I'm thinking of installing a Datastorm, Motosat, or similar dish on my motorhome to give me satellite internet access while in Mexico over the winter. I've heard though that a dish on the roof will be a big waste of money if I can't get a clear sky shot to the satellite, and it has been suggested that a tripod based system is more practical, even allowing for the manual setup. Could I have the benefit of experience from those who have roof based systems? What percentage of the time are you unable to get a clear shot to the satellite? Do you think a tripod system is indeed more practical?
Ed,
we have had both and as far as I'm concerned there is no drawback to the roof mounted Motosat. In the 3 years we've had the 2 systems, we have never been in a spot that the motosat would not work by moving a foot or two. We started with the tripod system and it was a pain in the tush to set up and knock down, if the weather was the least bit bad, plus you had to have a space large enough to stow it. The price is a deal killer for many, but the company we bought from, Oregon RV Satellite, has some slightly used trade in models from an insurance company, for a very good price. Also, you can change satellites with Motosat, where with the tripod, you're pretty much locked into one satellite, which will not work for you between Canada and Mexico. Our TV is also fed with the same dish, which works better in Mexico than the smaller regular TV dish. PM me if you have anymore questions.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra LT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
Ed, I have a roof mount Motostat dish. Occasionally a tree will be in the line of sight. I have had to move to another site a time or two. All in All, it's great. When I get to my campsite. The first thing I do is level. Then turn on the dish and press the search button. By the time I am completly set up, the dish has locked on the sat.
I also have the automatic Datastorm unit mounted on my MH.
If you are the type of traveler that goes to a destination and stays for a month or months at a time, then the tripod mounted dish is the way to go. Much less dollars at about $1200 vrs the Datastorm at $4500 plus or minus.
If you are on the go every few days or every week, then the hassle of putting up the tripod system is a pain as mentioned. For these travelers, the Datastorm is the way to go.
With either system, you must be very careful from whom you purchase your system. There are good installers of the Datastorm and not so good. And with the tripod system, a good installer is the one that will thoroughly teach you all the ins and outs of setup. The systems are not plug and play. If things go badly for you, you must understand all the variables involved and in order to diagnose where the problem is....and generally it is operator error.
And with both systems, you must chose a vendor/installer that will be there for you to call should you not be able to get on line.
A good resource for the Datastorm system is www.datastormusers.com
This site also has excellent information for tripod users also.
Both systems use the same size dish, same modem, so the info is pretty universal...the Datastorm just automatically finds the sat you are assigned to...whereas you point the tripod system yourself to get on line.
Browse the datastorm forum and see who is posting and you get an idea
of who you might want to buy your system from.
If you send me a private message, I can point you to several I know that are good installer/dealers for both systems.
Dexter/Cherie
2004 40ft Dutch Star | Spartan Chassis | ISL 370 HP Cummins | Quad Slide Our Current Location
FMCA F306636 SKP 75602
I have a Motostat dish. I have never worked with a company that is so interested in payment and short on service. The dish has problems now
and hope to find an independent repairman.
AeroP
Harold, where are you at presently? Don at Oregon Satellite in Eugene is an excellent person for both repairs and installations. There are also good independents in Los Angels and Albuquerque, that I know of. I have never had a problem with my Motosat and I don't deal with the company, that is Don's job.
I no longer carry my tripod system but I did invest in a good compass/ inclinometer that lets me find a small hole in the trees. I have less than $500 in my tripod system and taught myself how to be on line in less than 15-20 minutes at $59/month home rate. I would start with a tripod system since you are going to be in one place and then if you use it often enough you can spend the money on a Motosat.
I have a roof mounted MotoSat F1 system. When I get to a campground I ask for a site with a clear shot of the southern sky.
I will some times ask if I can look at the camp sites and pick my own. I use a good compass and check to see if I can get a satellite shot before I pull into the site. I am in Burns Park in Little Rock AR. Trees all over the place. Very few places in this park where you can get a satellite shot out of, but checking and setting the MH in just the right spot, I have an opening thru the trees and am up and on line. I don't even carry my tri-pod unite with me any more.
(Don Marr of Oregon Satellite is a good person to contact and buy from) www.datastormusers.com
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