The best bite alarms with receivers


by Aidan Bordiuk |
Updated on

With carp angling as popular as ever, one of the most debated items on the bank remains; which are the best bite alarms with receivers? One thing is certain, there are now some very technologically advanced options available. While these alarms won’t get you more bites, they will alert you to the bites you do get much more efficiently, helping you make the most of every opportunity.

For some carp anglers, bite alarms with receivers are as important as their rods. Whether you’re hard of hearing and need a vibrating function on your receiver, prefer to keep the alarm heads silent for stealthy angling, or simply like to sit in a friend’s swim with the receiver in hand, the best bite alarms allow for much greater versatility in your angling.

Best bite alarms with receivers at a glance:

Best For Sensitivity - Delkim TXI-D V2 Alarms - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

Best Classic Bite Alarm - Steve Neville Alarms - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

Best Bite Alarm For Adjustability - Fox RX+ Alarms - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

Best Bite Alarm For Versatility - Nash R4 Siren - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

As anglers, we know bite alarms aren’t for everyone. However it’s hard for anyone to disagree that when an alarm lets out the unmistakable scream as a fish is hooked, it’s hard to contain your excitement and it doesn’t matter how many times it happens, it never gets less exhilarating. Here is a guide to some of the best bite alarms with receivers available to help make your angling easier…

Best bite alarm for sensitivity

Delkim TXI-D V2 Alarms
Price: £479.99 (3 Rod Set)

www.total-fishing-tackle.com

A superb version of what has become an iconic carp fishing bite alarm, the Delkim TXI-D, features Delkim's highly developed vibration-sensing technology, which is nearly unrivalled in terms of sensitivity. These premium alarms also include an advanced security system that alerts the angler if the device is tampered with at night—an option we hope is never needed.

The TXI-D's LEDs can be adjusted for brightness, offering both stealth mode and instant day-to-night settings. Volume, tone, and sensitivity are fully customizable to suit the angler's preferences, with the Delkim’s classic and unique sound now being almost legendary in modern carp fishing.

Battery life on these alarms is impressive, with low battery warnings and an auto power-down feature that alerts the user when it's time to recharge. One of Delkim's biggest selling points, however, is their durability. Despite their advanced technology, these alarms can withstand anything, from torrential rain to heavy frosts and are reliable if you fish one day or 300 days a year.

The RX-D receiver, which can be purchased as part of a set or separately, is of superb quality. With a maximum range of 750 meters, it easily covers the distance to your bivvy. The new "do not disturb" function ensures that the alarm only sounds after four seconds of line movement, eliminating false alarms from wind or other minor disturbances. For those who struggle to hear their alarms, the receiver includes a vibrating function, and a very bright run light illuminates the bivvy when you get a run. There aren’t many better receivers on the market.

Pros

  • Unrivalled sensitivity
  • Incredibly durable in all weather conditions

Cons

  • LED colours are not adjustable, with popular colours often hard to get hold of

Best bite alarm for adjustability

Fox RX+ alarms
Price: £589.99 (3 rod set)

www.total-fishing-tackle.com

The premier alarm in the Fox range and one of the best (and most expensive) options on the market are the Fox RX+ alarms, which are packed with features to improve their performance. New additions include deeper snag ears, adjustable LED colours (Red, Green, Blue, Orange, Purple and White), ergonomic sensitivity and volume/tone control.

Fox has upgraded the RX+ with their Tru-Run™ roller wheel, which is now better housed to reduce the chances of freezing in harsh, cold conditions—a problem that could render an alarm useless. Sensitivity has also been improved, allowing users to set the alarm to register bites according to their circumstances, minimizing false alarms from liners or wind-induced bleeps.

The RX+ Receiver is a solid, durable unit with a weatherproof sealed case, capable of withstanding the drops and mishaps that often occur on the bank. With the Ultra Long Range system, the receiver boasts a range of over 600 meters, and the digital circuitry ensures a strong signal up to its maximum range.

The receiver includes a low battery warning that alerts you for each individual head, so you won’t get caught out, allowing the alarms to remain silent while all outputs come from the RX+ receiver. It also features a vibrating function and a bivvy light that activates only after significant activity, not from liners or single bleeps.

Pros

  • An alarm for all seasons, conditions and situations
  • Customisable LEDs

Cons

  • Larger than some other top-end alarms on the market

Best classic bite alarm

Steve Neville alarms
Price: £116.99 (Each) 124.99 (Receiver)

www.total-fishing-tackle.com

Steve Neville Alarms haven't changed much over the years and have remained a very popular cult classic, and for good reason. These alarms are 100% weatherproof, with a minimalist design and a simple operating system that is great for both beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Renowned for their reliability and great build quality, they have become a firm favourite of many top anglers over the years, adorning the buzz bars of legends like Terry Hearn.

