4.0 out of 5 stars Performs well in the cold

2026-01-19    -Aquarius

I installed this Hotshot satellite dish heater - 28"x20" on the front of the reflector. I had planned to install it on the back for some reason, but I discovered that the bolt holes in the heating mat were made for a different dish than my DirecTV dish. However, the instructions allow for that possibility. After installation of the heater indoors, I viewed the heater in operation with a thermal imaging camera at a temperature of about 17 degrees Fahrenheit confirmed that it works very well, heating the reflector to around 45 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit in those conditions. As you can see from my photos, the temperatures of the front and back of the reflector, as measured, were essentially identical. Other than the price of the product, my only gripe is that the heater came folded in a bubble-wrap bag and that about an inch or so of the adhesive backing had peeled away at a fold at one corner. The bubble wrap therefore stuck to that corner and could not be removed from the mat despite my best efforts. I had to use a drop of Gorilla Glue to adhere that corner to the reflector. Otherwise, I am very happy with the product so far.

5.0 out of 5 stars Why didn't I do this years ago? !!

2026-02-07    -Karl H

Every winter for the past 7 years (as long as I've been a Directv customer) after the first snow fell I would say: "This year I'm putting up a dish heater". Well I finally did it and I can't believe a) how easy it was and b) how well it works!You can check out the images I added to see the different stages of the install. But basically I was surprised how well and thorough the instructions were put together. Sometimes for niche items like this the manuals are lacking and even though the install directions were only 2 pages, they answered all your questions.First, if you're installing this after winter has begun - be aware that you have to apply the adhesive-backed element onto the dish in at least a temperature environment of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. So I realized that since I was going to install my heater on the back of the dish (instead of the front - the instructions say you can do either) and since it was 35 degrees out - it would be easiest to remove the dish and bring it in the house.If you're installing on a slimline like mine - it's just 4 easy bolts to remove and the dish is off! And it absolutely does not mess with your alignment.So I removed the 4 bolts, brought it in the house - cleaned it - and let it warm up.Then I began the applying the element to the back of the dish per instructions - starting in the middle and then peeling the backing off each "wing" one at a time.I put the dish back up and viola! Picture was still there perfectly.I then ran the included wire to the power transformer inside my house. I didn't need even half of the 100 feet that they give you and shortening it was a cinch.The power transformer is big and heavy. The manual says that the element has a thermostat and only turns on when the temperature falls to or below freezing. So technically you could leave it on all the time and it would only heat up when it's cold enough. However, I'm switching mine off at the transformer when it's not snowing because really that's the only time you need it. Rain or just cold doesn't seem to affect the signal (at least in Utah).And I figure it saves power to not have the transformer on all the time.Oddly enough it snowed 6 inches the same night of the day I installed it - so I got to see how well it worked quickly. It is awesome! Not a stitch of snow on my dish at all! When the snow was finished I just turned it off.If your dish is on the roof or even if you're just tired of brushing it off. You owe it to yourself to do this!Hands down - the best $130 bucks I ever spent!

5.0 out of 5 stars I removed my Dish brand oval dish so I could install the adhesive grid on the back of the dish as recommended. Just 4 bolts and

2026-01-31    -Thom H.

I installed mine this past summer, so I couldn't post a review until now. I removed my Dish brand oval dish so I could install the adhesive grid on the back of the dish as recommended. Just 4 bolts and the dish is easily removed. In took extreme care in applying the grid. The applique relies on the the metal dish to draw the heat off the foil grid. Any air bubbles in the applique will cause the grid to be lifted off the metal dish, and this can cause a hot spot in the foil which can burn out. I bolted the dish back in place and connected the wires from the supply. This is a very easy process. From there, it was just a waiting game. The first test of the heater came in early December when we had several inches of snow on a brutally cold day. Despite the fluffy nature of the snow, it caused the signal to drop enough where I lost reception. I went down to the garage where the power supply is located, hit the button, and within 10 minutes had a clear dish and my signal restored. We just had a substantial overnight snowfall of the heavy wet, sticky variety. Again, I hit the switch, and within 5 minutes, the entire covering of snow slid off the dish all at once, hitting the ground from 2 stories up with a muffled thump. I am delighted with the performance. I formerly would have to get extension poles to my snow rake out, and duct tape an SUV washing brush to the end in order to reach the dish. Then I'd have to maintain the dish thoughout the snowfall.Two recommendations if I may.1) I only turn it on when needed. There is a thermostat to control it's operation, but I figured why have it on in its not required.2) If you have a Dish brand oval dish with the words "Turbo HD" stenciled of the face of it, the oval heater will not fit! Satellite Oasis was very accommodating, and let me return the first one for a round heater. It was stressed to me to not touch the release paper on the heater or else it was not returnable. So try the heater on the dish BEFORE you pull the release paper off. The round heater seems to do just as good of a job as the oval one would have done. The heat quickly spreads out to the edges of the dish and cleans everything off.I'm sold on this, and completely satisfied!

