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nwflyboy

Last reply Dec 5, 2011 · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Newbie questions!

Alright boys, please be gentle - it's my first time and I'm just learning about all this stuff...

I've been getting by with a simple, basic setup using old technology for a long time: basic cable from Comcast feeding 3 older, analog TVs, and that's about it (well, there are a couple of DVRs, too, but Comcast has made those all but useless - that's another discussion). My experience with Comcast has finally pushed me over the brink, and I'm ready to move on to some newer technology (and a different provider).

Current configuration is TV#1 (downstairs), TV#2 (bedroom, upstairs) and TV#3 (office, upstairs). All have coax cable going to them. All TVs are analog (although working perfectly).

Here's what I'm contemplating:

Dumping Comcast (gleefully) and signing up with Dish (probably with their "Top 20" plan, which looks like it provides a bit more than what I was getting for a bit less).
Replacing one of the TVs (probably TV#1 but maybe TV#2) with a new, digital HD TV. We'll upgrade the other 2 sets at some point later.
Adding the current Dish offer for "free HD for life"
Adding one (I think) Dish DVR

So being a complete noob to all this, I have lots of questions. Hopefully they make sense...

How concerned should I be about "rain fade" (or if you prefer, "cloud fade")? I've read that sat signals get flakey or fail entirely under some weather conditions. I live in Seattle, and we do indeed get a bit of rain and clouds here (we're right in the heart of our annual Rain Festival, which runs from January 1 - December 31). Given the local atmosphere, what kind of reliability should I expect from Dish or any sat provider?
How many DVRs do I need? I want to be able to record programs (probably using TV#1) then play them back on TV#1 and maybe on TV#2 - how exactly does that work? Is there a remote for TV#2 (which is upstairs) that will work with the DVR attached to TV#1 (downstairs - that would be one heckuva remote)? Or do the units attached to TV#1 and TV#2 networked somehow, so you point the remote for TV#2 makes that unit pull the video feed from the unit attached to TV#1? Either way, there's got to be some sort of connectivity between the two units, no?
Can I choose which DVR/receiver unit(s) I get? Some folks seem pretty passionate about their gear, but it's not clear to me if they just give you what they have laying around on the loading dock (possibly an older, less capable unit), or if you want a specific unit if you can request (and get) that?
How involved is the installation/setup? This will be the first sat installation in my house (single family, in-city home), so of course they'll be up on the roof installing the actual sat dish. But beyond that, I'm not real clear: will they utilize the existing coax cable that was installed by Comcast, or will they need to run new cabling to all 3 sets? Is there any kind of hub or server? I know that there will be some new boxes (receiver/DVR), I assume one of those will replace my existing (Comcast-supplied) set top box on TV#1. How about the other 2 TVs - do they each get a box - or are there just cables from some centralized hub or server feeding the signals?
Does any of this stuff require an internet connection? I've been assuming that it doesn't (hey, it's satellite TV, it comes from space, right?), but I've seen some posts that reference internet connections. For the setup I'm contemplating, I'm not going to need a 'net connection, am I? I do have a 'net connection (otherwise I wouldn't be typing this...) but prefer not to use bandwidth for TV-related activities.

OK, now some really dumb questions about mixing HD and SD, digital and analog TVs, on the same system... Right now, we have 3 TVs, all analog. Concurrent with the switch over from Comcast to Dish, I'm planning to replace one of the old TVs with a new digital HD TV (probably TV#1 downstairs, but possibly TV#2 upstairs). How exactly is all this going to work, with a combination of new digital/HD and older analog/SD TV sets?

I do understand that the analog SD TVs won't play content in HD (even if I pay for HD programming). If I get an HD package, of course I assume I will get HD on the (new) digital HD TV, but what about the older (analog) TVs - what happens with them? Is there essentially a single signal that gets sent, displayed in HD on HD-capable hardware, but "downsampled" to play in SD on non-HD sets (or are both HD and SD sent separately)? Or put another way, if you get an HD package, what do you get on SD sets? Just SD, or nothing? Or does whatever box (receiver) you have effectively handle the digital-to-analog conversion for older SD sets?
Can I qualify for the current "HD Free for Life" offer for all 3 of my TVs even if they're not currently all (yet) HD capable? I know this is a policy question rather than a technical one, but figure it's worth asking.

Alright, I think that should cover it for now. I'm sure I'll have more dumb questions to follow up. Thanks in advance for your help - I really appreciate it.

