REVIEW – For cord cutters who need real range, the Winegard Elite 7550 Long Range Outdoor HDTV Antenna makes a strong case for itself. It is a $149.99 outdoor HDTV antenna rated for high-definition over-the-air reception from more than 70 miles away, and in our testing it made free broadcast TV feel practical again. The reception was impressive, but the lightweight build and included plastic roof mount left us wanting sturdier hardware for a permanent installation.
Why this antenna matters
The Elite 7550 is meant for people who want to drop cable or satellite service without giving up local high-definition channels. It uses USB power and includes an embedded ultra low noise amplifier, so the antenna is not just a passive piece of plastic and metal. Winegard also builds in its Clear Circuit Technology, Optimized for Dual-Band VHF/UHF Reception, and an LTE filter to help reduce signal interference.
On paper, the specifications are straightforward: a 70+ mile range, directional reception, 30" x 17.5" x 5" dimensions, a 1 lb weight, and an embedded ultra low noise 1db digital amplifier. Those numbers are only useful if the antenna can actually find stations where you live, so we tested it first inside and then mounted it outside.
Unboxing and included parts
The box includes the Winegard Elite 7550 antenna with embedded ultra low noise amplifier, an inline 5V power inverter with LED power indicator, a 3' USB power cable with 110V adapter, mounting supplies, and an instruction manual. The mounting supplies include the pipe, foot, and hardware needed to get started. What is not included is coaxial cable, which is worth knowing before you plan the install.
Assembly notes
Putting the Elite 7550 together looks more complicated than it really is. There are enough small screws, fasteners, plastic sections, and thin metal elements to make the first glance a little intimidating. After reading the instruction manual, though, the process becomes clear.
The main caution is not speed, but care. Each beam and fin has its own location, and the pieces need to be bent or slipped into place without forcing them. Over-tightening a screw or flexing one of the fragile elements too aggressively could easily crack or damage something.
Once assembled, the Elite 7550 has a sharp, futuristic look. It is not a tiny indoor leaf antenna, and it does not pretend to be one. It looks like a purposeful outdoor antenna designed to pull in weak stations.
Indoor reception test
Before drilling into the house, we tried the antenna indoors in a back room of a house surrounded by woods in Westchester County, New York. We simply stood it on a shelf beside the TV and ran the Channel Search function on our test television.
That rough indoor setup still found around 18 channels. For an antenna sitting inside a wooded home rather than mounted outside with a clear aim, that was a very encouraging start.
Most televisions and set-top boxes handle over-the-air setup in a similar way. Connect the antenna, find the Auto Channel Search option or similar setting, and let the device scan. The exact menu will vary by brand, but the general process is the same.
Planning the outdoor install
The strong indoor result made us want to see what the Elite 7550 could do when mounted properly. Before putting holes in the house, we used the antenna selector on the Winegard website. After entering an address or zip code, the site shows a map with available channels, signal strengths, and the direction of nearby broadcast towers. It also recommends which Winegard antenna fits the location.
Winegard also offers a free app that helps point the antenna in the right direction. At the time of the review, it was available from the Apple App Store and Android Google Play store. Whether you use the site or the app, the important thing is to know the tower direction before mounting the antenna.
Outdoor results
After aiming and mounting the antenna outside, reception improved dramatically. The Elite 7550 pulled in more than 50 channels, which was better than we expected for our location and terrain.
We chose a side-of-house mount instead of a roof mount. That location gave the antenna some protection from heavy wind and weather, and it also avoided the risk of climbing onto the roof. Before you mount one permanently, make sure it is pointed toward the broadcast towers, because you do not want to discover the direction is wrong after the drilling is done.
The one part of the package we did not trust for permanent use was the plastic roof mount. It felt too flimsy for the weight and stress of a long-term installation. We replaced it with an Ailuki J-Pole Antenna Mount found on Amazon.com. We also hired a professional to drill through the house and route the coaxial cable into the living room behind the main television.
Since the installation, we occasionally rerun Auto Channel Search and sometimes find that even more channels have appeared. That is exactly what we hoped for from an outdoor antenna like this. The Elite 7550 made cutting the cord much easier.
What worked well
- Relatively easy set-up
- Very powerful reception
- A number of mounting options
What could be better
- Care must be taken during assembly because of fragile elements
- Plastic roof mount not adequate for permanent mounting
- No coaxial cable included
Final thoughts
The Winegard Elite 7550 Long Range Outdoor HDTV Antenna is a terrific product for anyone serious about receiving free over-the-air HD television. It rewards a little planning, especially researching broadcast tower locations and aiming the antenna correctly. In return, it can pull in more channels than many people will ever have time to watch, even in challenging terrain.
The build quality does not feel quite as strong as the performance, and including coaxial cable would have made the package feel more complete. Even with those complaints, at $149.99 the Elite 7550 is a solid buy overall.
Price: $149.99
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Winegard.
