TV, internet cheaper for boats and better now

[myblueheaven]

Finally, a flat phased-array dish( not the tall and expensive KVH model you may have seen for sale that tracks inside a tall 18 to 20 inch dome and is a fortune to buy), but a dish and 12 volt small receiver designed for cars, SUV's and RV's and they will also work on boats. Average cost I am seeing is 1800.00

The dish, is actually very flat( like a pancake) and designed to bolt to the roof of a SUV or car. Now also being marketed as a marine or RV compatible setup. Yes, in a car you can go around turns, up hills and down hills and the reception is great. So i figured it might be good for a boat. Not so good when your boat is heeled hard over obviously or the mast is in the way of the southern sky. But on the hook or in the slip or sailing/cruising on-plane or flat( not heeled) the signal should be OK.

It is KVH's latest array. the A5 Here is what one of many salesmen have emailed me...

( in answere to my boat compatability and short comings for marine use)"...To answer your first question, in calm water and/or docked at a slip you should have no trouble with the tilt and awe. The antenna is able to track the signal even when a vehicle is moving up and down inclines. We went as far as doing sharp radius donuts in an empty Walmart paking lot at speeds of 25 MPH and pulling .70 of a G. The signal was still locked on and picture and sound were both crystal clear. We take our demo vehicle to shows and at speeds over 90 MPH the signal stays locked on and crystal clear. Only under 6 lane overpasses do we ever experience short losses of signal but it will lock right back on to the signal because it is a constant tracking antenna just like the big KVH domes. It is also servo driven but the guys at KVH run the power for the servo through the RG6 Coaxial cable, brilliant idea so now there is only one wire that hooks the antenna to the reciever, no extra power cables to run to it. I don't know at which point the motion of open water running it would loose it's tracking, but at the dock or driving slow in calm water you should not have a problem as long is there is nothing above you blocking the signal. You will have to use DirecTV for service but if you have it at your house you can add it to you boat for just $4.99 a month. As for the internet,if you check out www.kvh.com you will see that the A5 is capable of receiving the Internet data but just like all other KVH antennas you will still need the Tracphone 252 or better to be able to receive and send phone and data streams. KVH invented this product for consumer vehicles but I get more buyers from RV and Marine than for personal vehicles. KVH has noticed this and you know see them advertising the A5 for RV and Marine. I guess they catch on quick. I hope this has been helpful,please do not hesitate to ask if you have anymore questions.
Tait@Eliteautosports.com

$1800 for TV, no way, but for internet access? Maybe! At least that could be written off as a business expense. (Yea, I'm cheap)
One thing about satellite internet. I have been told that it is fast on downloads, but very slow on uploads.

[Strygaldwir]

I have to agree $1800 for a TV antenna! I have not really watched TV for a year now. I REALLY don't miss it. It just takes about 10 minutes of watching the drivel they put on to say, Gee I am glad.

But, I do have to have my internet connection.

[CaptainK]

Hell! Just stock up on some DVD's they're good. And do not take up that much room. And alot cheaper. I own over 100 movies. And I bet I could right now make them all fit on baord a boat.

Regards,

Kevin
CaptainK

[myblueheaven]

I didn't mean to suggest that TV is what you should be watching all the time while on your boat, but mearly to suggest that for those that wish to have the TV slash- internet entertainment or news and even business's that may require this new medium, this is a step closer to better than what we had before.. I am a TV producer/writer so obviously TV is important to me. I also have two ONLINE business's that I run so the internet is important. But another major consideration for purist might be that internet communications is cheaper than mail and phones, and private compared to radio ( cell/satelite old style or ground long distance). Lastly. For the suggestion that one can buy/rent DVD's for ones entertainment...sure you can, if you are at a slip and close to the rental store. Or have a good supply of DVD's onboard for watching and re-watching. Or here's any idea: Connected to the internet you can watch any movie anytime from a pull-down menue in the future while in any part of the world ( soon to come) or for now DirecTV or dish network. What? No body else is into sports! Have you not seen what's on Satelite?

Still don't need it? OK, then how about just for viewing the giant Hurricane coming your way that CNN etc. is broadcasting every 5 minutes. A nice big color moving image of it and your part of the world. Oh forget it. You either embrace technology or not. You either like some TV or not. I am an avid reader but due to the weight and sheer volume of the books I can go though I have to keep cycling them off the boat when read. When you turn on the TV/internet, you don't take on a hundred pounds so it is a good diversion. Hey...I gave up drinking. I demand to still have a vice. TV is it for now. And unlike a wife or girlfreind, the monthly fee is managable and I can turn it off when i'm done!

No critisizm there, just observations. If it did not interest me, I would not have researched it to the degree I did.
Now, a spouse remote. That would be an advancement
Unfortunately, my wife agrees.
Good point about the hurricanes. It would be quite the benefit to be able to watch the weather channel while sailing in the Carribean or the Gulf. Kind of like the GPS of weather predicting.
Hadn't thought of that one.

[CaptainK]

Yeah. Good vice. But, I don't like sports. Sports suck. Never did liked sports. If I wanted to see sports. I'd stick to regular TV.

Now, the idea of watching TV, for a hurricane. That's a ok idea. But, for now. The reception of some satellite channels is not that great. Unless you have a special tracking device, that keeps your freakin satellite dish locked onto a satellite? I'd think I'd stick with a weatherfax machine. Or a radio that picks up weather channels?

My vice is simple. If you don't want a nagging wife/girlfriend. Dump her. If you don't want to be overweight. Go jogging around a marina or a park. Or go join a health club. Be active. Active people lose weight alot faster, than those who sit on their behinds, watching TV.

Regards,

Kevin
CaptainK