Replacement For Avtex Twig Aerial.

[Leedslad]

Both Coachman and Elddis have stopped supplying 'vans equipped with the Avtex twig and now fit other types of aerial. Clearly, they have not been able to get acceptable results from the Avtex and have given up on it. How does that leave those of us who have purchased 'vans equipped with the unsatisfactory aerial? Has anyone had their Avtex replaced with an alternative unit? I'd be very interested to hear about how folk have settled this matter.

 

John.

[kiaboy]

Both Coachman and Elddis have stopped supplying 'vans equipped with the Avtex twig and now fit other types of aerial. Clearly, they have not been able to get acceptable results from the Avtex and have given up on it. How does that leave those of us who have purchased 'vans equipped with the unsatisfactory aerial? Has anyone had their Avtex replaced with an alternative unit? I'd be very interested to hear about how folk have settled this matter.

 

John.

Hi John,

I have emailed Paul Stubbs regarding the poor performance of my Twig, He has supplied me with a 4G filter as I was suffering picture break up in areas that should be good. After fitting this it is no better. Coachman's opinion is that only getting 40 TV and 20 Radio channels with aprox 16 of these channels are Un-watchable is perfectly OK as they say the aerial is performing as it should.

 

His exact words are

"Given the results that you have provided, they confirm that the aerial is working I can see no advantage in having the aerial replaced under the warranty. I would presume that once the scheduled work is completed on the transmitters that you will see an improvement.

 

My suggestion is that you try my recommendations whilst using your caravan, I am sure that they will assist you. please do bear in mind that manually tuning the TV increases the quality of the picture being received."

 

IMHO is total Twaddle. I have replied to him asking if this continues next year will they replace the Twig with a Status as fitted to the new 2016 range. I still wait for his reply

 

So I would not hold my breath if I was you. I'm not.

Paul

[potato head]

I spoke to our dealer at the NEC yesterday about this having purchased a 2015 van at last years show, he advised me that Coachman are not replacing the twig aerials. He has a Coachman himself and has replaced his twig with a status at his own cost - Approx £230 fitted was the cost advised to me.

 

In the eyes of the end user it would be much better for Coachman as a company to hold their hands up and admit that they got it wrong and fix the issue (if the user is not happy with the twig) rather than to plant their feet in the ground and say if you get some channels then it works.

 

This is our first Coachman which we bought based upon build quality and reputation - after a number of bad taste experiences with this purchase it will probably be our last.

[Jon321]

It's the one aspect that has soured what is otherwise a great caravan that I have bought IMO.

[kiaboy]

I spoke to our dealer at the NEC yesterday about this having purchased a 2015 van at last years show, he advised me that Coachman are not replacing the twig aerials. He has a Coachman himself and has replaced his twig with a status at his own cost - Approx £230 fitted was the cost advised to me.

 

In the eyes of the end user it would be much better for Coachman as a company to hold their hands up and admit that they got it wrong and fix the issue (if the user is not happy with the twig) rather than to plant their feet in the ground and say if you get some channels then it works.

 

This is our first Coachman which we bought based upon build quality and reputation - after a number of bad taste experiences with this purchase it will probably be our last.

I would like to know (if he went into detail about the replacement) if the swap over is straight forward, did he mention anything like using the same hole but opening it up or fitting in another position, Did the solar panel cause any problems when storing the Status? Not to worry if he didn't. It might be on my jobs to do list later in the year.

[potato head]

I would like to know (if he went into detail about the replacement) if the swap over is straight forward, did he mention anything like using the same hole but opening it up or fitting in another position, Did the solar panel cause any problems when storing the Status? Not to worry if he didn't. It might be on my jobs to do list later in the year.

Yes he said he had it fitted into the same hole as the twig but didn't go into details of opening the hole up or not. He also mentioned some alignment box that was also fitted so the aerial can be setup in the van without using an app on a mobile phone whilst looking at the position of the aerial. This sounds like a good piece of kit to have.

[kiaboy]

Yes he said he had it fitted into the same hole as the twig but didn't go into details of opening the hole up or not. He also mentioned some alignment box that was also fitted so the aerial can be setup in the van without using an app on a mobile phone whilst looking at the position of the aerial. This sounds like a good piece of kit to have.

 

Thanks for that.

The newer Status style aerial comes with a booster which is fitted with an LED which changes from Red, Amber and Green to help located the strongest signal, I have one which I bought for my previous van,but when I sold the van, I refitted the original booster without this facility.

 

http://www. jacksonsleisure. com/caravan-and-camping/televisions/aerial-satellite/vision-plus-vp-4-digital-tv-amplifier-with-signal-finder/

Edited October 15, 2015 by kiaboy

[potato head]

Thanks kiaboy, now it makes sense to me what he was on about.

