Step Into The Light
The original Sonik Gizmo alarms were winners: good price point, reliable, and pretty to the eye. Brilliantly, though, the designers at Sonik have come up with a MK2, and this time there are more features and a lot more light!
Sonik is flying high right now. Last month the launch of the much-anticipated mid-sized AXS bivvy; next month a brand-new version of the SKS bite alarms, and right now a total revamp to their original Gizmo Alarm. This new model—which goes by the name of Gizmo2—promises to have enough features to delight any hardcore bite alarm junkie looking for a fix, along with some very special LED snag ears…
Gizmo? I recognise that.
You should. The name’s been around for a few years now, and the original alarms proved extremely popular with customers. This new model has kept all the best features, supercharged a few of them, and had some brand-new ones added in! There are also now two function buttons— ‘F-Button’ and ‘L-Button’—, two side LEDs and much-improved rubber rod inlays.
What are these ‘supercharged’ features then…
Like the original, the first thing you will notice on the MK2s are the long snag ears. Whilst the functionality still remains the same—the left-hand one illuminates when you get a run, while the right one indicates a drop-back bite (that in itself is awesome!)—they are now frosted and fitted with super bright LEDs so not only are they illuminated at night but you’ll even see them during daylight hours! Keeping with LEDs, their brightness can now be adjusted (Low, Medium or High), plus the Night Glow LED function automatically matches the colour chosen for that alarm.
Is there anything new on the receiver?
Quite a bit. It can now sync up to eight alarms; it has an increased range of 200m; and there’s a new ‘Vibro’ mode, which means the receiver will mimic the alarm head’s tone. The same goes for the LED choices.
What about the Bivvy Light?
It’s had similar upgrades to those on the receiver: eight alarm sync-up and alarm colour-sync, but there’s now a superfast USB-C charging port so you can top up the built-in 2000mAh lithium-ion battery in double quick time.
What’s remained the same then?
The three satisfying clickable dials for adjusting the volume, tone and sensitivity. The battery choice is still the sold-everywhere AAA batteries and the Low Battery Warning feature still operates. Clip-on hardcovers come as standard with each alarm that’s sold in a presentation box.
Go on, how much…
Like the original of their time, the Gizmo2 should command a much higher retail price, so you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear a single head retails for just £64.99. The Receiver comes in at a fiver more (£69.99), while the 2+1 (+ Bivvy Light, which comes with all presentation sets) is £239.99, £299.99 for the 3+1 and £339.99 for the 4+1. Once again, you’ve impressed us, Sonik.
