Maplin FTA kit €130

Zaphod · 21-11-2005 6:47pm #1

This was posted a while back, but it's probably no harm to post it again the in the run up to xmas. Slightly dearer than the Lidl kits, but better quality overall and worth the extra few bob. The receiver model in the pic is a Fortecstar Lifetime Classic.
www.fortecstar.com

JohnDigital · 21-11-2005 7:56pm

Who ever edited the mag didnt do it very well!
"do this in small letters at the bottom end somewhere!" LOL - dont think that should have been there

Tony · 21-11-2005 8:53pm

LOL yeah the itv stuff is out of date too

Gargantuan · 23-11-2005 5:07pm

Thinking of getting one of these system and a monoblock for Astra1 and hotbird.

I think the dish should be big enough for the mono block.

Found a few pages on the web were you can get some "nice patch work quilts" that would look good with it.:D

Has anybody any experiences of the Fortec Lifetime classic STB , Good or bad?

watty · 23-11-2005 6:41pm

Dish is big enough for Sky, Astra & Hotbird using three LNBs and external Diseqc switch. My main fixed dish has a quad LNB for the Sky position to feed PC Sat card via Diseqc switch and two Digiboxes.

Zaphod · 24-11-2005 11:46am

Gargantuan wrote:

Has anybody any experiences of the Fortec Lifetime classic STB , Good or bad?

The higher spec Fortec Ultras with powerscan are very popular with feedhunters and are highly regarded. Not sure how closely the internals of the different models match up.

Satdudez.org has a specific Fortec section, but you'll need to register first.

Gargantuan · 24-11-2005 7:37pm

Thanks for your help Zaphod. Have one on order from Maplin today , probably take two weeks before they get them in.

shadowKiller · 28-11-2005 2:25pm

Hi Zaphod.. first post on this forum.. so bear with me..

I placed an Order for that offer from Maplin because it looks good value.. I was wondering though, is it possible to view encrypted channels with this system.?

Cheers..

Zaphod · 28-11-2005 2:53pm

It doesn't have a CI (Common Interface) slot, so you can't add a CAM (Common Access Module) and hence you can't use a card with that receiver.

However, there is apparently a hacked firmware available for these receivers which can do all sorts of wonderful things, but I can't say anymore than that...

DMC · 28-11-2005 3:38pm

Nor would we allow you to

shadowKiller · 28-11-2005 3:44pm

Thanks Zaphod.. I figured as much reading through the system spec.. I'm not too sure I'll get it as I'll be restricted to FTA channels (and there aren't that many too appealing) as for the hacked stuff I wouldn't be interested in that sort of craic.. but for pure innocent reasons can you perhaps email me a link to where I may find out more about it..

Zaphod · 28-11-2005 4:28pm

www.google.com

Gargantuan · 01-12-2005 3:22pm

Do any of you think it would be possible to get 16E on a 90cm dish with a monoblock on it?

If i somehow managed to get the LNB to sit in between the mono block.
Not too sure how much room there is between the 2 horns of the mono block though.
Can't really seeing if working can you ?

Think I am better off going for a diseq ....

P.S This post seemed to be me thinking out loud or typing out loud what ever the correct term is.

Zaphod · 01-12-2005 3:28pm

This was featured on DrDishTV a while back. Not sure if they are on sale yet though.
http://www.horizonhge.com/hge/pyramid.shtm

Gargantuan · 01-12-2005 3:31pm

Cheers for that Zaphod ...........its like you think it they build it ....or have it built already ...

byte · 01-12-2005 8:08pm

Zaphod wrote:

This was featured on DrDishTV a while back. Not sure if they are on sale yet though.
http://www.horizonhge.com/hge/pyramid.shtm

I wonder how good that thing is. I would be interested in such a device if I knew it was good!

watty · 01-12-2005 8:33pm

I did 13, 16 and 19 with 3 LNBs. The outer two normal horns and the middle one the kind with a plastic spike. It worked but not great. On my neighbours 1.2m dish the spacing allows a monobloc to do 3 deg, or three normal horns with slight space does 13, 16, 19

I have 13, 19 and 28E on one dish now and 4th LNB of switch is 15W on a separate dish.

For 16E ai use the motorised dish.

Zaphod · 04-12-2005 6:05pm

It's claimed here that these LNBFs and bracket can be used for sats 3 degrees apart.
http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page2.htm#triax

byte · 05-12-2005 8:05pm

Hmm, I think Tony sells the bracket on its own. Maybe those LNB's are a bit narrower than normal? dunno.

Gargantuan · 05-12-2005 11:31pm

Got the dish and STB today , have not set it up yet.
I put the satellite together all i need is to find somewhere to put it.

Messed about with the box by attaching it to SKy mini dish.
I found the software a bit difficult to use.
I only had a quick go , need to mess around with it some more.

I will let you know how i get on.

tapest · 06-12-2005 9:04am

watty wrote:

I did 13, 16 and 19 with 3 LNBs. The outer two normal horns and the middle one the kind with a plastic spike. It worked but not great. On my neighbours 1.2m dish the spacing allows a monobloc to do 3 deg, or three normal horns with slight space does 13, 16, 19

I have 13, 19 and 28E on one dish now and 4th LNB of switch is 15W on a separate dish.

