The Problem With All These Wireless Mics
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2024
- Inexpensive wireless microphones have become super popular and they're generally pretty darn awesome. But every single one of these 2.4ghz systems that I've seen has a major flaw that I think is important to discuss.
This is an issue that applies to basically all of the 2.4ghz wireless mic systems currently available (as far as I know), so I'm not pointing fingers at any one brand. There are lots of Rode mics in the b roll because that's what I happen to have the most of, but again, it's something that applies to all brands.
I also hope it's clear that I'm not trying to say everyone HAS to spend a bunch of money on a UHF system. Like I say in the video, if you're on a budget or you don't use wireless audio very often, then one of these systems could be perfect. I just wish the manufacturers allowed for easy battery sways so that these can last for many many years and save us all a bunch of money while reducing waste.
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0:00 - Tangled Up With Wireless Mics
0:46 - What's the problem? (Spoiler: it's the batteries)
3:19 - My Prose on the Pros of Pro Audio systems
5:30 - What's the solution?
7:49 - My Request to Audio Companies
8:14 - My Advice for Consumers
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Episode 393: The Problem With All These Wireless Mics 
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Non-replacable batteries is the secret way to make your hardware product a subscription service.
exactly
And all of these sucks
I have taken similar devices to the people who replace cell phone batteries and they have been able to replace batteries. There are 2 main skills: 1) opening the device non-destructively, and 2) soldering in the new battery. Those guys can do it.
@@mattbrownartworkDigital tape recorder, powerbank, GPS, come to mind.
yeah was just gonna comment this, doesn't seem hard to fix. will always baffle me how people working w tech don't know how to fix easy stuff
There's probably still the issue of about 100 battery standards and a replacement costing relatively much money to the original product. Yes you can replace these batteries but finding the right one and in size and power delivery could very well still be an issue.
@@SyntheticFuture the Rode Go II take 3.7v cells, so i don't think the other ones are very different. it's not a hard job, the average technician could do it in less than an hour
It's not a very hard thing to do to be honest. And most microphone use Li-Po battery that is cheap and replaceable.
They should be a law preventing brands to release products with non removable batteries... not only for price reason, but also for the environment.
The EU is already on it
Nicely said, Tom. I believe that the product companies need to simply be more responsible and offer battery replacement services or replaceable battery products.
For those commenting that these consumer systems are repairable by others or yourself, yes, yes, that's technically true, but that's not a great solution for those who aren't DIYers.
Exactly- it needs to be something that the "average consumer" would be comfortable with. Thanks Curtis!
This is a really good point Tom! Hope the manufacturing companies address the issue ☝🏻
Thanks Roger! I know there are complexities that come with product development/design/etc that I don't fully understand...but it seems like batteries should be manageable.
They most likely won’t. They want them to go bad in a few years so you’re forced to upgrade.
This is something that should be addressed just like the EU forced Apple to switch to usb-c. But they would probably just increase prices to compensate for losses.
@@christeduard951 yeah, most likely prices would increase due to less sales, and slightly more complicated engineering and product developement - but a price increase would actually be a price decrease, since you can switch batteries :)
Companies will not address the problem by themselves... they all profit from obsolescence! The European Union is addressing (or at least trying) this problem by regulation and new consumer laws and hopefully that will change things worldwide (if the companies don't want to develop totally different devices for just the European market).
They won't unless there is a law that forces them to do it.
There's the Sennheiser AVX-ME2 and MKE2, which are wireless and have replaceable/removeable batteries. They aren't cheap, but the audio is stellar.
Yes! I would love for Sennheiser to make a two-channel system with the AVX form factor.
@@gnosjo Indeed. A similarly-priced alternative (higher priced for dual channel, but nowhere near as crazy as, say, Lectrosonics) is Sony's UWP system. If you have a Sony camera or camcorder with a Multi-Interface (MI) shoe, you can even get an accessory for hot-mounting the receiver to the camera without the need for separate audio cables (i.e., the audio and power are transmitted through the MI shoe). Only trouble is, with the unique way Sony's mics and connectors are wired, you pretty much have to use their mics with their transmitters. Still, I love the results of a UWP dual channel system in combination with the wireless version of the Sony ECM-77 lavalier microphone. Uses replaceable AA batteries (I use rechargeable NiMH's) that (on paper) last for 8 hours. (As a precaution with an all-day training session I had to record once, I still changed the batteries during the lunch break.)
