New Cheap Receiver
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I don't own one but I think several of the people here have the Fortec Mercury II and seem to like them, all of the sponsors at the top of the page carry that model.
Here is a review thread:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/fta-mpe...2-complete-review-fortec-star-mercury-ii.html
edit: The Visionsat IV-200 is another one, might be over $100, but I really like mine, it also has PVR capability. Here is the review for that one:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/fta-mpeg2-equipment-reviews/101350-visionsat-iv200-pvr-plus.html
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Reminds me of something they taught us back when I worked at the rocket tank factory....there's fast, good, and cheap. You cannot have all three, just isn't humanly possible, so realistically you get to pick only TWO.
But to answer your question, save a few extra pennies and get yourself a Visionsat. Its 'good enough'. I didn't like mine, but the person who bought it from me likes it immensely. They update the firmware when needed, also. Something not many manufacturers do.
Check out our gold sponsors for all your needs, BTW. they help Scott keep the lights on in here. :up
I honestly like the Traxis 3500, it's small, fast and user friendly. I've seen the prices anywhere from $75.00 to $120.00, depending where you look. I learned years ago that you get what you pay for, so it's better to shell out a few extra dollars for quality.
I have both the Merc II ( 2 of them) and the VisionSat iv200. The Merc has the better blindscan , in my opinion, by a long shot, but I prefer to watch TV on the VisionSat ( plus it is a PVR). If I had to have just one, it would be the Merc . Fortunately , I don't have to choose.
I agree
Just to reinforce . . .
The Traxis 3500 has gotten many positive comments from users.
It had been down in the $70 range at one time.
Since it got a firmware upgrade, it holds its value a little better , but still under $100.
I don't have one, but from all reports, I don't think you can go wrong.
The Fortec Star Mercury II receiver has been a leader for several years.
I was lucky enough to score one last year from a dying dealer in Canada for well under market price (maybe $70?).
They've gotten good factory support , and with recent price decreases, are easily found in the $90 range.
I'll also agree with the posts above on the Visionsat IV-200 receiver.
If you can't get it for $100, it's probably still worth the delta.
I'd used mine with a 60gb laptop drive (in an external USB-powered enclosure) and was very happy.
Recently, I auditioned two competing under-$100 500gb USB drives, and kept one that cost $79.95.
It's a hell of a fine system.
As for what I personally use, see my signature.
And yes, "2X" means I have two of 'em. -
Just to reinforce . . .
The Traxis 3500 has gotten many positive comments from users.
It had been down in the $70 range at one time.
Since it got a firmware upgrade, it holds its value a little better , but still under $100.
I don't have one, but from all reports, I don't think you can go wrong.
The Fortec Star Mercury II receiver has been a leader for several years.
I was lucky enough to score one last year from a dying dealer in Canada for well under market price (maybe $70?).
They've gotten good factory support , and with recent price decreases, are easily found in the $90 range.
I'll also agree with the posts above on the Visionsat IV-200 receiver.
If you can't get it for $100, it's probably still worth the delta.
I'd used mine with a 60gb laptop drive (in an external USB-powered enclosure) and was very happy.
Recently, I auditioned two competing under-$100 500gb USB drives, and kept one that cost $79.95.
It's a hell of a fine system.
As for what I personally use, see my signature.
And yes, "2X" means I have two of 'em. -
I have the fortec Mercury II and love it, its an awesome receiver, and can be bought around the $75-$100 mark. its bare bones though, its got blindscan, good motor controls, has support for usals, v1.2 and a good array of switch's (inc. uncommited switch's)
but not pvr, no hd, its plain jane, but man its a work horse.
but not pvr, no hd, its plain jane, but man its a work horse.
I'll vouch for the Visionsat, its a great box with most of the features you'd want (minus HD and DVB-S2, but then you won't get anything with those features for close to $100). The blind scan works well, I only wish it would display transponders as it finds them instead of having to wait until the entire scan is complete to see what it found. The channel editor (external software that runs on a PC) is also broken, but there is supposedly a fix in the works.
Mercury II gets my vote
I really like my Mercury II. The learning curve is easy and you'll be enjoying it the first night. I really like the blind scan, maybe not the quickest but it's great for hunting wild feeds. Can't tell you if other STB's are better for this is the only one I tried. All in all very glad I choose this one to start the hobby.
I really like my Mercury II. The learning curve is easy and you'll be enjoying it the first night. I really like the blind scan, maybe not the quickest but it's great for hunting wild feeds. Can't tell you if other STB's are better for this is the only one I tried. All in all very glad I choose this one to start the hobby.
As has been said before, the traxis 3500 is a great feed hunter and can be had cheap. It won't do any HD stuff but it has all the basics covered. Caveats would be that the abc news now channel stutters and is choppy, and it occasionally hangs when it scans some non DVB tp's. I've heard these issues have been corrected on newer models but I can not confirm. I would also recommend trying to find a used Coolsat 5000. It's not as fast of a blind scanner but I never had the issues mentioned above. You should be able to pick one up used in the $50-$70 range.
ghia,
I read the latest update to the Traxis 3500 takes care of the problem ABC News Now has. I have 2 Traxis 3500's and love them but I have not updated them yet to the latest.
I think this is the update Release 2008.05.13 P - Operating Software May 13, 2008 Important Note: Use the software and updates below if your DBS3500 has a "P" in the serial number.
Find the update here--> DMS International Software
I read the latest update to the Traxis 3500 takes care of the problem ABC News Now has. I have 2 Traxis 3500's and love them but I have not updated them yet to the latest.
I think this is the update Release 2008.05.13 P - Operating Software May 13, 2008 Important Note: Use the software and updates below if your DBS3500 has a "P" in the serial number.
Find the update here--> DMS International Software
I got lucky, I think and just picked up a new Coolsat 6000 for 22 dollars on clearance from a going out of business sale. Haven't hooked it up yet, but thought for that money I couldn't go wrong for another receiver.
Yea, no kidding! - :up
A CS 5000 or CS 6000 for $25, no shipping... that's a no-brainer.
It's a "so cheap you can give to a friend" sort of deal!
Yeah I wish there would have been a few more. I would have taken them all for family and friends.
This will probably go to my dad for him to play with now that he is retired.
This will probably go to my dad for him to play with now that he is retired.
Won't we all need to buy new mpeg4 boxes for Jan 1, 09 and what specs should he be looking for if we want something long term?
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