Satellite TV dome thingies - Worth it?

[Cardo]

I've noticed a load of mobos have those satellite TV domes, and even some of the fancier sailing boats and I've been wondering whether they're worth the exorbitant prices?

We only have a dinky boat, but we have an unused radar pole on the stern that I figured could provide a home to one of these domes. Whilst I doubt I'll be able to convince the Lady of the Manor to authorise such a purchase, it would still be pretty nifty (I love gadgets).

The cheapest I've found is this:
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/kvh-tracvision-m2-p-13896.html
Though KVH have just announced a new line of these domes that look like they may have a slightly cheaper price point.

The idea would be to get one of these next winter, when we'll be wintering aboard in Sicily. We could then use it whilst an anchor in the future.

It would then be coupled with something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOLDEN-ME...?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item232bf4000a

The further question would be: If I obtained a Sky card, would it work with this?

All this very hypothetical of course, but it's good to wonder!

 

[theoldsalt]

You are probably aware that UK satelllite broadcasts are being transferred to a different satellite with a much smaller footprint so Uk channels will not normally be available in the Med. in future. Therefore is it a worthwhile investment or are you intending to watch foreign channels?

 

[Cardo]

You are probably aware that UK satelllite broadcasts are being transferred to a different satellite with a much smaller footprint so Uk channels will not normally be available in the Med. in future. Therefore is it a worthwhile investment or are you intending to watch foreign channels?

Yeah, most/all the terrestrial channels have been changed over to the new satellite with the small footprint, so we don't get those here in Greece, anymore. However, many of the Freeview/Freesat channels are still on the older satellite, including the Sky channels.

Foreign channels may also be an option for sports, etc.

We'll be returning to the UK in 2015, so we'll be covered by the new satellite back there. Though we'd also have Freeview there, but the dish would help out with Sky.