Fox Micron RX+ Alarms

You just knew that when Fox resurrected the vaunted RX name, the alarms would be pretty awesome, we mean, they had to be, right? After all, the original Micron RX Digitals are still in active service today, and many consider them to be the ultimate alarm! Of course, Fox has released some fabulous alarms since the original RX – look no further than the NTX-R, an alarm that has found favour with loads of top anglers that we can think of (many of whom have no sponsorship ties with Fox at all). Well, after a hush-hush testing period that has seen the new RX+ alarms tested to destruction, we’re pleased to be getting a privileged first look!

First, you should know that these alarms are absolute beasts. They’re positively humming with useful technology and up-to-the-minute functionality, when it comes to alarms, the Fox team aren’t here to play. Technology aside, what makes the RX+ even better is that you can immediately tell that it’s a Micron alarm, the pleasingly chunky, rounded shape is retained, albeit they’re much, much thinner in profile than their ancestors. They’re beautifully understated too; you won’t find garish graphics anywhere near these babies.

Quite honestly, the spec sheet sent our heads spinning. There’s so much packed into the RX+, that’s been integrated to make your fishing easier that we honestly don’t know where to start. However, seeing as these are the alarms that supersede the NTX-Rs, let’s take a look at the things that we see as improvements on what was a super alarm…

It’s been a long eight years since we had a new alarm from Fox, but with the RX+, it’s definitely been worth the wait

1. The complete package

The integrated snag ears are even deeper than the NTX-R, and inlaid with rod-friendly rubber which makes for a super-solid set-up for snag fishing with no external snag ears needed. The RX+ boasts twin, multi-colour LEDs at the top of each snag ear. Those LEDs are adjustable, thanks to Fox’s new Colour-Sync system, the controls for which are located on the battery cover. Those clever design bods identified the roller as a potential weakness in the most extreme frosts, and gave it much greater clearance from the body on the new RX+, making the chances of it freezing up extremely small. You’ve also got a receiver with stronger range performance (not that we’re suggesting you test its maximum range in a fishing situation!) and improved sensitivity too.

It still retains that classic Micron shape

2. Clever sensitivity

You can adjust volume, tone and sensitivity via numbered dials, to customise the performance of the alarm to your taste. There’s even a night mode, which makes the LEDs glow faintly which is rather lovely.

The development team has clearly done rather a lot of work improving the performance of the line-sensing part of the RX+. In order to reduce false indications, the guys implemented something called See-Saw elimination. Basically, the alarm will only sound if line travels a distance specified by the sensitivity dial, in one direction only, for a set time. If it goes forward, then drops back immediately, like line does in windy conditions, the head won’t bleep. We don’t know how they’ve done it, but we’re mighty glad they have!

The biggest difference between the RX+ and its predecessor, the NTX-R is the width

3. Tech aplenty

The fun features don’t begin and end with the alarm heads either, in fact the free-standing receiver is a thing of beauty in itself! Just like the heads, it now has totally digital circuitry, the batteries last forever and when they do start to die, you’ll be warned by the battery life indication display. When you get a run, things get pretty cool. Should you want it, you can have the receiver light up the interior of the bivvy, thanks to its bivvy light function. You can toggle vibration on and off too, as well as full silent mode, which allows the receiver to function as normal, just without the noise!

Very occasionally, we just run out of space to tell you about all the great features of a product and this is one such time. All that remains to be said however, is that we really do think that the new pretender to the RX throne looks to be the real deal!
“GIMME”: RX+, £169.99; RX+ Receiver, £169.99; Two-Rod Presentation Set, £449.99; Three-Rod Presentation Set, £599.99; Four-Rod Presentation Set £749.99