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KVH? Opinions wanted...

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by YachtForums, Feb 22, 2019.

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  1. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    KVH has expressed an interest in hanging a shingle here. I'm not current (past or present) on their equipment.

    Good brand to promote?
  2. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    This is my third generation TV antenna from them. I personally have no complaints. They can't control the heavy storms that block coverage. It will be interesting to hear from others who use their antennas for higher grade features.

    How about some of the non megayachts, do you guys use this technology? If no why not, expense?
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2019
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I like kvh products and haven’t had any issues with them.
  4. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Do the day boat / pocket cruisers guys find them useful ? Their stuff can be kind of pricey.
  5. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    I can't recall seeing a KVH TV or Satphone or Intellian dome on a pocket cruiser, if you mean like a 24-30' sort.

    Smallest boats seem to be 45-50' before these seem to go on.

    I have an Intellian and it works great for Sat TV. I discontinued my dish network plan for the boat as I did not use it that much and TV is not my thing onboard. I have no experience personally with KVH.
  6. German Yachting

    German Yachting Senior Member

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    They have some of the fastest satellite broadband out there thanks to partnering with ViaSat. ViaSat is launching some more satellites in the future which should help them from a coverage and bandwidth perspective. They also have a new small LTE offering to use up to 20 miles offshore of the US, however, I’m not sure the benefit here as I believe you can get the same performance with a Wilson amplifier and of much lower rates than their LTE pricing.
  7. captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Excellent equipment made in Rhode Island USA, Always innovating and releasing new equipment and upgrades. perpetually at the top of the NMEA yearly awards list for customer satisfaction & best new equipment.
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yes.
  9. Whitney Irons

    Whitney Irons New Member

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    I had KVH in motion sat TV in my bus. Worked flawlessly for 3-4 years up till they decided to “obsolete” it and change signals or something. Good quality equipment...
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I had one fail a couple of months ago, 9 year old one of the bigger ones (M5 I think). It was the ring in the base and that could only be done at the factory. At least 3 weeks turn around. Replaced it with an Intelian. According to the installer the new KVH controllers require a lot of ventilation which led me to pick the intelian
  11. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I agree on the ventilation. I upgraded about two years ago - to what model, I don't know, but its a smaller dome - anyway the controller is much hotter than the prior unit. I have it mounted in a cabinet and am considering wiring in a small electronics type fan. I now turn it off when not in use. We never felt we had to do that with the prior units. I try not to leave it on when I'm off the boat. I've had no incident, but I don't want one.
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2019
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    They need a lot of ventilation if mounted in a cabinet, not enough and the controller will fail. My installer had to replace a few
  13. motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I have KVH and it has been reliable.
  14. d_meister

    d_meister Senior Member

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    I've had good experiences with them, and one not-so-good. The bummer one was due to DirecTV satellite changes, which KVH isn't in a market position to influence. That may be what caused the problem with Whitney's bus.
    Many yachts that I've worked on and delivered have had KVH gear, and the hardware has always worked well out of the box and been reliable. On the occasions when I've contacted them for tech support when out of the country and away from dealers; they've always been helpful.
  15. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    That's where my electronic guys put it? It's a very large cabinet. But I get your point. I think even if I installed in outside on top of the cabinet it still generates tremendous heat.

    There was a change to the signal of some kind, that's why I had to change out an otherwise perfectly good unit.

    To the OP's question, I think they are reputable and worthy of a spot on the forum.
  16. Whitney Irons

    Whitney Irons New Member

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    Now that you mention it, that was exactly what happened. DirecTV changed so we had to put a new unit in. In spite of that event I would still buy KVH if I needed it. Quality equipment and good company.
  17. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    They are a good company with reliable equipment. Of course I've had failures in the past, but they've always stood behind the equipment. The only issue I have is that when you install their VSat equipment, you are stuck with their service plans and cannot utilize with other providers.
    Who are you dealing with? Daryl? Jamie?
  18. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Marketing director out of corporate, by way of Darryl.