I have two sets of AVX mics and lavaliers for this very reason. Stellar sound that doesn't "expire" in a few years
These companies need to offer replacement/recycling and battery recycling programs to reduce all this waste
That’d be lovely
Have you reached out to anything to ask them to do it? How did it go?
They need to just make them user replaceable. Remember when phones used to have batteries you could replace? The iPhone and androids are all getting replaceable batteries in the EU due to a new law.
RODE offer a 10yr warranty, but good luck actually getting a hold of them to redeem it. On a professional set it just isn't good enough to have your audio go down over something simple like that. We now just have two kits with us to fail over to, but not everyone can afford to run redundant systems. It's still cheaper than dual tx UHF but a really silly oversight- to the point where I'd agree that it seems strategic on RODE's part. That's not even mentioning the button durability on their units is very poor as well.
Man this is brilliant and a great way to tackle a problem that’s not been chatted about enough! Thanks Tom!
Thanks Ron! It's not the biggest issue in the world, but something definitely worth being aware of.
I have one of the first sets of OG wireless Gos ever shipped out and have absolutely abused them over the years , I still have no battery issues at all with them. I'm at the point where if I spend $200 and they last me 3-4 years I've gotten my moneys worth. After that amount of time whatever new model is out is probally a decent upgrade for me anyways.
Seeing the Aquabats poster and the guitars was an instant subscribe, I haven’t even heard your opinions on the mics yet but I just know I like your vibe and will appreciate your takes
Non-replaceable batteries are a big issue (don't even get me started on today's smartphones!). But I thought you were going to mention that they all operate on the 2.4 GHz band, which is generally not as reliable for transmission as UHF. I know from experience. One time I tried RODE's RODELink system, and I got the "fuzzies" when an actor dared sit behind a desk to begin a scene (which blocked the line-of-sight that 2.4 GHz is so finicky about). Good thing I also had a wired boom that day.
You’ve got a heart of gold Tom. Deeply thankful for your unwavering ethical back bone and generous kind commitment to guiding us through our modern a/v minefield.
Good point! Zoom F2 is a really small 32-bit audio recorder and these 2.4GHz wireless systems are comparable to it in size, while the Zoom F2 takes two AAA batteries, sure the build quality might be a bit questionable but I know I can use it for years, while I can't say the same for my RØDE Wireless GO II
So funny you mentioned this because I originally had a whole tangent about the F2, but cut it for time.
I did talk to Rode about the batteries specifically, and they said that there's have protective circuits built in to make sure they don't lose charge to the point that they become dead, which should make them last longer than average (this tracks since it was my Deity system that died and even my original Wireless Go does still work, but the battery is still not removable).
Yeah but the zoom F3 only takes XLR connections and after 6 months of use the battery door already broke with my unit. The rode wireless go ii is not a recorder, it is a wireless mic. Two different things that you are comparing
Thank you for this discussion. I recently bought the rode wireless pros after waiting for the DJI Mic 2 to release. I got the rode wireless pro for about £330 in the UK - so it was very comparable in price to the DJI Mic 2, and worked better for me. I quickly realised the non replaceable batteries may be an issue. I may switch to zoom F2. Good to know the rode wireless pro’s are built with protective circuits. I may just see how it goes, and if i ever need to upgrade switch to another solution with replaceable batteries. Haven’t seen your channel before - subscribed!
@@papsny it broke because it's cheaply designed. It doesn't have to break. Things like digital multimeters have replaceable batteries and they don't break even after decades of use on the terrain. All you need is solid plastic and a little screw to secure the trap.
@@arjuntao with the F2 we are also not limited to transmission range and most probably less electrical disturbances.
Spank you kindly for this; the teacher in you served this vid well! On a note about Rode, it's illuminating to recall its previous RodeLink system that offered wireless XLR and 3.5mm pack products with replaceable battery options (including Sony NP-F type ones for the XLR base!). What's followed with Rode and its contemporaries in the 2.4Ghz arena -- and other electronic devices in general -- has often been a race to miniaturize, and to abandon a good 'ol gasket for hardcore IP-xxx-proof ratings. And we've loved it like we loved CFC-pumping refrigeration; however, perhaps with time we're finally ready to talk with these chickens that have come home to roost... and, perhaps, let some pink bunnies have a turn.
