Should antenna reviews from anonymous visitors be trusted?

I'm in rant mode today, and I'm just using hdtvantennalabs.com as a for instance here but you could very well count dtvusaforum.com in this subject as well. The subject is antenna ratings. With hdtvantennalabs, all you have to do is write "I like this antenna because it works really well" enter a name and then you're done. Why am I posting this question? I found this review AntennasDirect C5 HDTV Antenna Reviews which has a perfect 5/5 rating out of 9 reviews. I've never seen so many people happy to rate a product so well. Most of the time on amazon or epinion.com you'll see reviews from people upset with the product they're rating, but not on a lot of the antenna review websites I've seen.



Any time I go to a review website that allows visitors to review a product without having to register and or post details about their own credability, it makes me very cautious. Most of the time I suspect that the persons writing the review are doing it because they work for the antenna manufacture that makes the antenna that they're reviewing.

The C5 is a decent VHF High antenna. Its biggest selling point is its relatively compact size for a VHF High antenna with the amount of gain it offers.

I havent physically tested or inspected one. My biggest concern would be its build quality. I bet its kind of delicate. Cant be sure about that though until I have one in my hands.

ProjectSHO89 has had one. I saw a picture he poste with one mounted under a ClearStream4 on a portable mast.

Good points... but since we DO require registration here, I would be kind of loath to cut off such discussions by newer posters, even if it means we'll have to suffer through occasional Astroturfing. Not allowing it would preclude any possibility of putting out good, solid research and information, such as that contained in this recent post.

O-O,

Ummm, I guess you haven't noticed that the particular site you quoted just pulls Amazon's reviews... Those reviews weren't even posted on the quoted antenna site. See Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: CLEARSTREAM5 HDtv Antenna for Amazon's originals. Welcome to the world of internet marketing!

If you (or another knowledgeable member) have the capability and the willingness to give the antenna a fair review, PM me contact information and I'll get itt o someone who can get you a sample to review. E-V can affirm that I can "get 'r done!"

The antenna isn't delicate by any stretch. Once assembled and mounted on a proper mast, a small kid could hang off the front loop (although I wouldn't recommend it since the rods are fiberglass).

The square tubing is not cheap junk like the boom of a Radio Shack combo. While I haven't measured it's wall thickness, I'd guess it's probably around 18 ga or so. I'll see if I can find my micrometer and measure it if you're interested.

The report I made last week that E-V referred to is in post # 12: http://www.highdefforum.com/local-hd...enna-plus.html

Originally Posted by ProjectSHO89

O-O,

Ummm, I guess you haven't noticed that the particular site you quoted just pulls Amazon's reviews... Those reviews weren't even posted on the quoted antenna site. See Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: CLEARSTREAM5 HDtv Antenna for Amazon's originals. Welcome to the world of internet marketing!

If you (or another knowledgeable member) have the capability and the willingness to give the antenna a fair review, PM me contact information and I'll get itt o someone who can get you a sample to review. E-V can affirm that I can "get 'r done!"

The antenna isn't delicate by any stretch. Once assembled and mounted on a proper mast, a small kid could hang off the front loop (although I wouldn't recommend it since the rods are fiberglass).

The square tubing is not cheap junk like the boom of a Radio Shack combo. While I haven't measured it's wall thickness, I'd guess it's probably around 18 ga or so. I'll see if I can find my micrometer and measure it if you're interested.

The report I made last week that E-V referred to is in post # 12: I Think I need a 7 to 13 Antenna, Plus - High Def Forum - Your High Definition Community & High Definition Resource

Wow, copying those reviews is a huge copyright infringement isn't it?

Also, wanted to let everyone know, I wasn't trying to point out anything negative about Antennas Direct or the C5. Just that all the reviews on that site for that particular antenna were all so positive.

That is quite the review their PSHO.

Originally Posted by O-O

I found this review AntennasDirect C5 HDTV Antenna Reviews which has a perfect 5/5 rating out of 9 reviews. I've never seen so many people happy to rate a product so well. Most of the time on amazon or epinion.com you'll see reviews from people upset with the product they're rating, but not on a lot of the antenna review websites I've seen.

