codyman

Fantastic design!

I've got a sneaking suspicion that Lectrosonics is going to make a "bag hop stereo transmitter" using their "Duet" technology. I remember people asking if that was going to be the case considering they've only released the half rack transmitter and I think it was a patented Lectrosonics Tumbleweed™ response when inquired upon.

Who thought surfing near Fresno would be a thing? Definitely an engineering marvel but I'll take my hometown breaks of San Clemente / Trestles any day!

The only time I've been giving grief about the backpack is on regional puddle jumpers since they are constrained by smaller overhead compartments.

I have a full sized K102CCR K-Tek classic. If you unscrew the end cap on the bottom it BARELY fits in the Ricardo diagonally but it works/fits fine. Travel booms are cool but like that I still have more reach with this one. I bought the Ricardo set for <$150 at Costco. In the three-ish years I've had it I've probably used it at least fifty times now / countless states and countries. Still has held up great and everything looks near new. I like this lightweight yet durable plastic they use on the set a lot.

All my gear fits in just these three bags. Carry On: K-Tek Stingray Junior w/ strap Lav Transmitters Batteries + Chargers of all kinds Weather Cover (also kind of cushions things inside) Checked Bag: Back Up Gear Harness K-Tek Klassic Boom Pole (Fits!!!) Personal Items / Clothes Zeppelin / Shockmount / Wind Covers Backpack: Microphones Cables Timecode Boxes Day to day needed gear for filming Most of my travel gigs are documentaries so if for some reason my checked bag is lost for a bit, I'll be boomless however still have a fully working bag with lavs ready to go. K-Tek Stingray harness would take up quite a bit of the carry on so I check that and just keep the strap in there just in case my checked bag goes missing I can at least tough it out with that for a bit.

I've been loving my Ursa Mini Mounts. Not a bullet proof solution but they've become my default mounting tool. I eschew their sticky sides and use super stick it that I cut myself.

I think it's safe to say that traveling this day and age with gear increasingly sucks overall... I bought a big/small "Ricardo"? set from Costco a few years back. Was pretty cheap (maybe $150?) and I love the fact that carry on one fits my K-Tek Stingray Junior bag which I fully load with receivers/transmitters etc and then I put all my NiMH AA's / NP-1s / Chargers etc surrounding it as there's room to spare (this all goes in the overhead). I then have my Pelican backpack which I'm pretty sure is more spacious than a NYC apartment which holds shotgun mics / cables / all the usual accoutrements you'd want with you + my MacBook Pro (I try to always sneak this also in the overhead even though it's a 2nd bag. If not applicable, it can go under my seat albeit I'll admit not totally comfortably). Be forewarned though, I've been taking some rural regional jets lately and the overhead bins will NOT fit typical overhead bags. That's why I have this little foldable bag that I keep (uses hardly any space) just in case I'm forced to gate check the bag so that I can at least take out my batteries (FAA policy) and then carry them on. I've found this whole song and dance setup to be "the best" I've come up with yet (misc / backup goods always get checked in my big suitcase). I'll be packing it all for a flight this weekend and I'll try to remember to take a picture of it all.

I carry on my bag + transmitters + supporting accessories (batteries etc) onboard so if my checked equipment doesn't make it, I can make do for a day or so while they try to find my luggage or we source local parts. I hate the idea of landing and having 100% of my stuff missing.

Maybe look at what's called "Toy Haulers". Has living quarters and then a big empty, enclosed area where one would haul ATVs / motorcycles etc. Would have plenty of gear for sound carts etc

I hear ya on the Marantz 1970s quality. My 2230 keeps on trucking and sounds great! I ended up getting a K-Tek Klassic. Buy once, cry once..

I'm in the market for a new boom pole and it seems Marantz is making carbon fiber boom poles now? Is this some sort of badge engineering going on for a different company or is it legit? The price is definitely very cheap for what it is which makes me very suspicious... https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1383314-REG/marantz_professional_cf11c_carbon_fiber_boompole.html#sp

Amen. Remember, the word "No" is a complete sentence. You don't even have to explain yourself, just say "No" to crummy rates/situations.

Wasn't able to test the pre's but I'd imagine you couldn't go wrong with either as they are both top notch companies.

Fantastic looking cart! Do you know what the total weight with the big board and all the accoutrements roughly is? Like Jeff said, everything seems right in place where you'd want it despite how fully loaded it is!