Tailgater is NOW AVAILABLE

[Scott Greczkowski]

Does anyone happen to know which VuQube the Tailgater is based off of? I'm assuming that at a $350 price point (which is darn good) it must be one of the lower models, like the V20?

It not, because all the positioning brains and switching is not done inside the Tailgater itself, instead all that stuff is controlled by the 211k.

Because they took out all the computer and switch stuff out of the Vucube and make the Tailgater helped to bring the price down sharply.

 

[j6harri]

I talked to Claude and he is taking care of me. I should have it next week. He did caution that if you have an existing 211K, Dish is not planning on forcing down the new code base that supports the Tailgater until Sept. 1. So unless you buy the package which includes a new 211K which will ask for the latest code once you plug it in, you will have to wait until Sept. 1 to use the Tailgater. I plan on calling Dish Support once I receive the Tailgater and asking if they can force my 211K to download the latest code so I can test it out.

 

[Scherrman]

Doesn't Claude have any of the new 211k receivers with the software already loaded. I know we have some coming along with the Tailgaters.

 

[ZachS@DISH]

Doesn't Claude have any of the new 211k receivers with the software already loaded. I know we have some coming along with the Tailgaters.

The software that is needed to work with the Tailgater is L499.

 

[CK SatGuy]

The software that is needed to work with the Tailgater is L499.

Looks like you guys just released that update yesterday. https://rweb.dishnetwork.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/content/tech/softwarelist.asp

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Looks like you guys just released that update yesterday. https://rweb.dishnetwork.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/content/tech/softwarelist.asp

Its began to rollout but it does not go to all 211k's all at once... if things go correctly then all 211k's should have the software next week.

I look forward to seeing everyones Tailgater Reviews.

 

[Scherrman]

I just got word that our Tailgaters will be arriving tomorrow. Now I just need a receiver to work with it.

 

[j6harri]

The software that is needed to work with the Tailgater is L499.

Thanks for the details on the software version. Just checked my 211K and I have L499RGGD-N. I should be good to go once the Tailgater gets here.

 

[mrschwarz]

So, can I receive western arc satellites on the east coast?

 

[lakebum431]

So, can I receive western arc satellites on the east coast?

Probably. Depends on where you are. If you are in South FL or the extreme NE then maybe not. Where are you?

 

[Hall]

I'm curious how it finds the satellite it needs.... How does it "get it's bearing" (pun intended), i.e. starting point ? The thought of it having a GPS chipset built in comes to mind !

I presume it will move between 110' and 119' as needed, depending on what channel you're watching. I hope it's reasonably fast doing that !

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

its easy, it sets the elevation on the dish and spins the dish around until it gets signal from the correct satellite.

 

[ZachS@DISH]

I'm curious how it finds the satellite it needs.... How does it "get it's bearing" (pun intended), i.e. starting point ? The thought of it having a GPS chipset built in comes to mind !

I presume it will move between 110' and 119' as needed, depending on what channel you're watching. I hope it's reasonably fast doing that !

We had one setup here and I couldn't see any delay when switch channels. As for how it gets its bearing when you first set it up it will ask you what state you're currently in before running the check switch.

 

[Scherrman]

I just received mine this morning and had it up and running in 10 minutes. I added a 211k to my account and then hooked up a TV and the receiver to my new generator and had TV in no time.

 

[mrschwarz]

Probably. Depends on where you are. If you are in South FL or the extreme NE then maybe not. Where are you?

Right now I am in North Texas, but this dish will be everywhere from Alaska to Key West. I have a Kingdome that receives Eastern and Western satellites. Based on the cutaway photo of this one, it's got a bigger dish than the Kingdome. I wonder why they decided not to receive the eastern satellites. Do you think it's more about the programming of the receiver?

 

[Scherrman]

I believe it is unable to receive signal from the satellites when in the northeast. I think it sees the satellites as being too close and is unable to lock on to both.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Correct, for 72.7 and 77 it seems them as one big blob.

 

[mrschwarz]

We had one setup here and I couldn't see any delay when switch channels. As for how it gets its bearing when you first set it up it will ask you what state you're currently in before running the check switch.

Since the receiver is controlling the dish directly, it may have faster response time than when the controller is in the antenna.

 

[Scherrman]

When trying mine out this morning the was very little lag when changing channels. Seems no different than watching TV in the house. Works very well and extremely easy to set up. I bought a nice and quiet Honda generator and I'm all set for Iowa games.

 

[firesole33]

Does this have the same restrictions as a tripod system, will I get locals with it? I go to games outside of my spot beam, and that is always a pain. Also can someone show me where this item is on dishnetwork.com? I cant find it anywhere. I see it on dishstore.net but it doesn't come with the receiver correct? I have always just drug my 722 along so I would need the new receiver too.