Bug type wireless - recommendations?

[three]

Hi, I've been using a Lekato WS100 system (quite infrequently) for a couple of years.  I bought it for fun really (less than £40) and didn't expect much.  That was fortunate, as I didn't get much.  Whilst the Lekato has had little use, reliability is a problem and the folding jack on the transmitter is starting to fail (a poor connection I'd assume).  That said, I do enjoy the freedom and convenience of a bug type system - more convenient for me than the belt-pack or pocket type units.  One of the plus points of the Lekato is that the bug is light, though other than this it doesn't really feel or behave like much more than a toy.  Can anybody recommend a reliable, robust, possibly higher-end bug system?  Thanks!     

[Wombat]

I like the Boss WL20. It has a little ‘power button’ so you can pull it in and out without the usual ‘Ccrrrggg’ if you arnt muted. Great for Open Mics where people are sharing. Most are weirded out when I just hand them a dongle 😂!. Battery lasts forever. The only issue is it’s only available on 2.4ghz. I’ve stopped using mine in a lot of pubs as I was getting interference. I now use a Blackstar Airwire which is great too - but I like the way the Boss works better!

[Lozz196]

I like the BOSS WL20, but if finding 2.4 an issue the NUX C-5RC works on 5.8 and is very good.

[jezzaboy]

3 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

I like the BOSS WL20, but if finding 2.4 an issue the NUX C-5RC works on 5.8 and is very good.

Same here Lozz. I had the Boss but I had to use a ext cable to go into the jack socket and a holder to attach to the strap as I didn`t like the way it plugs into the jack on a P bass sticking right out, I was always scared of knocking it against something and damaging it.

 

The NUX unit is much better, it folds in towards the body and comes with a great case that also acts as a charger. I have used this in the studio and on a busy stage and no probs at all.

[vbance]

Very happy with my NUX C-5RC

[Bassman68]

I’ve tried a few bug type transmitters since 2020, including Lekato,Smoothhound & a couple of cheap Amazon ‘no brand’ systems, And was almost put off of them entirely due to the 2.4G operating bandwidth.

I even went back to my Sennheiser UHF system for a while before Investing in a Shure GLXD+ for my main gigging purposes

I still wanted a back-up for my fly-rig & have settled on the Xvive A58 (5G)

I gigged it for the first time at the weekend & was mightily impressed 

I switched it on at 5:00pm for soundcheck, swept for the best channel in the venue (2) & left it switched on until I finished the second set encore at 10:00pm..

It didn’t miss a beat, no drop outs, nothing

I had it on the active setting because my Stingray I was using, has quite a Hot output..

No complaints here & thoroughly recommended  👍👍

[Wombat]

3 hours ago, jezzaboy said:

Same here Lozz. I had the Boss but I had to use a ext cable to go into the jack socket and a holder to attach to the strap as I didn`t like the way it plugs into the jack on a P bass sticking right out, I was always scared of knocking it against something and damaging it.

 

The NUX unit is much better, it folds in towards the body and comes with a great case that also acts as a charger. I have used this in the studio and on a busy stage and no probs at all.

I had a problem with the Boss working in my acoustic and the workaround was to use a TRS-TS connector. So I got a right angled one and as that also ‘worked’ on my other instruments I could use it when I felt it was sticking out a bit too much…

 

There were also some jacks it didn’t like and it wouldn’t operate the power so I kept an assortment of washers that went over the Boss jack and made sure the power was activated. All stored in an old glasses case…

Edited Monday at 16:06 by Wombat

[BassAdder60]

I’ve just got the new XVIVE. A58 5.8ghz wireless and it’s very good 

 

I’ve owned Shure wireless systems, Boss, Live 6 and low cost Lekato but the XVIVE is very good and works well 

 

Not crazy money but a decent mid priced quality bit of kit 

[Marti T]

I've been using the NUX C-5RC for the past year and I would recommend them

 

Previously I used the Boss Wl20 for about 5 years and they never let me down.

[tauzero]

I'm happy with my Lekato WS-90 and the M-Vave clone of it. Thinking of picking up another WS-50 as my old one has micro USB charging which became a little temperamental, and they've gone to USB-C.

[three]

Thanks all for the responses and suggestions.  The 5.8 is attractive so the Xvive and NUX make sense.  I'll try to order both (Amazon) and can then work out which is the better performer for my needs.  Latency times (official versions) are very similar at 5 and 5.5ms - important for me as I'd prefer to use wireless for recording if feasible.  I'll get back with comments asap.  Thanks again - much appreciated

[Wombat]

I use wireless all the time. It’s part of my ‘sound’. My rig is dialled to work with it. But I wouldn’t use it when I was recording - unless the band was being recorded live. If you are just sitting next to your computer/sound desk a good quality lead is the way to go?

[BigRedX]

I've been using the NUX for almost 2 years now with no problems. That includes some large stages and a couple of outdoor gigs.

[Jack]

16 hours ago, three said:

Thanks all for the responses and suggestions.  The 5.8 is attractive so the Xvive and NUX make sense.  I'll try to order both (Amazon) and can then work out which is the better performer for my needs.  Latency times (official versions) are very similar at 5 and 5.5ms - important for me as I'd prefer to use wireless for recording if feasible.  I'll get back with comments asap.  Thanks again - much appreciated

Recording? Ewwwwwww, no.  

 

I use a wireless when practicing at home, when practicing with a band and when gigging. In fact the only time I don't use a wireless is when recording. It's not so much the 1% difference in sound, it's the latency and the (admittedly very slim) chance of a drop out.

[ossyrocks]

I gig with a Boss WL20, but I have to use a NUX C-5RC (5.8GHz) at home as my amp is so close to the wifi router. The Boss has only had issues in one venue with wifi interference, and I quickly swapped to a cable. The battery life is also very good, and it has never failed me, even on long "3 set evenings".

 

I loaned the Nux system to a fellow basschatter recently as he was doing a musical before Christmas, but he couldn't get through two sets before it ran out of juice. It hadn't been an issue for me at home, but this week, I'm finding that it's dying after maybe 90 minutes or less of playing, which is not even getting me through evening practice. I think the internal rechargeable batteries have reached end of life. I bought it secondhand about 2 years ago, and I've used it a lot.

 

So I reckon I'm also in the market for a cheap 5.8GHz system to use at home.

 

Rob

[BigRedX]

I only use my wireless system for gigs and full band rehearsals, and only at the rehearsals because, for me, part of the reason for rehearsing is to check that all the gear I'm going to be using at a gig is working properly.

 

The rest of the time I use cables.

[Al Krow]

2 hours ago, BigRedX said:

I've been using the NUX for almost 2 years now with no problems. That includes some large stages and a couple of outdoor gigs.

 

+1^^ for me. Very happy to recommend the Nux.

 

17 hours ago, three said:

Thanks all for the responses and suggestions.  The 5.8 is attractive so the Xvive and NUX make sense.  I'll try to order both (Amazon) and can then work out which is the better performer for my needs.  Latency times (official versions) are very similar at 5 and 5.5ms - important for me as I'd prefer to use wireless for recording if feasible.  I'll get back with comments asap.  Thanks again - much appreciated

 

Sounds like a great approach and look forward to your findings!