You’re ABSOLUTELY right I've bought several replacement wireless go mics due to battery issues. I really hope these brands are paying attention. Great video
Such a bummer when something that’s not really broken becomes unusable 🫤
@@tombuck the last one to break was a white wireless go that I’ll only use for wedding gigs. I’d normally tag it onto the bride’s dress. Then one day when I wanted to use it for a personal project it just didn’t turn on🤣🤣🤣
@@GuilDormeusHow old was that mic?
@@NickzAndMikz I got it as soon as the white one was available. A year or two old. I rarely used it, I have only used it maybe for 3 weddings and a RUclips video. The black ones still work just fine but also, I would charge them all the time and use them
That's interesting. With how quickly it died, I wonder if there was an underlying issue. Regardless, it doesn't build the argument for the longevity of these guys@@GuilDormeus
It's easy to find used Sennheiser G4 or G3 systems from reputable dealers like BH and Adorama for around the same price as a new 2.4ghz kit (in the U.S. anyway). So that could be a good alternative for some people
Love the G3/G4s! I used them for many years when I was teaching!
I'm glad RUclips place this video in my feed. I've been looking to upgrade my audio system. Cheers.
Thanks Tom, great topic and a very balanced discussion. Looking forward to your follow-up video on UHF vs 2.4 systems. BTW I am a pro public speaker and I present, live and online for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. I use an XLR Sennheiser MK4. I am happy with the sound quality, but I could get the mic off screen. Would it be worth my while to go with the Sennheiser UHF package? Thanks, Peter.
loved your office setup! Very cool. And a very solid point you have there.
Thank you very much!
found your channel today. I freaking love your energy!
Great video Tom and thank you for raising an important topic!
Thanks! I think it's definitely worth talking about.
This reminds me of an Apple keynote many years ago, when batteries became non-replaceable in MacBooks. The claim was how much volume was taken up by the housing and compartment that allowed access to the battery. The volume of these two things was greater than the volume of the battery pack itself. Removing the requirement for these two things allowed bigger battery pack in a similar volume and / or reduction is the overall volume of the device. The placement of an inbuilt battery pack also adds more design scope to the placement of the pack. While Apple certainly didn’t invent the concept, I believe they were instrumental in the popularisation of it - after Apple released the iPhone with a built in battery, other companies felt validated in doing it themselves. If replaceable batteries are added, the size of these devices will increase if performance is to be maintained - the size of 2.4GHz microphone systems are a central appeal to me personally. We will also have to accept that build quality will be affected - a device with less moving parts has a natural advantage over one with more. It is a nasty problem - I always wince when I see discarded disposable vapes put in bins
This is a really good point. A lot of folks complained about the DJI Pocket 3 not having a replaceable battery, but I've never heard anyone say the same about wireless mic kits. Also, come to think of it, the original RodeLink Filmmaker kit (the predecessor to the Wireless Go) had replaceable batteries and was quite affordable.
Film-maker is the predecessor to the Wireless Go system, the Film Maker kit is still actively produced by Rode.
Yes the rode filmmaker is great, I'm very happy with mine, lovely audio quality, fairly cheap secondhand, and good battery life on AA alkaline or AA rechargeable batteries.
Just got my first wireless mic and appreciate this video. "Right to Repair" is going to be a bigger and bigger trend. Don't be afraid to fix your stuff, especially for something as simple as a battery replacement.
Look forward to your video on the Theos and UHF systems. The UHF systems appear to require more time to setup, but interested in your observation. Thank you.
I’m wrapping my head around how to approach it since it’s not my area of expertise, but I at least understand the basics I think 😬
Great video Tom. This has also been my concern and I think you played it out for perfectly.
Glad to hear it!
I just picked up the AM-18 from Ulanzi. 14 hours of 16-bit internal recording on each transmitter, $79 down from $99! I’m fine with replacing that every few years. If I want 32-bit float, I’d rather boom and Xoom or something that will give me more control than a lav, which is scratch/reference audio in most scenarios anyway right?
I've read that DJI will replace the batteries on their mic kits out of warranty for a fee. Although they don't seem to make that fee known.
If you contact the manufacturers about battery replacement you may find others will do the same. Perhaps they don't want to make this widely known as it will discourage sales and given many of the fees are "down the road" (as opposed to down the Rode) they don't want to list a fee that may change in the future depending on battery availability.
You may want to investigate this or perhaps some manufacturers are already responding to you.
Time someone made a video on this topic! Thank you!
very good point. that's why I love the Sennheiser EW 112P and its replacable batteries.