[Jon321]

I've been exchanging some emails directly with Coachman about this. So far I've got nowhere other than the matter 'being referred to the operations manager'. If I hear anything sensible back from them I'll let you know John.

What I haven't been told is to refer it to the dealer I purchased from. Yet.

[IanV8]

Had mine replaced by my dealer under warranty but Elddis would not pay the dealer.

 

They fitted a Teleco directional forward and inward of the twig which is still there, if it replaced the twig it would overhang the side of the van still uses the twig booster.

 

Now used on two sites with excellent results.

 

Ian

[neverin]

I visited the factory in September and during a tour round I asked why they had stopped

fitting the Avtex aerial.

The answer I received was Avtex had stopped supplying the aerial so they had to find something else . No other reply was forthcoming.

[Jon321]

The answer I received was Avtex had stopped supplying the aerial so they had to find something else . No other reply was forthcoming.

An expected response of course I would say, they aren't going to be freely admitting they have fitted a product which is not fit for purpose. If Avtex have stopped supplying it, this must have been good news for Coachman as it makes it look like they had faith in the product but were left with no option but to change type.

[Jon321]

I've been exchanging some emails directly with Coachman about this. So far I've got nowhere other than the matter 'being referred to the operations manager'.

I was emailed again on Friday by Coachman to be told that the matter is still being looked at and they are still conducting tests. They will be in touch to discuss once they have collated information. Whatever that might mean.

[timmyrj]

Well I was concerned when I took delivery of my VIP 520/4 in April this year but contrary to a few of these letters my Avtex works a treat. Better in fact than the Status on my old 2012 Bailey, Unicorn, Madrid. Long may it continue

[Whatters55]

I have been dealing with Coachman direct concerning the Avtex twig on our 2014 VIP .

Not made any real progress, they sent me a cable some connectors and a 4g filter complete with fitting instructions and explanation of Coachmans Aerial policy .

 

Trouble was our van is the MK1 Avtex twig pre Svenson booster, modification for 4g filter are for the later model with seperate Svenson booster .

 

This was all explained to Coachman but sorry to say i feel they just don't listen .

[Les Medes]

We have not had an issue with the "stick" aerial, works a treat for us, apart from one site that we know has poor reception on a particular pitch, we now try to avoid that pitch and so far had no problems "picture perfect"

Well I was concerned when I took delivery of my VIP 520/4 in April this year but contrary to a few of these letters my Avtex works a treat. Better in fact than the Status on my old 2012 Bailey, Unicorn, Madrid. Long may it continue

Ours is the same model as yours but of 2014 vintage, ours works a treat also, and I agree it is better than the Status we had on a 520/4 of 2011 vintage

Edited October 29, 2015 by Les Medes

[Bernard in Tring]

Well Whatters55, what a surprise!

 

You to are not alone in this saga. Went to The Lawns in September and spoke directly to our Trevor regarding remedy based on the Coachman 'change of policy'. Have you the filter set fitted, he asked, No I respond; followed by I'll send you one. Cant explain why I just rolled over as he was so nice about it I suppose and had just arranged coffee!!!

 

Full, full details taken and like you an early off line 2014 VIP 520/4, taking delivery in November 2013.

 

I requested a delay in despatch of the kit as we were away, hence Lawns visit.

 

Kit did not arrive in time for our next visit to Putts Corner which fortunately despite no site bollard, no TV reception problems.

 

Package opened on return on Sunday and lo and behold exactly the same problems as you have experienced, same parts and all the emphasis on those with the Svenson booster fitted.

 

I too have gone back and I suppose the only consolation for both of us is that Trevor now has two identical problems to resolve.

 

I will update, if you can to, on any progress.

 

Interesting times.

 

Bernard in Tring.

[David55]

I understand that if wired correctly the twig aerial does work. It certainly does on our 2015 Elddis with Svenson amplifier. It is true that Avtex no longer make the twig. Apparently how the wiring is routed is key. A rerouting of wiring is cheaper than replacement aerial.

[timmyrj]

Sorry, I should have said mine to has the Svenson booster, I wonder if people switch them on?

[SKH]

Sorry, I should have said mine to has the Svenson booster, I wonder if people switch them on?

Disconnect the booster and join the two cables together with a suitable 'F' type connector, our has worked perfectly since doing this. In my opinion, the booster is unnecessary (in most situations) and the amplified signal overwhelms the TV tuner resulting in the signal breakup & pixelated picture people are complaining of. Just my experience and only applies to the newer type aerial.

[Markt1891]

Had mine replaced by my dealer under warranty but Elddis would not pay the dealer.

