Why You Can Trust CNET Get a Winegard HDTV antenna for $24.99 shipped
Great for pulling down free over-the-air HD signals, this indoor/outdoor antenna normally sells for $40. And while you're at it, how about some other free stuff?
Quick housekeeping note: The Cheapskate will be on vacation for the next three days, so I'm hoping today's pair of bonus-deal freebies will help tide you over until I return. Feel free to hit the comments and crowdsource any good deals you find in the interim. See you back here on Friday!
Whether you're looking to cut that pricey cable-TV cord or just tune in live signals on a TV that has no cable box, Roku box, or the like, you need a good antenna.
In the past I've featured various Mohu Leaf options, but I must admit I don't care for their all-plastic design, which can be hard on your decor. Black side, white side, doesn't matter: It's an ugly accoutrement.
Today only, and while supplies last, 1SaleADay has the Winegard FreeVision FV-30BB HDTV antenna for $24.99 shipped. It's new, not refurbished, and sells elsewhere for $40.
I'm not saying this mostly metal antenna is pretty, but I find it much easier on the eyes than the Leaf. And it seems to produce better results, at least based on the 170-plus Amazon user reviews (which average out to 4.4 stars out of 5).
What's more, the FreeVision can be used indoors or outdoors, though obviously you'll need something longer than the included 6-foot coaxial cable if you want an outdoor installation.
Winegard promises reception from as far as 30 miles away, which should do the trick if you live in a city or decent-size suburb. Even so, you'll want to visit AntennaWeb.org and check your range to make sure you don't need something stronger, perhaps an amplified antenna.
The only real hitch here is that you can't be in a hurry to get the product: 1SaleADay requires 10-14 days just for your order to ship. And those are business days, so it could be close to a month before the antenna arrives. Kind of ridiculous, yes, but if you want to save $15, waiting is the price you pay.
If you've tried this particular antenna, hit the comments and let me (and your fellow Cheeps) know how it turned out.
Bonus deal: From free TV to free movies: CinemaNow is once again giving away 10 free movies when you sign up for (or log into) a CinemaNow account and link it to a new or existing UltraViolet account. This is more or less the same promo I wrote about back in May, so I'll refer you there to get all the details.
Bonus deal No. 2: More freebie goodness! Sony is giving away... wait, sorry, I need to make sure I've got that right... Sony is giving away a free e-book when you sign up for a Reader account on your PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet. (The Reader app is available for Android and iOS.) You've got 10 titles to choose from, including Charles Frazier's splendid "Cold Mountain" and David Sedaris' amusing "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls." Just follow the instructions on the promo page and you're good to go.
Bonus deal No. 3: Reader Leon just alerted me to a killer hard-drive deal: While supplies last, Rakuten.com has the Fantom GreenDrive3 2TB USB 3.0 hard drive for $69.99 shipped. That's after redeeming a $20 mail-in rebate (PDF). The drive includes a two-year warranty and 90 Rakuten "Super Points" you can use to save on future purchases. Thanks, Leon!
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