It has to be said though: Comparing the Sennheiser EW 112P to a DJI Mic 2 is like comparing a Ford Raptor F150 to a golf cart in terms of size, price and features ;) Mic 2 is tiny, cheap and entry level, the EW 112P is slightly more than that :)
agreed. if these low budget mics had replacable batteries I would give it a try. @@AndreSjoberg
Great shout! You can solve this issue and bag yourself a bargain by buying used Rodelink Filmmaker Kits - 2.4ghz, great lav mic, AA batteries (which last a long time)! You could buy a few for the price of one of the new pro Rode kits.
I had bad luck with the Filmmaker kit once (interference even at short distances, just because the talent sat behind a desk). Plus the transmitters and receivers are bulky as heck.
Very informative video. Excellent !
Wow! This is a REAL THING! Thanks for shining a light on it!
Very good that you bring this up. I just want to tell you when I bought the new RØDE wireless 2 system with two microphones. It was a problem from the start right from the factory. I had them replaced under warranty but the replaced one worked just as bad. No power from new out of the box. Disappointed with RØDE in particular.
Great video! Great point and more constructive criticism than being negative. Perfect timing for me as I just started looking for one of these yesterday. This also might be an opportunity for some other company to make a little external battery to plug into one of these like those battery packs that attach to the bottom of a smart phone. But in the mean time I might have to look check out one of those more expensive wireless mics.
Hi Tom, thanks for this video. I found your videos really helpful when I was looking for a dedicated studio mic during COVID.
I've recently started to branch back out into video work after a long hiatus. Back when I was making videos previously, things like the Rode VMP and like on-camera shotguns were being paired with dedicated recorders like Zoom H4n. Now that I've come back, it seems like these systems are literally everywhere, and no one is talking about any audio solutions, on-camera or off-camera, other than these.
I would love to see some sort of breakdown of a 2-track recording using a contemporary wireless set, vs a UHF set, vs a dedicated recorder.
Is the ease of use really worth it, or could you buy one of the standards from 5 years ago and have a better setup?
Heck, I could buy two H4ns, plus two lavs, and still be at the price of the Rode setup.
100% agree. I'd love to see a mid-point between these devices and the next step up (things like the Deity Theos etc). Just the same devices but with replaceable batteries would be a fantastic improvement.
Thank you so much for addressing this! I don't understand why more people aren't upset that the modern devices they're buying these days have such a limited shelf life because the batteries can't be replaced.
I have a question about the transmitters/receivers you recommended that take AA batteries: Do rechargeable NiMH batteries (e.g., Eneloop, Ikea Ladda, etc.) work fine in these despite the slightly lower 1.2v voltage?
Excellent points Tom. I held onto my RodeLink and NewsShooter lavs primarily because they take regular batteries.
I'm a big fan of your content and I'm reaching out for some advice. I'm in need of a wireless solution to monitor audio, especially when I'm away from the camera or receiver. Could you recommend any reliable systems that offer wireless monitoring compatibility with headphones? I'm open to any wireless headphone options.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I've got an old Shure wireless lav mic system that I bought 8 years ago. Uses AA batteries in the lav pack. Still going strong. In fact it even has great resale value after all this time.
This is actually great info! I was looking into getting a wireless mic system for both connecting to my PC, where I need a clear shot from monitor to utilise facetracking and a dynamic microphone would obstruct its view and shotgun mics require an audio interface (so added costs), both would not solve the problem that I tend to walk around (and there's no mic that follows you around aside from something you strap onto yourself), but I was also looking into action cameras, which usually have poor audio and I figured an external mic could fix that. Also using the same mic setup on multiple platforms should result in a similar sound profile, right? And since all this is a hobby of mine, I want to keep the costs low and would like to repurpose as much as possible. But no replaceable batteries is something I need to keep in mind. Also a standard UHF box becomes too bulky too quickly for me (and there's the price)
I agree 100%. That's why I chose the Rodelink Filmmaker Kit a few years ago. It has all the advantages (and limitations) of 2.4 GHz, but you can power the transmitter and receiver with either AA batteries or any powerbank through Micro-USB. It's great and I srongly recommend it 🙂
You got my sub, great video, this has really bothered me, so will now wait for the companies to offer a replaceable battery option before spending my money, many thanks.
Shure had a wireless system, the GLX-D, that uses 2.4 GHz. I went to buy a second system, in late 2022, and found that they were discontinued. In 2023, though, they came out with the GLX-D+ system, which uses both 2.4 GHz and the 5.8 GHz bands. So, they have a much wider spectrum to search for open bandwidth. 🎤 I hope Røde et al will start to do this as well, not to mention the battery thing. This will make it better for people trying to work without interference in heavy WiFi usage areas, as well as from people heating their leftovers. 😅
Oh that's cool- I like the idea of a system that can live in both worlds!
