Satellite Finder

[PaulT]

Hi, thinking of getting one of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/SATlink-WS-6950-Digital-Satellite-Display/dp/B00DDMV4E8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1422018950&sr=8-10&keywords=satellite+finder - has anyone had any experience of this, or a similar product and what are your views?

 

[Dustydog]

Paul

For years I used a simple Max view compass. For the last three years I have been using this app on my phone with great success. No need to wire in and it's free. Maybe worth a try before you spend your money .

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.esys.satfinder&hl=en_GB

 

[PaulT]

Thanks Dustydog, the app is fine if you have a smartphone but I don't! Like you, for years I've used a simple satellite finder that you plug between the LMB and the receiver but I live in France and with the changes to the Astra satellites I find that tuning in is becoming more difficult. I wanted something that would tell me which satellite I was tuning into.

 

[Woodentop]

Thanks Dustydog, the app is fine if you have a smartphone but I don't! Like you, for years I've used a simple satellite finder that you plug between the LMB and the receiver but I live in France and with the changes to the Astra satellites I find that tuning in is becoming more difficult. I wanted something that would tell me which satellite I was tuning into.

Its LNB - low noise block.

I think DD is right. You can get a cheap smartphone for less than £50 and it doesn't have to have a phone connection. You can download the app using wi-fi and as long as the phone has a camera, GPS receiver, and a magnetometer (i.e. is compass capable) it will work. Equally you could buy a cheap tablet but again make sure it can do compass, GPS, and has a camera. Look at Huawei phones and LG or Lenovo tablets.

For UK readers who may be interested, EE are doing the Huawei Y550 at the moment on PAYG at £34.99 + £20 top-up. It has 4G and all of the other necessary bits for it to work with Satfinder. We were in Haguenau in NE Alcase last year and I'll be blowed if I could get a sat signal but many others on site didn't seem to be having any problems. I got out my (Huawei) phone and ran Satfinder and found the sat was much higher than I though and clear of the top of some nearby tall trees. A bit more perseverance and I had a good signal.

 

[PaulT]

Thanks Dustydog, the app is fine if you have a smartphone but I don't! Like you, for years I've used a simple satellite finder that you plug between the LMB and the receiver but I live in France and with the changes to the Astra satellites I find that tuning in is becoming more difficult. I wanted something that would tell me which satellite I was tuning into.

Its LNB - low noise block.

I think DD is right. You can get a cheap smartphone for less than £50 and it doesn't have to have a phone connection. You can download the app using wi-fi and as long as the phone has a camera, GPS receiver, and a magnetometer (i.e. is compass capable) it will work. Equally you could buy a cheap tablet but again make sure it can do compass, GPS, and has a camera. Look at Huawei phones and LG or Lenovo tablets.

For UK readers who may be interested, EE are doing the Huawei Y550 at the moment on PAYG at £34.99 + £20 top-up. It has 4G and all of the other necessary bits for it to work with Satfinder. We were in Haguenau in NE Alcase last year and I'll be blowed if I could get a sat signal but many others on site didn't seem to be having any problems. I got out my (Huawei) phone and ran Satfinder and found the sat was much higher than I though and clear of the top of some nearby tall trees. A bit more perseverance and I had a good signal.

LNB - of course it is - a slip of the (fat) fingers! Presume you were in Alsace or where is Alcase?

 

[Sproket]

Paul

I have had one of these for quite a few years It come's into it's own now that i have installed a roof mounted dish, & it's just as easy to use with a tripod mounted one.

I use this site before we set off to get some idea of the direction to point it, it also gives you an idea on where on the site you need to be as you can put the X were ever you want

This is the app i use if i get stuck :blink: :silly:

 

[BedfordGeorge]

I think that what you are proposing will work well for you, I met a couple in France last year who had a similar type, and was very impressed with it. They were able to locate and identify the satellite they were locked on to, and also to see on the small TV screen what was on at that time.

I have used a Horizon Nanoset finder to good effect, but it is limited to only 4 pre programmed channels, having said that they are the ones you will most likely be looking for. Here is the link to the company, where you will find plenty of good information on the subject. When I arrive on site, I use my I-Phone compass to select the best pitch, one with no trees or building blocking my route to the satellite at SE152degrees.

http://www.horizonhge.com/products_nanosat.html
Hope you find a solution that meets your requirements.

 

[Woodentop]

Hi, thinking of getting one of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/SATlink-WS-6950-Digital-Satellite-Display/dp/B00DDMV4E8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1422018950&sr=8-10&keywords=satellite+finder - has anyone had any experience of this, or a similar product and what are your views?

Nice piece of kit but designed for pro installers. It really won't do anything for you that an optical compass and a satfinder (thing that fits in series with the LNB) will do unless you are really scratching for signal. Honestly, it is cheaper to get the Huawei phone I mentioned and download the free app. You also get a useful phone that, once unlocked so can be used on any system, can also be used as a wi-fi source for your laptop or tablet.