CSL - Sat-finder satellite finder with level display - pointer display measuring device with signal sound - HD-capable - for optimal positioning of satellite antennas digital satellite systems

I don't usually write reviews, but in this case I decided I must!Had to realign my dish after moving it away from an extended shed roof. I got it close by a smart phone app, but wanted it perfect without spending too much so took a punt on this item.I noticed predominantly good reviews, but a number of questionable ones that I don't really understand or agree with on such a simple item unless its faulty from new or used incorrectly.From my perspective as a retired electrical engineer, this item if used using correct methods is a superb, cheap and simple one man dish alignment tool. The variable tone it delivers allows a peak position to be found very easily through slight movements.As a number of people have mentioned always power down completely the reciever/sky box/set top box before making and braking any LNB connections. Not doing so is not just a risk to this cheap box but the more expensive reciever too.Make sure the gain knob on this box is turned to minimum before powering up.Set the gain to half scale ish on the little box after powering up and set the dish left/right to peak and tighten.Set half scale on the little box again and set the up/down then tighten.Then finally repeat for the LNB fine tune rotation setting if required.Power down again to disconnect the little box and reconnect LNB.Perfect.

Before you start to align the satellite dish, you need to know the bearing (compass direction) and elevation required to a fairly close approximation. This information is not always easy to find, but some web searches should find it. The device will connect to the satellite receiver via the down-lead, and the short jumper cable will connect it to the LNB. The connection to the satellite receiver provides the power and you should see this by the dial and indicator lights lighting up. If, on a twin-lead feed to receiver, it does not power up on connection, try the other lead.The control knob lets you adjust the sensitivity. If the indicator goes off-scale, reduce the sensitivity. Adjust both the bearing and the elevation, until neither gives further improvement. It also gives a whistling sound - stronger received signal gives higher pitch. I found this easier to use than watching the dial. When you appear to have maximised the signal received, go to the satellite receiver, switch fully on and check the Sky signal level indicator via the Services menu. If you see no signal indicated you may have accidentally latched onto another satellite, which is slightly further due east and at a slightly lower elevation - easily done by mistake. Sky will not recognise this signal; go back to the dish and try to realign.The only real criticism I had of this device is that the jumper lead is a bit short. Connect it up and let it hang downwards from the LNB, and don't position yourself in front of the dish and you should be OK. It is unbelievably cheap in terms of what it can do. A professional aerial installer would look for something more expensive and sophisticated, but this is just fine for the amateur handyman doing jobs like this on an occasional basis.

Very good and inexpensive for easily checking that you are picking up a satellite and tweaking and maximising the signal - but you need to check on the TV or receiver that you are actually lining up on the correct satellite as this box does not distinguish between satellites - you need a much more expensive device for that.My first attempt at aligning a new dish for Freesat found a very strong signal but I was picking up European, rather than UK, stations. My dish/lnb supplier said I was actually pointing to a satellite slightly further South than the Astra 2 cluster which I needed .I used the Dishpointer.com site and app to roughly line up on the correct satellite, then this sat finder box came into its own by allowing me to fine tune the alignment so that I received a 100% signal strength and quality.To pick up the Sky/Freesat satellite I have since discovered that if you start with the dish pointing further east than necessary and slowly swing to the south - the Astra 2 group will be the first strong signal you receive - going from south to east you may receive from the wrong satellite first!

Needed this to realign our freesat dish which had been installed by a "professional" a couple of years ago. A number of the minor channels have never worked, and recently, a Roofer caught the dish meaning the main channels were very intermittent. Instructions with product were good, but not great, so watched a YouTube video. Using the device as instructed, I was able to realign the dish in about 5 minutes strengthening the reception of the signal significantly. I am now able to watch all channels, both major and minor ones. Signal strength shows as 90 - 95 %. Signal quality shows as 100 %. The device is cheap, can be used repeatedly, and does exactly what it should. Can't comment on longevity yet.

Sorry to say this did not prove that useful when I installed a new dish. Its capability to find a peak was poor. I ended up just using my receiver to find the best max power and quality level. Only redeeming feature was that is not expensive so not much lost.