Sat Buddy question

[chapelrun]

An ex-installer is selling all his stuff and I'm interested in his Sat Buddy.

Looks like this

Applied Instruments SAT Buddy Satellite Signal Level Meter SAT Buddy SATBuddy

Would this work for FTA, KU, C-Band or is this one only for Dish and Direct?

I usually just use my receiver for pointing but sometimes it takes me hours to get it just right.

He is asking $125 for the Sat Buddy plus a bunch Perfect Vision switches and the like.

Give all the Pro's and Cons

 

[Ironsides]

yea

Yea it will work for FTA or at least the 2 Sat Buddies I have do. The ones I have are the Sat Buddy 1 and Sat Buddy 2 and they are built like tanks and are excellent meters. You can power them with the internal battery or with a receiver or 12 volt adapter. They work really well and you can tweak a great signal with them with some practice... A friend of mine let me borrow one and that hooked me...They are a bit pricey but you get what you pay for. If you are looking for something that will last you for years and offer you a decent meter then it's what you are looking for. As mentioned they are a bit pricey if you want something cheaper WSI has a neat little compact meter that does a decent job for about half the price. Actually that was the 1st satellite meter I ever owned and it does a fair job, can't complain. If I really want to tweak a signal for the highest Quality I use the Sat Buddies in combo with the WSI meter... I love the Sat Buddy Meter and I can not think of anything to complain about other than I'd like to have another one!

 

[Wescopc]

Once you have a Super Buddy Satellite meter - you will NEVER go back! I have two - the best investment I ever made. Applied Instruments support has been top notch. Should be able to buy a used one for under $400.

But wait are you aren't looking at the Super Buddy - I have never used the Sat Buddy. But I can vouch for the company.

Bob

 

[AcWxRadar]

Once you have a Super Buddy Satellite meter - you will NEVER go back! I have two - the best investment I ever made. Applied Instruments support has been top notch. Should be able to buy a used one for under $400.

But wait are you aren't looking at the Super Buddy - I have never used the Sat Buddy. But I can vouch for the company.

Bob

I definitely agree with Bob. Applied Instruments is a great company and their service and support is excellent. I also have a Super Buddy, not the Sat Buddy, but I am certain that the Sat Buddy will please you, if the price is right.

RADAR

 

[chapelrun]

Well I did get the Sat Buddy

The guy dropped the price so I got the Sat Buddy.

First impression is it is really great for pointing KU and pizza dishes but really not designed to help point a C-Band dish. You just get too much signal from the C-Band to make it useful. Is there a way to adjust the sensitivity or do you just use a really long cable for a big dish?

I could really see how the Super Buddy would be far superior than the Sat Buddy. Still a Sat Buddy is better for pointing a dish than a 10 year old with a Walkie-Talkie.

 

[AcWxRadar]

The guy dropped the price so I got the Sat Buddy.

First impression is it is really great for pointing KU and pizza dishes but really not designed to help point a C-Band dish. You just get too much signal from the C-Band to make it useful. Is there a way to adjust the sensitivity or do you just use a really long cable for a big dish?

I could really see how the Super Buddy would be far superior than the Sat Buddy. Still a Sat Buddy is better for pointing a dish than a 10 year old with a Walkie-Talkie.

I don't know of anyway (with the meter itself) to adjust the sensitivity, but you could use an attenuator. That would be my suggestion.

RADAR

 

[dutchtech]

Applied instruments

Not that impressed with applied instruments support yet, I e-mailed them on Friday asking for tech support, now 6 days later I have yet to receive as much as an acknowledgment of receipt.

 

[SatelliteAV]

Maybe resend the email? I have always received an email reply within a day or two.

Just because you hit the send button, doesn't necessarily mean that an email gets delivered.

 

[Wescopc]

Give them a call - they have been VERY good with me.
Bob

 

[Kallesatman]

I am the proud owner of a Super Buddy and I wouldn't be caught without it. It is absolutely awsome. I also recommend that you call them on the phone and they will always treat you with respect and answer all of your questions. Remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question. They do have a toll free number. Enjoy.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

There is no better meter out there, I LOVE my SuperBuddy!

 

[AcWxRadar]

There is no better meter out there, I LOVE my SuperBuddy!

Scott,

You are SO right! I have had my SuperBuddy for roughly five years and I still find new things that it can do! When they named it the "SUPER" Buddy, they named it right!

If you were going work for any company (DN, DirecTV, Globecast, Bell Express, etc or for WildBlue, Hughes Network etc) or if you were going into business to be an installer of FTA equipment yourself or just getting very serious about your own FTA hobby, you will want the SuperBuddy meter! It does it all!

RADAR