Jump to content

Lectrosonics LT vs SMQV


Jaymz

Recommended Posts

This was mentioned in the SRC thread, but I figured it merits it's own discussion. Especially if the LT is the true replacement since there's no wideband SM in the works. 

SMQV

Pros: Slightly Smaller, 250mw option 

Cons: Not wideband, Battery compartment paste can (seldomly) be an issue 

LT

Pros: Wideband, Assignable switch, IR Port, Simpler battery compartment 

Cons: Slightly Larger

 

 

Anyone feel free to chime in with their thoughts. 

One thing I can't find info on is battery life between the two. When both set at 100mw, is battery life similar? It would be brilliant if Lectro could update this page with info for the LT : http://www.lectrosonics.com/Support/component/com_fsf/Itemid,714/tag,Wireless,%20batteries,%20battery,%20life,%20SM,%20SMd,%20SMQ,%20SMV,%20SMQV/view,faq/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LT Transmitter Battery Life

This information is listed in the manual, but does not tell what the power setting is (50 or 100W).

Duracell Quantum: 4.75 hours

Eneloop 2400 mAH NiMH: 5.5 hours

 

Lectrosonics LT and LR Upgrade Information

Lectrosonics is upgrading the battery spring and replacing the battery doors as part of the warranty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, mark kirchner said:

LT Transmitter Battery Life

 

Eneloop 2400 mAH NiMH: 5.5 hours

 

 

That's unfortunate, seems very low. An SMQV running at 100mW will get 8.5 hours on two 2200 mAH NiMH batteries as per the link in the first post.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm really conflicted. On one hand, I love my SMQV's although when the RF gets tough / traveling, I wish I had more flexibility with frequencies. I'm almost tempted more to pickup the SSM's instead because at least they would be handy with tricky wardrobe yet also still be multiblock / good for bag work since 50mw would probably be fine for that most of the time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I only use SMQVs, and 90% of the time I leave them at 100mW. The other 10% theyre either at 50mW or 250mW. If I could get a wideband SMQV, but was limited to 100mW max output power, I'd take it. Though it'd be great if the wideband meant 470-block 23. 

I like the form factor of the SMQV, I like the dual battery compartment, which allows me to power them all day off of two lithiums, and I don't care about IR because the tx has to be visible for that to be useful. The dweedle tone is more than fine for me, and the actors get a kick out of it. They're not THAT much bigger than an SMV, so I've never had size be an issue. Though if I could get everything I want listed in my above statement, I may go halfsies on SMQVs and SMVs if/when I get a Venue2, assuming they made wideband SMs. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I think wide band is going to be the thing in urban areas like here in NYC. It's the only thing I can see making it possible to operate in rf-crowded environments once the 600 spectrum goes away.

My critical SM applications are sports, the client's demand it, they fit uniforms and equipment. However, these are the applications where I use 250mw too (in game player mics in baseball is one). And this is the time when freq blocks are also the most crowded.

The FB post doesn't say that a 250mw L-series is impossible. Is it possible?

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Obviously the SSM addresses everything but power, and unfortunately maxes out at 50mw.

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To clarify the problem with 250mW for a wide band design.  In the narrow band 25.6Mhz bandwidth transmitters, we used a component called a circulator isolator.  It's a clever little device consisting of a precisely charged magnet hovering over a stripline (an impedance changing strip of circuit trace) on a tiny circuit board with a few other basic components.  It acts kind of like a steering diode but for RF and helps prevent intermods between close transmitters and antenna slap.  Any RF picked up by the transmitter antenna that enters via that antenna gets routed to ground and away from internal oscillators and other RF components.   Helpful for controlling intermods at lower powers, it becomes essential at the higher RF output.  The mathematics and physics behind this deceptively simple device are quite complex, hence we are the only wireless mic manufacturers we know of who uses them in our transmitters.  They allow closer spacing of freqs and all the other hallmarks of RF performance to which we aspire.  Unfortunately, in that size and frequency range, their pass band is limited to under 30MHz at best.   We cannot use them in a wide band transmitter.  So the wideband transmitters are limited to the lower power levels by using a different internal architecture.  That's why we don't make a wide band 250mW transmitter.

