Thread: Applied Instruments Introduces new AI Turbo S2 Meter!

Today at the SBCA Sky Forum online one of our Proud Gold Sponsors Applied Instruments introduced an exciting new product... one I have been waiting a long time for!

As you know Applied Instruments makes the Super Sat Buddy Satellite meter, a meter which until today I considered the best meter money can by. If you have ever used one you will know what I mean. For those who have never used one trust me when I say it is an amazing meter. I know many installers / retailers who laughed at the SuperBuddy because of its price... but now many of these guys swear by this meter because of the time and money it has saved them! (And believe me, I am NOT kissing their butt because they are a sponsor, I have used all of the popular meters out there and the Super Sat Buddy blows them all away and is the toughest meter out there!)

Anyways today Tom and Scott Haywood from Applied Instruments today announced their next generation meter which takes the Super Sat Buddy and improves it and most importantly adds a features a lot of us have been waiting for... DVB-S2 support!

Now if you are like me, you know how hard it is to tune in a S2 signal, the only way to do it is by trial and error or by bringing your TV and S2 receiver outside and then trying to find the S2 signals your looking for. With the new AI Turbo S2 meter you can just plug the meter into your LNB and aim.

The new AI Turbo S2 is also great for all kinds of installs and can power any LNB inclusing DIRECTV Swim (21 volt) and even WildBlue TRIA's at 29 volts!

Like the Super Sat Buddy its not cheap, the MSRP for the new AI Turbo S2 is $859 but if you have used a Super Sat Buddy you know the meter is well worth the price!

Scott Haywood has given me permission to post the spec sheet of the new meter here.

I can't wait to get my hands on a unit and report on it. Soon aiming for S2 will no longer be an issue!

Does it also lock onto DVB-S2 VCM type signals? the data sheet isn't that specific with regards to that.

I will talk to Scott Haywood tomorrow and ask him.

What is a DVB-S2 VCM type signal?

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

I will talk to Scott Haywood tomorrow and ask him.

What is a DVB-S2 VCM type signal?

VCM (Variable Coding and Modulation) and ACM (Adaptive Coding and Modulation) modes, which allow optimizing bandwidth utilization by dynamically changing transmission parameters.

im in love with the specs. wish i could get some hands on or even a user manual.

So I'm up for a "SATGUYS introductory special $759" for the first week/month. How about you Scott?

Originally Posted by Magic Static

So I'm up for a "SATGUYS introductory special $759" for the first week/month. How about you Scott?

How about an upgrade/trade-in price for those who presently own a SuperBuddy?

Originally Posted by skysurfer

Does it also lock onto DVB-S2 VCM type signals? the data sheet isn't that specific with regards to that.

Ok got an answer for you! (and a few questions too!)

Further research is needed, but I do not believe that the AI Turbo S2 meter is compatible with DVB-S2 ACM or DVB-S2 VCM signals.

I have a few of my own questions related to that question:

1) How wide is your target DVB-S2 VCM carrier (in MHz or Msps)?
2) What service provider's or broadcaster's signal or satellite do you need to lock onto with this DVB-S2 VCM signal type? I know of several DVB-S2 ACM transponders, but no DVB-S2 VCM transponders.

Originally Posted by rocket69

im in love with the specs. wish i could get some hands on or even a user manual.

And here is an answer for you from the AI team.

I'm glad to hear that you like the specs. We probably won't publish any additional information about the AI Turbo S2 meter (i.e. operation manual and application notes) until we start shipping the meters (probably in mid to late November). Compared to the Super Buddy meter, the AI Turbo S2 contains many small refinements that aren't really evident from any written spec.

I should add that Super Buddy users will adapt to the new AI Turbo S2 meter without a learning curve. Although many small improvements and refinements have been made, they are very similar in their style of operation