A quality bite alarm is a very important gadget to any serious carp or specimen angler in the UK. The correct bite alarm will change the way you fish, whether you are about to sit down to an overnight session or just want to relax without having to monitor your rod tips all the time. In a fast-paced world of competing technology brands and the many brands competing to get attention, it can be daunting to select the right alarm.
This guide tries to cover the most popular brands of bite alarms in the UK market that will enable you make a wise choice in your next fishing trip.
Why Bite Alarms Matter
Gone are the days of sitting on floats, or quiver tips, and watching them for hours. The contemporary bite alarms will sense even the tiniest bit of movement on a line, and alert you with audible sounds, LED lights, or vibrations relayed to a wireless receiver. This will allow you to fish more than one rod at a time, sleep easily in your bivvy, and you will never miss the opportunity when a fish takes your bait.
The Premium Tier: Delkim
In terms of bite alarms, Delkim is the most prestigious brand in the UK as compared to the competition. Delkim alarms are British-made, engineered to perfection and are the choice of the professional angler, or those who require absolute reliability.
Delkim TXI-D V2
TXI-D V2 is the most advanced of the bite alarms. This model uses high-tech vibration sensors that are sensitive to motion as little as 2mm, and as such, this model is extremely sensitive to the tiniest takes. It operates on infrared light and roller wheel technology and therefore, it does not produce false alarms as frequent as other inferior alarms caused by wind or wildlife.
The main highlights are the adjustable response options (instead of the previous sensitivity options), the customizable snapping ears attached to the alarm head, and the elaborate security system, which informs you when the alarm has been compromised at night. Dual LED lights allow you to know the difference between a drop-back bite and a proper take, fully providing you with the information on what occurs with your rig.
As expensive as PS800 per presentation set, Delkim is a heavy investment, yet to several anglers, the performance and reliability at that price is well worth it.
Delkim EV-D
Those who like the quality of Delkim but have a smaller budget should also consider EV-D as it provides the good performance at a more affordable price. Although it does not have all of the state-of-the-art abilities of the TXI-D, it retains the construction quality and reliability that Delkim is known to have.
The Performance Alternative: Fox.
Fox International has positioned itself as a strong player in the bite alarm market with products that are rich in features and yet they compete with premium brands at a non-premium price.
Fox RX+ Range
The RX+ is a massive hit amongst UK anglers and understandably so. These alarms are also impressive, with a wireless distance that is up to 600m meaning that they are good in large waters where you may wish to move out of the area of your rods. The presentation sets are usually accompanied by two or three alarm heads and a wireless receiver in a beautiful hard case.
Volume, tone, and LED colours are all customisable and the build quality is strong enough to withstand even the worst British weather. The receiver also comes with a memory which is used to point out the rod that has indicated something so that you can never lose track of any activity even when you may not be paying attention at that particular time.
Fox Mini Micron X
This model is a remodelled version of the original Mini Micron delivering a lot of technology in a very small body. It has seven volume settings and four sensitivity choices, which are useful at identifying a slower, more reserved take. The cone-shaped speaker is clear and crisp in sound delivery and the LED indicators are bright and can easily be seen under any condition.
The Mini Micron X comes in single or sets of two, three, or four and allows an angler to construct his setup progressively.
The Dependable Gold Medal: Nash Tackle.
Nash has gained a good reputation in the manufacture of reliable bite alarms that are of great value. They might not be as high-end as Delkim or as dominant as Fox but Nash alarms are the name trusted by a multitude of UK anglers who enjoy their simple functionality and reasonable prices.
All the necessary options of Nash alarm usually include adjustable sensitivity, volume and tone control, LED display, and satisfactory battery life but without any extra inconveniences. Anglers especially love them because they offer the best proven technology at a price that does not require them to buy the new products.
The Budget-Friendly Options
Prologic
Prologic has found a niche in the UK market through its feature packed alarm at extremely reasonable prices. They do not necessarily have the life of the high-end brands but offer great performance to the budget angler or the novice in the realm of the specimen fish.