Thank you for this review I just recently got the road wireless go system and I’m just guessing it’s gonna last me about two years but what would you say is the most common longevity for them?
So I asked Rode about this and they said that they do use higher quality batteries with protection circuits to make sure they don't go dead beyond the ability to recharge (definitely explains why only my Deity had that issue). My original Wireless Go from 2019 still works quite well, and I can get at least 2 hours of solid runtime.
Love this! I've heard you say this before and totally agree. I cringed just buying the pocket 3 for the same reason. Thanks for speaking your mind and I don't take it as negative at all. The consumer has a voice and you are just using it. Thanks.
Thanks John! I love these mics- just wish I could love 'em a little more 😁
Thank you very much for addressing this. I've noticed huge battery performance loss with my 2 year old Rode Wireless Go kit. After 2 years of use, I get max 2 hours of battery life and that decreases in the winter temps. Like you mentioned, they perform perfectly well when charged, but as I am not able to replace the battery, I will have to throw them out soon.
Good point. These get little use compared to say an iPhone which when you sell it the first thing someone asks is
“What percentage is the battery health”.
Nice Alkaline Trio reference! I couldn't agree more about replaceable batteries. I actually got a Theos, but unfortunately I gravitate more towards the Rode Wireless Pro because of the internal recording (which I monitor). I found the Theos slows me down when working solo, and I get interference when using both transmitters simultaneously. New subscriber here!
A very useful video, Tom. Unfortunately, if companies provide us with changeable batteries, they know their sales of the units will drop! I've not found a company yet that truly puts the benefit of customers above profit margins. Your best point was "stop buying the smaller units." I'm definitely going to investigate the UHF option.
You have a good point. A big reason I like them is how small they are. And I would think adding replaceable batteries would make them a bigger size. If they could keep the same size with a replaceable battery I'd be all for that.
I was also expecting you to address the problem of the 2 transmitters drifting out of sync on dual transmitter systems onboard recording.
Will you be making a video on any products from 7RYMS?
I have some Sennheiser wireless systems. I quit using them when I realized going directly wired sounded so much better and I don't really care if I see the cable in the shot occasionally because I would rather have better sound. I'll be curious to know what the difference is between a system like that and these little Rode Mics. The fact that it captures 32 bit on the transmitter just makes the Rode Mics profoundly better to me than anything you can get with that Sennheiser wireless UHF or whatever.
really good point and reminder you make in this video. I think each and every wireless mic producer should offer a battery exchange service. This should be a common standard.
Hi Tom, love what you are saying here. Rode does make a AA battery version which outperforms these versions. I use the ones you are showing here on some shoots, yet rely on the very trusty RODE battery wireless mic set up when it's really important.
Is it the Filmmaker set? I know Rode used to have one that seemed absolutely awesome, but I think it was discontinued?
Yes, I can still get it here in Aus.@@tombuck
This video should be taped to the forehead of all video makers. And it's not only about batteries. The power button on my Røde Wireless Go II recently stopped working after 2 years and 2 months. Yes, you guessed it; the warranty was 2 years. Yes, I've been in contact with them. No luck.
From now on, I'll only buy this kind of device if the price is low enough for me to write it off in 2 years, like around $100. What I will buy though is a Comica W200 Pro UHF system with 96 channels, AA batteries and backup to a Micro SD card in each transmitter. It's bigger, heavier and looks "old-fashioned", but like similar systems from Sennheiser and others, it's built like a tractor and will hopefully last as long.
Thank you for a good, honest video!
I have the rode ntg, and it doesn't have a removable battery. But, you can use external USB-C batteries as a backup. I hear rode has a good warranty on their battery life.
I picked up an inexpensive Comica BoomX-D2 kit because I noticed the covers were attached with 3-4 small screws. I'm hoping they use a fairly common battery when the time comes to tear them down to replace. I just did it with two of my Logitech MX mice. Love the idea about using a swappable battery as well. My Deity V-Mic D4 is always ready to go with a AAA battery and it's so easy to carry a few rechargeable spares. If they can fit it, why can't these mini-kits?
because the mini-kits include wireless transmitters and lots of other electronics the deity doesn’t have for onboard processing and internal storage (memory chips for storage, controllers for said storage +++) chuck all that into a deity v-mic 4 and it’ll grow to a chunky boy :) Or try running a wireless lav mic with wifi blasting and onboard storage of huge files while transmitting data on a single AAA battery - «it’ll last 20 minutes, but hey, it’s got an exchangeable battery» :)
Exactly! And I wouldn't even mind a bit of a tinker-y DIY replacement process as long as it's at least an option.