Cheers.

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dare2be

Dec 5, 2011

First of all, set as many of your network television timers to the OTA channels if you have them, that will free up both sat tuners for TV1 and TV2 live viewing. Secondly, set Record Plus to the tuner you use the least for all other non-OTA channels' timers (or Dish Pass - All Channels timers). I have a ton of timers set up based on keywords so I have a daily regimen of resolving duplicates and setting priorities of my scheduled recordings. Sometimes I will switch the Record Plus from one tuner to the other on the fly in order to swap the tuner that a particular upcoming recording will record to, if I am watching live tv on the tuner that is about to fire (this usually requires skipping the upcoming recording, setting record plus to the other tuner, and then restoring that recording). Once you have built up your DVR list of recordings, you'll find yourself watching a pre-recorded DVR title when you have both tuners recording something. It will get easier to deal with the more you get used to it.

Another thing: I think you said you have the 722, not the 722k, correct? First of all, you can't watch live tv on the OTA channels on TV2, and IF you set up a Dish Pass timer while you are on TV2, using the TV2 remote, that timer will NOT search the OTA channels. To avoid this problem, make sure to set up all your timers from TV1.

dare2be

Dec 5, 2011

There are 2 different type of timers to consider as well. NWflyboy was referring to timers he set up on specific channels, or through the guide I presume, which gives him the option to select the tuner to record from, and that will be specific to that timer only, and always for that timer. If he sets up a Dish Pass timer, and then opts to only look at one particular channel for that timer, it will choose the timer that is available and follow the Record Plus setting. I try not to mix my timer types, and tend to only use Dish Pass timers exclusively, which gives me more of a "self-managed" solution. Then the only issue there is if I have a bunch of overlapping recordings that need to be prioritized.

dwarren2

Dec 5, 2011

Setting up a timer via the guide does not let you select the tuner and that timer can record to the other tuner based on priority. The higher priority will go to TV2 tuner and the lower to TV1. So, one time a show may go to TV2 if nothing else is recording, but go to 1 if a higher priority show is being recorded at the same time.
I'm still discovering features on my 722 and I've had one for many years.

dare2be

Dec 5, 2011

dwarren2 said:
Setting up a timer via the guide does not let you select the tuner

Ok, sorry, I was going off my failing old-age memory.

Mr Tony

Dec 5, 2011

First of all, set as many of your network television timers to the OTA channels if you have them, that will free up both sat tuners for TV1 and TV2 live viewing

that is if the OP has an antenna. Since he came from cable that probably isnt an option right now

dwarren2

Dec 5, 2011

dare2be said:
First of all, set as many of your network television timers to the OTA channels if you have them, that will free up both sat tuners for TV1 and TV2 live viewing.

Not necessarily. If the OP does have an over the air antenna(ota),that would prevent recording from ota sub channels at the same time. If there is a confict between 2 Dish feeds and the timer is set as a repeating timer, the east coast feed will be skipped, but the receiver will then schedule the west coast feed to be recorded.

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Ramy

Supporting Founder

Last reply 19 minutes ago · posted in The Sports Section

2026-27 NCAA College Football

Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.

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Yespage

Yesterday at 3:04 PM

You mean other than Miami being in the final last year... and Indiana being the only bye team to win a game?

Jimbo

Yesterday at 9:19 PM

Yespage said:
You mean other than Miami being in the final last year... and Indiana being the only bye team to win a game?

No, I was actually referring to outside of the Top 8, but should have been Top 12 ...

I guess I should have looked at the bracket from last year first ...

I'm more thinking about them trying to expect a 15 to beat a 5 seed or there abouts .

AZ.

Yesterday at 9:38 PM

And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.

Jimbo

Yesterday at 9:49 PM

AZ. said:
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.

I think they are actually discussing the Top 8 get a Bye this time, if they go to 24.
Then again, I heard something about Play in games for the 16-24 teams ...

Nothing is official yet, so lots of moving parts ...

Can't wait, lets do 24, 3 years later they will want 32 :sick

Yespage

Yesterday at 9:59 PM

AZ. said:
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.

While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.

Jimbo

Yesterday at 11:12 PM

Yespage said:
While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.

Once the 24 gets here, there won't be anymore Conference Championships .... or so they say.