It's not about current drain, its about preventing intermods and antenna slap.   Naturally, we have our eyes peeled for any technological advances that can help us do high power wide band.   But right now, it is not available. 

Now, a 100mW wide band SM format? - certainly doable.  We are waiting for a clarification from the FCC about a new rule before moving forward.  If it swings one way, we can pull the trigger, if it swings the other then we will have to take a different tack that will take longer. So, don't hold your breath (you will turn purple - although the Senator in purple might look good!) .   In the meantime, the wideband receivers are fully compatible with the narrow band transmitters - it ain't perfect but it is workable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any plans for a wide band R1a? Dare we dream that it be fully wide and not broken up into chunks?

I figure the tech is there and it'd really open up a lot of possibilities. All of our Tx already have the IFB function, why not let the Rx play with them all?That coupled with the auto tuning feature and suddenly that's the only choice for production monitoring. Am I right? sometimes we need multiple IFB feeds or need to add one on the fly. This would give a lot more flexibility which is one of my main concerns in purchasing gear. 

While you're at it, might as well switch to AA since those will be the last of my 9V gear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Gordon for the clarification. I inderstood that it was a matter of physical dimensions from reading some of your previous posts. Hopefully this explanation will tide people over until there are further developments, in technology or in updates on your end. 

The ability to work at 250mW has saved my behind on many occasions. One show I did could not have happened had I not been using SMQVs specifically, because of the power variability, form factor, and the dual AA batteries. So it is unfortunate that this technology can't be used in a wideband setting with high output power. Another reason to hang onto the old SMQVs, and not exchange them for newer ones. 

However, given those limitations, I still think that I'd spring for a handful of 100mW wideband SMQVs to work alongside the older ones if that's the best we can do, and I'm sure others will agree with me on that. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
  • 4 weeks later...
9 hours ago, manuelchk said:

So LT or SMQV? Still want to know any opinion of people using the LT units.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I love my two LTs. Battery life is a little less than an SMQV but it's still usually gets me to lunch. Love that it's wideband, Find the menu easy to navigate quickly. Sometimes size is an issue on tight fitting wardrobe, but other than that I'm pretty happy with them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have four LT/LRs.  I really like them!  I usually run them at 50mw and don't have any range issues.  I'm running through a PSC sm multi with two homemade coaxial dipoles that I clip to my harness.  I love the infrared syncing and the menus are super easy to navigate.  I went from four 211s to for LRs in my bag and saved a lot of weight!  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The LT has performed very well for me RF-wise. It is a little too chunky for my taste in form factor which is my only really gripe about it. I did have one fall off of an actor (probably my fault) without  my knowledge. When we ran the subsequent take, I had no signal from him. I went over and he had set the pack back on his belt, but the battery door I guess had come slightly open when it fell so while the batteries were still in there (loosely), they weren't powering the Tx. Everything ended up being OK but I don't believe that could have happened with the SMQv.

I think when the LT first came out, there was some speculative talk about a 100mW wideband SMQv. I don't know if something like that is in development but if it was, I'd probably buy 4-6 of them. I rarely use the 250mW setting and I think Lectro said 250 mW wouldn't be possible with the widebands which is fine with me. I just desperately don't want to buy the SSM's because I don't want to invest in new lavs with different connectors (though the new threaded B6s look interesting) and of course, they run on those cell phone batteries. If this hypothetical wideband SMQv isn't announced in the next 12 months or so, I guess I'll bite the bullet and get maybe 2 SSMs just to have more wideband transmitters that aren't LT's. Of course it's nice to be able to hide them too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like my LTs. I agree with BAB414 that they are a little clunky body wise. I will probably be getting more once I see how the FCC Spectrum madness shakes out here in Detroit area. As for 100mw vs the 250mw on the smqvs.. I do work sports jobs where the higher output option comes in handy, especially in an RF heavy environment like a football or hockey game. Range seems to be good on the LT. The LR series receiver is definitely much lighter than 411. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...