With the popularity of FTA receivers and their amazing potential to receive 1000?s of channels, there has been a wave of knock-off receivers that claim to be just as good, or better than the originals like the Pansat, Fortec, and CoolSat brands.
This statement is absolute false.
The Fortec, Pansat, and CoolSat brands have many models for Europe, Asia, and North American markets. They are a true free-to-air satellite receiver manufacturers, not a clone manufacturer.
There are many lies and deceptive practices performed by many online dealers claiming that their ?special FTA receiver? is just as good as the original. The truth is, it is not. These clone manufacturers have approached us to sell their product and we have refused. The reason for this is their poor product quality. These fake models are made in China with sub-standard manufacturing processes and components.
The wise consumer will purchase a leading brand product and get warranty and support from a company involved in the FTA market, not just a company out to make a quick buck. If it is a case of $10 to $20 dollars, purchase the original unit that is widely supported in the market, save yourself the hassle in the future.
These models below have been confirmed as being counterfeit:
- PanTec MS
- UltraStar
- Pansat 3000
- Pansat 4000
We have done some testing on some of the bogus models on the market and here is what we our research team has found:
- Pansat does not make or sell 3000 or 4000 series products. Thus, any and all products sold with Pansat 3000 model are counterfeit satellite receivers.
- The paint color on counterfeit satellite receivers is greenish silver. There is a noticeable difference in the color of the top cover when compared to the front panel?s color. Authentic Pansat satellite receivers are produced in a ?Sony silver? color.
- A vinyl protection sheet, which is typically adhered to the top of the satellite receiver, is missing in the counterfeit product. Authentic products always have a protective vinyl sheet applied to them in case of damage during transportation.
- Counterfeit receivers have top cover ventilation holes which are noticeably square shaped rather than a smooth, round shape as the authentic model has.
- The bottom chassis of counterfeit receivers are flat whereas authentic receivers have several more, upward-punched, square shaped holes.
- Counterfeit models have a sticker label listing UL (safety standard) and FCC compliance on the back panel. Sticker label format has been discontinued and is no longer used to list UL and FCC compliance. Authentic models have a UL & FCC clause directly printed onto the metal on the back of the receiver and should be accompanied by a small sticker indicating the month of the product?s manufacture (e.g. Sep. 2004 ? (SB)).
- A serial number is not attached on both the gift box and the unit (back or bottom) on counterfeit satellite receiver models. It appears as an alpha-numeric listing such as ?4G4- ? on the FCC sticker label. There is a possibility that a completely fake serial number may be created and attached on counterfeit units in the future. Authentic Pansat satellite receivers will list an eight (8) digit serial number consisting of year, month, unit sequence & other numbers and is located on the bottom of the receiver chassis and on the top side of gift box.
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