If you go Cali camping all year round then one of these chaps can be very useful. When it's dark at 4:30pm, there is a limit to the amount of times you can go to the pub, play cards, or tiddly winks or do what ever else it is you get up to!
We have an Avtex 18" which we occasionally use and it's quite superb. Its reasonably robust, easy to tune and usually gives an excellent picture. We attach ours to the passengers headrest using the special bracket that the shop sells. (Also a great piece of kit. Once fitted you can leave it in place). The only time we haven't found it useful was on one very dark, late October evening in Applecross, Wester Ross. No signal but what can you expect up there! (We had already dined out at the local walled garden Cafe/restaurant).
We also use the Avtex 3000 ariel which seems to work well under most normal circumstances. I have never put it outside but usually just hang it up from the front upper velcro fixing that secures the Brandrup Isotop in place. It normally works very well in this location.
I can understand the controversy over there use on lighter evenings and personally haven't ever bothered to take the TV/DVD with us during the lighter months. We have never felt the need and usually have much better things to do but when some people imply that a TV/DVD isn't compatible with the California life style, they're wrong.