I am not saying this happened here a I don't have any data. But believe you me, even signing up won't stop a ballot box being stuffed. Called freeping a pole in political blogs.

I have seen the same thing with those sites. They are just selling antennas.

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

The C5 is a decent VHF High antenna. Its biggest selling point is its relatively compact size for a VHF High antenna with the amount of gain it offers.

I havent physically tested or inspected one. My biggest concern would be its build quality. I bet its kind of delicate. Cant be sure about that though until I have one in my hands.

ProjectSHO89 has had one. I saw a picture he poste with one mounted under a ClearStream4 on a portable mast.

Not from the position of being a mod but just a reader, the question is are the polls to be trusted, not that you or someone believes an antenna is good. Even if the antenna works as stated, there is going to be someone that is not happy. We all know people tend to go back and post a review much more often when unhappy than happy.

Same thing that cause news in a small town to move at the speed of light, but bad news travels at warp 10....

Originally Posted by Don_M

Good points... but since we DO require registration here, I would be kind of loath to cut off such discussions by newer posters, even if it means we'll have to suffer through occasional Astroturfing. Not allowing it would preclude any possibility of putting out good, solid research and information, such as that contained in this recent post.

It comes down to the point we either stop all recommendations of antennas or we don't.

It's blatantly obvious we don't regulate recommendations.

I don't believe anyone person is so perfect to regulate, hence reviews of antennas by members that have an account will probably continue.

I believe there are enough people here with a basic understanding of an antenna to dispute anyone that suggests their antenna is better period with out any possibility of it not working in some situation. After all some one that lived within 2 miles of a tower farm could validly defend the paper clip stuck in the antenna in jack as all that is needed.

Originally Posted by ProjectSHO89

O-O,

Ummm, I guess you haven't noticed that the particular site you quoted just pulls Amazon's reviews... Those reviews weren't even posted on the quoted antenna site. See Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: CLEARSTREAM5 HDtv Antenna for Amazon's originals. Welcome to the world of internet marketing!

If you (or another knowledgeable member) have the capability and the willingness to give the antenna a fair review, PM me contact information and I'll get itt o someone who can get you a sample to review. E-V can affirm that I can "get 'r done!"

The antenna isn't delicate by any stretch. Once assembled and mounted on a proper mast, a small kid could hang off the front loop (although I wouldn't recommend it since the rods are fiberglass).

The square tubing is not cheap junk like the boom of a Radio Shack combo. While I haven't measured it's wall thickness, I'd guess it's probably around 18 ga or so. I'll see if I can find my micrometer and measure it if you're interested.

The report I made last week that E-V referred to is in post # 12: I Think I need a 7 to 13 Antenna, Plus - High Def Forum - Your High Definition Community & High Definition Resource

As O-O states below, he was pointing out the fact the reviews looked freeped. Not that a particular antenna was good or bad.

Originally Posted by O-O

Wow, copying those reviews is a huge copyright infringement isn't it?

Also, wanted to let everyone know, I wasn't trying to point out anything negative about Antennas Direct or the C5. Just that all the reviews on that site for that particular antenna were all so positive.

That is quite the review their PSHO.

That was what I got out of your original topic, a valid question are these to be believed when that many positive reviews of anything are odd at best on the internet. Not that you were questioning a particular antenna.

Originally Posted by O-O

Wow, copying those reviews is a huge copyright infringement isn't it?
...

Nope. They're an Amazon affiliate marketer. That's how it works.

That is quite the review their PSHO.

Thanks!

I've got a family of Blue-Jays that would love for me to put up the...
Antennas Direct ClearStream 5 But, at $120
Leave it to Antennas Direct, to come up with another "unique" design.


Given how many of us are on a budget, the...
AntennaCraft Y5-7-13
is a much better deal, and the specs aren't all that much different.
Just thought I'd mention a less expensive alternative.

Have a good Day !
S.W.

SWHouston wrote: I've got a family of Blue-Jays that would love for me to put up the ... (C5) ...
Antennas Direct ClearStream 5 But, at $120 ...
------------------------------------------------------------------
SW,
For years I have had 4 visiting Steller's Jays (not Blue jays) and they have no interest in my CM-4228, but the Chickadees and especially the Bush Tits love to cluster on it! Hopefully, I'll get lucky and get to snap some photos of them.

