I'm probably going to buy a 2 or 3 channel mixer.
I started looking at the $340 marenius 3 channel mono but have been smitten by the MixPre/FP24 and the new Sound devices 302.

I was wondering if anyone bothers to use a mixer mounted off camera (belt or in my case the marzpak harness) when using a camera mounted mic and/or wireless.

You'd need 2 cables, one from the camera mounted mic and one from the mixer to the camera. I have a beach box but I'm tired of attenuating the hot mic signals down to level of the less powerful.

the SD 442 is my fave but not my fave price - really solid build

Glensound do some nice stuff their VX4 is BBC savvy - looks like it came off the 2001 set

if you really want cheap and all your mics are close (<10 metre) there are lots of non xlr to choose from

The 302 is a smaller version of the 442. Same components.

http://www.locationsound.com/pdf/soundcatalog/21portablemixerspreamps.pdf

I guess you misunderstand my post. I am going to buy a 3 channel mixer and I know they are expensive. I've already put a deposit on a 302, it should be shipped in about 3 weeks.

I have a beach tek already and have read all of the PDF's from the Audio PDF library that you provided a link to..

I really would appreciate some on topic input. I'm most likely going to use my marzpak and tether the cabling to the shoulder straps with velcro ties.