Hi gang,

I know this has been talked about before, but I couldn't find the thread while searching for it.

Basically, I am looking for a relatively cheep (few hundred bucks), but clean and clear wireless communication system that I can use with my assistant on wedding and event shoots.

We have been trying to use the Motorola SX700R 2-Way Radios with some headsets, but have found that the reception halls are too noisy for them to be used properly, plus there is a delay from when you start talking to when the radio "picks up" (they are a voice activated system).

Anyone have any good suggestions?

Ryan

Hey Ryan, I've also been looking around and found two http://eartec.com/td902_video.html which is supposed to be nice. But my only issue with this design is those cheap headsets. You can upgrade to a covered ear model but you then add like 200 dollars to the price. It's apparent I wasn't included in their test markeing for the headset or I would have asked them 'are you crazy, this doesn't cancel any noise.'

I can't find the other one at the moment, it's by a different manufacture, but suffers the same issue imo, is that the headset does not cover the ear, so you would suffer the ambient death.

I personally think that the eartech is over priced considering that the head phones can't be that good at loud situations.

But after a couple of months of searching, this is what I've been able to come up with.

The eartec's are the way to go for overall value and quality of communication. I dont think there is anything in a lower starting price that will compare to these. You do have impaired operation with the standard kit in a very loud reception area, but at that point, do you actually need full communication? I'm not sure what your receptions are like, but for us, these units have worked perfectly (the eartecs linked to above) and whenever it gets too noisy has always been a time when we need full communication.

The eartec's are the way to go for overall value and quality of communication. I dont think there is anything in a lower starting price that will compare to these. You do have impaired operation with the standard kit in a very loud reception area, but at that point, do you actually need full communication? I'm not sure what your receptions are like, but for us, these units have worked perfectly (the eartecs linked to above) and whenever it gets too noisy has always been a time when we need full communication.


Hey Patrick,

One solution that I was thinking about is, putting my over the ear headphones over top of the little ones from Eartec on for audio monitoring? I know that sounds silly, but have you tried this?

It would probably work without a problem. You could also pick up a cheap set of ear protectors that have the huge cups at a hardware store. If you could get them in black, it would be a nice fit. The one thing to be careful of with that is that you can forget that your talking out loud and perhaps say the wrong thing or speak too loudly at the wrong time because of the headset. I've done that with the normal eartec setup and I think it would be even worse if you couldnt hear anything around you.

Those eartecs look good, has anyone personally used them? Any issues besides the cheep earplugs? (I plan on wearing my big headphones over them anyways - so smaller is probibly better).

As long as it offers clear communication though (so I can understand my assistent and get through to them) then I think I'll get it.

Ryan

Sorry if I didn't make it clear enough in my above posts. We use the eartecs weekly and they work very good. Some slight interference if your in a very large church and completely spread apart but otherwise it is very clean and works very well and in most cases a very soft whisper is easy to pick up.

Hey Patrick,

Would you be willing to test something for me? I'm wondering if I order the radios and purchase a local set of headset/with a mic tha cover the ear, that might be my solution.

Do you know if the plug off, let's say, your gaming headphones/mic will work on that radio. I contacted Eartec and they said that it should, but they haven't tested anything other than thier own headphones.

The Eartecs ROCK!!!!

My partner bought these units last year for us to use....now, we never want to shoot without them.

Thanks guys for the advice/info. I think I'll be spending some money on these soon (well before my next 2 camera shoot!)

Thanks
Ryan

Thanks guys for the advice/info. I think I'll be spending some money on these soon (well before my next 2 camera shoot!)

Thanks
Ryan


Hey Ryan, if you buy and use them before October, could you report your experiences?

I bought the eartec radios in the spring and have used them for all the weddings that my company has shot this year. I think they are one of the best investments I have made.

I wouldn't worry about the headsets that are included. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. They are lighter, cooler, you can hear what is happening around you (i think this is pretty important for shooting events), and you can hear you partner even in a loud reception (you may have to crank the volume up on the bodypack).