On another note, I'd like to see an antenna proof on the C5. Is it snake oil or the real thing?
Jim

Originally Posted by SWHouston

Given how many of us are on a budget, the...
AntennaCraft Y5-7-13
is a much better deal, and the specs aren't all that much different.
Just thought I'd mention a less expensive alternative.

Have a good Day !
S.W.

Well before this board turned into a CS fan club, the Y5-7-13 was very high on the list for those that needed a little help but not deep fringe on VHF.

I really like the Y5-7-13, and recommended it because Winegard had stopped production on the YA-6713. After months of talking with Winegard marketing and their developers, they saw what I meant it was a needed antenna and brought it back.

They were so back logged for months even though it was back in production they were hard to find and expensive.

However the back log is catching up and Summit Source has them for $44 including shipping. To me it's build better. Also it has a built in balun, and comes with 50 ft of coax (not sure what quality, ask Summit Source).

Winegard YA-6713 Yagi ProStar VHF TV Antenna 13 Element Off-Air Broadband Channel 7-13 High Definition Local Channel Outdoor Signal Aerial, RED ZONE, Part # YA6713 | With 50' FT Coax Cable: Oak Entertainment Centers and Home Office Furniture, TV Ante
So it's the same price.

Specs are here. http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/Ya-6713.pdf

I must add a disclaimer now that I do test antennas for Winegard, so I now am officially biased. Where as up until this week Winegard then Antenna Craft were just my own preference and still are.

I could go into a rant about how the entire ChinAmerica economic relationship is not sustainable, but not now.

Still either way, the Y5-7-13 or the YA-6713 are both great antennas. Without my affiliation, just my personal preference I would spend the money on the Winegard. Then there is the valid argument at Solid Signal you could just buy a YA-1713 for $50 including shipping but not get the coax included.

Man has this thread gone from are antenna reviews valid to the price and availability of birds and other antennas.

Originally Posted by Piggie

. . . . . .and comes with 50 ft of coax (not sure what quality, ask Summit Source).

Unfortunately it's RG-59. Too bad they don't just skip the free cable & reduce the shipping charges accordingly.

Jim,
I'd love to talk about my Birds, stray Cats, my Dog, I got a yard full of animals. Water um, feed um, love um...ALL !
We're going to have to go somewhere else on the Forum here to talk about it though.

NSAA,
RG-59 !, I didn't think that stuff was being sold any more !
I think they're just doing a "Stocking Stuffer" to get it out of stock.

Piggie,
UOOO YEA, you really punched one of my buttons, feeding me some specs on an Antenna !
I have a fairly large database on Antennas, do it in Excel, and I had the YA-6713 mis-listed. THANK YOU, for the ref on the spec sheet ! Gees, I'm really disappointed to hear that's 59 with it, but, I saw that the Balun was built in.
I really haven't done that many installs for a Dual Antenna system, and the ones I have done, usually required two trips out to get them right.
I'm sure that the days for the YA-1026 & 6260 are gone, gone, gone.

On, Keeping on Topic..
That's what I like about this Forum...Flexability !

Have a good Day !
S.W.

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

The C5 is a decent VHF High antenna. Its biggest selling point is its relatively compact size for a VHF High antenna with the amount of gain it offers.

I havent physically tested or inspected one. My biggest concern would be its build quality. I bet its kind of delicate. Cant be sure about that though until I have one in my hands.

ProjectSHO89 has had one. I saw a picture he poste with one mounted under a ClearStream4 on a portable mast.

I too have a C5 and it works very well on the only VHF high channel in my area. With only one VHF channel in this area, it is a little difficult to gauge its performance, but everywhere we used it in our testing marathon of the recent past, it would pick up the one channel everywhere we tried it.

It is no more delicate than the 6 foot elements you would find on your average VHF antenna, and is much lighter with very little wind loading, and a whole lot easier to climb a ladder with.

Originally Posted by No Static At All

Unfortunately it's RG-59. Too bad they don't just skip the free cable & reduce the shipping charges accordingly.

Is it safe to assume by your nick that you are a Steely Dan fan? FM..No Static At All !!