Help regarding purchase

[charly]

ok ... I'm all set to make the big step! I've spent a few days searching prices etc and found tihs site -> http://www.dvb-shop24.net - are they reputable? Prices seem very good - Is the 110cm Triax motorised setup that they have up to the job? I was planning on getting this along with the Dreambox 7025 - does that cover everytihng I need? Thanks again...

[BGonaSTICK]

I've bought a few bits from there, and they seem OK. They advertise on some of the bigger sites, and I've not heard anything bad about them.

I guess you've checked all of the other well-known places, like satstore.co.uk, satellitesuperstore.co.uk, spectrum-skytv.co.uk etc?

We're not affiliated to any store, but I notice satellitesuperstore are doing the 7025 for £399 INCLUDING delivery, and their after-sales service is superb.

It's all down to personal choice of course, but I wouldn't think twice about spending the extra £100 and having the disk fitted up front. They're not that easy to get afterwards, and as you'll have to break the seal on the case to add one, you will void your warranty. The disk adds so much more value to the Dreambox IMO, and I wouldn't be without mine

The dish package you mention looks OK, except the LNB is maybe not quite as good as it could be, and you don't know what the mount is like. It also looks like you might end up with the Superjack motor, and I'm not sure if this is exactly the same as the Moteck, although it looks identical. Insist on the Moteck if you want to be sure.

Personally, I would get T&K brackets to mount a motorised system every time (see our guide - it tells you everything you need to know and buy, plus tools required etc).

I bought a pair of galvanised 12" brackets last week for £8 from TLC-direct.co.uk and they are excellent. You'll need a steel mast too, not aluminium if you go this route. only a few quid. You'll be glad you went this route, especially if you install yourself.

The Triax TD110 is the biggest you should go on the little DiSEqC motors though, and not above the roofline either.

You're going to love the Dreambox, and we'll give you all the help you need with it

HTH

STICK

[charly]

Thanks stick.The problem is my house is facing north and I don't want/can't mount a motorised dish at the front of the house.I have t brackers mounted on the wall at the back of the house and am going to mount a pole and the dish on top of this ??? facing the same way as the house?

[charly]

ok , I've taken some pictures of my very very very original astra dish that I setup to explain what I mean (20 years lol it's still there!) I'm gonna take this down and put up the motorised setup the same way - will it work?

[BGonaSTICK]

OK, I'm concerned about that.

Firstly, I think that based on your location that you DO need a 1.1m dish as opposed to an 80cm or 90cm dish.

It's also my opinion that based on your mounting restrictions, that what you are proposing is not a good idea.

Your existing bracketry will not be strong enough, and a DiSEqC motor is not really up to the job in this situation.

Other people will disagree with me, but I can only give you my opinion. Some folks will say that what you're proposing has been done many times before with no problems, but I can tell you that there are many installations like that which have failed too.

IMO you need a much stronger mount, like the specially designed 'North Facing' wall mounts sold by Satellite Superstore half way down this page:

http://www.satellitesuperstore.com/gstands.htm

I also think that you need a 36V motor (an actuator type on a polar mount is the cheapest option, and is available for the Triax TD series dishes) if you want a reliable setup. You would also need a VBOX in this case to interface to your Dreambox. Mount £50, actuator £30? VBOX £45?

You might choose to go DiSEqC anyway, and that's a risk that might be worth taking. The worst that's going to happen is that you shred your motor in a gale-force wind. 36V is the way to go though. More expensive, but much stronger.

If you want to take a chance, you could trash four DiSEqC motors for the price of the 36V solution, but you will have the setup overhead x 4 as well.

The choice on motors is yours, but please go for a really strong mount (with a three inch pole, not two in this case) or you could be responsible for a serious injury if your dish comes down and hits somebody.

Probably not the news you wanted to hear, but at least it's still feasible.

STICK

[charly]

ok , I had a good look through satellite superstore and they seems to have everything I need.That north facing stand is fantastic and exactly what I need.I'll grab the 7025 complete with Funke 1m motorisded setup , ie 36v motor etc. Is the 1m Funke ok for me you think?

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, that looks good value as a package.

Nice motor, and it includes the new VBOXII.

I've only heard one slightly poor report on the Funke dish, but the fact that it's alloy (and therefore lighter than steel) is good. The size is probably OK at 98cm (the Triax is 105cm) but it might just struggle on one or two of the weaker satellites/beams. Will certainly do the vast majority OK.

You could ask their advice on whether to go for a 2" or 3" mounting pole. I think it really comes down to how long it needs to be to see over your roof.

Good luck, and make sure you give us a running commentary on your progress!

STICK

[charly]

I sure will stick and thanks a million for the great advice.