4.0 out of 5 stars Performs well in the cold

2025-12-25    -Aquarius

I installed this Hotshot satellite dish heater - 28"x20" on the front of the reflector. I had planned to install it on the back for some reason, but I discovered that the bolt holes in the heating mat were made for a different dish than my DirecTV dish. However, the instructions allow for that possibility. After installation of the heater indoors, I viewed the heater in operation with a thermal imaging camera at a temperature of about 17 degrees Fahrenheit confirmed that it works very well, heating the reflector to around 45 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit in those conditions. As you can see from my photos, the temperatures of the front and back of the reflector, as measured, were essentially identical. Other than the price of the product, my only gripe is that the heater came folded in a bubble-wrap bag and that about an inch or so of the adhesive backing had peeled away at a fold at one corner. The bubble wrap therefore stuck to that corner and could not be removed from the mat despite my best efforts. I had to use a drop of Gorilla Glue to adhere that corner to the reflector. Otherwise, I am very happy with the product so far.

5.0 out of 5 stars Why didn't I do this years ago? !!

2026-02-08    -Karl H

Every winter for the past 7 years (as long as I've been a Directv customer) after the first snow fell I would say: "This year I'm putting up a dish heater". Well I finally did it and I can't believe a) how easy it was and b) how well it works!You can check out the images I added to see the different stages of the install. But basically I was surprised how well and thorough the instructions were put together. Sometimes for niche items like this the manuals are lacking and even though the install directions were only 2 pages, they answered all your questions.First, if you're installing this after winter has begun - be aware that you have to apply the adhesive-backed element onto the dish in at least a temperature environment of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. So I realized that since I was going to install my heater on the back of the dish (instead of the front - the instructions say you can do either) and since it was 35 degrees out - it would be easiest to remove the dish and bring it in the house.If you're installing on a slimline like mine - it's just 4 easy bolts to remove and the dish is off! And it absolutely does not mess with your alignment.So I removed the 4 bolts, brought it in the house - cleaned it - and let it warm up.Then I began the applying the element to the back of the dish per instructions - starting in the middle and then peeling the backing off each "wing" one at a time.I put the dish back up and viola! Picture was still there perfectly.I then ran the included wire to the power transformer inside my house. I didn't need even half of the 100 feet that they give you and shortening it was a cinch.The power transformer is big and heavy. The manual says that the element has a thermostat and only turns on when the temperature falls to or below freezing. So technically you could leave it on all the time and it would only heat up when it's cold enough. However, I'm switching mine off at the transformer when it's not snowing because really that's the only time you need it. Rain or just cold doesn't seem to affect the signal (at least in Utah).And I figure it saves power to not have the transformer on all the time.Oddly enough it snowed 6 inches the same night of the day I installed it - so I got to see how well it worked quickly. It is awesome! Not a stitch of snow on my dish at all! When the snow was finished I just turned it off.If your dish is on the roof or even if you're just tired of brushing it off. You owe it to yourself to do this!Hands down - the best $130 bucks I ever spent!

5.0 out of 5 stars I removed my Dish brand oval dish so I could install the adhesive grid on the back of the dish as recommended. Just 4 bolts and

2025-12-22    -Thom H.

I installed mine this past summer, so I couldn't post a review until now. I removed my Dish brand oval dish so I could install the adhesive grid on the back of the dish as recommended. Just 4 bolts and the dish is easily removed. In took extreme care in applying the grid. The applique relies on the the metal dish to draw the heat off the foil grid. Any air bubbles in the applique will cause the grid to be lifted off the metal dish, and this can cause a hot spot in the foil which can burn out. I bolted the dish back in place and connected the wires from the supply. This is a very easy process. From there, it was just a waiting game. The first test of the heater came in early December when we had several inches of snow on a brutally cold day. Despite the fluffy nature of the snow, it caused the signal to drop enough where I lost reception. I went down to the garage where the power supply is located, hit the button, and within 10 minutes had a clear dish and my signal restored. We just had a substantial overnight snowfall of the heavy wet, sticky variety. Again, I hit the switch, and within 5 minutes, the entire covering of snow slid off the dish all at once, hitting the ground from 2 stories up with a muffled thump. I am delighted with the performance. I formerly would have to get extension poles to my snow rake out, and duct tape an SUV washing brush to the end in order to reach the dish. Then I'd have to maintain the dish thoughout the snowfall.Two recommendations if I may.1) I only turn it on when needed. There is a thermostat to control it's operation, but I figured why have it on in its not required.2) If you have a Dish brand oval dish with the words "Turbo HD" stenciled of the face of it, the oval heater will not fit! Satellite Oasis was very accommodating, and let me return the first one for a round heater. It was stressed to me to not touch the release paper on the heater or else it was not returnable. So try the heater on the dish BEFORE you pull the release paper off. The round heater seems to do just as good of a job as the oval one would have done. The heat quickly spreads out to the edges of the dish and cleans everything off.I'm sold on this, and completely satisfied!