I just bought the 902 Videographers Special (not sure if the Monarch headset is push to talk or continious talk or both - I'm hoping both or continuois!). If the Monarch headset is not what I want - I plan on returning it and just get the standard 902 kit. Eartecs website leaves a little bit to be desired as far as info on the headsets . . .

I don't need the set until later in October (my next 2 camera wedding) - but I also needed a monopod from B+H so I decided to take the plunge and get this too . . .

I'll let you know how I like it!

Ryan

the monarch headset in the videographer special pack has a switch on the right ear phone. It can either be set so that you hear the radio in both ears or so that you hear the radio on the left and can monitor your camera with your right ear. I have one and it works well. The radios themself have a talk button. You Press it and you are in talk mode. You can leave it in talk mode and it is just like being on the phone. Press the talk button again and you go into standby where you can hear calls over the radio but you are not transmitting.

To hear your camera audio on the monarch there is a second cable that runs from your cameras headphone out to a jack on the right ear piece.

Hey Ryan, I've also been looking around and found two http://eartec.com/td902_video.html which is supposed to be nice. But my only issue with this design is those cheap headsets. You can upgrade to a covered ear model but you then add like 200 dollars to the price. It's apparent I wasn't included in their test markeing for the headset or I would have asked them 'are you crazy, this doesn't cancel any noise.'

I can't find the other one at the moment, it's by a different manufacture, but suffers the same issue imo, is that the headset does not cover the ear, so you would suffer the ambient death.

I personally think that the eartech is over priced considering that the head phones can't be that good at loud situations.

But after a couple of months of searching, this is what I've been able to come up with.


hello steven,

i have that set. (eartec) and have to say that the lightweight headsets are very comfortable over 3-4 hours, don't know about other headsets, which cover the ears over such a long time.

greetings

Thanks Karl,

I was curious to see how well they do when trying to monitor the audio, since Eartec builds their own earphones or puts thier name on a generic.

I'll probably end up getting the cheaper headphones to start with, since thier over the ear ones with a mic are a little pricey for what they are.

I just bought a TD 904PRO set of four radios (large cups to cover the whole ear) - they are on the way via UPS right now. Will test them over the weekend and will post the results next week.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=306129

Thanks Karl,

I was curious to see how well they do when trying to monitor the audio, since Eartec builds their own earphones or puts thier name on a generic.

I'll probably end up getting the cheaper headphones to start with, since thier over the ear ones with a mic are a little pricey for what they are.

hello steven,

the main reason i bought my set was, having the option of listen to the audio as the cameraman, and have communication with others. just did not had the money to invest in a 4 or even 6 set up at the time.

greetings

Got the eartecs in and have been playing with them off and on over the weekend.

So far - I like them and they have decent performance from a good distance (big reception hall style room with one person on one side, the other on the other side of the room).

Now, I haven't tried them in a real "work environment" (wedding), but so far - so good. The Monarch headsets are definitely better quality as far as materials (about the same as a basic walk-man headphones). The Cyber headsets offer the same audio quality - they are just flimsy - though my assistant like it because it is so light weight and she hates wearing bulky headphones. . . .

Not sure when I get to play with them in the field. My fall weddings lined up are all single camera right now. . . so I have no need to use them at this time.

Ryan

Looks like you can contact Eartec and customize any package to get the headphones you require with any package. (closed, open, or one ear, or with camera input, ect)

This looks somethign I need. The monarch headsets seem best for ablilty to moniotor camera audio.

OK, I got to play with the 904 set... and I am dissapointed with the audio quality. I have a friend who sent back his set for the same reason, and the new one is no different. There are no high frequencies at all, and that makes it difficult to understand your partner. Are you guys happy with yours?

I am using mine in a church environment, a conservative church with no loud music, only organ, piano and choir.

I'll gig test mine next weekend, if I hate the system, I'll try and return it, I'll be less than 30 days....

