About a dozen years ago, Solid Signal started selling its own satellite meter. Our customers told us that they wanted a less expensive alternative to the meters available at the time, and we were able to find an option that met most people’s needs. You can still read my review of it, here. But is this meter still a workable option today? Let’s take a look.
If your system hasn’t changed since 2012…
If you’re still using the exact same hardware you used in 2012, the SATLOOK LITE will still work for you. There’s a lot about the DIRECTV and DISH satellite landscape that hasn’t changed since then. For example, DIRECTV is still offering H24 and H25 receivers at SolidSignal.com, and we also offer the Hopper with Sling alongside newer products.
…but a lot actually has changed since then
DISH changed the technology used for its Eastern Arc satellites. If you’re in the southeast US, you can’t use the SATLOOK LITE because it won’t read Eastern Arc satellites anymore. There’s more, too. DISH started offering its hybrid technology which isn’t compatible with the SATLOOK LITE either. Similarly, most newer DIRECTV dishes and multiswitches use digital SWM technology which can’t be accessed through the older meter.
That means unless you are sure that your dish is compatible with the older tech, and you know you’re not using DISH Eastern Arc, you can’t use the SATLOOK LITE anymore. We discontinued it around 2019 due to low demand. That low demand was caused by those changes in technology.
The company that manufactured the SATLOOK LITE for us no longer offers replacement parts, so if your battery is pretty much gone at this point it can’t be replaced unless you sort of Frankenstein one yourself. That’s another reason why this meter isn’t a good choice in the 2020s.
What are your options then?
If you have DIRECTV, the best — and only — option is the AIM 2.0. For DISH users it’s the AI Turbo S2. Both of these meters are a lot better than the SATLOOK LITE, but they’re also quite a bit more expensive. If you aim a dish more than a few times a year, for example at tailgate events, they might be good for you. But if you don’t, you might be better off simply using the built-in signal strength meters in a satellite receiver. Both DIRECTV and DISH have them.
The key to using the built-in meters is patience. You need to be aware that it can take 30 seconds to a minute for changes to show up, and it’s often best to have a friend with a cell phone looking at the screen while you point the dish. Or, you can choose a self-aiming dish from SolidSignal. Considering the price difference in meters, you just might find it’s a better solution.
If you want to find out more about satellite meters or self-aiming dishes, call the experts! We’re here for you during East Coast business hours. All you need to do is call 888-233-7563 and we’ll help you! We’ll explain all your options and give you choices that make sense for your situation. We can even recommend installers in your area if it makes financial sense for you to hire someone rather than buy an expensive meter. Call us now! If it’s after hours, no problem! Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.
