Freesat Options

lucernarian

I'm looking to get a Freesat SD and a Freesat HD box in the near future. It would be nice to have the HD box before the world cup next week:)

Anyway, price is the big priority. I was thinking of getting the Bush SD box as all the SD ones are made by Alba anyway so I may as well get the cheapest one. I have the Lidl SL65 box already but I want the freesat EPG so the folks can use channels easily and I don't have to worry about retuning the box every so often. I am going to re-use the SL65 in a bedroom.

The problem is that I can't find anywhere that has Freesat boxes in stock! Any argos between Newry and Belfast seems to have nothing in stock. I'm trying to pay less than €120 for a Freesat HD box and less than €60 for an SD box.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I don't need many features except good reliability, so can I get away with the cheaper Freesat boxes on the market?

pa990

Spend a few extra bob and get a Freesat+ box.

i have a load of movies recorded on mine.. its fantastic, you can aways swap the hard drive for a 1TB drive later.

ebay is your best bet

edit: heres a regular freesat HD box http://cgi.ebay.ie/Humax-Freesat-HD-Box-Mint-Condition-/250642590988?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_ConEle_SatCableFreeview_RL&hash=item3a5b766d0c

lucernarian

A few extra bob is something I don't have I'm afraid.. Besides, I can sort out a freesat+ box in the future if they like using the freesat service to begin with. I'm sure it's fantastic but it's not my money to spend.

Edit: Just noticed your link there. I'm suprised to see that sort of item on ebay Ireland, brand new and all. It seems like a nice little purchase. But I don't like giving unreasonable amounts for P&P, and who bothers to doll up €20 as €19.95 for delivery on an ebay ad?! Thanks for the heads up though.

bryaner

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

A few extra bob is something I don't have I'm afraid.. Besides, I can sort out a freesat+ box in the future if they like using the freesat service to begin with. I'm sure it's fantastic but it's not my money to spend.

Edit: Just noticed your link there. I'm suprised to see that sort of item on ebay Ireland, brand new and all. It seems like a nice little purchase. But I don't like giving unreasonable amounts for P&P, and who bothers to doll up €20 as €19.95 for delivery on an ebay ad?! Thanks for the heads up though.

May as well make the pint €4.00 as opposed to €3.95 so

Finne1993

Currys in Newry have a Goodmans SD freesat box in stock for £55stg and the humax HD box for £150stg or www.tvtrade.ie have the Grundig HD box for €145 delivered to your door.
http://tvtrade.ie/show/332,Grundig-Freesat-HD-Satelite-Receiver

Edit: I notice www.satellite.ie have similar enough prices, it would be worth giving Tony from there a shout.

Argos have 2 Goodmans HD boxes in stock in Newry for £110stg
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321588/Trail/searchtext%3EFREESAT.htm

mjsmyth

The SD boxes don't seem to have a good reputation, but I have been using a Bush HD for 18 months and it has served me well.

The Bush HD seems to be available in Argos in Newry for £67.39 if you are up that way:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321564/Trail/searchtext%3EFREESAT+HD.htm

I used the postcode BT358QS.

Failing that, or if it is too far out of the way or you want to shop local (always a good idea), I normally use satellite.ie for my purchases.

Finne1993

mjsmyth wrote: »

The Bush HD seems to be available in Argos in Newry for £67.39 if you are up that way:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321564/Trail/searchtext%3EFREESAT+HD.htm

Well thats a good one, they must have only got the stock in at 7 o clock because I checked that just before I posted!! excellent price, I have one of them approx 18 months as well, no problems with it. So anyone who wants the World Cup in HD this is an excellent option.

lucernarian

I do wonder about stock like that if it came in at the weekend. Returns perhaps?!;)

I've already reserved one from yesterday so hopefully there won't be any issues with such a relatively cheap box. (e.g. I read reports about slow channel changing and heat generation)

mjsmyth

Can't say I notice a heat issue with my Bush HD, though mine sits on a shelf with ventilation all round it.

As for the channel changing... It's not that it is slow, but you can't flick very quickly through the channels because sometimes the sound can go and you have to pull the plug on the box. You may do it once or twice, but you soon learn just how fast you can scroll through the channels.