-dish satellite reception, in order to reduce the number of instances that snow/rain/dew obscure satellite reception.
Since the majority of our travel is east of the Mississippi, the combination of an open/static HD dish (plus an XM Radio account) would be far less frustrating than an in-motion system.
FWIW,
Neal
 
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #5 –
Dish Network Tailgater for HD works well with automatic satellite finding. Fast to set up and cheap too. Traveling south of the border very far will require larger dish on a tripod as satellite footprint gets weak in a hurry but will take a lot longer to set up and is harder to store while underway. High Definition satellite  Ciel-2 (129) is over the west coast so marginal satellite dish setups may be frustrating if you are way back east.

Dish Network ViP 211K HD receiver also works as a DVR with external hard drive.

32" or larger 720p or 1080p TVs look GREAT in HD.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #6 –
We agree with Neal Pillsbury as our clear choice is Winegard HD open dish satellite antenna. With this antenna we were able to watch DirecTV 500 miles north of the border in Fort McMurray Alberta. Try that with a domed dish with its small LNB & reflector and its plastic signal reducing cover. In-motion antennas also have small signal strength reductions from the internal logic circuits needed to keep the antenna pointed while driving. Domed dishes have a clear advantage in very high winds and in-motion, that's it. We also have a lifetime XM-radio subscription for talk and music that we move from motorhome to Jeep. DVRs have been known to end up with damaged hard drives while driving, but I assume it is no different than using a laptop while driving. Only an open dish will bring in DirecTV HD broadcasts and only Winegard & Motosat make them. I think Winegard has a better track record between the two and can more easily be self-installed.

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Ivan Snickleweed –
Is it easier to set up?  Does it really work that well when you're cruising down the road?  Does it work well with a DVR?  Any comments, opinions or observations will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.
  We tried to use our in motion satellite while driving once or twice (well, my wife did!) and found that it lost the signal fairly often on the east coast or North east areas and would then go into the hunt mode.  After a few attempts we really never used it again while "in motion."  For me, having a TV on while driving is a big distraction as I just like to "listen" to my RV going down the road... always looking at gauges and other funny noises :)  Of course I only drive 200-300 miles between stops - out by 10am & parked by 4pm.  Never in a hurry.  That's what it's all about right?  Cocktail hour always starts at 5pm anyways...

Don't know about a DVR as we didn't have one, but one would work once stationary.  The automatic signal finding feature on ANY satellite system is a must have IMO.  Have fun deciding!  Heck, if you can afford it, get it!  It's a good selling feature later.

Our best TV discovery in 2008 was Red Box :)

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #8 –
We would listen to music with ours, or the weather channel if the weather was ugly.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #9 –
Use in motion to watch the weather channel when there were tornados where we were driving.  I also use it to record shows while we are driving.  We have only our local channels and we are east coast so when we are out west we can record our regular shows and when we are stopped for the night on the way home or when ever we are having a down time.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #10 –
We have used our in motion dish a few times to record as we travel.
Sometimes reception is iffy for satellite at some campsites. An in motion dish will tell you if you can pick up a signal before you level, hookup etc. Occasionally a few feet can make a difference.

Bob
2000 40 ft U270 CAI
Winter: Texas Rio Grande Valley or Foley, AL
Summer: The Gardens RV Community of Crossville, TN
2000 40 FT U270, Xtreme FBP
2017 C-Max Towed