The alarms can also be operated in silent mode, with bites only registering on the receiver—a popular feature among anglers who prefer to keep things quiet or avoid disturbing others around the lake. Sensitivity is controlled by a four-magnet roller wheel as standard, which can be changed to a two-magnet roller if required. Different coloured wheels are also available to match any angler's setup.

The alarms can be used in conjunction with a receiver that has a maximum range of 500 metres, which can accommodate a total of five alarms. The alarms are available in a choice of seven LED colors and three volume settings. The receiver also allows the Neville alarm head to remain completely silent, with all audio output coming from the receiver—ideal for stealthy fishing or for anglers who don't want to wake the entire lake when they get a run. The receiver is very simplistic, but it works well; there's really nothing that can go wrong. It's compact and as durable as the famed alarms are.

Pros

  • Simple to use
  • Strong and durable

Cons

  • Batteries require screwdriver to access

Best bite alarm for versatility

Nash Siren R4 alarms
Price: £599.99 (3 rod set)

www.total-fishing-tackle.com

If you're looking for an alarm with the most modern technology and features, the Nash Siren R4 alarm is well worth your attention. Every eventuality has been considered in the design and production of these alarms to ensure they excel in any modern-day carp fishing scenario. Unique to the Siren is its homecoming feature, which includes an LED on the back of the alarm that can be illuminated for safe and precise navigation back to the rods when boat fishing at night.

Nash has dedicated time to eliminating false indications, a common issue faced by many who use alarms. By incorporating Drift Sensing Safeguard and Wave Sensing Technology, they aim to address this problem by manipulating how line speed affects the roller wheel. With weed on the line or movement when fishing from a boat, the pressure and movement are insufficient to trigger the alarm.

The R4 Receiver is equally advanced and packed with technology. A high-power frequency allows it to operate at distances of up to 750 meters from the alarms, and it controls the homecoming mode. You can take the receiver out in the boat, and when you're ready to return, activate it, and the alarms will act as a beacon—very clever.

The receiver is fully charged in 4 hours, and with the buddy channel, you can configure up to 32 other alarms from one receiver—no other receiver comes close to that. Mute, vibrate, and LED configurations are all included. Few receivers can match the R4 in terms of capability. If you love a tech-packed item, this is definitely for you. It also comes with a 2-year warranty for peace of mind.

As an added bonus the presentation pack is also supplied with a Lithium-Polymer Powerbanx 80K powerbank that delivers all the recharge power you will need whether for laptops, tablets or recharging your USB R4 Receiver.

Pros

  • Feature-packed, technically advanced.
  • Perfect for boat fishing.

Cons

  • Buttons rather than dials may not suit all anglers.

Best distance receiver

Wolf Icon QI alarms
Price: £584.99 (3 Rod Set)

www.total-fishing-tackle.com

The Qi is the flagship model in the Wolf range of alarms, and for good reason. Designed and manufactured in Britain, the Wolf Icon Qi offers an incredible range of features not found on any other alarms. Extensive testing has resulted in a sophisticated and highly reliable product available to carpers worldwide.

The fully rechargeable battery boasts up to 1000 hours of standby time, while other features include a night light function and 7 adjustable LED colors. The Vibration Detection System (VDS) and High Sensitivity Roller Wheel Detection (RWD) create an environment where even the slightest activity will be detected, with the added assurance of two detection methods to ensure no indication is missed.

The receiver, aptly named "The Hub," is quite special and for good reason. It has a range of up to 2 km. While we don’t advocate being that far from your rods, it demonstrates the strength of the transmission. It features a built-in torch and LCD display for clear viewing, along with 24 channels for pairing alarms.

The Hub will automatically match the audio settings chosen for your alarm head and includes a history option so you can see which rod has had the most activity throughout the night. Its 500-hour battery life ensures you won’t need to worry about it running out frequently, all encased in a water-resistant shell.

Pros

  • Rechargeable battery
  • Strong receiver

Cons

  • Not the most discreet/visually pleasing alarms on the rests

Best phone operated bite alarm

New Direction Tackle K9s Alarms
Price: £209 (Set of 3)

While relatively new to the tackle market, the New Direction Tackle K9 alarms are certainly poised to attract attention to the NDT stable. Not only are they packed with smart technology, but they are also fully waterproof, providing complete peace of mind to the angler. These bite alarms are also fully customisable via a smartphone app. By downloading the app, anglers can adjust the LED colour, volume, brightness, and sensitivity, which is particularly convenient for making changes without leaving the bivvy, especially in bad weather.