Oh what the hell, we really don't need Conferences anymore either ... :coco

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Ronnie-

19 minutes ago

Jimbo said:
I'm more thinking about them trying to expect a 15 to beat a 5 seed or there abouts .

I mean you get upsets all the time.

Just a couple of weeks ago. Unranked Florida knocked off number 7 texas. Unranked Auburn beat number 1 Georgia.

This week unranked Cincinnati beat number 8 texas Tech. Unranked UCF beat number 2 BYU.

No reason to think similar upsets wont happen in the playoffs where a low seed can upset a higher one.

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 6:01 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

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long_time_Dish

Today at 12:40 AM

Lonely Street - Kansas

dishstaller

Today at 12:46 AM

Lonely is the Night - Billy Squier

long_time_Dish

Today at 1:41 AM

Lonely People - America

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hwkn

Today at 2:50 AM

PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors

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ClarkGable

Today at 6:01 AM

You're Still A Young Man - Tower Of Power

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 3:12 AM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Whiskey Pick: Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPQDqqbatQ

Direct YouTube Link - Whiskey Pick: Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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JSheridan

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 2:09 AM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

All DMA's now Western Arc

I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.

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MikeD-C05

Sep 26, 2026

I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH and then if you can't see the western arc you go with streaming versions and then they could keep customers if they had good internet speeds. I mean Sling TV could be changed to Streaming DISH TV if they wanted since both companies are under Echostar. Then you would still be able to use your ota antenna with Air TV devices like I do with Air TV Anywhere with 4 ota tuners.

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Scott Greczkowski

Sep 26, 2026

MikeD-C05 said:
I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH

I have the same wish.

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Strega

Friday at 10:01 PM

Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.

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Jimbo

Friday at 11:17 PM

Strega said:
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.

Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.

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Mister B

Saturday at 7:35 AM

Jimbo said:
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.

I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.

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slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 10:40 AM

Mister B said:
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.

can't forget the little blue m&m's

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charlesrshell

Yesterday at 11:23 AM

slow_poke_pete said:
can't forget the little blue m&m's

That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!

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bnewt

Yesterday at 3:30 PM

Scott Greczkowski said:
I have the same wish.

Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite

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NYDutch

Yesterday at 7:40 PM

bnewt said:
Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite

DISH will happily sell them a Starlink system and service.

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telstar_1

Yesterday at 8:12 PM

Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink

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Foxbat

Yesterday at 9:01 PM

telstar_1 said:
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink

Because he didn't have a fleet of reusable rockets. Starlink works because SpaceX is able to launch hundreds (thousands?) of their Starlink satellites for what a single geostationary Internet satellite costs to build and launch on a disposable launcher.

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telstar_1

Today at 12:08 AM

But how is it reusable if it's disposable

slow_poke_pete

Today at 2:09 AM

charlesrshell said:
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!

My gf is 29 years younger than me :shh

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 1:03 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Well crap....Donnie Iris died today

RIP dude. Always liked his music. He was 83

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ

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dishstaller

Today at 1:03 AM

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmPEgNuELM

dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Today at 12:39 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Yosemite HD

This video was put up shortly after I was able to take my family out to Yosemite in 2011. No AI.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6-2fVsFV8E

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Yesterday at 11:41 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Might want to watch this before you buy a new vehicle battery

Love this guy's channel. Looks like Walmart has thrown in the towel when it comes to conventional car batteries.

I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU

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harshness

Sunday at 11:33 AM

When you need a battery, you need a battery.

If you can wait, new technologies are on the not-too-distant horizon.

You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.

dishstaller

Sunday at 12:53 PM

harshness said:
You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.

Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.

The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.

Jimbo

Sunday at 1:01 PM

dishstaller said:
Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.

The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.

And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.

My last AGM (using now) I got from O Rielly's, its the Super Start ... I got the Platnium, they had several to choose from.

telstar_1

Sunday at 1:14 PM

He sounds like he's trying to sell me a pocket hose.

I just had to replace a car battery this week and thought I'd look into LiFePo4. Amazon has plenty of them, but all have top posts and only one 'also' has side connections (Group 75).Then I read that they're really lousy in the cold. So, an AGM, but again, almost nothing with side terminals instead of top. In researching that, I read that most mfrs in recent years have dropped side terminals and gone back to the old top posts, which is surprising to me since those are more corrosion-prone, cause the battery to need more space and are generally more hazardous. Finally I just threw up my hands and bought a regular lead-acid at Sam's Club. They had a Group 75 "Duracell" with side terminals only. It was virtually the only such battery with side posts on their shelves

arlo

Sunday at 2:20 PM

Had a Die Hard in my folks cellar for over 6 years. Pulled it out, slapped it on a charger for a day. Put it in my 'Cuda and drove it around for a week of my vacation. Next year, the same. But my dad kept it topped off for me.It was a mid 80's battery in early 1990.

