Soundbite Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 Hi I'm looking to upgrade my radio system and Im favoured towards 2 Lectroconices systems. Most of my work is documentary and reality based shows with a basic bag kit of 2 to 3 wireless radio mics. I'd appreciate advice and opinions from current Lectrosonics users, it's a big investment after all!! Im guessing the advantage of the SMQV is the longer battery life over the SMV. But it seems to me this is really only an advantage when using the higher power outputs. Is longer battery life a better option than smaller size? Then... are the LMa or UMa a better option than the SMV or the SMQV? And if so why? Now receivers? One SRb5P two channel receiver? or two UCR411a receivers? Thanks in advance for your opinions... greatly valued as usual Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VM Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 If you are sure that one bloc is enough for you : go for 2 SMQV plus 1 SRB receiver. Another option is 2 x 411 receiver plus 2 x SMQV in 2 blocs. It maybe more versatile: you can use one kit for a lav to your mixer, and the other kit for audio to cam. It can also help you if one bloc is already occupied by another RF signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 Soundbite: " I'd appreciate advice and opinions from current Lectrosonics users, " what you are looking for is all over this forum, you have to do a bit of searching (Google) and reading... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Foy Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 In my experience 411's will outperform SRB's in almost every situation………… obviously there is a real estate penalty though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Mills Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 OK.. having done drama and reality.. I own and/or use all of these, but under different circumstances.. Pros and Cons for me: LMa CON weakest range, powere and all mechanical controls PRO if a tx unit is going into harm's way, these are the least expensive, and there is no membrance surface to get damaged sonically, they are, after all, a digital hybrid Lectro, and sound very decent under the right conditions. They are low enough profile to fit where UMas might not UMA rugged, higher power largest tx units Con older rotary encoders, larger than SM series, so harder to conceal. Power hungry SMQ my go to pack on scripted drama. Pro late model control, can be controlled with an iphone app and or an RMa Con... too expensive to replace in a sacrificial application SMQV current, seems like a 2 battery version of the SMQ Pro longest batt life, adjustable voltage draw. Con wide enough to be uncomfortable in hiding in some wardrobe situations also.. too expensive to risk in hazardous environments SRb Pro Lowest cost, Lightest weight way to have 2 channels in a bag. Con does not have a tracking front end 411 Pro seems like best reception for a bag suitable rx Con biggest rx unit, power hungry in a big way most costly way to have 2 channels of rx in a bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 If you live and work in RF friendly areas and want to save money SRb is fine. SMQV for talent - long battery life, easy to adjust while clipped on talent. If you want to save money LMa is great for the price and performance is close to um400a. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlempen Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Hi all, hi Soundbite! IMHO, the SMV's and SMQV's are perfect for drama work, but if you mainly do doc/reality work, the good old UMa and LMa's are often a better choice because the trivial tasks of changing batteries, setting the gain and even turning them on and off are much more straightforward on these models. As long as you don't need to change the frequency, though... If you're out in the field and forgot your glasses and a small screwdriver, you're basically f***ed. I've switched back to 411's and UM400a's for doc work and am happier with that setup than with my SRb's and SMQV's. Just my 2 cents, though, Best, Jürg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwill Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 My 2 Cents Don't overlook the UCR 401 with the fixed antennae, they offer the same scan feature as the 411s and cost less. As far as tx I have both the smv and smqv, if you need to hide the tx the single battery smv is the way to go…just run lithiums or have the phone app to sleep and unsleep the tx. I started with the 401s and as more work came and needs changed I upgraded to the 411s! good Luck JHW PS quite often used wireless show up here in wts forums and at the usual suspects web sites at substantial savings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShubiSnax Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I prefer to use UM's or LMA's for hops, because I can easily turn on and off from the top, as well as check for low battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crussell Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 My 2 Cents Don't overlook the UCR 401 with the fixed antennae, they offer the same scan feature as the 411s and cost less. As far as tx I have both the smv and smqv, if you need to hide the tx the single battery smv is the way to go…just run lithiums or have the phone app to sleep and unsleep the tx. I started with the 401s and as more work came and needs changed I upgraded to the 411s! good Luck JHW PS quite often used wireless show up here in wts forums and at the usual suspects web sites at substantial savings! +1, there's a really nice upgrade path with Lectro's gear. An LMa and 401 is a respectable system and compatible with 411s, SRBs, SMVs, SMQVs, as your needs change. Sound quality across the 400 series range is the same (very good!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I like the waterproof TX's because they are waterproof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShubiSnax Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I like the waterproof TX's because they are waterproof. This helps protect from drool when I open my Lectro boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryF Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 This helps protect from drool when I open my Lectro boxes. Hmmmm. More substances to test against. Best, Larry F Lectro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 which to choose ?? pretty vague, and of course, a somewhat subjective personal choice, and thus: it depends.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlempen Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I like the waterproof TX's because they are waterproof. I like my non-waterproof TX's because they let the water in. You can't please everybody on JWSOUNDGROUP... NEVER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryF Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 I like my non-waterproof TX's because they let the water in. Once. <g> LEF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryray Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Water is not the problem, Problem is when you let the smoke out..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlempen Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 I firmly believe that smoke coming out is a good thing... at least on SD products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 jlempen: " because they let the water in " the healing and healthful waters at the resorts..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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