The ClearStream Eclipse and Flex are manufactured and sold by Antennas Direct. This company boasts that all of their TV antennas are the most comprehensive and powerful antennas you will find in the world. That is a bold claim from Antennas Direct, and today we are going to find out whether their claim is true or not.
We are going to compare the ClearStream Eclipse and Flex which are both indoor multi-directional TV antennas. By comparing these antennas, we will determine which of them is the better product. Without further ado, let’s dive right into their similarities and differences.
ClearStream Eclipse vs Flex
| ClearStream Eclipse | ClearStream Flex | |
| Image |  |
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| Range | 35+ Miles | 50+ Miles |
| 4K Ready | No | Yes |
| Location | Indoor | Indoor |
| Style | Multi-Directional | Multi-Directional |
| Frequency | UHF | UHF / VHF |
| Gain | UHF 4 dBi | UHF 3.6 dBi / VHF 2.0 dBi / Jolt 15dB In-Line Amplifier |
| Beam Angle | 470 to 700MHz: 70 Degrees (Horizontal Plane) Reception Pattern | 470 to 700MHz: 70 Degrees (Horizontal Plane) Reception Pattern |
| Available Color | Reversible Black or White | Reversible Black or White |
| Assembled Dimensions (L x W x D) | 10″ X 9″ X 1 mm | 12″ X 16″ X 1 mm |
| Weight | 4 oz. | 6 oz. |
| Warranty | Lifetime Warranty on Parts | Lifetime Warranty on Parts |
| What’s Included | 12 ft. detachable high-performance coaxial cable, peel & stick strip | Jolt 15dB USB In-Line Amplifier, 12 ft. high-performance coaxial cable, USB Power Adapter, and Peel & Stick strip |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Note: In this comparison, we compared these versions of these TV indoor antennas: Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse TV Antenna, 35+ Miles Range and Antennas Direct ClearStream FLEX Amplified TV Antenna, 50+ Mile Range. There are other versions of the ClearStream Eclipse TV Antennas with a larger 60 and 70 mile range.
Indoor Multi-Directional Antenna
ClearStream Eclipse and Flex are both indoor multi-directional antennas perfect for your house, dorm rooms, or recreational vehicles or RVs. Setting up these ClearStream antennas are so easy that you do not need to bring out your tools and hardware to install. There are no hooks or Velcro also. The ClearStream Eclipse and Flex can stick to any surface, from drywalls to glass windows. Therefore, you don’t have to poke holes and ruin your walls.
Thinness and Reversible Color
Antennas Direct used the same loop in their outdoor antennas with the ClearStream Eclipse and Flex. The difference with these antennas, aside from being indoor antennas, is their extreme thinness. The ClearStream Eclipse and Flex are ultra-thin at only 1 mm thin. These TV antennas have two sides with different colors. One is black while the other is white, so you have the choice of which side you want to be visible.
Lifetime Warranty on Parts
There are no sweeter words than ‘Lifetime Warranty’. The ClearStream Eclipse and Flex are backed with a lifetime warranty on their parts from Antennas Direct. Their lifetime warranty is proof that both the ClearStream Eclipse and Flex are great products of high quality and standard.
Differences between ClearStream Eclipse and Flex
Knowing the differences between these ClearStream antennas will make it easier for you to decide if Eclipse or Flex is the right antenna for you. We will explain in detail everything that makes these antennas different.
Design and Assembled Dimensions
Although the ClearStream Eclipse and Flex are both ultra-thin, these TV antennas have entirely different designs and assembled dimensions.
ClearStream Eclipse
The ClearStream Eclipse has more of a ring-like design. Perhaps, this is why Antennas Direct name it this way since it uncannily looks like an eclipse. This circular design reminds me of their more popular outdoor antenna, the ClearStream 2V. The assembled size and weight of the ClearStream Eclipse are smaller at 10″ X 9″ X 1 mm and 4 oz. respectively.
ClearStream Flex
In contrast, the ClearStream Flex has a rectangular design, resembling a blank sheet of paper. It is slightly larger than a legal paper at 12″ X 16″ X 1 mm and weighs more at 6 oz. Personally, the ClearStream Flex has an overall better design due to its simple design that can blend in any wall. You can even place it behind a picture frame to better conceal it. But picking based on their designs depends on your preference.
The Winner Is: It’s A Tie
Related: ClearStream 2V vs 2Max – What is the difference between these TV antennas?
TV Antenna Range
The TV Antenna Range of an antenna is an important specification since it indicates what kind of signal reception they can attain. Since obstructions such as buildings and foliage can reduce this range, having a longer TV antenna range is advantageous.
ClearStream Eclipse
The ClearStream Eclipse can receive signals as far as 35+ miles. Although it is already impressive, it does not match with the TV antenna range of the ClearStream Flex. If you need a longer range for better reception, you can get the ‘Amplified’ version of the ClearStream Eclipse with includes a Jolt 15 dB USB in-line amplifier. Otherwise, the 35-mile antenna range of the ClearStream Eclipse is unparalleled in its price range.
ClearStream Flex
On the other hand, the ClearStream Flex is already amplified as it already comes with the Jolt 15 dB USB in-line amplifier out of the box. Therefore, you can expect more than 50 miles of TV antenna range with it. The ClearStream Flex is more expensive, which is something you should consider.
The Winner Is: ClearStream Flex
Radio Frequencies
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) are the two frequency bands where over-the-air TV signals are distributed.
ClearStream Eclipse
While most TV antennas can receive both frequency bands, there are some antennas designed to capture UHF channels only including the ClearStream Eclipse. The lack of VHF bands makes it harder for the ClearStream Eclipse to capture and detect VHF channels even if you are close to your local broadcast towers. Channels like Fox and ABC are on the VHF bands, so you can miss out on these popular channels.
ClearStream Flex
You do not have to search and verify the frequency and channel of your favorite TV shows with the ClearStream Flex as it covers both UHF and VHF bands. You will have all the OTA TV channels available with the ClearStream Flex. Therefore, the ClearStream Flex is the safer bet between these TV antennas. Lastly, the ClearStream Flex is 4K ready which is a huge advantage of the Eclipse.
The Winner Is: ClearStream Flex
Pros and Cons
ClearStream Eclipse
Pros:
- The ClearStream Eclipse has a decent TV antenna range of more than 35 miles.
- It is smaller while maintaining its 1-mm thinness, so you can better conceal it behind picture frames or wall clocks.
- The ClearStream Eclipse is priced at a significantly lower price tag giving you access to dozens of free channels.
Cons:
- Its lack of VHF reception makes you miss out on other free TV channels.
Pros:
- The ClearStream Flex is an indoor TV antenna that is also ready for 4K resolutions.
- Although it is overall larger when assembled, its rectangular design can adapt and be concealed behind a picture frame unsuspectedly.
- Its antenna range can reach farther than the Eclipse with the inclusion of a Jolt 15 dB USB in-line amplifier that can reach more than 50 miles.
- Unlike the Eclipse, you don’t have to miss out on other channels since it can receive both UHF and VHF bands.
Cons:
- Being an indoor TV antenna, it is prone to more interference.
- It is significantly more expensive.
Final Verdict: ClearStream Eclipse vs Flex
Looking at both the ClearStream Eclipse and Flex, both are great TV antennas for their price. However, based on this comparison, the ClearStream Flex is undoubtedly the better TV antenna with its longer antenna range and more received channels. All these additional features come with a higher price tag, almost as twice as that of the ClearStream Eclipse. With that said, I can still confidently say that the ClearStream Flex is worth it even with its higher price. You can still save a lot of money buying one of these, rather than paying for streaming subscriptions.