@@AndreSjoberg Thank you for your insight.
@@tombuck it would be great if there was some type of online place one could go to find such tutorials on switching out the battery on things like the Røde Wireless Go and other small electronic things, maybe even short 8-10 minute videos showing the process step by step and tools one needed - if only there was such a place where one could find these things … ;)
@@tombuck I watched the 4 videos Oniyaki did on the Wireless Go & 2 (none out there for DJI) and the battery looked to be barely any smaller than the one for a Sony ZV-1 II. It's not a simple unplug/swap. There aren't replacement batteries out there so he used one from an Apple Watch, and there was a charger circuit strip that is about the size of the battery contact I replaced on my last camera, that needed to be removed from the original battery and soldered to the new. Looks like a swappable battery would be possible on a slightly larger unit.
Damn, this is a really really good point. I've been playing with several of these and wondered what you could possibly be referring to, and this had not even crossed my mind. And that kinda sucks!
Now I want to see some hardware hacking to solve this problem once these start dying en masse so they don't all end up as e-waste... also Apple has prioritized making AirPods recyclable at least, but I feel like these wireless mics are just large enough that they shouldn't have to resort to that being the best case scenario.
@@JosephRooksMost users will never burn through these batteries. Most users can burn through their phone batteries or headphone batteries, but that's something you use every day for hours. How often is a user in the majority of users of these wireless mics actually recording audio?
@@definingslawek4731At least in the case of the Rode products, they use Lithium Ion batteries, which will degrade in capacity over time whether they're used or not. So actual use time won't be the deciding factor in the long term battery capacity. If they used Nickel Metal Hydride batteries it would be a different story, but they don't.
Great points, Tom. The only other thing I would add as a benefit to the 2.4 systems is the size. Battery compartments increase the form factor. For major events I have UHF interchangeable battery gear. For stuff like streaming and personal things, I just go with the 2.4 systems. Appreciate your work!
I'd easily accept a mm or two of extra thickness and even slightly shorter battery capacity if it meant I could have replaceable battery. But there's no long term profit in making a cheap product that lasts for a decade.
@@gutterg0dI don't think these companies are as nefarious as you might think. I don't think 80% of users of any of these mic systems will EVER eat through the usuable life time of the batteries. With true wireless headphones that's far more likely but most people really don't use their camera gear all that much. The fact that a few super hardcore users could buy replacement batteries instead of buying a new product for 300 dollars is not a huge impact on sales imo.
@@definingslawek4731 It's not just about longevity of the existing battery. If the battery runs out and you can keep a fully charged spare, you have effectively doubled the amount of use time between charges. Running around with an extra power bank connected is not very practical. Also, if you leave the devices unused without charging it for too long, it will deplete the battery fully and once that happens you won't be able to charge it at all anymore no matter how good condition the battery was in.
This is always a deal-breaker for me for most tech. If I can't replace the battery easily and affordably, I generally won't buy it.
Spot on! I'm looking for a wireless mic and was looking for info on the battery lifetime. I have DJI drone and the remote controller battery is bad after a few years. I expect these mics have the same problem. The DJI service can replace the battery. The battery is cheap but that service fee will be almost the same as a new device. I have opened my controller myself to replace the battery, but these device are not intended to be serviced. They are very difficult to pry open and the casing will be damaged when doing so.
you make such a good point and raise a very important issue.
Thank you! I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
@@tombuck not only you ,but also me, so I don't buy any wireless mic after wireless go.
Man - great point. I never actually considered it with the Rode - or others - I always chalked it up to "well my iPhone gets replaced within a few years..." - but - you are right - for PROs you use this stuff for YEARS! That sucks about the Your Deity system - I had one of their shotgun mics stop working on me as well. I bet constantly putting the Rode mics into and out of the case that charges also reduces it battery life as well.
I have been using my OG wireless Go for almost five years, and it is still working perfectly, and to be honest, other brands' gear with swappable batteries have failed in less than half that time.