Sonik SKS
The Sonik SKS, despite its cheaper price, has received very high reviews, and many reviewers believe it is the best value carp fishing bite alarm on the market. It works on a magnetic system to trigger electronic sensors with varying tones and LED colours based on the nature of take. A reliable bivvy light and receiver are also included in the package which makes it an attractive complete solution.
Gardner
Gardner bite alarms are a British traditional engineering that is directed toward simplicity and reliability. They are not as modern as they could be, possibly missing such features as Bluetooth connectivity or app control, but designed to last a long time and work in every environment.
New Brands and Technology.
Rippton BITEKEEPER
Rippton is a new company that offers advanced technology to the bite alarm industry. Their line of BITEKEEPERs is integrated with a smart phone app, so you can manage the LED colours, alarm sounds and sensitivity right off your phone. Having IP66 waterproof ratings and amazing 500m range, they are built to suit the needs of all the tech-savvy anglers out there.
The rechargeable batteries provide up to 10 days of standby time which will help in the elimination of the tedious task of continually changing batteries during long sessions.
Steve Neville, Sundridge (Optonic)
The use of Steve nevill bite alarms boasts one of the largest fan bases in the UK, with the users attesting to the exceptional design and the good performance of the product. Optonic is the well-known brand in Sundridge which has become a staple of carp fishing in Britain over the decades.
Key Features to Consider
These are the key features that one should consider when choosing a bite alarm brand:
Sensitivity and Response: It is a skill of discerning the tiniest bites that could spell out the difference between hitting the target and missing chances. The more advanced detection systems are usually provided by premium brands.
Weatherproofing: British weather is known to be erratic. Find alarm types that are well-waterproofed and those that have closed internal components.
Wireless Range: Do you fish big water or move around a lot you need a receiver that has a good range (300m+).
Battery Life: Dead batteries in the middle of a productive session is no good. Take into account which one you would like to replace or recharge.
Customization: It should be customizable in terms of volume, tone, sensitivity and LED colours to reflect various fishing conditions and individual preferences.
Build Quality: cheaper alarms have a tendency to fail at the seals, letting moisture destroy internal parts. It is better to invest in a good quality.
Price Ranges Explained
Budget available (below PS100 as a pack): Whereas good beginners or infrequent anglers are concerned. Look for simple operation and low durability.
Mid-range (PS100-PS400): This is the optimum range of most of the anglers. The brands such as Fox and Nash are very good in terms of performance and reliability.
Premium (PS400+): This category is dominated by Delkim. Such alarms are lifetime investments that consist of advanced technology and high quality of builds.
Making Your Choice
The perfect bite alarm brand will be based on a number of things:
Level of experience: Beginners may find it better to have less complex inexpensive products as they are acquainted with the sport.
Angling frequency: Weekend fishermen can spare themselves to use the lower-end brands; the serious angler can enjoy all the advantages accorded to the premium brands.
Budget: Be candid about what you can afford but bear in mind quality alarms are valid over a long period.
Fishing style: Stalking fishermen require portability; long-session fishermen require battery life and waterproofing.
The Verdict
And to achieve maximum performance and reliability, Delkim is still the platinum standard in the UK market. Nevertheless, Fox provides exceptional value at functions that will please the majority of the anglers. Nash offers a reliable compromise, and low-end brands such as Sonik and Prologic give beginners an opportunity to enter the bite alarms market without spending a lot.
The UK market has it all in terms of the angler and budget. You can spend a lot of money on a high-quality Delkim package that will outlast decades, or you can begin with a low-priced Sonik package to determine whether you like specimen fishing or not but the most important aspect of specimen fishing is to be able to use the alarms that you can trust.
Ever since nobody wants to feel worse than they are thinking that your alarm did not wake you up and made you miss on the fish of a lifetime. Make the right decision and your bite alarms will be your loyal friends who will provide you with a lot of fun during your next numerous visits to the bank.
Where to Buy
These brands are available in most of the major retailers of fishing tackle in the UK:
Angling Direct
Total Fishing Tackle
Local independent tackle shops.
Online specialists
Always remember to look at the warranty coverage and customer reviews before you make your purchase, and are not afraid to consult any seasoned angler or shop staff in relation to what you need in particular.
Best of luck in your fishing,–and frequent may your alarms!