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #11 –
Never had in motion, when the old Datron 3000 system (stationary auto dish) quit working took it off the roof. All I use now is a dish on a stand takes me 10 min to set up and nearly zero cost. 2-3K for auto sat system, change providers have to change systems, software updates on on some systems, then 9 out of 10 times when you get parked at the RV park  you end using a manual dish anyway because the trees are in the way.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #12 –
We had the in-motion on the east coast and returned it due to to many obstructions. We changed it for an auto find mounted on the roof that we don't use much as we like shade when we can get it. But our sling box almost allways works in motion or stopped and with my Verizon unlimited plan is free to operate. It is 3G and I am toying with switching to 4G but they don't offer the unlimited plan so we are analyzing the difference if we have to pay 10.00 for each extra gig over the 10 you get for 80.00. Where 4G is available it is supposedly 10 times faster. The 3G works fairly well most of the time but freezes sometimes. For sling box to be an option you need TV service at home or somewhere to sling from so for fulltimmers it may not be an option. For anyone who has a broadband card it is a great way to get TV on the road!
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #13 –
Well, I wasn't real good at the manual dish set up. But with the Wineguard traveler, I have had one instance in the three years where I couldn't get signal. (probably 35+ different campgrounds) I am amazed how the dish can be pointed at trees and still see all three Dish birds for full HD capability.

Like the saying goes, you pay your money and make your choices.
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: In Motion versus Static

Reply #14 –
Using an iPhone 3gs or better, this $1.99 app makes it a no brainer not only to find your satellite but see if buildings/trees are in the way. Has every communication satellite in the world on it but remembers the last satellite you used.

I checked all apps out and not only was this the best but also the cheapest: App Store - SatFinder

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

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #15 –
Quote
Using an iPhone 3gs or better, this $1.99 app makes it a no brainer not only to find your satellite but see if buildings/trees are in the way. Has every communication satellite in the world on it but remembers the last satellite you used.

It must vary depending on the design of the dish but an azimuth-only indicator of building/tree blocking is only the first step.

For DirecTV I use LNB's on a Datastorm unit. The arm the LNB's are on is the antenna. If I recall the number correctly, the satellite is 22 degrees or so in elevation above the arm. My point is the arm can be pointing right at trees but still have a clear view of the satellite.

You can see this in the photo in the following. The arm of the datastorm is pointing through the roof next door, but I did not realize at the time that it could still see the satellite fine because the signal was not coming in through the roof.

Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Paul Smith –
It must vary depending on the design of the dish but an azimuth-only indicator of building/tree blocking is only the first step.

For DirecTV I use LNB's on a Datastorm unit. The arm the LNB's are on is the antenna. If I recall the number correctly, the satellite is 22 degrees or so in elevation above the arm. My point is the arm can be pointing right at trees but still have a clear view of the satellite.

You can see this in the photo in the following. The arm of the datastorm is pointing through the roof next door, but I did not realize at the time that it could still see the satellite fine because the signal was not coming in through the roof.

Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

best, paul

Paul,

Quite right but the app I pasted has an entry for the measurements of the dish. Then you place the iPhone on the arm for the elevation. The iPhone camera is used in the app and you can see live, trees or buildings as well as the satellite as you move the iPhone/camera around. Once you see the satellite on the screen, you just move the iPhone a bit until it centers on the screen and the audio changes. As you view the satellite on the iPhone screen, you can also see if there are any obstructions in the way. Slick! I'm sure I have missed a little in my explanation but a look at the web site or the app home page. A truly amazing app for any price but especially for $1.99. A lot of satellite installers use it.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: In Motion versus Static

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Paul,

Quite right but the app I pasted has an entry for the measurements of the dish. Then you place the iPhone on the arm for the elevation. The iPhone camera is used in the app and you can see live, trees or buildings as well as the satellite as you move the iPhone/camera around. Once you see the satellite on the screen, you just move the iPhone a bit until it centers on the screen and the audio changes. As you view the satellite on the iPhone screen, you can also see if there are any obstructions in the way. Slick! I'm sure I have missed a little in my explanation but a look at the web site or the app home page. A truly amazing app for any price but especially for $1.99. A lot of satellite installers use it.

Great!  I'm glad they're doing it right.

But I doubt I'll use it.

For one thing, I'm not allowed on the roof.

For another, the Datastorm controller finds the satellite automagically ;o)

In fact, the modern controller first finds ANY satellite. If it's not the one it's looking for it knows how how to get to it in one fell swoop.

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element