It's definitely a sticking point with these kits. I've still got a set of the Røde Wireless Fillmaker Kit. It's bigger, and doesn't record internally, but they use AA batteries. That said, the included lavaliers don't sound as good as the built in mics on the Hollyland Lark Max kit I just got.
Oh I remember the Filmmaker kit! At least it's possible to swap out lav mics for a better sound.
@@tombuck They're just so gigantic by today's standards (the TX and RX, not the lavs). :)
Enjoyed the video, Tom. My 2 cents: I think we have crossed a certain threshold where these companies have moved the longevity of their products way down on the priority list. It's pretty clear, because these small audio TX/RX systems with internal batteries have a wider appeal (not just commercial/pro users), meaning bigger sales. What sells right now is smaller, more features, ease of use, and lower cost. Unfortunately, that has made us consumers (even myself who uses these professionally), short-sighted. Asking companies to create battery replaceable units, I'm afraid will most likely fall on deaf ears. On another note, I used to have a sennheiser G3 system, which uses AA batteries. For one pair of TX/RX, the system costs $440. That used to be the standard back the 2010's. I started having a problem where the buttons started to fail, and although I could have sent it in for repair, it would have cost me $200. So, all in all, I see the appeal of these smaller units that have non-replaceable batteries. They're not that expensive, and I foresee them getting replaced anyways in maybe 3 years. It's just a matter of what's the best bang for my Buck -- see what I did there? ;)
Great points. Overall I don't actually see in which way any of the 'more professional' sennheiser systems are better. Is the noise floor better or the transmitted audio somehow crisper? There's no way sennheiser can do radio better than a radio company, dji has customers send 30+ thousand dollar dangerous drones kilometers out. Sennheiser has customers transmit audio 15 meters.
I had to use the g3/g4 on a documentary shoot and they were such a pain to use, I plan to never use them again now that I have the dji mic 2.
I don't usually comment but your background is just beautiful! Great content presentation as well
I appreciate that! It really means a lot to hear.
I totally agree! Just a couple of days ago I was talking to a friend and told him the same. While I like the fact that tech vendors are including lithium batteries because, A you have one less thing to forget at home when going to document an event, and B you waste lots of batteries (for your mics, for the recorder, for the led lamp, etc).
Of course I use rechargeable batteries, but those also have a limited life. Longer than a regular battery but....
Also, for all those things like flash, microphones, recorder, led lamp, etc. You need to have lots of them and recharge them all the time. So you end up carrying 10+ sets of batteries, which adds bulk and weight to your bag. And also make sure that all of them are freshly recharged. So having gear with included battery is a life saver.
But the fact that you can't change the batteries included, and the gear is dead once the battery dies, it's a bummer.
The problem is, I think, they change their gear design a lot from version to version. So it's like Apple, all the accessories you got for your laptop, are not compatible with the next version. So the same batteries designed for a Deity Mic, won't fit in the next version of the microphone.
It sucks!
Great point. My Wireless Go II's I got 2 years ago are in perfect condition except the battery is no longer completely reliable.
I wish RODE would replace batteries. Even if for a reasonably affordable fee.
The advent of rechargeable lithium cells in the form of AA and AAA has really created some wonderful options. You can also get the identical size battery at 3.7 V. You don’t want to mix those up generally except maybe in a flash light but I get frustrated at the amount of electronics I have to throw away because of dead batteries even though I’m able to repair a good 50% of what I have. The rest cannot be salvaged.
This is a good point that I never thought about. I have the DJI Mic system and absolutely love it, but at some point, it won't hold a charge as long. I wonder if manufactures will let us send them in for servicing at that point for a fee? I would pay it. I own a UHF system too, but the size and weight have me grabbing for my DJI mic. It's much more convenient. Good topic.
That was a very interesting topic, I did not thought about it 🤔 That would be so great to have replaceable batteries in these !!
Very Timely, Tom. I saw a video recently where the person took about a WirelessGO and the battery is accessible, but I don't know how you put it back together! While I agree that UHF is the way to go (I come from a past life where we used only Lectrosonics), the UHF packs are not able to offer the compactness of these 2.6GHz systems. But your point of longevity is well taken as I still have my 20+ year old Samson Series One UHF Diversity packs still fully operational!
But it may be time to take the WirelessGO and VideoMicGO for a trade in and get fresh models to extend things a bit. Not the right answer and the manufacturers should come up with replaceable battery solutions.
I've thought about taking one of mine apart too, but I know it'd be like Humpty Dumpty and never go back together again. 😁
@@tombuck I've done this with laptops, macs, mics, and wheelchairs. The key is to just take tons of pics. I know you can do it! Plus, a great video either way. Success story or cautionary tale.
