UHF Wireless for $400? at DVinfo.net

Annie Cheatham · July 2nd, 2003, 05:00 PM

Any suggestions on a UHF wireless lav system for $400 or less? It will be used mainly for weddings. Are there any I should stay away from? I can always get a higher end VHF if I have to. Next question, whats the cheapest price range I should be looking at for a decent shotgun mic? Also, if you know where I can get good deals on mics I would appreciate that info as well. Thanks!

Annie C

Ken Tanaka · July 2nd, 2003, 05:12 PM

Annie,
There are several and I'm sure others will chime-in.

Personally, I've had a Samson 32 channel diversity system ("UM32L350 Camera Mountable UHF Diversity Lavalier 32 Channel System with M32 Receiver, T32 Transmitter and Audio-Technica MT-350 Microphone") for several years and never had a lick of trouble with it, even in such a radio-noisy location as my downtown Chicago home. The only down-sides: it's plastic transmitter case, which might conceivably crack if a big 'un sits on it, and battery life is not lavish.

(I recently bought an Audio-Technica system which seems to be a substantial upgrade on both fronts...for an upgraded price, of course. I'll have my first opportunity to test it this weekend; my wife has roped me into shooting a friend's wedding ceremony...ugh, I can't believe it.)

Mike Rehmus · July 2nd, 2003, 08:51 PM

If you look hard, you might still find some of the discounted Sennheiser Evolution kits out there for $300. Takes some hard looking but they are still out there. That's for the bodypac trans and receiver and ME2 lav.

Great wireless for the $.

Annie Cheatham · July 3rd, 2003, 02:36 AM

Mike,

anywhere specific you can think of off hand i should look. i'm getting between a $400 and $500 price range from most of the on line stores.

thanks
annie

Mike Rehmus · July 3rd, 2003, 08:18 PM

I'll try and find out where my buddy placed his order. He got the lav and plug-on for $500, the same price I got from B&H over a year ago. Not certain I can reach him for a bit as he's acting in a low-budget Hollywood production right now.

Brian M. Dickman · July 5th, 2003, 04:45 PM

You should give Zotz Digital a call. They're a DVinfo.Net sponsor and have a couple good wireless kits. Their Sennheiser evolution kit is a pack reciever, pack transmitter with em2, plus an XLR-plugin pack transmitter for use with a handheld mic, all for around $500. I'm very happy with the kit myself. I think they also have a Samson kit at a little lower price point.

http://www.zotzdigital.com

Mike Rehmus · July 5th, 2003, 09:57 PM

That is a very good price. Exactly what I paid and what other resellers are charging around $800.

Annie, I'd recommend that you contact them and if they don't have the Lav setup and you can at all afford another $100, get the combo. You will never regret doing so.

Nathan Gifford · July 6th, 2003, 08:22 AM

Annie the Sampson is also a very decent mic. If you can get it at the price you want I'm sure you will be happy with it.

The Sennheiser Evolution 100 series you should be able to find for around $450. I love mine and if I find one for around $300, I will pickup a second one.

Nathan Gifford · July 9th, 2003, 10:43 AM

Just happen to drop by Pro-Tape in Houston. They have an Evolution 100 system with omni lav for $390. Ask for Jaime (I think).

Annie Cheatham · July 14th, 2003, 01:56 AM

Thanks a ton Nathan. I called them last week and it was put in the mail on Friday! I'm looking forward to getting away from my VHF situation right now.

Annie C

Michael Wisniewski · July 15th, 2003, 07:06 PM

Re: Evolution 100

Can this system support up to 4 transmitters?

Marty Wein · July 15th, 2003, 08:47 PM

Michael,
If you mean four SYSTEMS, the answer is yes.

Only one transmitter per receiver and each system has to be set at a different freq.

Nathan Gifford · July 21st, 2003, 12:27 PM

Glad I could help Annie. I believe you will be quite happy with Evolution 100. I too was quite surprised that Pro-Tape had one so cheap.

I will probably be back in Houston in a couple of weeks. If they have another one, I buy one myself.

Andres Lucero · August 1st, 2003, 08:33 PM

B&H has the Evolution 100 for $419 right now (it's listed at $835, but if you add it to your cart you'll see the discounted price).

I'm going to get two of these, but I don't know if I should get the MA-300 XLR adapter or some other kind of mixer (Azden XFM-2?) to hook them both up. I don't have any recording equipment so I'll need to plug directly into the GL2's mic thingy.

Marty Wein · August 2nd, 2003, 08:20 PM

One thing to keep in mind when purchasing the $419 package is that the XLR cable is NOT included and it may cost $30 - $40 for that cable.

