Fortec Star problems

[BGonaSTICK]

I wouldn't be fobbed-off by the jumped-up little ****. How dare he suggest that you can't read the manual properly (even if you haven't!)

Write to the store manager, insisting that as far as you're concerned the equipment is faulty, and you want a full refund. Take the tone that you will not be backing down, and that you would like the contact details of the manager's boss if he doesn't feel empowered to provide your refund.

Just keep going up the ladder until you get what you want. I'm absolutely sure that sooner or later you'll get your money back.

Keep all paperwork, and a note of the dates and responses you receive. Be firm but polite. Any decent manager would have instantly refunded you.

[Unknown user #1]

Or, you may try other Maplin store. I bought it in one store and brought back to another - no issues.

Some of Maplin guys are definitely think they are the cleverest people in the world, when in reality they often haven't got a clue about stuff they sell.
I personally returned my Fortec to Maplin and last week I was in other store and some Asian-looking guy brought another Fortec (also Ultimate) back, claiming it didn't work with his setup. The Maplin manager just took his word for it and issues a refund immediately. I saw that because I was next in the queue

[ukscanking]

OK Took this back to Maplins today and swapped it for a ZAPBOX TWIN made by METRONIC

Cant find a damn thing on it.

It was new but box was already opened. Receiver is scratched on the front panel and also there is a sticker on the manualy (used manuals btw) that says "parts for A18FB"

Its a used or returned box.

I cannot tune into a thing. I asked if it has USALS it doesnt. Sats are preloaded and wont pick them up. I bleedin give up !!!!!!

Craplins

[ukscanking]

Another ?

If this goes back tomorrow to Maplins, the entire lot, then what dish size do I need to get the Hotbirds, Astras, and Hispasat satellites. Ideally the smaller the better for me but what size

THANKS AGAIN

[nanochickin]

80cm dish should do it mate.

Get your money back and look on ebay. You can find a new or used Technomate 1000 or 1500 that will do everything you want it to do. You should be able to get everything for about £130 -£150

The Technomate does DISEqC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and USALS and it is without a doubt one of the easiest boxes in the world to setup and use, and most importantly its easy to patch to get stuff open with it. I would also recommend the GlobalOrbit 80R dish. It will do Astra, Hotbird and Hispasat with ease

You should get away with a 60cm dish as long as its not one of the Sky Zone 2 dishes, but i would rather go with an 80cm setup as you will probably get 16e as well with it

I have 2 80cm dishes and get most of the stuff i want from them so you shouldn't have too many probs




Nano

[BGonaSTICK]

Well, I wouldn't buy anything else from Maplins, that's for sure. Get your money and go somewhere else.

If you're not motorising your dish, and you'll only be using a single LNB, the a 70cm dish will serve you well for the satellites you mention. If you wanted to get say Astra and Hotbird on one dish, I would go up to 80cm or even better 90cm in the UK.

Have a look at the Raven Gemini G90 dish, or the Triax TD88. Both have ready-made multi-LNB brackets to allow the reception of more than one satellite. Check out our Photo Gallery section for some inspiration, and ask before you buy.

LOL, beaten by Nano, but once I've typed 'em, I post 'em!

[Unknown user #1]

To give Maplin credit where it is due, friend of mine bought so-called portable kit off Maplins for 59 quid or so. It came with noname (not kidding - there are absolutely no labels on it) receiver, which is about as big as a pocketbook. It works pretty well, got very simple interface (it came with rubbish LNB, but still does the job).
Sadly, Maplin is the only well-known high-street retailer who bothered to stock satellite equipment. I guess that in London there is plenty of choice but in Midlands, apart from Wizard Satellites (who are quite good, actually) the choice is extremely limited.

[ukscanking]

Can you tell me then which of these two is the better deal? Both on eBay#

Ebay item numbers are

220084749390

And

250086957089

thanks again matey

[ukscanking]

Well they swapped the Fortec Ultimate today for a ZAPBOX TWIN made by Metronic.

I havent watched a single channel on it yet. I have all the chanells preloaded, no USALS on it at all. And even IF I go from turksat to Hotbird to Astra it doesnt move the dish.

[ukscanking]

The only problem I have with the dishes that have multiple LNB's is there is absolutely nobody willing to fit them. I oly found one person willing to do the motor set up. And he was a cowboy.