1. Truck609

    Truck609 Light Load Member

    238
    197
    Dec 17, 2011
    Arizona
    0
    I haven't heard much about the vue cube recently. Now that they are reasonably priced, are any of you that use one willing to share a little info? Like, which one to get, or maybe the do's and don'TS lessons learned during installation.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Kansas

    Kansas Road Train Member

    2,541
    2,579
    Apr 14, 2009
    aircap, Ks.
    0
    If I recall correctly VueCube is only offering the V10 at the moment. The V20 and V30 are off the market while they are being redesigned. Maybe the dieselboss guys will see this and clarify?
     
  4. Dieselboss

    Dieselboss Technology Contributor

    1,648
    1,364
    Feb 19, 2009
    DieselBoss.com
    0
    V10 - no changes to the design in about two years. Works very well, but driver has to understand how to point it. I have some drivers who immediately understand the concept that the satellites for DirectTV or Dish Network, or Bell ExpressVu (Canadian) don't change their position in the sky. They are in a "geosynchronous orbit" so the only thing that changes is where YOU are and how you parked your truck! I know that to some of you this a familiar concept, but believe me when I say that some people who get a V10 struggle with understanding that if they drove 500 miles today, the satellite is STILL where it was last night - and you have moved. So you must be aware of where you are in the country to know where the satellite is relative to how and where you just parked.

    Once a V10 owner understands where the satellites are in relation to where he or she is, you can literally stop the truck and be watching a show in less than 5 minutes. The best web site I have even found (and they have a cell phone app also is http://www.dishpointer.com/) Put in your current location and it draws a line to show you which way the satellites are from you. The satellites you would use would be the 101 for DirectTV and the 110 & 119 for Dish network. (disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the Dishpointer site whatsoever and only mention it here because it truly is the most helpful one I have found for dialing in a VuQube or manually pointing a dish.)

    V20 and V30 - VuQube went to redesign those models quite a while ago and I have not heard any update from them yet. These two models find the signal automatically without you having to know where the satellites are and the V30 stays on the signal while you are in motion.

    "The Tailgater" - this is their latest VuQube. It is a portable unit with 4 rubber feet instead of mounting it to a vehicle. It is used exclusively with Dish Network and only with a specific Dish Network receiver box. It finds the signal automatically when you are stopped and you press the button to search. It is low-priced and worked very well in my testing of it. Many drivers are creating their own clever methods of securing this one to their roof, hood, or mirrors at night when they stop.

    Mounting: REGARDLESS of which brand or model this is always half the challenge. There are many creative ways. The most common for a V10, V20, or V30 are on the back of the truck as high as you can get it without going over the 13'6" height barrier. The standard mount is a bolt-on mount. Many drivers either don't own their truck or don't want to drill 4 holes in it, so we developed a 3M stick-on mount years ago and it is the most popular for us. In addition there are ways to temporarily mount it to the driver or passenger-side mirror that are well documented on this forum.

    Power for a V10 comes from the single coax cable that plugs into the back of any satellite receiver. Power for a V20 or V30 has the coax PLUS a 12-volt harness that you have to connect somewhere into your truck's 12v system.

    Size - the VuQube measures 18" X 18." We have another brand which finds the signal on it's own and works while in motion that we are testing now, but it measures 21" X 21" and this is a mounting challenge that we are trying to solve before it can be recommend from a practical standpoint yet.

    Here's some pics of various installations that I have done. Every truck is different so each has to be solved on a case-by-case basis.

    Hope this answers the questions.
     

