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First Look at the DirecTV SAT-GO
cblount writes "DBSTalk's Earl Bonovich got his hands on one of the first portable DIRECTV receivers. The DIRECTV Sat-Go incorporates a TV, DIRECTV Receiver and DIRECTV Antenna into one conveniently portable design for camping, tailgating, RVing, sitting by the dock or even watching at home."
A lot of people "camp" in their RV. Nothing wrong with watching a little TV before you pass out. Otherwise I agree, I don't much see the point either. Personally, I want the same thing but for internet only. I'd be more than happy to carry around a portable satellite modem system.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
DirecTV's product page has a picture that strikes me as depressing and conflicting; two happy kids, running towards the sea on a beautiful day with a nerf football ready to play catch, a beautiful "wife", all dragging dad in tow who just can't part with his boob tube. Put the gadget down and play with your kids, dude! And how are you going to see that LCD in the bright sun anyway? Just the same, I signed up. I'm thinking one of these would be great to have when I'm on the road..
I used to wonder how they could have enough bandwidth to serve wireless Internet from satellite to the whole country and likewise how they could provide local channels to so many different cities. I found out that the satellites can make separate broadcasts on the same frequencies to different parts of the country. I guess the parabolic antenna on the satellite has multiple feed points near each other near the focus of the antenna arranged in such a way that each one only broadcasts or receives for each major area. For a portable system like this you might have to get special service so it would work across the country if you were traveling.
When I go camping (usually 2 or 3 weeks a year), I don't take anything electronic except a cellphone, but even that stays turned off and in the backpack.
I'm a bit of a luddite and not really a nerd (I don't code, don't like sci-fi, not a gadget nut, etc.) so I guess I just don't understand but if you are going to camp, then camp, otherwise just stay at home. Seriously..
Gone!
I hate nature as much as the next guy, but . . . camping? Really?! What's the point, if you're going to sit around watching satellite television?
Because the type of "camping" that they are marketing to is not the kind of camping you are probably thinking of. I don't know many campgrounds these days that provide for RVs and general car camping that aren't packed in with very few trees and too many "comforts of home".
I am guilty of this type of camping frequently as my wife isn't into backpacking and what I consider more serious camping where we don't go near another human for 5+ days. I am happy to make the concessions that we unload the car at the site and don't touch it again until we leave. At least it gets her into the tent for the weekend.
I just returned from a 5 day geocaching trip to a competition in Missouri (we take it annually) and several RVs were parked in the area that had DirecTV satellite dishes out front. I'm not sure why DirecTV is offering this solution when it's apparent that their standard dishes can be used by these types of campers w/o much issue.
What I don't understand is how someone who takes an ultralight aluminum and nylon backpack, a compass, butane lighter, food from a grocery store, high tech material sleeping bag, nylon tent, and all of the other comforts of civilization that are incredibly common, can be so condescending towards people who take a tv or laptop with them. It basically boils down to 'my shade of gray is better than your shade of gray.'
When the "I camp for REAL." crowd starts wrapping an animal skin around their waist and starts walking, THEN they can be taken seriously. Until then, they are just pompous ass hypocrites that are just pretending to camp.