Gardner ATTs Alarms
5 Things To Know
- Adjustable sensitivity, plus colour options.
- At just 34mm x 21mm x 63mm, these are easily the smallest alarms available on the market.
- Non-reflective rubberised coating provides total rod protection without scratching your carbon blanks.
- 100% Waterproof Construction: With no buttons, jack-plug sockets, or speakers, these alarms are genuinely 100% watertight.
- High-standard digital circuitry with FM radio transmission provides total reliability and strong signal performance.
Gardner ATTs Alarms Review
How well is it built?
The Gardner ATTs are built like the proverbial tank, though remarkably they're amongst the smallest bite alarms on the market. At just 34mm x 21mm x 63mm, these compact units manage to pack in legendary durability that's been proven over nearly three decades.
The rubberised soft-touch finish is non-reflective and provides total rod protection without scratching your carbon blanks. More importantly, it gives excellent grip to keep rods secure during violent takes or windy conditions.
What genuinely sets the ATTs apart is the 100% waterproof construction. With no buttons, jack-plug sockets, or speakers, these alarms are genuinely watertight.
Gardner claims these are 100% waterproof, and they genuinely mean it—I've seen footage of these being fully submerged and continuing to function perfectly afterwards. The absence of external ports dramatically reduces the risk of water ingress and electronics damage.
The brass fixing bolt and nut won't corrode or seize, maintaining secure attachment to rod pods or bank sticks session after session, year after year.
The high "ears" design prevents lateral rod movement and reduces the risk of your rod being pulled off during vicious takes—this proven design has protected countless rods over the decades.
The protective hard case that doubles as the on/off mechanism is brilliantly simple. A small piece of metal inside the case corresponds to something within the alarm head—remove the case and it switches on, replace it and it switches off.
There's literally nothing simpler, and nothing to break or malfunction.
How good is bite detection?
The ATTs use a traditional roller wheel detection system that's proven reliable over decades. The illuminated wheel technology positions an LED directly underneath a clear roller wheel at the very front of the alarm.
When line moves across the roller, the entire wheel lights up in your chosen colour.
This is genuinely clever engineering. The roller itself acts as a diffuser, spreading and softening the light to create a beautifully gentle glow that's easily visible from across the swim but won't ruin your night vision if you look directly at it.
Despite the soft light characteristics, the illuminated wheel is clearly visible even in bright sunlight.
Sensitivity adjustment is wonderfully mechanical and low-tech. Rather than electronic controls, you simply change the roller wheel itself. The ATTs comes supplied with a clear 2-magnet roller as standard (beeps once per 1cm of line movement).
Multi-coloured user-changeable rollers are available with 4 magnets (0.5cm) or 6 magnets (0.33cm). This might seem less convenient than electronic adjustment, but there's something reassuring about the mechanical simplicity—there's simply less to go wrong.
Gardner has developed a unique false beep elimination system specifically designed to minimise false triggering. The digital circuitry and FM radio transmission work together to provide reliable indication without the irritating false beeps caused by wind or water movement.
During testing in genuinely windy conditions, I was impressed by how few false alerts the ATTs generated compared to other roller wheel alarms I've used previously.
What are the settings and features like?
The genius of the ATTs lies in how staggeringly simple they are to use. There are no buttons, no dials, no switches, no knobs—nothing whatsoever to configure or adjust on the alarm head itself. Put your rod on the alarm and it's instantly ready to use.
This might sound limiting, but it's actually wonderfully liberating. You're not spending time fiddling with controls when you should be concentrating on watercraft and rig presentation.
The complete absence of settings and controls means anyone can use these immediately—there's absolutely zero learning curve.
The ATTs are silent bite alarms, which might sound contradictory. There's no speaker built into the alarm head whatsoever—all audible indication comes from the ATTx receiver.
The thinking is sound: why have noisy alarms at the water's edge potentially spooking fish when you can have silent heads and receive notification directly at your bivvy?
Six colour options are available—Carpy White, Pink, Purple, Red, Green, and Blue—ensuring you can match your personal preference or coordinate colours across multiple rods. The illuminated wheel provides excellent visibility in all light conditions.
The ATTs work with Gardner's ATTx V2 and ATTx Deluxe receivers. The V2 can be programmed with up to five different alarms, whilst the Deluxe extends this to ten channels with individual tone settings for each.
The low battery warning system signals the receiver, which beeps to alert you when any ATTs head needs a battery change.
Is it good value for money?
The Gardner ATTs represent outstanding value for money. You're getting legendary build quality, proven reliability, and a design that's been battle-tested by thousands of anglers across countless sessions over nearly thirty years.
They might not have the flashy features of premium alarm systems costing ten times as much, but they'll do the fundamental job of bite indication with absolute dependability.
The genuinely 100% waterproof construction alone provides value that many more expensive alarms can't match.
The full 2-year ATT warranty provides peace of mind, backed by Gardner's established reputation and proper after-sales support.
When you consider the proven longevity—many units still functioning perfectly after decades of hard use—the long-term value becomes even more apparent.
You will need to purchase an ATTx receiver separately (unless you already own one), which is an additional cost to factor in. However, once you have the receiver, adding additional alarm heads represents excellent value for expanding your setup.
For anglers who appreciate simplicity, reliability, and understated quality over extensive customisation and advanced features, these alarms deliver everything you need and nothing you don't.
If you're comparing different alarm systems and trying to decide what's right for your fishing, our comprehensive bite alarm comparison guide covers all the top models to help you make the best choice.
Pros
- Outstanding value at just a competitive price for legendary reliability
- Genuinely 100% waterproof with proven submersion resistance
- Brilliantly simple hard case on/off system—utterly foolproof
- Illuminated wheel creates soft, diffused light that preserves night vision
- Nearly three decades of proven reliability and durability
Cons
- Requires separate ATTx receiver purchase for audible indication
- Zero customisation or advanced features for tech-focused anglers
Features and Specifications
| Feature | What this means |
|---|---|
| Illuminated Wheel (IW) Technology | A coloured LED positioned directly underneath a transparent roller wheel lights up the entire roller when line moves. This creates a soft, diffused light that's easily visible without harming your night vision, unlike harsh LED spotlights. |
| Silent Alarm Design | No speaker in the alarm head means all audible indication comes from your receiver at your bivvy, not at the water's edge. This prevents spooking fish with noise at the rod whilst ensuring you never miss a take. |
| 100% Waterproof Construction | With no buttons, jack-plug sockets, or speakers, these alarms are genuinely 100% watertight. They can be fully submerged underwater and will continue functioning perfectly—ultimate protection against rain, spray, and condensation. |
| Intelligent Hard Case On/Off System | The protective hard case acts as your on/off switch. Remove the case to turn the alarm on, replace it to turn it off. A small piece of metal in the case activates the alarm—brilliantly simple with nothing to go wrong. |
| Clear 2-Magnet Roller Wheel Included | Supplied as standard with a transparent 2-magnet roller that beeps once per 1cm of line movement. The clear roller allows the LED to shine through beautifully, creating the distinctive underlit appearance. |
| Interchangeable Roller Sensitivity System | Adjust sensitivity mechanically by changing roller wheels rather than electronically. Choose from 2-magnet (1cm), 4-magnet (0.5cm), or ultra-sensitive 6-magnet (0.33cm) rollers. Simple, foolproof, and nothing electronic to fail. |
| Unique False Beep Elimination | Specially designed bite detection system minimises false triggering that plagues other roller wheel alarms. Digital circuitry prevents annoying wind-induced beeps whilst maintaining excellent sensitivity to genuine takes. |
| Built-In FM Radio Transmitter | High-standard digital circuitry with FM radio transmission provides total reliability and strong signal performance. Compatible with ATTx V2 and Deluxe receivers for complete wireless bite indication system. |
| ATTx Receiver Compatibility | Works seamlessly with Gardner's ATTx V2 (5 alarms) and ATTx Deluxe (10 alarms) receivers. No buttons or knobs means increased reliability—put your rod on it and it's ready to use immediately. |
| Six Colour Options Available | Choose from Carpy White, Pink, Purple, Red, Green, or Blue to match your personal preference or coordinate colours across multiple rods. All colours are clearly visible in both daylight and darkness. |
| Rubberised Soft-Touch Finish | Non-reflective rubberised coating provides total rod protection without scratching your carbon blanks. The soft texture also provides excellent grip to keep rods secure during violent takes or windy conditions. |
| High 'Ears' Design | Distinctive tall ears prevent lateral rod movement and reduce the risk of your rod being pulled off the alarm during vicious takes. This proven design has protected countless rods over nearly three decades. |
| Ultra-Compact Dimensions | At just 34mm x 21mm x 63mm, these are easily the smallest alarms available on the market. Perfect for low-profile setups, tight swims, or stalking situations where compact, lightweight equipment is essential. |
| Low Battery Warning System | The alarm signals the ATTx receiver when battery power is running low. The receiver beeps to warn you, giving advance notice to replace the battery before it fails mid-session. |
| Digital Circuitry | High-standard digital electronics ensure reliable performance and consistent signal transmission. The circuitry is engineered for longevity and dependability across thousands of fishing sessions. |
| Brass Fixing Bolt and Nut | Corrosion-resistant brass fittings ensure the thread won't rust or seize, maintaining secure attachment to rod pods or bank sticks session after session, year after year. |
| Full 2-Year ATT Warranty | Comprehensive two-year warranty covers manufacturing defects and provides peace of mind. Gardner stands behind their products with proper after-sales support and a proven track record of reliability. |
| No Buttons or Controls | Complete absence of buttons, dials, switches, or knobs maximises reliability and waterproofing. There's simply nothing to break, malfunction, or allow water ingress—pure mechanical simplicity. |
| Roller Wheel Detection System | Traditional roller wheel provides tactile, mechanical bite detection that's proven reliable over decades. Unlike electronic sensing, roller wheels provide physical confirmation of line movement. |
| Standard 3/8" BSF Thread | Universal thread fitting ensures compatibility with all major rod pods, bank sticks, and buzz bars on the market. You'll never have compatibility issues with your existing equipment. |
| Soft Diffused Light | The illuminated wheel creates a gentle, diffused glow rather than harsh spotlights. This preserves your natural night vision whilst remaining clearly visible from across the swim in complete darkness. |
| Daylight Visibility | Despite the soft light characteristics, the illuminated wheel is clearly visible even in bright sunlight. Testing confirmed excellent visibility across all light conditions from midday sun through to pitch darkness. |
| Ultra-Lightweight Design | Incredibly light weight makes these perfect for mobile fishing or stalking situations. You can carry multiple alarms without adding significant weight to your kit, ideal for anglers who move swims frequently. |
| Legendary Reliability Record | Nearly three decades of proven performance in real-world fishing situations. Countless anglers have trusted ATTs alarms for years, with many units still functioning perfectly after decades of hard use. |
| Simple Battery Replacement | Straightforward battery access makes replacement quick and easy. No complicated procedures or tiny screws—just simple, tool-free battery changes that take seconds. |
| Extended Ears Available Separately | Optional extended back accessory further lengthens the ears for even more rod security in extremely snaggy situations. The extended case still works with the same intelligent on/off system. |
| Protective Hard Case Included | Each alarm comes with its own protective hard case that doubles as the on/off mechanism. The case protects the alarm during transport and storage whilst providing the simplest possible power control. |
| Zero Learning Curve | Absolutely no instruction manual required. Remove the case, place your rod on the alarm, and you're fishing. The complete absence of settings and controls means anyone can use these immediately. |
| Classic Old-School Aesthetic | Distinctive retro appearance with proper heritage styling. These alarms look like classic carp fishing equipment rather than modern tech gadgets, appealing to anglers who appreciate traditional design. |
How It Compares
See how the Gardner ATTs Alarms compares with other bite alarms on overall score and current price.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner ATTs Alarms | £64.95 | |
| Fox RX Plus Alarm | £614.99 | |
| Nash Siren R3+ Alarm | £139.99 | |
| Fox Micron MX | £60.94 | |
| Avid Carp VTX+ Bite Alarm | £64.54 | |
| Sonik Gizmo 2 | £189.99 | |
| Wolf ICON X1 Fishing Bite Alarm | £99.99 | |
| Nash Siren R2 | £189.99 | |
| Sonik SKS2 Alarm Single | £34.99 |
Price History
Tracked shop prices over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gardner ATTs Alarms best used for?
It is a bite alarm, chosen for the situations that style of fishing calls for.
What is the Illuminated Wheel (IW) Technology on the Gardner ATTs Alarms?
A coloured LED positioned directly underneath a transparent roller wheel lights up the entire roller when line moves. This creates a soft, diffused light that's easily visible without harming your night vision, unlike harsh LED spotlights.
What is the Silent Alarm Design on the Gardner ATTs Alarms?
No speaker in the alarm head means all audible indication comes from your receiver at your bivvy, not at the water's edge. This prevents spooking fish with noise at the rod whilst ensuring you never miss a take.
What is the Gardner ATTs Alarms made from?
With no buttons, jack-plug sockets, or speakers, these alarms are genuinely 100% watertight. They can be fully submerged underwater and will continue functioning perfectly—ultimate protection against rain, spray, and condensation.
What is the Intelligent Hard Case On/Off System on the Gardner ATTs Alarms?
The protective hard case acts as your on/off switch. Remove the case to turn the alarm on, replace it to turn it off. A small piece of metal in the case activates the alarm—brilliantly simple with nothing to go wrong.
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