The signal quality of the 2V antenna is out of this world!
If you are looking for an HD multi-directional antenna that can catch signals without having any kind of dropouts, then you can stop looking now; this ClearStream 2V antenna might be perfect for you.
Namely, this is both an indoor and an outdoor antenna that is able to catch both UHF and VHF signals. We must say that the signal quality is super strong and just out of this world!
We are very excited to show you all of the things that these antennas can do so we will just cut to the chase and start out ClearStream 2V Review
03 Models ClearStream 2V Antenna, Review
In this article, we will be sharing three(03) models of the Antennas’ Direct ClearStream 2V antenna. The three models of these antennas are the ones displayed below we will be discussing all of them:
Design and Features
As we have mentioned earlier, there are three models of the 2V antenna. These models are pretty much the same. We will discuss each separately.
1. The 2V-J3 model
The newest model is the 2V-J3 model of the Antennas’ Direct ClearStream antenna is around 31.25 inches wide and four pounds heavy. As you already assume, this is both an indoor and an outdoor antenna. You can easily place it in your attic or under your window as well.
This multi-directional ClearStream 2V-J3 antenna is only available in black color, and it has a range of up to 60+ miles. It works on UHF and VHF frequencies which means that it can catch both of those signal types.
When it comes to the gain of this antenna it is around 10.2 dBi, while the beam angle in a horizontal plan reaches 70 degrees on 470 to 700 MHz.
This 2V antenna is also 4K ready, and it can provide you with a 4K crystal clear picture if your TV supports that resolution.
Performance
This multi-directional antenna was able to provide us with free HD channels! Yes, you have read that right, we were able to watch CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, and more of the international TV channels all for free. Besides that, all of the channels were in 1080p resolution, which is pretty amazing considering the price of this antenna!
You should know that this antenna costs around a hundred dollars on Amazon. It is affordable, and not that expensive. Older versions of the antenna cost less money, of course.
The all-weather mounting hardware that is a necessity when you need to install this antenna is available in the box with the antenna. That includes the pivoting base, mast hardware, adjustable mast clamp, and sealing pads.
Highlight Features
- Has a range of up to 60 miles
- This is an indoor and an outdoor antenna
- Has a bigger gain and a smaller beam angle
- The antenna is able to catch both VHF and UHF signals
- This is an amplified HD antenna
- This is a multi-directional antenna
- It is 4K ready
2. The C2-V-CJM antenna
This is one of the best-rated older models of the 2V antennas. This model is able to cover up the whole house with a good signal if put on the outside.
It is a bit lighter when it comes to weight than the main model, and it weighs around 4 pounds. The dimensions of it are the same. And this model is actually similar to the main 2V-J3 model.
3. The 2V-J3 model with a Winegard LNA-200 Booster
This older model of this antenna comes with a Winegard preamplifier that boosts up your signal and makes the range of the antenna even better. Generally speaking, this antenna will not need an amplifier since it is a long-range 60+ mile multi-directional antenna with the ability to receive strong signals.
The rest is pretty much the same as the main model of this 2V antenna.
Warranty
Whenever you are buying some kind of tech device, you always need to check whether or not you will be receiving a warranty for that device. We loved that we were able to get a lifetime warranty on certain parts for all of these ClearStream 2V antennas.
Our take on the ClearStream 2V
And now, our personal favorite part of the article comes- sharing our experience and thoughts about this antenna with you.
Why do we like these ClearStream 2V?
We like many things about this antenna. When we first saw it, we spotted the reflecting panel first, and then the rest of the antenna. Even though the antenna has a reflecting panel as a part of its design, the antenna still managed to fit into our interior perfectly.
The design itself of this antenna is very unique, and that is why we liked it. Namely, this antenna is made out of two circles that are connected in the middle, formatting a number 8 or an infinity sign.
Besides that, the quality of the signal that this antenna was able to provide us with is just impressive.
- It can fit the interior if put inside the house
- The installation process was easy and quick
- It enabled us free HD channels
- The range of the antenna is magnificent
Why is this 2V-J3 antenna important and for who?
This antenna should be important to people that want to own a good, practical, yet cheap antenna in their home. Everyone that has some kind of money problem should consider buying this antenna because it is able to save them so much money. Since this antenna has the ability to enable free HD channels to its users, expensive cable bills will be considered a totally unnecessary thing. You can cancel your cable right away and save a couple of bucks a month.
Why do you need these antennas?
A perfectly simple, logical answer to this question is that every person needs a good antenna so that they can enjoy some peace and quiet while watching their favorite TV shows or movies.
These 2V antennas are even able to even connect families by letting them enjoy a perfectly good crystal clear TV picture!
Why should you buy these antennas?
Everybody deserves to have a TV with a stable signal, and a crystal clear picture, don’t you think so? Many of today’s antennas are just not able to provide that, and we know how hard it is to find a perfectly good antenna.
