I'm in the market for a new set of alarms.
I currently have a set of prologic Smx but they've been letting me down. They often miss bites with me seeing the rod tip go or line screaming out but no sound at all from the alarm (yes I checked batteries). Also missed a few drop backs and come to the bobbin on the deck. It's definitely time to invest in some better units.
I can't decide what to go for. I don't really want to go second hand as if it goes wrong, there's no warranty etc.
I'm not sure I can justify the cost of new delks.
I've been considering ATTs but find reviews a bit of a mixed bags. And also seen the new fox Mx but struggling to find any reviews on them.
Does anyone have any recommendations for any mid range alarms? Looking at around £300. I only ever use 2 rods as all the lakes I fish are 2 rods max but a 3rd alarm as spare would be nice.
I currently have a set of prologic Smx but they've been letting me down. They often miss bites with me seeing the rod tip go or line screaming out but no sound at all from the alarm (yes I checked batteries). Also missed a few drop backs and come to the bobbin on the deck. It's definitely time to invest in some better units.
I can't decide what to go for. I don't really want to go second hand as if it goes wrong, there's no warranty etc.
I'm not sure I can justify the cost of new delks.
I've been considering ATTs but find reviews a bit of a mixed bags. And also seen the new fox Mx but struggling to find any reviews on them.
Does anyone have any recommendations for any mid range alarms? Looking at around £300. I only ever use 2 rods as all the lakes I fish are 2 rods max but a 3rd alarm as spare would be nice.
In reply to Post #1
For your budget the new fox mx alarms with the recivcer would be a good choice I have a set and can't fault them
For your budget the new fox mx alarms with the recivcer would be a good choice I have a set and can't fault them
In reply to Post #1
Alarms are a very personal thing which is why you see so many second hand sets for sale all the time. People often jump from one set to another even before a whole season ends just to ensure they're not missing out on something bigger and better.
I've had a set of 4x Gardner ATTs alarms for about 7 years (front LED as opposed to the newer under lit wheel variety). They've not skipped a beat in terms of reliability. Their compact size makes them perfect for carrying around in a rucksack already attached to a short bank stick in a lightweight setup which is what I've aimed toward over the past few seasons.
The only complaint I've had is that after 3 years the grippy rubber coating of the alarm body starts to become sticky (like a lot of things that have the same coating, for example the volume knob on my car stereo). New body kits solved this problem (and you can buy the clear versions without the rubber coating). Like a true tackle tart I went for the upgraded soft cases as opposed to the hard ones that come with them. When they got sticky it was impossible to slide the fabric soft cases over the alarm.
The screw that holds the roller wheel in place can start to become a little rusty but it doesn't affect the wheel or the internals and again you can buy the screw in a kit.
Battery replacement needs a steady hand and the right screwdriver. Some people have complained about the rubber seal perishing. It's a thin strip of rubber that sits in a groove before clamping the unit shut. Patience and perhaps a drop of Vaseline will pay dividends.
I've spent a fortune on personalising mine. Coloured wheels and longer snag ears, but no regrets.
Alarms are a very personal thing which is why you see so many second hand sets for sale all the time. People often jump from one set to another even before a whole season ends just to ensure they're not missing out on something bigger and better.
I've had a set of 4x Gardner ATTs alarms for about 7 years (front LED as opposed to the newer under lit wheel variety). They've not skipped a beat in terms of reliability. Their compact size makes them perfect for carrying around in a rucksack already attached to a short bank stick in a lightweight setup which is what I've aimed toward over the past few seasons.
The only complaint I've had is that after 3 years the grippy rubber coating of the alarm body starts to become sticky (like a lot of things that have the same coating, for example the volume knob on my car stereo). New body kits solved this problem (and you can buy the clear versions without the rubber coating). Like a true tackle tart I went for the upgraded soft cases as opposed to the hard ones that come with them. When they got sticky it was impossible to slide the fabric soft cases over the alarm.
The screw that holds the roller wheel in place can start to become a little rusty but it doesn't affect the wheel or the internals and again you can buy the screw in a kit.
Battery replacement needs a steady hand and the right screwdriver. Some people have complained about the rubber seal perishing. It's a thin strip of rubber that sits in a groove before clamping the unit shut. Patience and perhaps a drop of Vaseline will pay dividends.
I've spent a fortune on personalising mine. Coloured wheels and longer snag ears, but no regrets.
In reply to Post #1
I bought a S/H set of ECU's(no warranty), not only are they fantastic alarms (in my opinion), the customer service has been absolutely fantastic. Any problems I've had, I've spoken to Scott Edwards himself (the guy that created them), and he's offered solutions and advice, sometimes at his own expense. Can't recommend them enough
I bought a S/H set of ECU's(no warranty), not only are they fantastic alarms (in my opinion), the customer service has been absolutely fantastic. Any problems I've had, I've spoken to Scott Edwards himself (the guy that created them), and he's offered solutions and advice, sometimes at his own expense. Can't recommend them enough
In reply to Post #4
How many problems have you had to go to them with???
