2 weeks ago
Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro: Two-minute review
The Antennas Direct CleaStream Max-V Pro is astir arsenic powerful an indoor antenna arsenic you tin buy. Antenna summation matters for receiving much distant aliases lower-power broadcast TV stations, and that summation comes from multiple, ample elements for illustration those employed successful nan ClearStream Max-V Pro. Compared to nan best indoor TV antennas, this is rather ample astatine astir 32 x 17 x 4 inches and is billed by Antennas Direct arsenic an “indoor/outdoor” design, pinch some a wall-mount bracket and mast-mount hardware included. (No mast is included, but nan institution has respective options disposable connected its website.)
The Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro uses 2 double-loop UHF elements (the figure-8 shaped things) and a VHF constituent (the consecutive horizontal rod) to maximize signal-pulling abilities. All of this must beryllium assembled retired of nan box, fixed to a cardinal pod that holds a short output-cable “whip” terminated pinch a modular F-connector. Using supplied longer and shorter screws and integrative stand-offs, this requires only a screwdriver and should beryllium doable by moreover nan un-mechanically minded successful 15 minutes aliases so, though nan supplied instructions could beryllium a batch clearer and much detailed.
The payoff, however, is nan performance. The ClearStream Max-V Pro pulled successful much stations from my semi-rural trial location than immoderate different indoor antenna I’ve tried – and that was without a awesome amplifier, arsenic nary is included successful nan package. But remember, location and, especially, elevation is everything for antenna performance. My spot is astir 700 feet supra oversea level, pinch clear line-of-sight to a assortment of transmitters to nan east, south, and southwest astatine distances ranging from 17 miles to much than 75 – a very astir perfect location.
While temporarily group successful a second-story model facing southeast, nan ClearStream Max-V Pro received 13 main-channel carriers, spanning that afloat scope of distances, for a full of 48 main- and sub-channels combined. And this was pinch nary awesome amplifier. When I re-scanned pinch a ClearStream’s18 dB “Jolt-USB” amp successful statement ($25, aliases successful a bundle pinch nan antenna, mast, and different extras for $199), these totals went up to 15 and 64 respectively – adjacent to nan results delivered by nan attic-mounted full-sized, multi-element outdoor-type antenna that usually serves this location.
Of course, nan value for this capacity is size and bulk, successful an antenna that stretches nan meaning of “indoor” a bit: contempt its less-angular, all-black design, nan Max-V Pro is going to predominate immoderate wall upon which it’s mounted. (The truth that nan supplied wall-mount bracket is plain, unfinished metallic doesn’t sweeten nan woody much.) And past there’s nan existent price: nan Max-V Pro is 2 to 3 times nan costs of emblematic indoor antennas.
That said, this is an antenna that will bring successful astir arsenic galore stations arsenic imaginable successful a far-suburban aliases fringe/rural location, particularly if located higher up successful an attic aliases roof/mast-mount setup. In specified installations, an RF awesome amplifier to maximize reception and flooded nan losses from longer cabling should surely beryllium considered (ClearStream offers a bundle that adds a short mast, awesome amplifier, and splitter for $50 much connected its website).
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| Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro (unamplified) | 70-plus miles | 13 | 48 |
| Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro (amplified) | 70-plus miles | 15 | 64 |
| Reference antenna | 80 miles | 15 | 70 |
Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro: Price and merchandise date
- First available: March 2023
- Price: $159.99 ($199.99 pinch mast and RF amplifier)
The Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro commands a premium value but delivers premium performance, particularly erstwhile mixed pinch nan optional RF amplifier. If you're looking for a little costly but likewise powerful action specifically for an indoor installation, cheque retired nan Antop HD Smart Bar AT-500SBS.
Should you bargain nan Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro?
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| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
| Features | Large higher summation antenna designed to beryllium useable indoors aliases out | 4.5 / 5 |
| Performance | Delivers 50-75 miles scope successful a reasonably unfastened location – and perchance a spot much from a well-elevated, unobstructed 1 | 5 / 5 |
| Design | Big, but nan high-tech creation mitigates that a spot | 3.5 / 5 |
| Value | Considerably much costly than emblematic indoor options | 4 / 5 |
Buy it if...
You unrecorded successful a fringe/suburban aliases semi-rural location: The ClearStream Max-V Pro offers maximum signal-pulling ability, particularly erstwhile mixed pinch nan optional RF amplifier.
You want an indoor/outdoor antenna: The Max-V Pro is designed to beryllium mounted some indoors and outdoors, though an outdoor installation will require paying other for nan optional hardware package.
Don't bargain it if...
You’re connected a tight budget: The Max-V Pro’s fantabulous capacity comes astatine a cost, pinch moreover nan guidelines package priced considerably higher than different indoor antennas.
You don’t want to spot your antenna: This is simply a large, somewhat bulky and imposing antenna that will beryllium difficult to conceal successful an indoor location unless you instal it successful an attic.
Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro review: Also consider
Antop HD Smart Bar AT-500SBS
This antenna provides astir nan aforesaid capacity arsenic nan ClearStream Max-V Pro but astatine a little price. It's specifically designed for indoor installation and, for illustration nan ClearStream Max-V Pro, is ample and bulky.
Read our afloat Antop HD Smart Bar AT-500SBS review
Winegard FlatWave Amped Pro TH-3000
This indoor antenna has a much discreet creation than nan ClearStream Max-V Pro and provides very bully capacity complete a 60-mile range. At astir $110, it's not cheap, but a useful installation app enhances its value.
Read our afloat Winegard FlatWave Amped Pro TH-3000 review
How I tested nan Antennas Direct ClearStream Max-V Pro
- Tested astatine semi-rural location
- Compared pinch powerful "reference" antenna
I trial indoor TV antennas astatine a semi-rural, hilltop location pinch bully elevation and a clear line-of-sight complete astir 360 degrees to TV transmitters ranging from astir 15 to astir 70 miles. This testing situation gives maine nan expertise to measure models catering to a afloat spectrum of indoor antenna needs.
For nan testing process, I first spot nan antenna precocious up successful a south-facing model and tally nan tuning process connected a TV pinch an ATSC 3.0 “next-gen TV” tuner. I past grounds nan number of carriers tuned, on pinch nan full number of sub-channels. A powerful inside-the-attic rooftop-type antenna astatine nan aforesaid location is besides utilized arsenic a reference for comparison.
Read much astir really we test
First reviewed October 2024
English (US) · 
Indonesian (ID) ·