This is why we have been presenting you with these antennas today. After testing this antenna, we have come to the conclusion that this antenna is a strong antenna that is able to give its users total satisfaction. It is perfect for people that do not live that far from the broadcasting tower, but, it is also perfect for people that do live in a rural area.
Besides that, if you want to save some money on the side, then we recommend you to buy this antenna since it will save you a couple of dollars a month by replacing your cable and satellite bills.
How we picked and tested these ClearStream 2V antennas
The testing was done in a house in Austin, Texas, USA. When we received these antennas in the mail, we were so excited that we have opened them immediately. When we found out that we got all of the necessary mounting hardware in the box, we became even happier.
You should know that the broadcasting tower is around 30 miles away from us.
We have tested the 2V-J3 model first. And we have tested the 2V-J3 model with a Winegard LNA-200 Booster and then the C2-V-CJM antenna last.
We set up the antenna right next to our TV first, and then we installed it on the outside after a few days.
We can say that the antenna was providing us with an amazing signal quality both indoors and outdoors and that there were no signal dropouts at all.
Of course, the signal was a bit better when the antenna was installed on the outside, but, that is only logical since it needs to be facing the broadcasting tower’s direction for better signal reception.
We did not have any kind of trouble while setting up the antenna, and the installation process was super easy. We can say that we are overall happy with the antenna’s performance and we really like how it was able to fit our interior perfectly due to its unique design.
We personally did not need to buy a preamplifier because the signal is somewhat strong in our area, and the antenna worked just fine. We are really glad that we got to spend some time with this antenna, and we are happy with its performance and all of the free HD channels that it gave us.
The user manual and the installation process
Alongside the mounting hardware and the antenna, you will be also receiving a user manual in the box. The user manual is very detailed and very well explained. If by chance, you do not understand the installation process in the user manual, we will be breaking it down for you step-by-step.
The things that you receive in the box with all antennas:
- Reflector
- Loop Element
- Antenna Base
- VHF dipole Kit
- Coaxial cable with weather boot
- J-Mount mast
- Mount base
- Mount mast end cap
- Wing Nuts and U-Clamp
- Mast clamps
- Hex bolts and nuts
- Bolt
- Threaded bolt
- 50mm J-mount bolts
- Roof Sealing pads
Indoor installation process
It is the same for all three models of this antenna.
After you have made sure that all of the parts that should be in the box are there, connect all of them using your screwdriver.
- step-1. After you have connected the antenna and made it strong, find the spot where you want to put your antenna and just place it there. If needed, drill a wall and mount it to the wall.
- step-2. Now, point the antenna in the direction where the broadcasting towers are. Be sure that you face the front of the antenna in that direction.
- step-3. Next, turn your TV on and do a full TV scan.
Outdoor installation process:
Get your coaxial cable, your power drill, and screwdrivers ready before starting the installation process.
- step-1. First, attach the antenna base at the center of the reflector.
- step-2. Next, attach the mast clamps and the threaded bolt.
- step-3. Thread coaxial cable end with the weather boot into UHF In on the VHF dipole kit. Then, attach the VHF dipole kit to the back of the reflector.
- step-4. You should now place the other end of the coaxial cable with the weather boot through the antenna base.
- step-5. Assemble the loop element using the bolt.
- step-6. Now, take the coaxial cable that you have bought yourself, and thread it into the VHF UHF out on the VHF dipole kit
- step-7. Next, install the antenna on a J-Mount mast by placing the clamp onto the mast.
- step-8. And finally, attach the J-Mount mast to the mount base with hex bolts and nuts.
- step-9. Drill the base position on the desired surface and place the antenna.
Is there a better alternative?
We hope that this ClearStream 2V-J3 review was able to make you realize that this antenna is simply amazing. But, if this antenna’s price is a bit above your budget, do not worry, we have an alternative antenna of the ClearStream Antenna for you.
You can check this Amplified Indoor TV Antenna if you like. It costs around 30 dollars, and it can only be put indoors. But, besides that, it has an amazing quality, and the ability to give you free HDTV channels as well. Have a look at it.
A Final Word of the ClearStream 2V Antenna
It is very clear that the ClearStream 2V antenna has an amazing performance and that it was super easy to set up and install. It for sure helps that the parts of this antenna are weather resistant and that they will serve well for years.
As we have mentioned earlier, if you live in a far area where there are no broadcasting towers near whatsoever, you might need to consider buying a preamplifier just so that you can boost up your antenna’s performance.
We have had a lot of fun testing this antenna, and we are pleased to say that this antenna is worth the money and that it gave us that good quality TV picture that we have needed. Hopefully, you have decided whether or not this antenna is good for you after our article. This concludes our ClearStream 2V review.
FAQs related to ClearStream 2V Antenna
1. ClearStream 2V Antenna VS 2MAX
When it comes to deciding which one of these antennas is better, well, we think that making the decision is very hard.
