Advice on Satelite systems , KVH, Intellian, or Raymarine

[quincyscuba]

I am looking to move aboard and when I do I would like to have a satellite system that could provide Television and internet access. I know very little and would like advice from anyone who currently has service either with dish or direct. The pros and cons of these systems and what kind of range I could expect. Also is there a big difference between the KVH, Intellian, or Raymarine dishes. I will be on a 50MY(2 to 3 TV's) mostly in Florida and Bahamas, so this is area of most concern but interested how far south they would work.

Thanks

Rob

 

[bobk]

We use a KVH/DirectTV along the east coast and reception is fine. I've not been to the Bahamas, but hear it works in the northern part. Watch the DirectTV charges. They creep up! In the US, the new digital antennas work great and you might want to avoid the cost of DirectTV until you go to the Bahamas.

Bobk

 

[quincyscuba]

Any advice on a good digital antenna? I hadn't thought about using one while on anchor, the marina I am currently at has cable and I just never thought of antenna? But you are right the cost of satellite seems to go up just like cell phone charges. You open mail one day and think wow how did all this so expensive! and do I really need it!
Thanks

 

[Fanfare]

I have had a 24 in. KVH standard definition antenna with DirecTV for probably 5 years. Works fine in the US and as far east as Eleuthera, all of the Abacos, all Exumas down to Georgetown. Worked fine, even in fairly rough seas (wasn't watching, just testing!). Have not been farther with the KVH. I got the larger antenna just for this purpose. Check their website, they give reception areas for the various diameter dishes, bigger is farther. About three years ago at a boat show their rep told me the newer HD antennas have even better range. Since my TV is only 24 in. I don't think I would notice any difference between SD and HD. I suspect that the future of SD programs sent via satellite is limited as more transponders are set to HD so I would buy an HD antenna, about $ 11,000 last time I checked. Because I already have it I will stay with my SD as long as I can and only upgrade when my movies are no longer available in SD.

This year I took my HD Tivo with a 2 gigabyte hard disc from home down with me. I could receive SD from the KVH antenna, and I had recorded more than 300 hrs. of movies from home on the hard drive. I really could not tell much difference. It has been some time since we last had a cold and rainy period aboard. But when it happens again I will be glad I have all those children's movies available for them.

 

[Bill Herrin]

For what it's worth, we just moved back to the US from just south of Guadalajara and we had Dish there because the SD came through with a usable signal with an 8 foot antenna. We never could get any signal from Direct until they changed their HD to 12 gigs and then we got a better signal than from Dish. The higher freq makes the receive antenna have more gain and boosts signal strength. I imagine that's true in the Bahamas as well since we're talking about being on the edge of the satellite footprint. Might be a good reason to consider HD from direct.

 

[sunset grill]

We have had two SD KVH Sat Dishes used with Direct, almost flawless in the states and around the Houston Galviston area. To go HD the cost jumps significantly, not that much difference to me but thats why they sell both. Good luck, Steve

 

[bobk]

Any advice on a good digital antenna? I hadn't thought about using one while on anchor, the marina I am currently at has cable and I just never thought of antenna? But you are right the cost of satellite seems to go up just like cell phone charges. You open mail one day and think wow how did all this so expensive! and do I really need it!
Thanks

I got a cheap digital antenna from Best Buy and it works OK. Friends with a Shakespeare seem to do better and are less inclined to loose the picture as the boat swings at anchor.

By the way, you can suspend DirectTV service for six mnths at a time if you are not out cruising (RVing).

Bobk

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Itellian HD is much cheaper than KVH. I have the small I2 and an using it with Dish but it will also work with Directv. Although this antenna works great here, I'm sure it would be too small for fringe reception.

 

[GJH]

We have used an SD KVH M2, Direct TV for the past 6 years. It doesn't reach very far east into the islands. One problem we have run into with a Direct SD system is that there is no longer a way to get local channels in some markets (such as New Bern/Greenville). I don't know to what degree that is true of Dish. We have always had Dish at our residences and rental properties and I wish I had ponied up the money and gone with a Dish compatible system on the boat, not doing so was a dumb mistake, cheaper in the short run but more expensive and frustrating now in the long run. Dish customer service is very good, and Directs is very poor. KVH has always been very helpful. Personally, I would pay up for the American owned and made KVH product over the Korean Intellian though Intellian owners seemed generally pleased if like most Americans, one's patriotism stops at one's wallet.

 

[SeaWhisper]

Just installed a KVH MK3 DX myself. Our service has been with Dish network for 5 years. Just picked up two more dish boxes for the boat. Our home is in Myrtle Beach, the Hat is located in Morehead City Yacht basin just behind George. No problems switching back an forth for local channels with no extra charge. As it was mention above I would look at KVH foot print for reception out side the us.

 

[quincyscuba]

Thank You very much for all of the input. I think I will look into the dish option because it is what we have at home and do like there service.

 

[R2]

Just installed KVH M3 Tracvision direct TV
KVH V3 IP Tracphone
Both operate well