Ive never had to go delkim or fox with any problems with alarms
How many problems have you had to go to them with???
Ive never had to go delkim or fox with any problems with alarms
In reply to Post #5
I was thinking that, hardly a glowing review! Only thing I've had to go to Delkim about is a slimlite I damaged, they fixed it for nothing.
I was thinking that, hardly a glowing review! Only thing I've had to go to Delkim about is a slimlite I damaged, they fixed it for nothing.
In reply to Post #3
My reciever went all sticky (I have the dongles not the alarm heads) cured it by cleaning it with a cloth soaked in methylated spirits you could see it coming off in like a gel.
My reciever went all sticky (I have the dongles not the alarm heads) cured it by cleaning it with a cloth soaked in methylated spirits you could see it coming off in like a gel.
In reply to Post #1
https://youtu.be/ktVGRsI3jPI
Carp spirit H5
These might be just the ticket for what you are looking for, packed with features for not silly money.
https://youtu.be/ktVGRsI3jPI
Carp spirit H5
These might be just the ticket for what you are looking for, packed with features for not silly money.
In reply to Post #1
I have just bought a 2x new delkims and receiver for £378, if you could stretch that little bit more I would definitely recommend them mate 👍
I have just bought a 2x new delkims and receiver for £378, if you could stretch that little bit more I would definitely recommend them mate 👍
In reply to Post #1
Sounds odd the issues with your smx (yes I acknowledge you've checked batteries!). Do you know if they are mk1 or mk2? I think the mk2 had a rubber lined roller. I had a set of mk2's for over a year and they were faultless to be honest.
Sounds odd the issues with your smx (yes I acknowledge you've checked batteries!). Do you know if they are mk1 or mk2? I think the mk2 had a rubber lined roller. I had a set of mk2's for over a year and they were faultless to be honest.
In reply to Post #4
Hmmmm, the fact that you have had to go the ECU with "problems" suggests that they are anything but "fantastic"......
Hmmmm, the fact that you have had to go the ECU with "problems" suggests that they are anything but "fantastic"......
In reply to Post #11
Ok just to clear this up, I had two issues with the alarms. 1st one was receiver was behaving strangely, turned out to be low battery power, and the second, when I bought the alarms (secondhand) the previous owner had over tightened the backs on two alarms which had cracked the battery cover. ECU replaced them for free and sent spares as well. So no actual problems with the alarms, more user error. Sorry to disappoint you all.
Ok just to clear this up, I had two issues with the alarms. 1st one was receiver was behaving strangely, turned out to be low battery power, and the second, when I bought the alarms (secondhand) the previous owner had over tightened the backs on two alarms which had cracked the battery cover. ECU replaced them for free and sent spares as well. So no actual problems with the alarms, more user error. Sorry to disappoint you all.
In reply to Post #1
No offense, but those prologic alarms are rubbish, as are many of their products. They have a terrible customer service to top that. Bought a waterwolf with a construction error once. They did nothing, was my problem they said. Bought a bunch of prologic SNZ. They drained batteries faster than my minn kota and rusted after the first rain shower. Their response was that the alarms were not made to fish in rainy conditions for three weeks, although they advertized them as 100% waterproof. I've never bought any Prologic product ever since.
Now I'm not a fan of Fox per se, but I've never been able to break any of their alarms. Owned a whole bunch of them. SMX, S, Eon, Mr+. Al brilliant alarms that last ages, despite the conditions u use them in. Still have different sets that worked perfectly and are more than 15 years old.
No offense, but those prologic alarms are rubbish, as are many of their products. They have a terrible customer service to top that. Bought a waterwolf with a construction error once. They did nothing, was my problem they said. Bought a bunch of prologic SNZ. They drained batteries faster than my minn kota and rusted after the first rain shower. Their response was that the alarms were not made to fish in rainy conditions for three weeks, although they advertized them as 100% waterproof. I've never bought any Prologic product ever since.
Now I'm not a fan of Fox per se, but I've never been able to break any of their alarms. Owned a whole bunch of them. SMX, S, Eon, Mr+. Al brilliant alarms that last ages, despite the conditions u use them in. Still have different sets that worked perfectly and are more than 15 years old.
In reply to Post #1
2 or 3 rod I would go for these
FOX MICRON MX
Mid price alarm with a name that is more reliable than most, I sit on the fence with the Delkim v's Fox argument and reliability as I have owned many models of both and they have equally served me well, another alarm to consider would be Garner TLB alarms if I was looking or considering an alarm with a pedigree.
2 or 3 rod I would go for these
FOX MICRON MX
Mid price alarm with a name that is more reliable than most, I sit on the fence with the Delkim v's Fox argument and reliability as I have owned many models of both and they have equally served me well, another alarm to consider would be Garner TLB alarms if I was looking or considering an alarm with a pedigree.