THROWBACK THURSDAY: “Portable” DIRECTV

Before smartphones, before streaming…. there was a way to bring your DIRECTV content with you. It was called “SAT-GO” and while it wasn’t a big success, at least it came in a big box.

What you see is normal-sized DIRECTV employee Jade Ekstedt holding the SAT-GO. Yes, this looks more like a photoshop mashup but the thing really was that big. It was a self-aiming dish coupled to a 17″ flat monitor and DIRECTV D10 receiver, all in one “attractive” and “portable” case. At $1,599 it didn’t get a lot of takers, and compared to today’s in-motion satellite dishes it wasn’t very powerful. It couldn’t even get HD at that price!

A great idea, ahead of its time

In order to understand the whole notion of a SAT-GO, you have to remember that this was a different time. It’s sometimes hard for some of us to remember just how long ago 2007 was. I, personally, wear some of the same clothes I had in 2007. But it was a world without functioning mobile internet. The height of modern technology was the Blackberry Pearl, which let you email and use a few very primitive apps. Mobile web sites were a joke and streaming video was largely impossible.

Then along came DIRECTV, back then still considered an innovator. They said, you can have video anywhere you want it. Yeah, it’s going to be the size of a small suitcase. Yeah, it’s going to be standard definition. But you can do it. You can be watching the live broadcast of a game while you’re in the stands watching that same game.

People wanted that. They still do. They just didn’t want it in such a big package, and with some of the other limitations like the 10-minute startup time.

People still want something like this

The SAT-GO sounded great but there never was quite enough demand for it. A planned handheld replacement never made it to market. On the other hand, there are now products from King and Winegard that give you very similar function at a much lower price. But this was an all-in-one device and you couldn’t beat it for coolness. It has the distinction of being one of only two DIRECTV products with a built-in monitor and the only DIRECTV product to be featured in a cool chocolate brown.

Today, you have options. You can watch on a phone or tablet. You can get a cellular router and use a streaming box. Or, you can set up a portable satellite system. It’s all up to you. The one option you don’t have any more is a gigantic hobbled satellite system though. I think it’s probably best that we left that in the past.

If you’re interested in what can be done today, call the folks at Solid Signal! We can help you figure out your best options. We’re here during East Coast business hours at 888-233-7563. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.