Satellite tv on boats?

codeman671 · 07-22-2009, 12:26 PM

Is anyone currently using a satellite tv setup on their boat? I am looking into it for a new boat we are picking up. Pro's? Con's? Brand used? Pricing?

Any help would be appreciated. Its a pretty large expense so I would hate to go into this uninformed.

My kids (and my own sanity) say thank you in advance

Blue Thunder · 07-22-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

Is anyone currently using a satellite tv setup on their boat? I am looking into it for a new boat we are picking up. Pro's? Con's? Brand used? Pricing?

Any help would be appreciated. Its a pretty large expense so I would hate to go into this uninformed.

My kids (and my own sanity) say thank you in advance

Although I'm sure there are folks who use them on boats I would caution you on the quality of the signal remaining good on a boat that certainly rocks from side to side even when docked. It doesn't take much to get a dish out of adjustment with the satellite and you wouldn't be happy with it when it does. Now, if you have the ability to mount it on a tripod on the dock, thats a different story. JMO.

BT

codeman671 · 07-22-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Although I'm sure there are folks who use them on boats I would caution you on the quality of the signal remaining good on a boat that certainly rocks from side to side even when docked. It doesn't take much to get a dish out of adjustment with the satellite and you wouldn't be happy with it when it does. Now, if you have the ability to mount it on a tripod on the dock, thats a different story. JMO.

BT

The marine dishes are meant to be mobile and auto track when under way so in theory it should not be a problem. I was just speaking with a KVH dealer who recommended the M3 for use when in motion.

krm · 07-22-2009, 02:22 PM

I would not worry about losing signal, used one on a SeaRay 420 AC, it tracks great, went through a storm heading from Naples to Key West, 6-8' swells heavy rain, really rocking, didn't drop the signal once, but in my case it needed the Generator on to operate, it is an older unit (time flys). New ones might not need a generator?

ishoot308 · 07-22-2009, 02:34 PM

Kingdome / King Controls makes an in motion auto tracking satellite dish that works great. I had one in my RV with no issues except in heavy rain when the dome got real wet. There is a spray you can buy to eliminate this however. Here is a link to their marine satellite products. http://www.kingcontrols.com/sea_king/

Good Luck!

Dan

VtSteve · 07-22-2009, 03:51 PM

Unless you're really into live TV which in the summer isn't really live anyway. Get yourself an iPod Classic and port it to the TV set. If that's not your thing, even a DVD player can accomplish the same sort of thing. I looked into Sat as well, and just found the cost prohibitive for what we'd use it for.

Blue Thunder · 07-23-2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

The marine dishes are meant to be mobile and auto track when under way so in theory it should not be a problem. I was just speaking with a KVH dealer who recommended the M3 for use when in motion.

Well, how about that...I learned something new, auto-tracking dishes. I'll go back into my hole now.

BT

hockeypuck · 07-23-2009, 06:33 AM

Last winter I was onboard a 70 foot catamaran in the Virgin Islands equipped with satellite tv system. The guys thought it would be pretty cool to watch some football while moored. Long story short, when the boat swung around on the mooring the mast would block the reception until we powered the boat to a different angle. Had to do this about every 10 minutes. If you don't have a sailboat you're probable fine.

codeman671 · 07-23-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Well, how about that...I learned something new, auto-tracking dishes. I'll go back into my hole now.

BT

The technology on these is pretty interesting. Many are HD capable as well, not that I really need Sprout or Noggin in HD...Expensive though, this venture looks to be about $5k installed for KVH. Now NESN in HD, thats another story...

ishoot308 · 07-23-2009, 10:27 AM

Codeman;

Did you see this portable unit offered by King Controls??

$2,300.00 and you could also use this at your camp or any place else you want. Nothing to install as it is portable. It also has in motion auto tracking.

Just an fyi.. There is a learning curve with any of these devices. The one in my motorhome worked great but did take a few trial and error fist pounding sessions to learn how to use correctly.

Good luck!

Dan

Lakepilot · 07-23-2009, 01:15 PM

We have a Kingdome in-motion sat. dish on top of our RV and it works great. It dooesn't like bridges or tunnels - it needs to see the sat. A lot of RVer's with sat. service in their homes, buy an extra box and put it in the RV without a phone connection. The extra box costs $5/month. If they don't have sa.t in the house then they'll have to pay for at least the basic rate plus the box.

I would look for a used in-motion dish. They're coming out with new ones to deal with HDTV and some folks are upgrading.

07-22-2009, 12:26 PM	#1
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,360 Thanks: 209 Thanked 764 Times in 448 Posts	Satellite tv on boats? Is anyone currently using a satellite tv setup on their boat? I am looking into it for a new boat we are picking up. Pro's? Con's? Brand used? Pricing? Any help would be appreciated. Its a pretty large expense so I would hate to go into this uninformed. My kids (and my own sanity) say thank you in advance

07-22-2009, 02:22 PM	#4
krm Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 39 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	work great I would not worry about losing signal, used one on a SeaRay 420 AC, it tracks great, went through a storm heading from Naples to Key West, 6-8' swells heavy rain, really rocking, didn't drop the signal once, but in my case it needed the Generator on to operate, it is an older unit (time flys). New ones might not need a generator?

07-22-2009, 02:34 PM	#5
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,925 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 4,937 Times in 1,913 Posts	Kingdome Kingdome / King Controls makes an in motion auto tracking satellite dish that works great. I had one in my RV with no issues except in heavy rain when the dome got real wet. There is a spray you can buy to eliminate this however. Here is a link to their marine satellite products. http://www.kingcontrols.com/sea_king/ Good Luck! Dan

07-23-2009, 10:27 AM	#10
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,925 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 4,937 Times in 1,913 Posts	VuQube Codeman; Did you see this portable unit offered by King Controls?? $2,300.00 and you could also use this at your camp or any place else you want. Nothing to install as it is portable. It also has in motion auto tracking. Just an fyi.. There is a learning curve with any of these devices. The one in my motorhome worked great but did take a few trial and error fist pounding sessions to learn how to use correctly. Good luck! Dan

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07-22-2009, 03:51 PM	#6
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Unless you're really into live TV which in the summer isn't really live anyway. Get yourself an iPod Classic and port it to the TV set. If that's not your thing, even a DVD player can accomplish the same sort of thing. I looked into Sat as well, and just found the cost prohibitive for what we'd use it for.

07-23-2009, 06:33 AM	#8
hockeypuck Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern CT Posts: 169 Thanks: 19 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Last winter I was onboard a 70 foot catamaran in the Virgin Islands equipped with satellite tv system. The guys thought it would be pretty cool to watch some football while moored. Long story short, when the boat swung around on the mooring the mast would block the reception until we powered the boat to a different angle. Had to do this about every 10 minutes. If you don't have a sailboat you're probable fine.

07-23-2009, 01:15 PM	#11
Lakepilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 446 Thanks: 70 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts	We have a Kingdome in-motion sat. dish on top of our RV and it works great. It dooesn't like bridges or tunnels - it needs to see the sat. A lot of RVer's with sat. service in their homes, buy an extra box and put it in the RV without a phone connection. The extra box costs $5/month. If they don't have sa.t in the house then they'll have to pay for at least the basic rate plus the box. I would look for a used in-motion dish. They're coming out with new ones to deal with HDTV and some folks are upgrading.