They fitted a Teleco directional forward and inward of the twig which is still there, if it replaced the twig it would overhang the side of the van still uses the twig booster.

Now used on two sites with excellent results.

Ian

Hi Ian,

 

It will be worth you trying to get the Teleco booster from your dealer or if not purchasing another 12v one with variable gain. The Svenson booster does not have variable gain and if you go to a strong signal area you may get pixelation from over boosting. I had an earlier version of the Teleco antenna on my previous van for 5 years and often had to turn the gain down.

 

I now have both the 2016 Teleco antenna and booster. The Avtex antenna is still there but disconnected. I have to modify the radio lead myself to switch it from the Avtex antenna to the Teleco. That was easy enough by fitting a f plug which is designed for 4. 8mm cable.

 

Mark.

[Markt1891]

There is not much to be gained from trying to compare one persons experience with the antenna to another, even if you were pitched next door to each other. There are simply too many variable factors all of which mean that comparing one Avtex antenna installation to another will not show if the product is fit for purpose or not.

 

The only way to test the antenna and compare it's performance is by using a pro signal meter to look not just at signal strength but also the quality of that signal. This needs to be done alongside a directional antenna from the same pitch using the same test equipment.

 

I spent 18 months doing exactly that and providing the test data to Elddis up until the point that they had a change in policy and decided to allow the new Teleco antenna to be fitted without invalidating the warranty. I can assure you that the data was pretty clear, the Avtex whip antenna does not and will never provide the same level of performance as a directional antenna. These tests were done using the 2nd version of the Avtex antenna with Svenson booster which was fitted by Elddis. All internal wiring was bypassed with the signal meter connected directly to the booster. Incidentally I also compared it to the performance of a relatively cheap portable directional made by Avtex (STH3000 - £40) and even that worked remarkable better.

 

For those people who find the antenna works perfectly then it's good news and there is no reason to change it or do anything :-). However it's not because your antenna works and everyone else's is faulty, or that your wiring is any different. It is because the antenna just happens to work on the pitches you have tested it on. There are numerous reports from Elddis owners who were very happy with the antenna for 12 or 18 months only to suddenly visit 2 or 3 locations where it failed completely and yet their neighbours with directional antennas had a perfect picture.

 

So if I was a Coachman owner with the Avtex whip antenna I would continue to put pressure on them. .. the product was withdrawn because it does not work reliably enough. There really isn't much more to it. .. :-).

 

Mark.

[SKH]

There is not much to be gained from trying to compare one persons experience with the antenna to another, even if you were pitched next door to each other. There are simply too many variable factors all of which mean that comparing one Avtex antenna installation to another will not show if the product is fit for purpose or not.

The only way to test the antenna and compare it's performance is by using a pro signal meter to look not just at signal strength but also the quality of that signal. This needs to be done alongside a directional antenna from the same pitch using the same test equipment.

I spent 18 months doing exactly that and providing the test data to Elddis up until the point that they had a change in policy and decided to allow the new Teleco antenna to be fitted without invalidating the warranty. I can assure you that the data was pretty clear, the Avtex whip antenna does not and will never provide the same level of performance as a directional antenna. These tests were done using the 2nd version of the Avtex antenna with Svenson booster which was fitted by Elddis. All internal wiring was bypassed with the signal meter connected directly to the booster. Incidentally I also compared it to the performance of a relatively cheap portable directional made by Avtex (STH3000 - £40) and even that worked remarkable better.

For those people who find the antenna works perfectly then it's good news and there is no reason to change it or do anything :-). However it's not because your antenna works and everyone else's is faulty, or that your wiring is any different. It is because the antenna just happens to work on the pitches you have tested it on. There are numerous reports from Elddis owners who were very happy with the antenna for 12 or 18 months only to suddenly visit 2 or 3 locations where it failed completely and yet their neighbours with directional antennas had a perfect picture.

So if I was a Coachman owner with the Avtex whip antenna I would continue to put pressure on them. .. the product was withdrawn because it does not work reliably enough. There really isn't much more to it. .. :-).

Mark.

Yawn

[Jon321]

Yawn

???

[IanV8]

Hi Ian,

It will be worth you trying to get the Teleco booster from your dealer or if not purchasing another 12v one with variable gain. The Svenson booster does not have variable gain and if you go to a strong signal area you may get pixelation from over boosting. I had an earlier version of the Teleco antenna on my previous van for 5 years and often had to turn the gain down.

I now have both the 2016 Teleco antenna and booster. The Avtex antenna is still there but disconnected. I have to modify the radio lead myself to switch it from the Avtex antenna to the Teleco. That was easy enough by fitting a f plug which is designed for 4. 8mm cable.

Mark.

Still got the twig so if on a site with strong signal can revert back to that.

 

Ian