Has anybody had any success with this Antennas Direct LacrosseA
Compact High Gain Multi-Directional Antenna
with Amplification

danbcman:

Yes, hugh the site founder and administrator just had that antenna installed with great results, however your locations are different.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57027

Okay danbcman, you should join in on the HTPC Forum thread about ATI HDTV cards and other such PC software.

In the OTA Reception Forum you've posted in the thread for New West so we'll continue discussion about your actual location/situation there.

If you need to ask more about the Terrestrial Digital Lacrosse antenna just post those specific questions here.

Okay well after looking at the info above and seeing whats around I think I should go for the DB8 is our most powerful multi-directional HD antenna I hope that will give me a good chance at getting more signal any suggestions?

Before you make a purchase compare the price of the Channel Master 4228, the Winegard PR-8800, and the DB-8 since they are very close in performance, and tell us what you find out.

DB-8 = 126.99 plus tax and shipping from tigerdirect is the price for this one.

I found the CM4228 = 115 inc tax from a place in Toronto this seems to be a better buy and more antenna too.

danbcman, check this thread for suppliers closer to you:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=51079

The price point is not scaring me that much for the amplified Lacrosse antenna. So considering that includes a preamp, it does not seem too bad. I think a 4221 with preamp would cost around the same amount. I would hope the amp bundled with the Lacrosse would be half-decent. Or maybe I'm missing something?

I do wonder if the Lacrosse will be comparable to the 4221 performance-wise. I do look forward to seeing the results for the antenna.

I have ordered a DB4 antenna from Tigerdirect, This may be a bad choice for me as I have searched the threads here and on google and cant seem to find anyone saying anything good or bad. I also see that it looks exactly like a CM 4221 which seems to be recomended for my area of GTA.

The DB4 is similar to both the CM4221 and the PR-4400, but when looking at the Net Gain, the DB4 seems to have a slightly lower gain overall and has a huge hole around channel 16 for some strange reason.

I live kipling and the westway in a bungalow. If i want to pull buffalo in reliable should I get a preamp? If so (I know they can damgae my tv) Is there an adjustable one lowest amount to higher? Or should I be ok with just the antenna. I see a CM4221 can be used for fringe and deep fringe with a pre amp, Is this the same?

The use of a pre-amp shouldn't be based on how far you are from the stations (i.e. signal strength) but on how long the cable run is and how many ways you split the signal (though strong signals will reduce the need for a pre-amp). The general rule of thumb is you shouldn't use a pre-amp if you have less than 75 feet of RG6 cable and don't use a splitter.

oK, I wont use the pre amp. I will have no spliters. It will go from the roof to the tv. Does a joiner count as a spliter? If they do then I will have two. One from outside to inside and the wall outlet to tv. I picked up the DB4 at lucnch and will put it up on the weekend. I am so shocked how small it is. Litterly it came in a box the size of a twins Pizza Pizza. The antenna is small compared to the pictures I've seen. If id known I may have opted for a DB8. Is it wrong to use a pvc tube as a mast instead of a metal one? It will be used on the chimney as a spot to secure it to. Thanks for everyones help so far. Cant wait to bring rogers back there crappy box.

Good luck with that, and remember that there are plenty of threads here at DHC about the various types and pieces of equipment we might need for OTA reception.

Does a joiner count as a spliter?

By joiner, I assume you mean something like this?
http://www.thesourcecc.com/images/Online/27/2780213s.gif

If so, then no it doesn't count. You loose a bit of signal through them (probably about 0.1dB), but not much.

In the case of a splitter, the signal divided amongst the outputs, so with a 2-way splitter in a perfect world, the signal on each output is half as strong as it was on the input (3 dB of loss). In reality a good 2-way splitter will actually provides about 3.5 dB of loss.

Is it wrong to use a pvc tube as a mast instead of a metal one?

The big problem with PVC is that it may not be strong enough. If you are mounting it outdoors it might break on a windy day, especially if ice has built up on the antenna. Indoors it should be fine though.

Thank you Roger, Yes that joiner picture is what I meant exactly. Good to know. I will use a metal fence post instead of Pvc then. However I may try to mount it directly to the chimney without a mast at all depending on the outcome of a scan. My Tv is a JVC iart 40 lcd with built in atsc tuner. I have to scan and it deciides what is a good signal or not. I did ok with a rca ant411 in the summer but I am going to use this db4 as a permanent solution for my HD. I hate RogersCable more and more with every problem there box gives me. Hopefully thats all for now thanks again everone. I will post my results in the Ota rection area when I get them l8tr.

Here is a link to an article I came across where they mention the three new Lacrosse "Micron" antenna models that are in the works.

http://www.hometoys.com/article.php4?displayid=811

Has anyone tried this antenna?

http://www.antennasdirect.com/lacrosse.html

Im looking at the A Model which includes the amp.

I would like something to mount on the side of my house as my Wifey doesnt want a big honking antenna up top.

I live 45 kms from Detroit. The price seems reasonable.

It will mount about 10ft up; Looking to get most digital channels.

kgeorge78, Hugh the administrator has one and the performance is not bad at all.

I would say you should get pretty decent results picking up the Detroit stations.

Try and mount the antenna as high as you can go as elevation in your area is not that high if Iam not mistaken.

Driving to Detoit on the long weekends I do notice along the 401 the eloevation is low and coming in before Windsor theres quite of bit of houses with towers .

As an alternate to the Lacrosse, try the DB-2 or the new Channel Master 4220 (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=63294). You should get similar reception results and it will cost a lot less even if you also buy a pre-amp (which is preferable to a built in one).