Maritime satellite TV systems ?

[IDAMAY]

Raymarine ST45/Tracvision KVH M3

I have used both on succesive boats. Although the ST45 has a bigger dish I haven't seen any subjective difference between the performance of the two. Both produce perfect pictures most of the time (only adverse effects being weather or solid objects in line of site of the sattelite). Both work well on the move, at anchor or on swinging moorings. I can only speak for this in UK and west France sea areas.

 

[Hurricane]

I have used both on succesive boats. Although the ST45 has a bigger dish I haven't seen any subjective difference between the performance of the two. Both produce perfect pictures most of the time (only adverse effects being weather or solid objects in line of site of the sattelite). Both work well on the move, at anchor or on swinging moorings. I can only speak for this in UK and west France sea areas.

Yep - I'd agree that in the UK there probably isnt a much between Raymarine and KVH. But in the Spanish Med, there's a whole difference in the strength of the TV signals. In Spain, to receive Astra 2D you need a dish size of between 800mm and 1m - depending upon where you are. That is too big a dish - even for jfm's new monster. My observations are that the Raymarine kit by having an auto skew has meant that sometimes it is possible to pick up the weak Astra 2D signals even on a 600mm dish/dome whereas, the KVH systems I've seen cannot.

 

[jfm]

Yep - I'd agree that in the UK there probably isnt a much between Raymarine and KVH. But in the Spanish Med, there's a whole difference in the strength of the TV signals. In Spain, to receive Astra 2D you need a dish size of between 800mm and 1m - depending upon where you are. That is too big a dish - even for jfm's new monster. My observations are that the Raymarine kit by having an auto skew has meant that sometimes it is possible to pick up the weak Astra 2D signals even on a 600mm dish/dome whereas, the KVH systems I've seen cannot.

Hurric KVH now has auto skew (suffix "SK" tagged onto the model name) but as you say didn't until recently.

FWIW my exp of dishes is that in the SofF you might as well have 37cm (as I had on the Sq58) if you just want basic freeview stuff ie news and CBBC for kids or whatever, or else get a very big dish, but don't bother in between. On new boat I have Tracvision M7 which is 60cm dish and if it gets Astra 2D then great but I'm not that bothered as I have little interest in TV beyond the basic freeview channels

 

[Hurricane]

Hurric KVH now has auto skew (suffix "SK" tagged onto the model name) but as you say didn't until recently.

FWIW my exp of dishes is that in the SofF you might as well have 37cm (as I had on the Sq58) if you just want basic freeview stuff ie news and CBBC for kids or whatever, or else get a very big dish, but don't bother in between. On new boat I have Tracvision M7 which is 60cm dish and if it gets Astra 2D then great but I'm not that bothered as I have little interest in TV beyond the basic freeview channels

Yep you're right - there's a very good argument for just the small 37/45cm one or nothing at all. Except on your new boat a small one would look as stupid as a very big one. The M7 sounds about right - if only for the looks.

 

[ACE]

As I thought no easy answer....

Anyway I am looking at the Raymarine 45STV I think this should suffice ?

Going to talk with them at LIBS see what they say ?

Thanks everyone for your advice and comments again very much appreciated.


(Music systems next ????)

 

[WALLY]

Speak to Zoe (can't remember her last name) at MES in Poole - she knows her stuff on these systems and can get all of them, so not biased.


no connection etc etc.

 

[MYAG]

Speak to Zoe (can't remember her last name) at MES in Poole - she knows her stuff on these systems and can get all of them, so not biased.


no connection etc etc.

Agree with Wally, excellent service and can supply just about any make/model. Full details below........

Zoe Edmonds

Marine Electronic Services
Unit 2, Vitrage Technical Park
27 Witney Road
Nuffield Industrial Estate
Poole
Dorset
BH17 0GL
Tel: +44 (0)1202 666066
Fax: +44 (0)1202 661169

Branch Office: Salterns Marina (Poole) 01202 707007
Head Office: Bristol 0870 1221099

 

[MYAG]

Yep you're right - there's a very good argument for just the small 37/45cm one or nothing at all. Except on your new boat a small one would look as stupid as a very big one. The M7 sounds about right - if only for the looks.

You can always put a smaller dish inside a larger dome, if that helps keep the scale looking right for the size of your boat.

 

[Hurricane]

Agree with Wally, excellent service and can supply just about any make/model. Full details below........

Zoe Edmonds

Marine Electronic Services
Unit 2, Vitrage Technical Park
27 Witney Road
Nuffield Industrial Estate
Poole
Dorset
BH17 0GL
Tel: +44 (0)1202 666066
Fax: +44 (0)1202 661169

Branch Office: Salterns Marina (Poole) 01202 707007
Head Office: Bristol 0870 1221099

I wonder if she knows how to set them up in the Med?

Not a problem for me now - I had to find out the hard way.