For 16E ai use the motorised dish.

Watty
my set up is similar to yours....anything good on 15w fta ???
t

Bogger77 · 06-12-2005 10:25am

byte wrote:

Hmm, I think Tony sells the bracket on its own. Maybe those LNB's are a bit narrower than normal? dunno.

I have that bracket set up (thanks Tony),and am getting 6deg's, but the LNB's shown are a lot smaller diameter than the regular lnb's

Tony · 06-12-2005 11:54am

Bogger77 wrote:

I have that bracket set up (thanks Tony),and am getting 6deg's, but the LNB's shown are a lot smaller diameter than the regular lnb's

My pleasure, the LNb's shown are made by alps but I would think maybe you would have to have both on one side of the bracket as perhaps the dish lnb arm might stop them from being close enough together for 3 degree spacing.

watty · 06-12-2005 2:05pm

15W
DAD2 mostly MSNBC in NTSC from USA. Somtimes feeds, sometimes other NBC channels.

New Channel. Low quality images, but about 3 recent movies a day. Often more to my taste than Sky Movies. (In English with English subtitles!)

Various feeds

Occasionally NDS / ESPN feeds or channels in Clear. Reality TV CE is clear and in English. Nat Geo Rum has english sound no video.

Gargantuan · 06-12-2005 2:20pm

Talking about Feeds , what are the feeds on Eurobird 1 (28.5) like.
Never managed to tune any in , just wondering if anybody has
I suppose there is nothing much of worth or I would of heard of them by now.
I tuned a few in that are just adverts, its the ones with FEC rates of 6666 and 6111.

watty · 07-12-2005 12:11am

The various Atlantic sats better for feeds. Some on othe bird very occasionally.

Zaphod · 08-12-2005 11:53am

I was into Maplin on Jervis St a few days ago and they have a number of the Metronic kits again stacked near the front door. No price labelled on them though.

I also noticed toward the back of the shop, 2-3 boxes of 60cm Fortecstar dishes and a 90cm Fortecstar dish. For the UK, the special offer includes a 60cm dish with the Lifetime Classic receiver. The Irish offer includes a 90cm dish - be careful that they don't try and fob you off with one of the 60cms instead.

watty · 08-12-2005 2:54pm

They have them in in Limerick too. If you want one and arn't a DIY enthusist p.m. me.

Macy · 08-12-2005 3:54pm

Zaphod wrote:

I was into Maplin on Jervis St a few days ago

Did you happen to notice if they had the receivers on there own for sale?

Zaphod · 08-12-2005 5:09pm

No, didn't see any receivers.

watty · 08-12-2005 6:37pm

You can't buy the receiver on its own, nor dish on its own. Only LNB on its own. The Receiver LNB and dish is a set.

A decent looking Diseqc 1.2 / GotoX motor is 100 Euro extra in Maplin, but since I know the Moteck at www.satellite.ie will do enough arc I recommend it (about same price). Some motors can't do 42E here as EW arc is too small.

They also have vari0ous LNBs separate, but not at competitve price.

Cable and F-Connectors is extra. Maplin is the ONLY place in Limerick with decent quality copper foil sat coax cable.

Zaphod · 08-12-2005 7:50pm

The Maplin offer also includes the LNBF according to the ad.

They do sell receivers separately, including Fortec models, but at standard catalogue prices. For example, the Lifetime Classic in the offer is €98.99, although if you spend over €100 you can get €10 with the catalogue vouchers.
The Lifetime Ultra is €132, the 5100 Ultra is €165, the Lifetime Diamond is €198 (+ €20 off if you spend over €200), the 5100 Diamond is €165 and the Ultimate is €412.

The Metronic kit (no dish size specified, but the boxes looked like 80cm) is down as €165.

www.maplin.co.uk

Duiske · 17-12-2005 3:56pm

Is this kit still available in the Dublin stores ?

watty · 17-12-2005 5:39pm

Zaphod wrote:

The Maplin offer also includes the LNBF according to the ad.

They do sell receivers separately, including Fortec models, but at standard catalogue prices. For example, the Lifetime Classic in the offer is €98.99, although if you spend over €100 you can get €10 with the catalogue vouchers.
The Lifetime Ultra is €132, the 5100 Ultra is €165, the Lifetime Diamond is €198 (+ €20 off if you spend over €200), the 5100 Diamond is €165 and the Ultimate is €412.

The Metronic kit (no dish size specified, but the boxes looked like 80cm) is down as €165.

www.maplin.co.uk

Yes that is price in Limerick store. (€164)
It has a sticker saying part of set.

Perhaps stock avaibles individulaly varys store to store.

Zaphod · 18-12-2005 1:50pm

Duiske_Lad wrote:

Is this kit still available in the Dublin stores ?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/StoreLocator.aspx?cmd=searchregion&regionid=1&doy=18m12

Maplin FTA kit €130

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