Which lnb to get

[itisix]

Hi,

I live in Portugal (near Aveiro) and have a 1.25m dish (with 4LNB's). I could still get me some UK channels after the switcharoo to 2F (only with good weather), but now my 28.2 LNB seems to have given up (can only get horizonal channels). I'm still considering a bigger antenna, but since I have to get a new LNB, I will see first if it improves on the previous ones (some cheap quad lnb of some brand...quite nice in fact).
I know they wont be making miracles, but just for the fun of it, I'll give it a go.

I'm a bit between the Invacom QDH-031 0.3db and the Inverto Black Ultra IDBL-QUDL 0.2db and I've read a lot of cross information and can't really decide. The inverto is slightly more expensive.

Thanks

 

[RimaNTSS]

Go for Black Ultra, and then for bigger dish. Increase dish size till you get enough signal level

 

[Steve Steve]

The Opticum white Quad or Quattro ...is also a good LNB.....a bit better on Ch5 ...than IBU....it's also cheap as chips...too ...about 12 euro from amazon.....

 

[itisix]

I'm probably buying them from ebay or amazon anyway, as it's cheaper than buying here.
The opticum is about the same price as the Inverto for me (with postage included to Portugal). How about the opticum black? Looks great!

 

[Steve Steve]

Do you mean the Opticum Black / Red rocket ?.......Only the Opticum White Twin or Quad / Quattro are any good......On some channels the Black ultra is better and the Opticum is better on others.....Its quite close..really .....Here are some links.. to tests other's have done....

http://robssatellitetv.com/topic/inverto-and-opticum-lnb-comparison/
http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/opticum-white-quad-v-inverto-black-ultra-single.160026/

 

[RimaNTSS]

In one shop, when I asked whether they have LNBs, got answer: Which would you like white or black?
Actually I can agree to that. Sometimes does not matter what LNB you are using, difference will be minimal. The biggest increase you get by changing dish to bigger one.
And more: Comparing two LNBs on two different antennas can bring results that one LNB works better on one antenna and another one works better on second dish.
I would state, that today, Black Ultra probably outperforms , maybe with some minor exceptions, any other LNBs on more offset antennas. If some LNB will work better than BU than difference will be very little and maybe not in whole range of frequencies.

 

[itisix]

So, as a general rule of thumb, it could all end up being a lottery... you may get it or not. I must say I've had pretty decent results with my old LNB's so far.

They best prices I get (with P&P)

INVERTO BLACK ULTRA QUAD LNB IDLB-QUDL40-ULTRA-OPP
28,95 Pounds

Opticum Premium Quad Lnb 0.1dB LTP-04H Hdtv
24,14 Pounds

INVACOM QDH-031 0.3dB Quad LNB
40,94 Pounds

So, given that what I really need is a bigger dish, go for the cheapest one? lol

Thanks

 

[RimaNTSS]

INVERTO BLACK ULTRA QUAD LNB IDLB-QUDL40-ULTRA-OPP
28,95 Pounds

Opticum Premium Quad Lnb 0.1dB LTP-04H Hdtv
24,14 Pounds
So, given that what I really need is a bigger dish, go for the cheapest one?

Between first and second difference is only, I mean ONLY, 5 Pounds. And you do not need new LNB each month, even not each year. That could be a lottery, but, if I were you, I would take first. But tricky thing is, if you take second LNB and install it, You will probably never find out how would first LNB perform on your antenna. Your choice!

 

[itisix]

True. If I squeeze 5 quid, then why not an ever cheaper one and just get the cheapest around?
I'll probably go for the inverto.

Thanks guys

 

[itisix]

Inverto BU in and installed.
Quite nice actually. CH5 and ITV's improved a bit. C4 and BBC's are too borderline to watch at this time (maybe later??). I though I had a bad LNB, but it turns out 2 diseqc failed exactly the same at the same time
But since I decided to do a bit of de-rusting I didn't test it with the old LNB. Lucky I had ordered some disecq just in case.
But, still need to think about a bigger antenna.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Lazarus]

One of the advantages of the Black Ultra is the relatively long neck, so you are able to move the LNB back and forth a fair bit in the search for the optimum performance.

 

[hexah]

Inverto BU in and installed.
Quite nice actually. CH5 and ITV's improved a bit. C4 and BBC's are too borderline to watch at this time (maybe later??). . .
But, still need to think about a bigger antenna.

Consider painting it white to keep the very intense summer sun off it.


The antenna is way more important than the LNB.

How much space do you have?

I suggest to go for some degree of future proofing and be in a position where you don't have to worry about dish sizes again. I don't know what size is minimum for your area but it sounds like 2m or 2.4m is what I would get. You can paint it with Plasticote (etc) to hide it.

 

[itisix]

I live near the beach, so rust is always a factor in everything (even stainless). Still, after 8 years, the antenna was not so bad. Mostly the bolts and nuts were to blame. Had to cut a couple of the as they were stuck. Some patches on the dish itself, not serious. A bit of scrapping and a coat of rust converter and all it needs is a lick of paint.
I've got my eye on a 2.8m antenna. But I can't stick that on the roof or wall and my wife won't have it in the yard... maybe above the garage... women!

What sort of paint should I use on the LNB? Simple spray paint?

Another thing I decided to do some time later is redo the cabling. I had the diseqc's near the antenna but I'll run the cables into the attic and place them there. I also would like to add a terrestrial antenna with some splitters, but that will mess up my already weak signal.
Like you said, a bigger dish would be nice.

One of the advantages of the Black Ultra is the relatively long neck, so you are able to move the LNB back and forth a fair bit in the search for the optimum performance.

And since I have 3 lnb's on the antenna, it needs to be to make room for the "extra" supporting arm.

BTW, old LNB's are edision. Still working pretty good actually. One little advice. When you screw in the cables, put some vaseline in it. I broke a connector on one of the LNB's. They where pretty much stuck.

 

[hexah]

I live near the beach, so rust is always a factor in everything (even stainless). Still, after 8 years, the antenna was not so bad. Mostly the bolts and nuts were to blame. Had to cut a couple of them as they were stuck.

Its still worth replacing them with A2 grade stainless steel. They come off easily even when the threads are rusted, wire brushing a bit can help.

I've got my eye on a 2.8m antenna. But I can't stick that on the roof or wall and my wife won't have it in the yard... maybe above the garage... women!

:mad:

Typical problem.

If they still have those cheap metal 1.4m prime focus they used to have in Spain and Portugal you might compromise on that if you are getting marginal signals. Though quite risky I think. The next size up on the cheap ones was 1.6m. I don't know if those sizes are easy to get any more.

What sort of paint should I use on the LNB? Simple spray paint?.

Any spray paint like Plastikote in 2 to 3 layers. I tried brushing on outdoor wall type paint but it went yellowy.