Recommended LCD TV for caravanning/camping

[cokey1970]

I have been looking for a while now for a good 15" lcd tv with built-in Freeview that could be used in the kitchen at home and the caravan.

Had a look at ebuyer.com and found a Sense 15.4" Widescren HD ready lcd tv with Freeview for £139.99 including free delivery. Did some research on this ebuyer own brand and it looks like they use Samsung panels in most of the sets.

Anyhoo I ordered one which was delivered today and I have to say it is the best small screen lcd tv I have seen. The set has a brilliant clear picture, nice sound (not tinny as in most other lcd tv's) and is very lightweight.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a small screen lcd tv.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134814

 

[sebostridge]

Martin

I have bought a Wharfedale L1911W-C 19in HD Ready LCD TV/DVD Combi. Argos Part no 5292435.

 

[PaulAsserati]

I had mine from the Next store, its HD ready, built in freeview and built in DVD player. It looks nice sounds good and weighs nothing. All for

 

[RogerL]

Martin, what's the viewing angle like in practice when several people are watching the TV in the caravan?

 

[Thorpedo]

We use 15" Mikomi from Argos, can't fault it and dirt cheap. Other people on this forum rate them highly.

Previous topic - http://www.practicalcaravan.com/newforums/fm_messages.asp?fo=11&fm=380892

Currently at Agos

 

[cokey1970]

Martin, what's the viewing angle like in practice when several people are watching the TV in the caravan?

Not too sure on the viewing angle as it's not listed in the instructions or on the website. Suffice to say that I've had it moumted on the kitchen wall and the viewing angles has been good whilst sitting down or standing up.

 

[Chris_374224489]

Am I the only one who enjoys sites without hook ups & needs 12v operation?

Chris

 

[Thorpedo]

Chis, point taken.

We do no hookup, though preferably not, fortnight last year same this year. It's just a bit more of a challenge to watch TV (laptop(dvd) with usb dongle for TV).

Sadly perhaps we take the attitude that as we have all mod cons at home why not enjoy the same on Holiday.

Sorry to tell you I've just watched the GPrix and I'm catching up on match of the day whilst typing this - I'm afraid there's no hope for me :0) - no smiley symbol for square eyes.

 

[emmitdb]

Am I the only one who enjoys sites without hook ups & needs 12v operation?

Chris

Chris,

You don't need a TV that does 12v supply.

Buy yourself an inverter that plugs into a cig. lighter socket lighter.That kind of inverter powers anything up to 75watts and a modern small TV only uses 45watts. A 12v supply with a female cig socket on the end and you are fixed up.

 

[SillyBilly]

Hello

Same query really. But which of these can run on 12V as well as 240V, or do you use an invertor when not hooked up?

 

[Thorpedo]

SillyBilly

I Like that so I'll say it again - SillyBilly!

The Mikomi and probably everything from Argos are 240v.

I ran mine for a short time on an inverter ok recently but I think it would drain the battery too quickly. I beleive inverters themselves are inefficient with power usage let alone the power drawn by the TV.

When we have no hookup we take the laptop and a 'freecom' usb analog/digital tv adapter, The laptop runs for about 1.5 hrs on it's own battery and can be extended by using the inverter plugged into the Caravan or the car.

We charge the laptop during the day in the car.

The laptop also contains a DVD player as a bonus.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freecom-Digital-DVB-T-Freeview-receiver/dp/B000ALAWQ6
Another good idea is a few good books, they don't drain the battery at all :0)

 

[Mikey1]

The Mikomi from Argos runs on a 12v transformer,so you can run directly from the 12v ,people say this is no good and will ruin the tv,but ive had my bush one (same tv) for 3 yrs now and has never let me down.

 

[Thorpedo]

Mikey

Very interesting about the Mikomi on 12 volt, how would you connect 12 volt as there is no specific 12v orifice.

 

[Garfield]

Most of the smaller lcd tv/dvd combo's we looked at ran from a 12v dc powerpack, I wondered then if they would work direct from 12v battery, we ended up buying a laptop for our businesses and bought the aerial insert and extn speakers to go with it.

 

[Mikey1]

They use a dc powerpack 240 to 12v ,jack plug on the end,just need to make up a new lead with jack plug one end fused cigar lighter plug the other.

Most of the tv use this set up as it saves weight in the tv.

 

[Mikey1]

Play.com have the Mikomi 15" with freeview for 99.99 with free delivery at the moment

 

[Thorpedo]

Mikey

Ah Ha, that expalins why I was confused, My mikomi just has a 240v mains lead and no external transformer.

 

[Mikey1]

There seems to be a variation coming from Argos with the Mikomi some are 240 v but they advertise rear dc socket

Connectivity

1 SCART socket.

Component video socket.

Composite.

Headphone socket.

Rear AV socket.

Rear DC socket.

 

[RonD]

There seems to be a variation coming from Argos with the Mikomi some are 240 v but they advertise rear dc socket

Connectivity

1 SCART socket.

Component video socket.

Composite.

Headphone socket.

Rear AV socket.

Rear DC socket.

Mikey,

Mine is also 230v only with no DC socket, despite the instruction book stating it has! But...I only paid

 

[milliesdad]

Hi Chris. I too like to be unhindered by hook ups and bought a cheap 12v flat screen.

It was a Crown and had a good write up on test in PC mag - big mistake I'm afraid (when will they get real 'vanners to test these things?).

The trouble with the cheaper 12v TVs and with using an inverter is that you need 12v (not 11.5) and as you get a voltage drop on the thin wire they use in caravans, even with a fully charged battery the tv only lasted 10 mins before the voltage at the plug was low enough for the sound to go (1st sign on my telly of less than 12v)

I got round this by buying a voltage stabiliser from leisurepower. Not ideal as this also draws a current and thus I'm now drawing nearly 4 amps - about the same as my old CRT 12v telly.

I know Towsure sell purpose built 12v TVs that operate at voltages between 7v (i think) and 15v so would be ideal. They do come at a price however at well over

 

[RogerL]

"I even asked the Avtex guy at the 3 counties ground last year what voltage their product worked down to but after the 3rd time of him saying 30 watts I gave up"

You have more patience / persistance than the rest of us.

 

[milliesdad]

Blimey, first time I've been accused of that. ;o)