Tailgater By Dish Network

by Dish Network

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 24 inches ; 38 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 38 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B005HJ94SS
• Item model number: Tailgater
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #9 in Electronics > Televisions & Video > Satellite Television > Antennas
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 16, 2011

Product Description

Customers now have a new and exciting way to enjoy their DISH service on the go with the TailgaterTM Portable HDTV System! Tailgater is compatible with the 211k receiver and will be available to new and existing DISH customers on 07/15/11. Because of the easy setup of the Tailgater antenna, technicians will not stock or install the Tailgater; it will be ordered by the customer and shipped to their home. What Changed . Customers will be able to order a Tailgater Portable HDTV System to enjoy DISH Network service on the go beginning on 7/15/11 . This system is for stationary use. It allows customers to enjoy DISH service in any temporary location outside of the home, like in an RV, cabin, campground, or when tailgating at a sporting event . The Tailgater will come with a user�fs guide, quick reference guide, and a one�]year warranty . Only the ViP 211k receiver is compatible with the Tailgater system . $499 for Tailgater and 211k receiver; Existing residential DISH customers can order a Tailgater and 211k to set up and use outside of the home o The shipped 211k will have the necessary software to operate the Tailgater antenna . The shipped 211k will have the necessary software to operate the Tailgater antenna . Existing customers with an active 211k in their home may order the Tailgater and use it with their existing 211k receiver o The receiver must be active with current production software to operate with the Tailgater antenna If a technician is installing a 211k receiver and the customer plans to use the 211k with the Tailgater system in the future, the receiver must be connected to the home DISH installation, downloaded with current production software and activated on the customers account. This step will ensure that the 211k will have the correct software to operate with the Tailgater antenna. manufacturer, King Controls Support. Retailers are eligible to sell, install, and service the Tailgater system

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great system - Check here to make sure you have all the information you need., October 21, 2011

By 

Scott Helmann (Rapid City, SD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tailgater By Dish Network (Electronics)

I did lots of research before buying this satellite receiver antenna (Tailgater) and here are my findings.

-We like to go camping and usually it is without hookups. This system with the VIP 211k receiver only draws 20 watts of power and is totally quiet and incredibly easy to use. Normal dish HD TV is spread over 3 satellites (110, 119 and 129) and you would never know this when watching TV. When changing channels as it only takes a 2-5 seconds for the system to silently move to one of the other satellites. Its small and very compact.

-We like the feature that you can just pay for the month(s) that you use this system. You own the equipment so this means- No contract and no fees, just call or go online to turn it on and a month later unless you pay the next months bill it shuts itself off. If you already had a dish subscription- then you have the option of being charged $7 bucks a month (for months used to add this receiver and antenna system.

After reading many of the other reviews, I see there is some confusion- here is some information that many of you may find useful. Concerning network programming- With your Dish subscription you will receive your local "home of record" channels as long as you are in the general area. The satellite sends down your local channels on a narrow beam signal (usually a 100 or so miles wide) and as long as your in the beam area, you get your local channels. If you move to a different area, you will need to call dish and update your new address location to again get the local network channels. The other choice you have- is you can get the paperwork (online at the dish web site) to certify that your receiver is installed in your RV (and will not removed for use in your house) and for an additional $5 a month you can choose to get the network channels out of Los Angeles or New York City. This should help clarify how to get all the local network channels. Did I mention we love how easy it is to use our Tailgater antenna?

Concerning receiver and firmware issues- The recommended receiver for this system is the Vip 211k which is available here on Amazon for about $100 bucks. Pair these two together and its absolutely amazingly easy to setup and use. You connect up the cable between the tailgater your receiver, connect your TV to the receiver and plug into power (we found an inexpensive inverter works just fine if your running on camper, cabin or vehicle batteries). The system powers up and does some checks and shows you a screen asking you for what state you are in (this makes searching for satellites much quicker). Enter the information and come back in 5 minutes, if your Tailgater has a clear view of the southern sky where the satellites are located-your done and ready to watch TV.

Tailgater Satellite Antenna- With the right setup, equipment, and a little knowledge- its so easy to use that caveman could do it. Its really nice to get to write a review for a product that works so incredibly well. We couldn't be happier and the cost was so much lower than anything else available.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars don't buy if you are not an existing Dish Network customer, October 8, 2011

By 

Tim Culpepper - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tailgater By Dish Network (Electronics)

What they don't tell you is that if you are not an existing dish network customer, you can't download the software necessary to your satellite box to run the tailgater. customer support suggested that I visit a retailer, but as I purchased this on amazon, that option was not available. It was also a problem that I wasn't told this until after I had spent an hour on the phone trying to set it up.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not all its cracked up to be., October 17, 2011

By 

Paul Angerami - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tailgater By Dish Network (Electronics)

Well I am a satellite Retailer that has been specializing in the RV market for over 11 years. I was very skeptical about this product so I only ordered two units. Well dish network says it only works with software 4.99. Well Dish has now updated all there receivers to 5.50 software and my two tailgaters don't work. they work great with the 4.99 I have a older receiver with that software. Dish network doesn't even know about there new software and I have been calling for days and no one knows what is going on. Even king controls can't get these to work. Don't think my vendor will take them back so I am stuck with these until dish fixes the problem that they won't even acknowledge that they have. If you are starting a new account be very careful on buying one of these units.