    Attached Files:

    • vq1.jpg
      vq1.jpg
      File size:
      113.5 KB
      Views:
      150
    • vq2.jpg
      vq2.jpg
      File size:
      83.7 KB
      Views:
      142
    • vq3.jpg
      vq3.jpg
      File size:
      96.8 KB
      Views:
      138
    • vq4.jpg
      vq4.jpg
      File size:
      112.3 KB
      Views:
      147
    • vq5.jpg
      vq5.jpg
      File size:
      137.4 KB
      Views:
      130
    • vq6.jpg
      vq6.jpg
      File size:
      116.8 KB
      Views:
      156
    • vq7.jpg
      vq7.jpg
      File size:
      105.8 KB
      Views:
      129
    • vq8.jpg
      vq8.jpg
      File size:
      149.6 KB
      Views:
      123
    • vq9.jpg
      vq9.jpg
      File size:
      121.1 KB
      Views:
      135
    • vq10.jpg
      vq10.jpg
      File size:
      88.6 KB
      Views:
      108
    Skybird, nvtruckdriver, Kansas and 4 others Thank this.
  5. Truck609

    Truck609 Light Load Member

    238
    197
    Dec 17, 2011
    Arizona
    0
    Dieselboss-
    Thank you very much! I think you answered every one of my questions! I was wondering about where it got power from. I was also wondering about overall dimensions. I used to lease on with a company that required satellite. When I left them, I had them leave the bracket bolted to the back of my cab. I'll measure to see, but hopefully at 18 inches in height, the bracket is high enough for the cube to "see" over the front. Hopefully that bracket is also deep enough from the truck to accomodate the cube. Either way, no more holes in the truck....I will modify the current bracket if needbe to make it work.

    One last question. If I remember correctly, these things are down to $500 or so now....where is the best place to purchase one? Online, truckstop, or....?

    Thanks again for all that most useful information!
     
  6. Dieselboss

    Dieselboss Technology Contributor

    1,648
    1,364
    Feb 19, 2009
    DieselBoss.com
    0
    If you can leave 4" above the highest point of the truck then it will be able to "see" 360 degrees around the rig in the northern part of the country. If you can leave only 2 or 3" then it will only have trouble up in the northern areas but be fine through the center and southern parts of the country. If you can not leave it at all above the roof then it can see see through fiberglass in many instances as long as there is not a high metal content in your paint.

    As far as where you buy it, some truck stops, many RV places, and lots online. I sell them for $549 and we don't have tax, but you may be able to shop around and get a better deal, but as always buy from a place that has a human on the other end of a phone when you buy anything online is always my advice.
     
    Skybird Thanks this.
  7. Truck609

    Truck609 Light Load Member

    238
    197
    Dec 17, 2011
    Arizona
    0
    Sorry, I didn't realize you sold them. Where is your shop? I live in Willamina currently....for the next week anyway, then off to Arizona. Maybe I'll swing by and you can hook me up?
     
  8. Dieselboss

    Dieselboss Technology Contributor

    1,648
    1,364
    Feb 19, 2009
    DieselBoss.com
    0
    We are in Albany, Oregon. Exit 233 on the I-5 and then one mile south on Three Lakes Road. If you want us to install it then please all me a day in advance if you can so that we make sure to set aside install time. A V10 takes 1 - 4 hours to install depending on how and where the bracket location and wiring need to go on a particular truck.
     
  9. skateboardman

    skateboardman Road Train Member

    6,232
    5,704
    Jan 14, 2012
    flatbed heaven
    0
    can the tailgater be mounted outside th truck and left there lik the vuqube?
     
  10. Dieselboss

    Dieselboss Technology Contributor

    1,648
    1,364
    Feb 19, 2009
    DieselBoss.com
    0
    Hmmm. Loaded question. lol.

    The answer is:
    - Yes, it can be mounted on the standard VuQube bracket.
    and
    - Yes, the warranty will be voided if you have it mounted this way.
     
  11. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

    15,317
    209
    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
    0
    anyone on here with a vqube in midwest? who installed yours
    i heard there is a guy in west memphis
    4 months with no tv is enough
    i already have direct tv at home is price just added to your home account like adding a reciever?
    trans am never goes to oregon or i would have you do dieselboss or your info is appreciated
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.