SATELLITE DISHES - ARCON MULTI 57CM ?

[BedfordGeorge]

Having had very poor reception with the fitted Status Aerial on my Swift Challenger, I have decided to invest in a Satellite set up. I have found the Arcon Multi 57CM Dish, that has the LNB fixed in the middle of the dish, as against being Offset on an Arm, as on the majority of dishes, such as the Maxview. The claim is that the 57cm dish is the equivalent of an 85cm dish of the normal type, which is attractive in terms of storing when not in use. They also have one called an Arcon Sweety 43cm said to offer the equivalent of a 60cm normal dish.

Can I ask if anyone has used this type of dish, can you let me have the benefit of your experience.

Best regards,
George

 

[DianneT]

We bought a 57 cms approx. dish in a DIY store in Spain about 5 years and have only used that since all over Europe and the UK. We have never not been able to recieve a picture anywhere since using it. Don't no what make it is.

 

[Cyclewalkbob]

Hi,

I have a similar dish a Zehnder Multimo wich is equivilent of a 40cm dish.
Have used in Uk up as far as Peak district with great results and in France down to the Swiss border - though only managed to get signal once as French pitches are usually surrounded by trees!
What appealed to me about these types of dishes is their small size which is easy to carry in the van.
I use a tripod but they can be used with a suction pad or a magnetic base.
With this type of dish you need to point LNB directly at the satellite, not with the other dishes with arms where the dish is near horizontal and they bounce the signal onto the LNB.
It is important to set the vertical adjustment to whatever your position in the country, the instructions should give you these in degree bands for the UK and Europe.
Ensure your tripod or base is horizontal and vertical otherwise it is more difficult to pick the satellite
A good site to visit is http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk there they give you the instructions how to use it.
Funnily the smaller the dish the less sensetive it is to movement and setting up. MMM magazine in a test of sat dishes said this dish was the easiest dish to set up - though it took me a few goes. I could get Astra 2 every time at home but I am getting better away in the van - practice makes perfect!
Would consider the Arcon Multi for use in South of France and North Spain an the fringes of reception for my Multimo
Hope this helps

 

[airsiggy]

I have always used a Sky Dish and the LNB that goes with it. In this country (apart from N.Scotland) I use a Type 1 dish and abroad I use a Type 2 dish. Provided the view is clear to the satellite I have always been able to get a good signal as far away as Omis (south of Split in Croatia), Salzburg in Austria and also in Spain. In eastern Europe I have had to retune the Sky box to the Astra 2 south beam and therefore had reduced channels. The cheapest Sky dishes with LNB can be obtained from "Simply Digital" on the i'net (Newcastle). The cost of a dish and LNB is approx £16 +p&p. You might have to do some modifications to the dish support arm to cut down weight and mount it on the pole you are using. Although they are "Sky dishes " they should be OK for Freesat. The Type 2 dish fits easily in my front locker if the LNB arm is removed.

 

[DianneT]

We always store our dish in the back, side locker that opens to storage under the double bed, and the lnb i wrapped in towelling a kept in a top locker in the caravan no trouble fitting it at all. We even got pictures in southern Spain with re-setting the box and all other countries we have visited including Eastern Europe recived a picture without any trouble.

 

[BedfordGeorge]

Hello all,

Thank you all for your replies, particularly cyclewalkbob, for your help on this one, they did help me clear my mind. I have today purchased the Arcon Multi 57 with the Humax Freesat Receiver from Wizard Satellite & Aerial Super Store. They were most helpful on the telephone, and also importantly these days, competitively priced.

Appreciate your help and comments,
Best regards,
George

 

[forestgump]

hasany one used the easy finder the one that goes red to amber to green when on the point ,are they any good are they accurate any good or bad points cheers .

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Too late I know but I had 3 LNBs fail on my Multimo and reverted to the Maxview fixed arm type before fitting the Maxview Semitronic on the van roof
If I were you I would buy a spare LNB as they are not as readily available as the fixed arm type

 

[BedfordGeorge]

Hello John,

I am reading your reply, about 3 hours after opening the box with the Arcon 57 in it, so I will have to hope they have sorted the problem out. However at least I am now aware of the possible problem, should it occur.

Thanks and best regards,
George

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Its just like me to be first man too late

I had an LNB fail and the dealer replaced it under warranty
That failed and when I approached him he said that they had not had one go before

When the 3rd one failed I bought the Maxview as they were selling off the old model at a dealers
I gave the dish and brackets etc to my friend who is still on his his first LNB
I also helped someone in Brittany by lending him the Maxview after his Multimo had failed
The LNB is well worth carrying as spare
I carry quad LNBs as we now have Sky+ but so far sods law prevails and I haven't needed one

You can now get a twin LNB for the Arcon for Sky+ etc

I was looking for a price for the Multimo LNb and came across this which is most informative and makes me think that it wasn't just me

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7939&posts=8

 

[BedfordGeorge]

Hello John G,
I am a little confused between the Arcon 57 I have purchased & the Multimo Dishes referred to in your reply. I have trawled the net this morning and as far as I can see they are from different sources, although similar in appearance. Can you confirm if they are one and the same masquerading under different names ?
Best regards,
George

 

[WatsonJohnG]

They aren't the same
I had the Arcon Sweety for a while but the alloy dish distorted easily
The same thing applies about the LNB fitting I would have thought

Looking at the Arcon Multi pic it does look very similar and the seller states using Multimo technology
Also the flange type LNBs are advertised as universal

http://www.tsw-comsat-sales.co.uk/shop/products/ARCON_MULTI_SATELLITE_DISH_with_TWIN_LNB-73-13.html

 

[BedfordGeorge]

Thanks John, for this additional information. I will have to see how it works out, but this will take some time, as we have no plans until the new year holiday to use the caravan. I may try it out on the TV at home to try and learn how to best use it.

Best regards,
George

 

[WatsonJohnG]

This might help:
http://www.uksatellitehelp.co.uk/2007/08/12/satellite-alignment-calculator-v2/
Also
http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/