I am dissapointed so far in the sound quality.

can you use any headset with a microphone with this system?
If so, Why not try buing just the radios and buy the headsets somewhere else?

can you use any headset with a microphone with this system?
If so, Why not try buing just the radios and buy the headsets somewhere else?


I am going to test that as soon as I get a chance.

I've recently had the opportunity to use two different types of communication headsets in recent weddings. One was a motorolla type unit that is push to talk, the other was an Eartec unit that was full duplex.

I liked the build of the Motorolla unit but found the audio quality to be less than stellar. The other shooter often tried to communicate with me and I couldn't understand what he was saying.

On the other hand the Eartecs seem very cheaply built, the headsets are very plasticy and the connection to the belt unit would often pullout unexpectedly. However, that said the audio quality was worlds better than the Motorolla units and the convenience of full duplex was great.

I've held off on ordering the Eartec units simply because of the relatively low build quality and high price. Hand signals have been my staple of communication thus far.

I've had Eartec 902's for over a year, using them primarily for youth theater video recording. We use them for a minimum of 2 hours at a time up to six hours when we shoot a matinee and evening performance on the same day (with a couple of hour recharge break). By the end of a six hour day I am glad to get the headsets off, but they are OK. I have probably shot over a dozen performances with them.

First - I love having them; for the price they did exactly what I wanted. They are lightweight, reasonably comfortable with the headsets provided, and allow us to communicate using whispers. The longest distance I have used them is about 40 yards at an outdoor theater. They worked fine as long as we had the body packs "on the same side" - in other words when we started the other camera person was on my left and we each had the radio "on the outside"; mine on the right, hers on the left. We experienced some intermittent radio problems until we each moved our radios to the "inside" and the problems went away. In indoor theaters they generally work even through two or three walls - better in older buildings with less steel.

Regarding reliability - although the units are lightweight I can attest to the fact that they are sturdy simply due to the fact that I have dropped mine at least three times, from hip-height onto a concrete floor (ouch!). No failures so far although I don't recommend this as a way to test reliability!

Wish list - some way to lock in the headset (I too have unplugged it a couple of times by accident); and some way to more securely keep the unit on my belt (see above paragraph).

Glen,

We use the eartecs and they have stood through some abuse with no issues. So far.....they have paid off and I would not want to shoot a wedding without them. We've dropped them, banged them into hard objects, etc. and they still work fine.

We used to do the hand signal thing prior to the eartecs but doing that attracts unwated attention to yourself.....I know its better doing hand signals than free styling your shoots but I just dont like people looking at me.....and you know they are like..."what is this guy doing with his hands???"

my 2 cents




I've recently had the opportunity to use two different types of communication headsets in recent weddings. One was a motorolla type unit that is push to talk, the other was an Eartec unit that was full duplex.

I liked the build of the Motorolla unit but found the audio quality to be less than stellar. The other shooter often tried to communicate with me and I couldn't understand what he was saying.

On the other hand the Eartecs seem very cheaply built, the headsets are very plasticy and the connection to the belt unit would often pullout unexpectedly. However, that said the audio quality was worlds better than the Motorolla units and the convenience of full duplex was great.

I've held off on ordering the Eartec units simply because of the relatively low build quality and high price. Hand signals have been my staple of communication thus far.

I'd like to know what kind of hand signals you guys are using. What kinds of things do you have signals for... and how do you signal it?

Thanks :)

I just bought 3 of the Eartec radios and one of the Monarch headset, one of the slimline and a cyber headset. They seem to work good, but eartec promised they would be deliverd by acertain day and they arived 3 days later. Which was after the wedding I was planning on using them for. I was very angry at the wedding this weekend about not having headsets. -Back to using Bluetooth cellphones. =So I cant say there on the ball with there shipping, but otherwise i am pleased. The slimline and monarch headsets do seem a bit flimsy and delicate -like i could just snap them in two. -But ofcourse Im not going to test this. I did test the range and was happy with how far it could reach with one person inside a house and me in the next door neigbors yard across the street. The real test is my next wedding shoot in a loud chaotic reception hall.

