One G3 was set to 638.xxx and the other to 639.xxx - I can't recall for certain til I look at them tomorrow for another 2 interviews.

Thanks for the good info here. I have three Sennheiser EW100 kits and I'm told I can't get replacement antenna because they are now "illegal" to use on those frequencies.

So . . . I've been shopping. Trying to find a "just as good" alternative to the Lectrosonics while knowing that the Lectros are really a better value once amortized across a decade.

Now I just have to pony up the almost five grand for a couple of sets.

Tom I was in the same boat and then purchased the G3 100 and am not happy with the units. They do not have enough power for a lot of my jobs. I was told to look at the new Sennheiser 2000 system, they are 1/2 the price of the Lectro systems and have loads of power with more channel options on the 2000.

I was ready to go with the Lectro system then had to leave for a week on a job. Now I am not sure for my next upcoming trip if I will go with the Sennheiser 2000 or Lectro.

Also might be worth looking at the new Rode Lav mic, nice sound and innovative cable option.

Has anyone purchased the 2000 system? Be nice to have feedback.

Are they G1 or G2?

I know that G2 can be converted to another band - Sennheiser UK certainly do it, but I'm not sure about Sennheiser USA.

Maybe Sennheiser USA do swap-out prices for replacement kit that would work out at the same price.


Power isn't everything.

The IBS did a range test at Pinewood studios recently - the one that came out with the best range was the bog-standard Sennheiser G3.

The Lectros were crackling and dropping out, as also did the Audio Ltd. (which I would have expected to have the best range) - the winner was the G3.

John I am very aware power is not everything but on some jobs it is very important. My G3 100 cut out very close distance and crack at even a closer distance.

I find it hard to believe that the G3 100 at 30mW can out perform the 2000 at 100mW and the Lectros at 250mW with range. Can you send a link to that test?

Let's see the data. I highly doubt the G3 could out perform Audio LTD or Lectros.

Sounds to me like there is interference on the channel you are using, or your units may have damaged antennas (not always visible) or some other problem. Or maybe we should define "close". I find that even the battery powered receiver works like wire from 0 to 50 feet-IF there is line of sight and there are no other issues present. If you are not achieving this I suggest there is a problem somewhere.

I love the power comparisons. In RF you must SQUARE the power to double your distance of coverage (all other things being equal of course). So to double the coverage of the "lowly" sennheiser you'd need 900mW...you'll get much better gains from interference free channels and better placement between units. I find 30mW to be quite useful IMHO.

I demoed AT and Sony diversity systems before I bought my G2 units, and the non-div G2 did MUCH better. I now own over 20 G2 and G3 systems...you can't beat them for the price.

To the OP, the lectro units with tracking are superb, I use them all the time too (but don't actually own any) and have never been disappointed. I really like the venue rack system. If my G2's didn't work so well they'd be the next step up the ladder for me. maybe someday...

Good point on the power must be squared to double the distance.

I am OK up to 40-50' if there is no interference. But we are using outboard motors and they are a pain to work around. Also we would like to get 150' if possible.

I spend a lot of time at each new location dialing in my G3. The extra channels on the 2000 interest me. The 30mW on the G3 is top power from the transmitter. I know the receiver is lower but not sure how much, I was told 12mW but have not confirmed that number. Also with all of my years using VHF radios when you go from 5W for hand held to 25W for base you have a huge gain in distance. That is with the hand held hooked up to a base antenna.

Antennas seem fine but like you say they could break and you would not know. Be nice if they could be replaced. That is one more feather in the cap for the Lectros.

My units receive hard use and I don't think the G3 is tough enough for me but will have to do for at least one more trip.

Ok then, good info. A few observations if you don't mind my ramblings. :-)

Outboard motors seem like they would give off a lot of EMI when running. Could be part of your issue, you'd need a spectrum analyzer to be sure.

If you are on a boat while shooting another boat, use some XLR to get your receiver off the camera and as high as possible. Put it up on a pole or something. If on land, use that cable to place the receiver closer to the guy wearing the transmitter and close the distance between the two, but remember to keep it as high as possible.

Also, make sure to do your homework for frequencies. Use the sennheiser freq finder site and antennaweb.org to research DTV broadcasters and stay clear of their frequencies. One of the probs with analog receivers is that when you scan for open channels they DO NOT see digital broadcasts, so they may report the freq is open when there is indeed activity there. Stay away from DTV channels, you are competing with many THOUSANDS of watts when it come to broadcast.

I would not expect to get 150' from stock ENG mics, even a lectro with the stock antennas. I'm not saying its not possible, just not expected. Higher gain antennas with higher placement (higher above ground) can get you better range. Using the rack mount true diversity receiver, two directional high gain antennas, and signal filters/boosters can give you over 1000' of usable range-even with the G2 30mW transmitter. I know because I run this very setup for broadcast applications, and this is one of the instances where my 30mW setup beats even 250mW ENG units with stock antennas and no diversity.

You are misinformed concerning your comment about receiver power (sorry). The only power rating a receiver will have is for energy consumption, nothing to do with range. Sensitivity and selectivity are the biggie specs for a receiver, and the portable ones are never as good as say a rack mount receiver. Your VHF radio scenario worked better because you hooked up a base antenna to your handheld...higher antenna placement and higher gain in the antenna itself...your 25W base probably had better receiver specs than the handheld too.

On to the 2000 series, the next level up from the G3 line. More channels is a good thing these days. The receivers are more sensitive as well. You get what you pay for with RF. Senn also has a 3000 and 5000 series, some over $7,000usd per channel. Check out Broadcast Sports Inc., They use to use 5000 series stuff (250mW TX power) on the golf tournaments for NBC/CBS/TGC and cover a whole golf course (they now use custom TX units in the 1.4GHz range, but follow me here). That transmitter has a high gain antenna mounted to a headset the talent wears so its up in the air with clean line of sight to the other end, not hidden under a shirt or behind the body so you don't see it. They also use custom antennas (directional with VERY high gain) hung over 200 feet in the air to receive with and may use several sites to do so...see a pattern here? :-) More TX power will help, but it's certainly not everything...

Thanks Greg for the ideas and excellent input.

Did not think the receiver was accurate so thanks for putting me straight on that one.

Running out the door but will look your post over in detail tomorrow. I might have a few questions if you don't mind.

Greg,

I like the idea of putting the two receivers on a pole with XLR to the camera. I will give this a try since line of sight is so important while shooting from boat to boat. We jump around a lot with a very active producer and have to move quick.

When we are on land it is not as much of a problem since I am very close 10-20 feet.

I did check the frequencies from sennheiser but did not know about the antennaweb.org good to know. After the job I found there was a military antenna in the area that I had no info on. Running both G3's one unit was ok and the other had problems when on land. On the water they both broke up quickly. Also we had 5 different outboards that we kept switching between.

I was able to get what I needed for audio but it has been a little tough in post. We are going back to the same location and this time I have an extra day to dial in my gear. Will give the G3 another go this round and see if I can improve the range and break up.

Thanks for your help it is very much appreciated.