Satellite Antenna

blrdck · April 14, 2018

I have been reviewing this forum and haven't seen this question addressed directly. I am getting ready to purchase a stationary automatic Dish satellite antenna. I have a Dish VIP211K receiver in the RV using only one TV with a hard drive for taping. I am looking at the Winegard PL7000 Playmate and Pathway X2. One is about twice the price of the other and I cannot see the difference. Is one better than the other, if so why.?

whj469 · April 14, 2018

I have the 211K receiver, a Wally receiver and the Pathway X2. I leave it up all summer in the UP of MI. I wouldn't want to set it up every few days. Good Luck

Twotoes · April 14, 2018

Don’t know anything about the Playmate but I had a Pathway X2 when I had a 5th wheel. It is not a stationary dish it is a portable dish. It works GREAT. I also had a 211k with an external hard drive. If I was going to be parked somewhere for more than a week I would put the X2 on the roof, otherwise I just put it on the ground. Either way it worked.

Dutch_12078 · April 15, 2018

The X2 is capable of using either Dish satellite arc, increasing your aiming opportunities on sites with trees or other obstructions. There are also a number of east coast areas where the local channels are eastern arc only. The Playmate is a western arc only dish.

LindaH · April 15, 2018

If I were going to get a dome antenna that worked with Dish, it would be the Pathway X2 for the reason that Dutch mentioned. I believe the X2 also has a larger dish inside the dome than the Playmaker, making for better reception.

However, you're going to have a problem taping programs with your hard drive (or any DVR-type receiver). A dome antenna only has one LNB, so it can *see* only one satellite at a time (although it can toggle between the three). What that means is that you can watch a program while taping another only if those two programs are on the same satellite.

blrdck · April 15, 2018

I am going to use it on a tripod, not roof mounted.

Twotoes · April 15, 2018

What that means is that you can watch a program while taping another only if those two programs are on the same satellite.

Or you watch a prerecorded show while taping another on any of the three satellites.

DKRITTER · April 17, 2018

A few years ago we bought a Tailgater which is the predecessor of the Playmate and the reception was poor. We took it back and got the X2 and were happy with it.

The X2 dish is about twice as big as the playmate dish and you can get the eastern arc when needed.

whj469 · April 17, 2018

I would not want to set up the Pathway X2 every few days. Someone above stated that the Pathway is portable and it is but not as portable as say a Tailgater, I also have one of those.

Good Luck

Dutch_12078 · April 17, 2018

I've watched folks setting up X2's, Tailgaters, and other dome models many times, and I really can't say that I saw any significant difference in the effort involved.

Twotoes · April 18, 2018

11 hours ago, whj469 said:

I would not want to set up the Pathway X2 every few days. Someone above stated that the Pathway is portable and it is but not as portable as say a Tailgater, I also have one of those.

Good Luck

There is no difference setting up the Tailgator vs the Pathway X2. I have set up the X2 numerous times for 5 years. You just place it on the ground, or on your roof, attach the coax cable, plug the other end of the coax into the receiver ( the X2 is powered via the coax cable so no power cable is required) and it will search for the satellite 🛰. You can even buy a small tripod to place it on if you want to.

whj469 · April 18, 2018

Yes I have the tripod for mine. There is a big difference between a Tailgater, which I have also, and the Pathway X2. One receiver for the Tailgated, one cable and you have TV. I unpack the Pathway X2, unlock it, place it in the tripod, secure the tripod to the ground and level it. Two cables and you have two TVs. It takes me at lease 10 times the time to setup the Pathway X2 compared to the Tailgater. That is why I don't use the Pathway X2 for a day or two. I take the time to set it up for the entire Summer. If you don't think that there is a difference maybe you have never done it!

blrdck · April 18, 2018

I have a good tripod and will be setting it up for long periods of time. My question was the difference in the capability of the X2 compared to the others. I have a regular dish now and it makes me forever to get locked in on the satellite. Looking for a better way.