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£200 ISH to spend on alarms (33 posts / 3,335 views)
jwilko86
Posts: 251
Post #1 20 Mar 2026 13:23
0
Hey guys. Looking for a bit of input as there are so many options out there.

If you had about £200 to spend on alarms. Set of 3 with receiver what would you be buying.

No brand loyalty with me so open to most.

Want something reliable and preferably with drop back indication.

Either that or I could buy a second hand delkim txi plus to make mine a 3 rod setup and then buy a new 2 rod setup for the boy.

Cheers
Jack
armalitemk1 armalitemk1
Posts: 668
Post #2 20 Mar 2026 14:26
3
In reply to Post #1
Total fishing tackle (on eBay) are doing 3 mini micron x with receiver £199 can't go wrong for that money in my opinion, I don't own any but I've a few mates that do and they really rate them
jwilko86
Posts: 251
Post #3 20 Mar 2026 14:30
0
In reply to Post #2
I saw these.

A mate has some other fox alarms and loves them and says no problem so assume even the lower end of the range are good.

I'll put them on the list.

It may end up being a big list lol
armalitemk1 armalitemk1
Posts: 668
Post #4 20 Mar 2026 14:33
0
In reply to Post #3
I've had my old SX alarms 3 years this year no real issues except for me being heavy handed when changing battery's so had to replace the wire I've made mine wireless, I really rate Fox alarms
edski119 edski119
Posts: 82
Post #5 20 Mar 2026 15:32
0
Hi,
The wolf X1 is a decent enough alarm, you can pick up a three rod set plus the receiver for about £225, so slightly above your budget. Initially I wasn't sure about the rechargeable battery on them. But they've been fine after about a year of usage. Come to think of it I've only charged them once. I need to get out on the bank more. Got my son the fox minis to use and they've been fine as well. I prefer the X1's though personally.

Regards.
mark1009
Posts: 4,738
Post #6 20 Mar 2026 15:47
0
I bought a set of Fox mini micron x for my brother to use when he was over ftom Australia I have the RX + , I was impressed by the mini micron , and for the money i would use them if the rx+ packed up rather than buying new ones.
jwilko86
Posts: 251
Post #7 20 Mar 2026 17:45
0
In reply to Post #5
I had never seen these before. They look pretty good and UK made and rechargable is a plus for me.

Could probably stretch the budget. Especially with 5 year warranty. Well at least according to YouTube videos.

They are on the list.
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #8 20 Mar 2026 17:57
0
In reply to Post #7
I've gut the Qis, the service from Wolf is superb, even simple questions answered promptly.
British and a extended warranty, no brainer

Fox used to be good but their after service leaves a lot to be desired now.
MrNuvawun MrNuvawun
Posts: 2,443
Post #9 20 Mar 2026 20:19
0
In reply to Post #1
Sonik SKS2's, one hell of an alarm which in my opinion put Fox and Delkim to shame! Think they're about £160ish for 3 alarms, receiver and bivvy light (which also links up as a receiver). Everything in the set runs on bog standard AAA's, alarms take 2 each, receiver takes 2, bivvy light takes 3. So easy finding the boots when you get a bite in the dark! Only downside is no hard cases supplied or available. Soft alarm pouches are easy enough to find though.
I've also got a set of Mini Micron X's and they're not bad, but not a patch on the Soniks.
chanmenie
Posts: 1,875
Post #10 20 Mar 2026 20:23
0
In reply to Post #9
I agree I have a set of SKS 2 and Gizmo 2, they are fantastic alarms for the money.
Being an old git I really appreciate the bivvy light.
The-Heff The-Heff
Posts: 3,404
Post #11 20 Mar 2026 20:44
0
In reply to Post #7
If you can stretch the budget, id also have a look at the avid vtx+.Had a look at a mates set, very impressive for the money, and i think they actually look pretty good as well. If i didnt already have alarms i was happy with, delkim txids, those would be my choice. He mentioned that avid are owned by fox, i have no idea, so potentially the same factory. I must say there were lots of similarities with the RX plus i had before
riddler riddler
Posts: 967
Post #12 22 Mar 2026 08:54
0
In reply to Post #5
Do the LED lights come fixed colour Or can you cycle through the options and choose ?
AndyClark AndyClark
Posts: 5,815
Post #13 22 Mar 2026 09:29
0
In reply to Post #12
you can change them, lower amd increase the brightness change the tone and sensitivity.....they look very decent alarms for £225
whataclonker whataclonker
Posts: 365
Post #14 22 Mar 2026 12:40
0
In reply to Post #1
The fox microns, in my humble opinion, are still one of the best.

I've been using the standard el cheapo mini microns, as a receiver & extras aren't important to me anymore.

They're so good, that I almost feel bad for paying so little for them..

Reliable, durable, proven, & love the simplicity (& looks) of the retro on/off toggle switch.

Onto my second season with them now, & the original batteries are still going strong.

They've been fully dunked, & it didn't bother them one bit.

I can only imagine that the X's would be a no brainer.

