Applied Instruments Introduces new AI Turbo S2 Meter!

[Scott Greczkowski]

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!

 

[skysurfer]

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

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I will talk to Scott Haywood tomorrow and ask him.

What is a DVB-S2 VCM type signal?

 

[goaliebob99]

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.

 

[rocket69]

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

 

[Magic Static]

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

 

[rjruby]

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?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

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.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

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

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

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

And I got an answer for you as well.

I do not anticipate that we will be able to offer any type of an upgrade/trade-in price for those who presently own a SuperBuddy.

The SuperBuddy is still a good meter. For those that own a Super Buddy satellite meter now, 1) Applied Instruments doesn't purchase any used instruments, but if you have to sell it to get funds to buy the new meter, I'd recommend posting it for sale on the SatelliteGuys classified ads or eBay or Craigslist or 2) You can contact companies that purchase used test equipment (such as PTL Test Equipment) to see if they're interested in buying your Super Buddy meter or 3) For those that can afford it, keeping their Super Buddy as a 2nd meter is always nice, too.

Thanks to Tom & Scott Haywood for all the info on the new Meter! I know its something a lot of us have been waiting for!

 

[ParaclipseCKu]

The Noaaport signal on SES-1 is DVB-S2 VCM.

 

[ZandarKoad]

I've never heard of an S2 signal, and probably never will be looking for that...

But they've finally put in the Li-Ion batteries!! Whoo hoo! Also, it's 4.4 amps versus Super Buddy's 3.0 amps. That will mean much longer operational time between charges. But for some reason the new meter is 10% heaver... Meh, not really an issue.

The operational temperature range has dropped 20 degrees on the low end, so hurray for any suckers installing in that kind of weather. On the down side, they've dropped the high end of the operational temperature range from 125 to 120. I do know from personal experience bad things happen when you leave a Super Buddy in the sun on a roof on a hot day for more than 30 seconds... Nothing really new there.

Good to see Applied come out with a new flagship product. Good company.

 

[skysurfer]

The Noaaport signal on SES-1 is DVB-S2 VCM.

yep, that's one of them. Several on Ku-band too. Internet service data streams.

I was just curious the utility of this meter if one was an internet service by satellite installer. The answer is that it might not be useful in some situations -- if the video signals on some of the internet service sats goes away leaving just the internet service DVB-S2 VCM signals, you won't be able to lock onto anything to peak the downlink dish.

 

[Magic Static]

I see Sadoun is allready taking orders for this meter.

 

[Magic Static]

So have these meters made it to the stores? Anybody own one yet? Anyone seen one yet?

 

[navigates]

I want to buy it on Amazon. Can't find it there. Will wait for few weeks and keep checking amazon.

 

[AcWxRadar]

I have a Super Buddy and I can certainly attest to the value of this meter. If the quality of the new meter is anything like the Super Buddy, there is no doubt that it is worth it. I do not work at satellite installations for a living, I merely help others (friends and neighbors) maintain the peak alignment of their dishes and set up a few second-home or cabin outlets for them. Mainly, the Super Buddy was for me to use for my own pleasure and had a lot to do with setting up my Wild Blue internet system.

I don't think that I would trade my Super Buddy meter in or resell it somehow to obtain funds to purchase this new meter regardless if either option was available or beneficial. Not being in a business enterprise, that just wouldn't make logical sense for my personal purposes. However, if I did not own this Super Buddy and wanted to purchase a meter, I truly believe that I would purchase this new model.

Knowing the quality and benefits of the Super Buddy meter and the exquisite support and service from Applied Instruments and Tom and Scott, who have helped me directly and personally, I can attest to value of their products.

Obviously, because of the price, these meters are not intended for backyard use by a general TV watcher who wants to set up their own DIY dish system. Since I am not much more advanced than a home DIYer, I really didn't require the Super Buddy. But, I am certainly pleased that I did purchase it. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat. With all the options and versatility available, I honestly could have gone into business for my self
almost on the merits of this meter alone.

I cannot believe how many folks have benefited from this meter and my service to them with this meter and that is just from a backyard dish farmer.
If a person were truly doing this for a living, I would state implicitly that it would be a must. Now, with this new meter available, I would give my recommendation on it without even testing it myself. That's how much I trust (and value) Applied Instruments, their products and their support.

Kinda like Scott stated earlier, I am not promoting Applied Instruments simply because they are a sponsor here. And they are not paying me to promote their meter(s). I paid them in fact, since I bought one of their meters at a cost of about $700 and after using it for at least 5 years, I am definitely biased! It's damn good.

There is one drawback that I did find with the Super Buddy meter, but it is not a defect with the meter and maybe that has been resolved with this new meter. Some of the DirecTV LNB arrays are major power drains on the meter's battery. The Super Buddy's battery doesn't live long on some DirecTV LNB array models and a few versions absolutely require the DirecTV IRD to supply power for the LNB array and you cannot utilize the battery power of the meter alone. I didn't know this until I tried it. The local DirecTV tech explained it to me as he had the same meter as I did. I managed to operate it with his advice and get my neighbor's cabin installation completed.

RADAR

 

[AcWxRadar]

So have these meters made it to the stores? Anybody own one yet? Anyone seen one yet?

Just go direct to Applied Instrument's link in the sponsor area at the top of the page.

Don't forget, they also have excellent training videos on all of their products and satellite technology in general and a few applications for special installations.

RADAR

 

[AcWxRadar]

Applied Instruments - model AI Turbo S2 - DVB-S2 Satellite Meter

http://www.appliedin.com/www/services_and_support/education_videos.html

 

[Magic Static]

Well I'm thinking I want one. But unless there is an incentive offered right now, I'll wait for the spring weather.