Flooded acid batteries like a float voltage of around 13.5-13.8 voltage.
AGM needs a float of 14.2 volts. So if you slap an AGM in where a flooded was. It never gets a full charge.
"Why do they die so fast?" Question answered. There are folks who sell voltage regulators for alternators that are designed to boost float voltage for AGM batteries.
The other way around? Flooded will gas-off a little at 14.2 volts. But seems to tolerate it pretty good.

Lithium car/bike/atv batteries. After 3 batteries in my Harley. The OEM flooded and two AGM's (before the 14.2 volt float requirement to let them live was learned). I bought a lithium for it. 4 year, no gripe warranty after having it tested by an approved store.
The thing started like Thor himself sent a bolt from the sky. Except......try to start it around freezing? Nope. Needed a heating pad.
And I usually like to park it around events in the evening with the parking light on. Looks cool like that.
We could traipse around for a few hours no worries. Hop on, fire it up, and go putt around.
Lithium? A Dakota Lithium at least. The BMS shuts it right down if it discharges below <something>.
Come back. Parking lights off. Won't start. And you know the rest. But it lasted 6 years. A lot better than 'new every two'. And the fact that powersports batteries are warranted for six, maybe nine months. Ludicrous.

I called Noco. Asked all of the right questions. Great warranty. Save some bucks ordering directly, faster service that the wally world alternative.
They addressed (or claimed over the phone) that the shut down was addressed. Sure. The BMS keeps it form being damaged. But if it is shut down because it does become low. Shut down any load (key on, parking or headlights left on) for 10-15 minutes and you get a second try to start your rig. Not a bad thing if it really works. Right?!

Exide, Interstate? Be very afraid. They ain't what they used to be. In Florida my '70 Cutlass had an Interstate (early 90') that lasted 6 years until it dropped its plates at an intersection and boiled over. In Florida, mind you. The last Interstate.....done in 2. Guys down there would suck out the acid and put water in shortly before the warranty ran out. Make it to the auto parts, get them tested. And get a new one pro rated. No more pro rating.
You can't beat an Odyssey. Napa, AC Deco (the better ones). Yup.
The mom and pop Car Quest only sells Die Hard. For a reason, the old man says. So they convinced that a Die HArd Platinum was the hot ticket for me. l will see. Stand by!

You can't cut Mr. Project Farm down. He does great tests of all sorts of things. Not sponsored and pressured to slap a little sugar on his comparisons and reviews. Compared to the Brits and Aussies with their constant overzealous and same sounding (Dave from EEVblog) rant. I like P-Farm a lot. Of course I like AvE (Boltr) too.
Reminds me to beware when wearing shorts around the garage vice.

Opinions may vary.

harshness

Yesterday at 9:17 AM

Jimbo said:
And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.

The days of the 84-month warranty appear long gone, regardless of brand or where you acquired it. Warranties tend to be shorter, with much greater dependence on quick prorating.

The big problem for lead-acid batteries (whether flooded or AGM) is that the US no longer produces lead (the last smelter closed in 2013) and must import it.

Recycling covers a good chunk of the need (~70%), but it isn't free.

EarDemon

Yesterday at 11:32 PM

I've always got regular OEM Ford Motorcraft batteries from the dealership and have never really had an issue. On my old Lincoln Aviator (the SUV from the early 00s, not the CUV of today), I had some phantom drain and went though a few batteries, but that was an anomaly and with the standard warranty I got free replacements. Taking the Aviator out of the picture, I've bought two batteries in my 24 years of driving. One battery replacement in my Mountaineer, one in my Navigator. But I probably would have had another one had I kept it around longer. Didn't have the Bronco long enough, and so far still on the factory battery for my Expedition.

I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner. I'm in Buffalo, 90 degree summers and 0 degree winters. Once in a while in the dead of winter I'll get an alert from the Ford app saying remote features have been disabled to conserve battery, but it starts right up.

dishstaller

Yesterday at 11:41 PM

EarDemon said:
I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner.