At first, we were quite excited to review the HD-2805 Outdoor Antenna from Lava. On paper, it looks like one of the best HDTV antennas around. The manufacturer claims that it can pick up UHF and VHF signals from more than 150 miles away and it also has a nifty built-in remote-controlled rotor.
After digging a little deeper though we discovered that things aren't quite as wonderful as we'd hoped with the HD-2805. While it is a great antenna, it can't actually pick up signals from 150 miles away as advertised. What's more, it’s made of cheap plastic that may not withstand extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions for very long.
Lava antennas may not be the best of the best, but they get the job done. The HD-2805 picks up UHF and VHF channels and can easily be converted to pick up digital TV channels as well. The picture quality is good for HDTV, but static interruptions are more frequent with this antenna than they are with others in this category.
The manufacturer claims that the HD-2805 can receive signals from 150 miles away, but we were very skeptical of this statement initially. Even the largest HDTV antennas can rarely reach more than 80 miles to grab signals, and this antenna is just more than three feet long. Sure enough, when we mounted it at the height of a single-story rooftop, we found that the HD-2805 cannot pick up signals that are broadcast from more than about 50 miles away.
The installation instructions for the HD-2805 are filled with details, including an illustrated packing list, photos of each assembly step and a diagram to help you connect the antenna to a converter box and your television. After reading several confusing installation guides for other HDTV antennas, we were happy to find one that included simple instructions and many photos.
Our favorite thing about this antenna is its remote-controlled rotor. The HD-2805 is a directional antenna, but if you want to change the direction to pick up different channels, all you need to do is step outside and use the remote control to rotate it.
One of our main complaints about this antenna is that it’s made of plastic. Online images of the HD-2805 make it look like it is made of metal like most HDTV antennas, but the cheap quality of its plastic components leaves us doubting this antenna’s durability.
Should I buy the LAVA HD-2805?
Compared to other HDTV antennas, the HD-2805 Outdoor Antenna from Lava is average. The quality of its HDTV playback is not as good as the picture quality its competitors provide, and its only outstanding feature is its nifty remote-controlled rotor.
