I recently replaced a lightening damaged Pantel PAN 321 with a 40" SkyVue outdoor TV, after I could not get in touch with Pantel to get the PAN 321 repaired.

While I have not had the SkyVue long and have not used it during a hot summer yet, so far it seems to be a good replacement.

The SkyVue is not as well made as the Pantel, but it is still solid and is much less expensive (about 1/2 of the price of a Pantel) -- and the company is still in busines, so it has a warranty. SkyVue uses modified Sharp LED panels with dual cooling/heating fans and a 60 watt speaker bar. It has RS-232 control (using Sharp's control set), and internet connectivity with Sharp widgets and firmware updates. The fan vents on the back of the SkyVue stick out a few inches so they add some challenge when mounting the set (I needed large spacers to get the mounting brackets beyond the vents to use a peerless ceiling mount).

The biggest downside of the SkyVue relative to Pantel is a polycarbonite v. aluminum exterior (kind of like Sunbrite) and, maybe more importantly, while the Pantel had anti-reflective protective glass in front of the LCD panel, the SkyVue puts an anti-reflective coating directly on the LCD panel. The SkyVue looks fine and is bright and visible in sunlight, but I will want to see how the panel holds up in heat and sunlight with no glass to protect the LCD panel.

SkyVue has a number of colors available (so for example, I could get brown to match my gutters and soffits). And the CEO and head of engineering are very responsive and accessible by email (at all sorts of hours).

It is too bad about Pantel, since I liked their product and would have liked to get my PAN 321 repaired. However, SkyVue seems to be a good product, and is worth a look at a good price point.

I believe that Pantel uses off the shelf parts. Had to open up a few years ago to repair the IR window that was pushed in. Out of curiosity I searched a few of the part numbers on the boards and they were available at very reasonable prices. Don't know if those boards had propitiatory firmware or not, might be a easy fix. Sure would be nice to get the schematics for the Pantel TV's.

Think most of the Pantel's were LG based if I remember correctly. I have been lucky and not had any issues with their products yet. We were selling them to clients who thought the Runco's were too expensive.

Anyone that has used Pantel in the past and not happy with current brands is invited to check out CINIOS. New company with solid outdoor TVs....IP55, LED backlit, etc... www.cinios.com

Again, stop spamming our boards. I will never check out your company and will never offer your stupid name to my customers.

Sunbrite it is.

I have three 52" Pantel units available for sale, plus a 4th for non-LCD parts. Purchased for outdoor use, used for 3 months. Asking $6000 per unit, $2000 for the parts tv. Need to move them soon. Buyer responsible for shipping. Reach me at 732-673-4980 if interested.

$6,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6k per. That sounds like a heck of a deal. I will have this guy contact you.

http://dontevenreply.com/

is that in US dollars?

Obviously someone was drunk when they posted those prices.
Or they mistakenly added a 0 in there. $600 per TV for used video displays, that are from a company no longer in business, sounds about right.
I sure the hell wouldn't pay anymore than that. LOL!