Wireless systems

[smltm4nw]

I'm looking for some input on what wireless systems you are using in the field. I am trying start a small video production company on the side and need to purchase some mics. Currently I'm using Sennheisers 100G2's at the station I work for so I am aware of how they work, but I just wanted input on if there is a better field system, maybe a little cheaper, but I am I am willing to spend money if it is worth it.

[BluesDaddy]

The Lectro 187 sets that we have just go and go and go. The only issues we've ever had are that when one gets dropped good and hard, it needs to go back to the factory to have the crystal replaced. However, I don't see them on B&H's site. Maybe discontinued?

[Run&Gun]

Yeah, 187's are long gone(at least new from the factory, there's always ebay). As are the 190's, 195's, 211's, etc., etc. If you want a "big boy" wireless from Lectro, now, it's pretty much gonna be from the 400 series. I was a big supporter of the 411A's and corresponding Tx's, but after having mine in for service with Lectro since April or May with problems that they can't seem to duplicate while it's there(it's in for the 2nd time for the same problems) and having a rented 411A start to do the same thing that mine is doing and talking with more and more sound guys that aren't happy/completely sold on the system either, I'd recomend trying to find a good used 211 system. Don't get me wrong, the 411A's have great features, but it kinda defeats the purpose when you have a "tick or thump" in the audio and it just doesn't sound as clean as the older "all analog" systems.

[amp]

Try the Lectrosonic UCR100/UH400 wireless system. Check it out at http://www.enggadgets.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2430/.f?sc=2&category=61

We just bought 15 of them. Good price for a good product. It's obviously not going to be crystal clear at 1000 yards away, but for the across the room/street microphone situations of local news, it works great for under $1400.

[Geezer.1]

I checked Lectro's web site and the 187 sets are still there. Some companies are not good about keeping their sites current so these mics may in fact be out of production but they are still on Lectrosonic's page.
We have been using the 187 series mics for over a decade and they just keep going and going.
Over the years we have sent two sets to the factory for repair, both after being dropped. Otherwise the seventeen 187 sets we have been trouble free.
As far as actual mics are concerned we use Sennheiser lavaliers. The model we buy has a seperate cable and capsule so when a cable goes bad, and it will, the repair is only $60. They are nice bright mics but not quite as good as Tram TR50's when it comes to mechanical noise or smoothness of response.
We started out with the Trams but getting them fixed if they developed a bad connection up at the mic end of the cable was tough. This may no longer be the case. Any comments from dedicated Tram users on repair would be appreciated.
If I were buying new mics today I would look hard for frequency agile UHF sets.
Fifteen years ago wireless mics weren't so common so fixed frequency mics didn't generally pose a problem. Now everybody has them so you need to be more flexible.
I also don't know what effect if any the loss of VHF TV frequencies will have on older VHF mics. I seem to recall that some of these transmitters are tuned to unused VHF TV frequencies. I could be all wet on that part, it's been a long time since I had to order new mics. What does that tell you about how tough the Lectro's are?
Hope this helps.

[Run&Gun]

If the 187's are still there, they're on the DISCONTINUED page. Those things have been out of production for a while, now. I know some people who had the theory that because everything was moving to the UHF area of the spectrum, that the old VHF stuff would be great again. Personally, I wouldn't buy any of the old VHF stuff, the range wasn't great to begin with, and it's even worse now with so much stuff all over the spectrum. The 211's and 411's have incredible range, but, Hell, I've had my 411A knocked off the air, and the Tx wasn't even a foot away from me...