Well, we had these things at the wedding this weekend.

First of all, we used them at the rehearsal as well, which is much better than yelling across the room, 'hey I'm going to catch this and that.'

Secondly of all, the headphones, the slim ones, are http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=4188159&type=product&productCategoryId=cat08271&id=1051384863641
to my best recolection. If so, you can save yourself 5 bucks a pop, and get them local. The headsets are apparently made for people with big heads. I mean, I have an ego, but it won't grow my head into these slim head sets.

As for the Eartec's giving us the ability to communicate and keep track of the day, I give them a 9 out of 10 on that. I do feel that they are way over priced, which is the reason for the -1.

As for thier reception. I was very dissappointed in the reception of these things. I was inline with my wife from front to back of the sancuary, and the reception kept fading in and out.

I actually spoke to Eartec about the range ,and they had told me 1/4 miles. I highly doubt that.

The reception is very dissappointing considering the price of these things. The headsets are over priced, especially when you're selling something that is readily avalable.

My over all rating for this equipment would be a 6 out of 10. The reception and price are out of wack for what they are. It's just that noone else is making these things at the moment. When that happens, I could see Eartec having to change thier product or price, or even both.

My over all rating for this equipment would be a 6 out of 10. The reception and price are out of wack for what they are. It's just that noone else is making these things at the moment. When that happens, I could see Eartec having to change thier product or price, or even both.

One year later has the game changed any? I have a big wedding shoot this Spring (3 cams) and I am looking into getting some sort of system to help coordinate myself on ceremony Right, wife on Ceremony Left, and assistant / sound tech on back balcony in a very large church.

I just finished surfing through the Eartech web site and I still don't like the look of their headsets (flimsy) but I don't see any other options.

i use cheap wireless headphones (make sure they are radio in 433Mhz band for example, not infrared or bluetooth).
they cover both ears and are very comfortable. there is no cable and they work on a single pair of AAA cell.
you just need to tune them all at the beginning.
you can find such headphone for very low price (as low as 50$).
it is one way communication, but usually you do not need the way back (thumb up or down is ok too).
I got a set of 4, with 4 transmitters (3 are spares).
since the transmitter accept only line level, i had to build a small microphone amplifier (a 10$ kit is ok), so the director can give instruction even with a whisper.

A couple of years ago we tried the Eartecs on a real wedding and hated it. The audio kept cutting in and out during the reception, and the quality of the sound was a huge dissappointment. It sounded like you're talking into an empty soup can... maybe even worse because it's so muffled. We immediately sold the set to a competitor.

Today we're using PortaCom by Anchor, made in America! They're probably 2 or 3 times more expensive than the Eartecs, but work much better. My only gripe with these sets is that it's still lacking somewhat in the high frequencies, but it sounds leaps and bounds better than the Eartecs.

If you want to go cheap, try using 2 wireless microphone sets. Switch the receiver/transmitters, plug in headphones, and you can talk full duplex with each other in awesome audio quality!

Still using the Eartecs - still happy with them after over two years. They do what I want across the relatively close distances I need to use them. They have never failed me yet.

After over a year using our set of Eartec's I'm still standing by my first impression - you get what you pay for. They are inexpensive, convenient, easy to use, they get the job done 90% of the time - the other 10% you need to repeat your message. I don't think it would take such a huge tweaking to put back the high frequencies, they are cut some place along the audio line... that would help intelligibility a lot. But overall they get the job done.

Battery life is outstanding, I made a few times the mistake of forgetting to charge them simply because... they last for ever, I have not kept track, but I would estimate 24 hours or more of continuous use (not continuous transmission though).

It would be worth trying them with better headsets and better microphones, I think that's the weak part. Maybe some day, when I finished all my other projects...