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ozmen

Hi Guys.....

Pretty new to this so your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

It seems to me I have a choice:

a) Use my TV that has inbuilt freeview tv and stick a decent "freeview" aerial on the roof to watch tv.

b) Opt for a portable sat camping system such as one i have seen in Maplins and forget about the aerial I have on my roof. (I have seen this one in Maplins:)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48737&DOY=14m10

Guys/Gals.... what are your thoughts on my options and can someone have a look at the system i have seen in Maplin and tell me if i am looking at the right kinda thing please.

Thankyou so much

Oz xxxxx

Zebedee · Moderator

Hi Oz

My opinion only of course, but I would not buy the Maplin kit you linked to. My friend bought one, and has now almost given it away and got a decent Maxview kit instead.

(The Maplin ones do work well enough, but they are obviously made down to a price, and you gets what you pays for - but convenience is not included!! Sad

)

Being a lazy old sod, and having an intense dislike for firtling around outside in the freezing rain, I went for a Maxview Crankup (which mounts permanently on the roof) - and am very pleased with it.

Not cheap (look

gaspode · Moderator

The answer to this one really depends on what you want from your TV. If you're happy to take a chance on whether a terrestrial signal is available or not then by all means use Freeview but do bear in mind that if you're wanting to get "away from it all" or go overseas, then Freeview signals are likely to be few and far between.

With a satellite however you're guaranteed excellent reception virtually anywhere in the UK and most of Europe.

Like Zebedee I'd recommend a Maxview Crankup dish as the best bet but the Maplin set-up will work just fine if you have a little patience. The best bit of the Maplin system is the receiver, it's worth buying the kit just for that alone. On the other hand if you just want a receiver just look

robrace

It's true you get what you pay for but I bought a 12v Satelite dish and receiver from Aldi for £49 which works well even in Northern France.I thought it would be a pain setting it up but bought a compass and get good results most times.Getting freeview is still a pain in a lot of areas.It will get better of course!

wynthesurfer

Hi again Ozman 1 I bought the Aldi Sat setup about 6 months ago (£59.99 3 year guarantee) and after having a nightmare setting it up at first can now do it in about 5mins,I have freeview built into my TV but had problems getting a good signal even with a large suction type aerial so dont bother with it now.I remember giving you some advice on what TV to buy (wedodigital) did you get one ? I have had no trouble with the Sat system and do an autosearch every month for new channels then save them in favourites.
Wyn.

StAubyns

I bought the Maplins Sat in a suitcase - works fine at home.

Took it away, never used it (Can't be ars*d to set it up)

Maxview Crankup is on top of the list Very Happy

ozmen

Thanks so much for the ongoing advice guys.... i can see the best diretion is the sat setup..... the CRANK is a little steep ar just under £330..... was lookign for a £100 solution but i guess you get what you pay for....

This ALDI thingy..... is there an online store, cant seem to find one... or is it one of those mass stampede jobbies when they get 4 in stock and 100 people are camping outside overnight for them lol ?

Oz

tonka

Ozmen...
You will find that all these suitcase kits really come from the same place and are stocked by Maplins, Aldi, Lidl and Maxview....
The Aldi and Lidl deals are usually only done a few times a year.

As already suggested, go with the kit.. Dish is a little small for some applications but receiver is fine for a starter and you can always upgrade later to a bigger portable dishes or even the crank up Maxview. Plus I think you will learn the dish aligning art by have to adjust it all yourself..
Good luck..