Another clever feature is the mute function. It allows you to mute the alarm for 30 seconds, eliminating the need to turn off the bite alarm or disturb other anglers while adjusting the line and setting the bobbin. This also prevents the risk of forgetting to turn the alarm back on and missing a take, a situation many of us have experienced.

The R9 receiver that accompanies the alarms includes a display guide, allowing you to easily see which alarms you are pairing with or adjusting, unlike other receivers that require scrolling through options. The high-quality cone speaker emits crisp audio, and it runs on 2 CR2 batteries, so as long as you have spares, it will never let you down.

Pros

  • Mute function is a real winner.
  • Can be controlled from your mobile phone.

Cons

  • Not the cleanest-looking alarms on the rests.

Best compact bite alarm

Gardner ATTs Alarms
Price: £59.99 (alarm) 109.99 (set)

www.total-fishing-tackle.com

You would be hard-pressed to find a carp angler that hadn't heard of the ATT alarm from Gardner. An alarm built on the premise of being simple yet robust and reliable enough to never fail an angler in any situation. 100% watertight, with no buttons and very little to go wrong, they have certainly achieved that.

Included with the alarms is an "intelligent" hardcase cover, not only there to provide protection but is also there as the means to turn the alarms on and off. As the cover is removed, the alarms go live, as the cover is replaced, the alarms are put to sleep. 

Indications are registered on the receiver as whilst the heads light up, they don't make any sound. The alarms are ultra-compact, some of the smallest available, yet still packed with all the features you would come to expect from a modern alarm.

Pros

  • Very compact.
  • Ultra reliable.

Cons

  • With no sound at the alarm head, you need to make sure you don't forget your receiver.

What to look for in a bite alarm with receiver

The majority of anglers that take their carp fishing seriously will have a set of bite alarms with a receiver. It makes the whole process much simpler and offers far more versatility than just a set of alarms on banksticks. If you are looking to change or are new to carp fishing and want a set of alarms with a receiver then there are a few things to consider before making a purchase.

If you like to keep a low profile or just don't want to disturb other anglers, a receiver that allows a mute function to the heads is the best option, I personally use this setting all the time now as it just suits the way I fish, similarly if you struggle to hear alarms, having a receiver in your bivvy you can hear or one that has a vibrate function would really help your angling.

If you enjoy the social aspect of angling then a receiver can allow you to safely sit in a close by swim whilst still having full knowledge of what's happening on the rods. We don't advocate sitting miles away as this isn't good angling practice but they do give you more flexibility so you don't have to be right next to the rods the whole session. As long as the receiver has a strong range it will never be interrupted when you're well within it so you are full aware of the next bite when it happens.

Glossary

LED: Light emitting diode, this will light up when you get an indication on a bite alarm.

Roller Wheel: A small wheel in or on the alarm head where the line sits. When the line is moved, the wheel moves in conjunction with it, triggering the audio and visual cues of the alarm.

Bobbin: Small plastic or metal item that clips on the line to keep tension on it.

Snag Ears: Strong metal bars that can be mounted on your bite alarms in order to keep your rod secure, preventing it from being dragged off the rest.

Receiver: An electrical box that wirelessly connects to the bite alarm. It provides audio signals to alert the user to a bite.

Sensitivity: A setting on a bite alarm that alters the amount the mechanism must move to trigger an indication.

Tone: A setting on the alarm that will alter how the alarm sounds.

<strong>Frequently asked questions</strong>

How do you set up a fishing bite alarm?

Setting an alarm up couldn't be simpler. There is a metal screw thread at the base of the alarm head, which attaches to either a bank stick or pod system. Your rod then sits on top of the alarm, with the line running over the detection mechanism, which is generally a wheel or plate, depending on the manufacturer. A bobbin indicator is clipped on the line, between the alarm and the reel, to create some tension to emphasise line movement.

What is a receiver and do I need one?

A receiver is an electronic box with LEDs and a speaker that works the same as your bite alarm. Once they have been connected, every bleep on your alarm will transmit to your receiver. They are particularly useful if you are set up in a swim where the rods are quite far away, you struggle to hear, or you have to step a safe distance away from the rods. Some offer a vibrating function, a great way of alerting people who are deaf they have got a bite.

Author Aidan Bordiuk is an enthusiastic angler who enjoys all fishing disciplines from match fishing to beach casting. He is currently occupying the position of Commercial Content Writer at Angling Times.

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