Therefore I like the EW100ENG Package for $499.95 that includes the special XLR cable as well as the Plug-On transmitter, so for just $80.00 you get a lot more.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh4/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=218349&is=REG

July 2nd, 2003, 05:00 PM	#1
Annie Cheatham Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 45	UHF Wireless for $400? Any suggestions on a UHF wireless lav system for $400 or less? It will be used mainly for weddings. Are there any I should stay away from? I can always get a higher end VHF if I have to. Next question, whats the cheapest price range I should be looking at for a decent shotgun mic? Also, if you know where I can get good deals on mics I would appreciate that info as well. Thanks! Annie C

July 2nd, 2003, 05:12 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Annie, There are several and I'm sure others will chime-in. Personally, I've had a Samson 32 channel diversity system ("UM32L350 Camera Mountable UHF Diversity Lavalier 32 Channel System with M32 Receiver, T32 Transmitter and Audio-Technica MT-350 Microphone") for several years and never had a lick of trouble with it, even in such a radio-noisy location as my downtown Chicago home. The only down-sides: it's plastic transmitter case, which might conceivably crack if a big 'un sits on it, and battery life is not lavish. (I recently bought an Audio-Technica system which seems to be a substantial upgrade on both fronts...for an upgraded price, of course. I'll have my first opportunity to test it this weekend; my wife has roped me into shooting a friend's wedding ceremony...ugh, I can't believe it.) __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

July 2nd, 2003, 08:51 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	If you look hard, you might still find some of the discounted Sennheiser Evolution kits out there for $300. Takes some hard looking but they are still out there. That's for the bodypac trans and receiver and ME2 lav. Great wireless for the $. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 3rd, 2003, 08:18 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I'll try and find out where my buddy placed his order. He got the lav and plug-on for $500, the same price I got from B&H over a year ago. Not certain I can reach him for a bit as he's acting in a low-budget Hollywood production right now. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 5th, 2003, 09:57 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	That is a very good price. Exactly what I paid and what other resellers are charging around $800. Annie, I'd recommend that you contact them and if they don't have the Lav setup and you can at all afford another $100, get the combo. You will never regret doing so. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 3rd, 2003, 02:36 AM	#4
Annie Cheatham Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 45	Mike, anywhere specific you can think of off hand i should look. i'm getting between a $400 and $500 price range from most of the on line stores. thanks annie

July 5th, 2003, 04:45 PM	#6
Brian M. Dickman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 148	You should give Zotz Digital a call. They're a DVinfo.Net sponsor and have a couple good wireless kits. Their Sennheiser evolution kit is a pack reciever, pack transmitter with em2, plus an XLR-plugin pack transmitter for use with a handheld mic, all for around $500. I'm very happy with the kit myself. I think they also have a Samson kit at a little lower price point. http://www.zotzdigital.com

July 6th, 2003, 08:22 AM	#8
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Annie the Sampson is also a very decent mic. If you can get it at the price you want I'm sure you will be happy with it. The Sennheiser Evolution 100 series you should be able to find for around $450. I love mine and if I find one for around $300, I will pickup a second one. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

July 9th, 2003, 10:43 AM	#9
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Evolution 100 System $390 @ Pro-Tape in Houston Just happen to drop by Pro-Tape in Houston. They have an Evolution 100 system with omni lav for $390. Ask for Jaime (I think). __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

July 14th, 2003, 01:56 AM	#10
Annie Cheatham Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 45	Thanks a ton Nathan. I called them last week and it was put in the mail on Friday! I'm looking forward to getting away from my VHF situation right now. Annie C

July 15th, 2003, 07:06 PM	#11
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Re: Evolution 100 Can this system support up to 4 transmitters? __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

July 15th, 2003, 08:47 PM	#12
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	Michael, If you mean four SYSTEMS, the answer is yes. Only one transmitter per receiver and each system has to be set at a different freq.

July 21st, 2003, 12:27 PM	#13
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Glad I could help Annie. I believe you will be quite happy with Evolution 100. I too was quite surprised that Pro-Tape had one so cheap. I will probably be back in Houston in a couple of weeks. If they have another one, I buy one myself. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

August 1st, 2003, 08:33 PM	#14
Andres Lucero Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 75	B&H has the Evolution 100 for $419 right now (it's listed at $835, but if you add it to your cart you'll see the discounted price). I'm going to get two of these, but I don't know if I should get the MA-300 XLR adapter or some other kind of mixer (Azden XFM-2?) to hook them both up. I don't have any recording equipment so I'll need to plug directly into the GL2's mic thingy.

August 2nd, 2003, 08:20 PM	#15
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	One thing to keep in mind when purchasing the $419 package is that the XLR cable is NOT included and it may cost $30 - $40 for that cable. Therefore I like the EW100ENG Package for $499.95 that includes the special XLR cable as well as the Plug-On transmitter, so for just $80.00 you get a lot more. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh4/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=218349&is=REG