People like what they like & there will always be different opinions, but having tried several brands over the years, I always seem to come back to the microns, & wonder why I bothered changing in the first place..
CityKoi CityKoi
Posts: 3,243
Post #15 22 Mar 2026 16:17
1
In reply to Post #1
Sonik Sks2
bigjim001 bigjim001
Posts: 9,347
Post #16 22 Mar 2026 17:35
0
In reply to Post #1
The mini micron take some beating
MrNuvawun MrNuvawun
Posts: 2,443
Post #17 22 Mar 2026 17:38
0
In reply to Post #16
They're not bad, I've got Mini Micron X's and Sonik SKS2's. The Soniks are a much better alarm and have way more features.
jwilko86
Posts: 251
Post #18 23 Mar 2026 19:39
0
In reply to Post #1
Thanks guys.
Has given me a list to have a proper look at come payday.

See if there are any deals or discount codes about on any of them.

Cheers
Jack
Marruo
Posts: 141
Post #19 24 Mar 2026 09:15
0
Fox mini micron x as has been said here many times.

If budget is an option the Hirisi Sonik Herox copy (or probably more probably the very same indicator) can be had on Ali for under 50 GBP incl. shipping for 4 of them incl. bivvy light.
Have used them in harsh conditions and no fault so far.
Drop back indication, sensitiviy, small, robust. Incredible value for money but not fancy of course.
MrFrosty
Posts: 637
Post #20 24 Mar 2026 21:39
0
Fox mini micron x. Brought them as a spare set to keep in the van. Like the so much sold my R4's and now only use these.
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #21 25 Mar 2026 07:52
1
Just bought myself a set of Sonik SKS2's as a second set to my STR's following the feedback on here. Cracking for the money, magnetic bivvy light too, perfect for the van
AndyCarper82 AndyCarper82
Posts: 2,541
Post #22 25 Mar 2026 19:06
2
A set of ATT's would be probably the most reliable alarms you could buy... yeah, no dropback differentiation but at least you'll still be using them in 5 years+.

2ambream
Posts: 130
Post #23 25 Mar 2026 20:48
0
Love my fox mini micron x's in camo, come with a receiver never missed a beat, worth a look at the mini micron x's for sure
tatuusfr
Posts: 17
Post #24 25 Mar 2026 21:59
0
I sold my Mini Micron because the led was not bright enought in a sunny day or when you are on the side of your rods. Except that point they are brillant alarms.
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,233
Post #25 25 Mar 2026 23:24
0
In reply to Post #24
You know you can alter the brightness.
Yes, the led isn't a mega bright one but a small compromise.
I have my micron X on the medium setting, hard to see in the daytime, but thats not a problem as you can easily see if the swinger is moving.
PaulK101
Posts: 104
Post #26 26 Mar 2026 06:37
0
Im waiting to get a par of SONK Gizmo-2

Nice alarms it seems full of features with some good waterproofing (sure there is a vid out there of 1 being dropped n the margins)

+ there s a Bivvy light and as im Half deaf in one ear and now sleep for a chunk of the night that's very helpful to me.

Alarms are overpriced IMO but the Gizmos id rate as value
2ambream
Posts: 130
Post #27 26 Mar 2026 14:11
0
In reply to Post #25
I think mine are mega bright, only in the brightest of sun id imagine i wouldnt see the l.e.d. At night with one l.e.d on each ear at the top of the alarm the view is never restricted either.

My only small negative about these buzzers is perhaps the batteries don't last as long as i'd like but i do have them on brightest setting.
Was going to sell mine to 'upgrade' to the Rx's, that until it come time to photograph them to stick on ebay, then realised they don't need improving they're bob on and put the back away
chanmenie
Posts: 1,875
Post #28 27 Mar 2026 21:05
0
In reply to Post #26
You won't be disappointed, I've had a set since they first came out, I've used them in some horrendous weather and they have been faultless.
The bivvy light is brilliant
jwilko86
Posts: 251
Post #29 2 Apr 2026 19:48
3
I ended up picking up the sonik sks2. Not had a run on them yet but took them out for a fish. Seems like they will do everything I want and was a bit cheaper than the mini microns in angling direct so went with them.

So far I'm happy but if I get any issues once I have had them for a while I will report back.
MrNuvawun MrNuvawun
Posts: 2,443
Post #30 2 Apr 2026 22:00
0
In reply to Post #29
I've had them for a couple of years and fished in all sorts of weather. They've been faultless.
Baitman Baitman
Posts: 5,233
Post #31 2 Apr 2026 22:34
0
In reply to Post #30
Can you alter the led colour on these alarms? And maybe also the sonik hero?
MrNuvawun MrNuvawun
Posts: 2,443
Post #32 3 Apr 2026 10:44
1
In reply to Post #31
I can't vouch for the Hero alarms, but I think they are fixed colours in red, green and blue? A while ago I saw on AliExpress you can get a 4 rod (Hirisi, but look identical) set in R,Y,G,B for £40-£50 if that helps.

As for the SKS2's, yes you can change the colour to any of red, yellow, green, blue, purple, or white. You can have any combination, or all the same if that's what you want and everything automatically syncs to the receiver and bivvy light. How they cram all the features into these alarms for the price is beyond me! Saying that, the mainstream brands have been having us over for decades now, so we've become accustomed to paying premiums for these features.
MrNuvawun MrNuvawun
Posts: 2,443
Post #33 3 Apr 2026 10:59
0
In reply to Post #32
Here's the specs for the SKS2 sets:

03-04-2026-10-56-47
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