Let’s point out the facts and the most important things about both of these antennas.
| Particular | 2V | 2Max |
| Brand | Antennas Direct | Antennas Direct |
| Range | 60 miles | 60 miles |
| Technology | Patented technology | Unique integrated diplexer |
As you can see, both of these antennas are being made by the same, Antennas Direct brand. When we look at the things that are given in the table, we can see that these antennas are not much different. The one huge difference is in the technology that these antennas use. Namely, the 2V antenna uses patented technology in order to receive signals, while, on the other hand, the ClearStream 2MAX antenna uses a unique integrated diplexer that helps a lot with the UHF and VHF signal reception.
An integrated diplexer is able to help the 2MAX antenna receive signals even through metal, roof constructions, and buildings. Besides that, the design of these antennas is also pretty much different. Both of them have two circular parts that are connected in the middle formatting a number 8, but, the 2V one has a grid.
2. How many TVs can I attach to my ClearStream 2V antenna?
You are able to connect as many TVs as you want, generally speaking. But, you need to have in mind that the more TVs you connect to one antenna, the signal will become weaker.
If you want to connect several TVs to your antenna, you will need to separately buy a splitter device that splits the signal into a few smaller signals.
3. Does my ClearStream 2V antenna receive VHF signals?
Yes, this antenna works on VHF and UHF frequencies too. Therefore, it is able to catch VHF signals as well.
4. Does the ClearStream 2V Antenna comes in the box with all of the mounting hardware?
Yes, you will be receiving all of the necessary mounting hardware with your antenna in the box. Although, you need to have in mind that the coaxial cable is being sold separately and that you need to buy it on your own.
5. How should I aim my ClearStream 2V antenna?
When it comes to the positioning of your antenna, you should always face its front in the direction of the broadcasting towers. That way, your signal will be a lot stronger and better.
Amazon Customer comments
THE GOOD
1. Worked better than one of those flat rectangular antennas. (The Channel Master rectangular one is still pretty good.). The various review sites, e.g., Wired, were right about this antenna is a good one.
2. The cable comes with easy-to-turn knobs for attaching. Just use your fingers. So much better than the old type that requires open-ended, perfectly sized wrenches.
3. The cable is separate, not built in, meaning less wear and tear and the option to use a different cable if you desire.
4. The circular design is elegant.
THE BAD
5. Its behavior changes over time and with the weather, which is true of all these OTA antennas. Just be aware that you may not get perfect, cable-like, steady reception all the time!
6. Also, a nearby station changed its signal in some way and it became impossible to get a decent signal through our Roamio (TiVo). That station, well, three to be exact as it affected all the substations, ended up with the staticky picture and intermittent sound. It was unbearable to watch.
——> Started researching new antennas…
Found a solution, however, which I present at the end!
7. The stickiness wears out. I did clean it, which restores some of its gripiness, but the large ”heavy” cable connector section pulls it down off the wall. We had to get small stick ’ems to keep it up. No big deal but a set of them should be provided.
8. ALERT: It is reversible, but you have to decide which side to show AT THE START! You cannot change your mind later as the sticky pad goes on ONLY ONCE! They really should include two sticky pads, so that you have the option of reversing it later on — e.g., if you move it somewhere else.
THE UGLY
9. The cable is very long, which is handy if you need to run the antenna far away, but is an inconvenience if you put the antenna near the set —there is lots of cable flopping around behind the set. OTOH, being able to put it farther away can get it out of your visual field! See next.
10. Our family room is wood paneled so neither black or white is ideal. We went with black, but it looks odd to have a long black cable snaking up behind the TV set, ending in what looks like a circular clock face. It will catch your eye repeatedly at first, but then one learns to ignore it.
TIP TO RESOLVE LOUSY RECEPTION
Well, after days of having tried all sorts of locations, different cables, etc., we stumbled across a response to a question on Antenna Direct’s website that mentioned using an *attenuator* to handle nearby, strong stations. Their signal can be TOO STEONG for the TV or TiVo, and needs to be weakened or attenuated! It’s another reason that amplified antennas often don’t work or make reception worse!
So, we tried that. One simply screws the attenuator (a cylindrical several-inch long item) into the antenna jack of your TV or TiVo and then attaches the antenna cable to it. (We had a couple of attenuators left over from our old MOCA in house system, so we picked the blue labeled one.) They only cost $6-10, so it’s definitely worth it.
Well, guess what?! IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM!
The pesky stations that we had intractable problems with cleared up fantastically. We went from weak reception, fluctuating around 50 strength on our Roamio TiVo with broken up picture and irritating intermittent sound to CONSISTENT reception, clear sound, and a STRONG signal strength of 72!
Amazing!
So, that’s it! The good, the bad, and the ugly.
——>. FOR NEARBY STRONG STATIONS, GET THEE AN ATTENUATOR!”