The original Leaf from Raleigh-based Mohu disrupted the indoor antenna market. Then came the more powerful Leaf Plus which looks deceptively similar.
Despite looking nothing like a traditional antenna or any antenna for that matter, it works. The paper-thin, 9x11.5-inch antenna resembles something more likely imagined by a very disturbed individual locked in a cellar wearing a dingy white lab-coat with only some construction paper and a screwdriver to pass the time. But do not be fooled by its humble appearance.
Following the success of the first Leaf, Mohu's mad scientist created the Leaf Plus featuring a powered amplifier that plugs into the supplied USB AC adapter or a USB port on one of your devices. Many TVs have USB ports. It connects to your TV via a familiar 6-foot co-axial cable.
Mohu calls the Leaf Plus a Leaf on steroids and testing backs that up.
My test location at Tech Junkie Laboratories presents some reception problems. We have brick walls, and there are more brick walls on adjacent structures standing pretty much in the path of most signals. The original non-amplified Leaf performed reasonably well getting all but one station transmitted more than 30 miles away -one that even my larger outdoor-style antenna struggles with. Weather conditions would disrupt reception on occasion.
The Leaf Plus was able to get that missing local station and others considered outside our area. It once the ideal mounting location is found it rarely needs adjusting except for the stations with the weakest signals during less than cooperative weather conditions.
Mohu says the Leaf's & Leaf Plus' omnidirectional reception means no adjusting. While this has been the case most of the time, during heavy cloud cover some adjustment was needed to eliminated some intermittent signal dropout. So far the Leaf Plus has required much less adjustment than the original Leaf or my outdoor antenna.
Mohu's magic though is its form factor. The Leaf's unique size and shape allows for stealthy mounting options like behind a picture on the wall or tucked beneath a cabinet. Adhesive hook-and-loop tabs are included.
A Leaf is not going to solve major reception issues. An amplified Leaf Plus is a definite step up. If you are in an area with reasonable reception and without unusually high interference then the Leaf Plus should work very well. Online consumer reviews gush praise for the Leaf and the amplified Leaf Plus. It is affordable, simple and versatile.
Chances are if the Leaf Plus won't work for you then you are going to need a serious outdoor antenna.
Made in the U.S., Mohu sells the Leaf Plus for $75, but Amazon has listed it as low as $60.
Matthew Fortner has been at The News & Observer since 2002. He has a passion for gadgets, cutting-edge technology and all things geek.