You have to look at the Tentacle Track E. Not wireless, but amazing 32 bit float pocket recorders. You can put as many as you want on people and sync them together and they offer replacement batteries you can change yourself.
Hey Tom, I am your most recent member! I am starting my Podcast Journey after giving it a Loooooong thinking process, I finally decided to ACT. So I recorded my first 2 episodes, (pretty much trials, nothing worth sharing yet) bought a Mic to fix the sound of my podcast....still learning, and now decided to be a member of your tribe since I started watching your amazing podcast last year. I want to ask you if you are planning to do a review of the Fifine AM8. Very affordable and it seems to be a goooood mic. Want to hear your thoughts!
Hey Martin!
Congrats on taking the leap! I haven't used the AM8 myself yet, but it seems interesting, especially since it's a USB/XLR combo mic at a pretty low price. I just ordered one on Amazon based on your recommendation, so I'm excited to see how it sounds and then maybe do a review 👍
Thanks for joining as a channel member- that's what makes it possible to randomly order an interesting mic like this!
Do any of these systems work while plugged in? Even though it wouldn’t be the best solution, I’m surprised a company like Anker hasn’t made a small battery that could be plugged in while using it.
Good point! I think it varies from system to system- for example the Deity only has a USB C port, so yo use a USB to 3.5mm cable to attach the receiver to your camera, which means it's not available to be connected to a charger 🫤
It's so weird that you posted this video because I've been trying to justify to myself getting the Rode Wireless Pro and this very question was forefront in my argument against it. That and what if I wanted to have more than 2 people mic'd up, which I still haven't found a solution to that I am comfortable with. I would really like it if we could mic up 4 people to a single receiver.
Dont buy anything rode. If anything goes wrong its a pain dealing with their warranty. Even if it comes broken brand new outta the box.
More than 2 people gets tricky unless you want to spend A LOT of money. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is use something like a Zoom F2 recorder for each person and sync the audio during editing (or even try a more advanced Tentacle Sync system with timecode).
The small recorders are great if you don't absolutely need the live audio and also have the added benefit of never being impacted by interference/signal issues.
I appreciate everyone's advice! It really helps.
You have an important and relevant point of view on these mics.
It'd be cool to see something like an iFixit partnership with official parts on these even as they're currently designed. The Rode at least I can vouch for being really easy to self service even without that (after opening one up to try to salvage it from water damage). One pry tool to pop off the front panel and you're in with the battery able to pop out by hand-and while there's no official battery out there it looks like there is a third party option.
I love iFixit. It'd be awesome to see them figure something out!
I just replaced my Hollyland Lark 150 system as one of the transmitters battery was swelling. I wanted to replace it for a while and saw the introduction of the Sennheiser and Deity systems, when the price was released, I figured I would eat the cost and get the Sennheiser system with 1 mic but ended up going with the Rode Wireless Pro as no one had the Sennheiser or even the Deity system in Asia and the Rode was available. It would be nice to be able to replace the internal battery ourselves or at a store, it sucks to keep replacing them. The size makes the less costly 2.4 wireless system, easier to travel with and they are good for non professional use. I think the solution is to come out with an industry standard set of batteries for these devices, that are user replaceable.
Very true. Thanks for sharing 🙏
Excellent video ⭐️
Thank you!
Fantastic point Tom!!! I never thought about the battery issue... Pro UHFs are too big for weddings, I believe. And that's going to be where I'm headed as a film maker...
Another issue I've run into is EVEN IF the batteries are rechargeable, they usually change the battery format/shape after the product is updated/replaced, and so any extra batteries you can buy are quickly old/stale stock, which for li-ion means their capacity is still significantly diminished due to short shelf life (even if unused). I have a Dell XPS 13 that still works fine, but Dell doesn't make batteries for it anymore, and even the bootleg batteries I can find are all old, so in the end it's not worth the effort.
Glad you made this video. I feel the same way.
It's been validating to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Well played with the ALK3 mention :)
You can replace the battery sending them to a electronic shop or computer, or DYI if used to it. Or a powerbank (bulky)
This is VERY true! My first several wireless lav systems won’t even turn on anymore😑
Maybe they could even put the car FOB batteries in them! Like the CR2032… I am sure the wireless lav would be much harder on those than the FOB lol, but maybe?
Thank you Tom, nice catch
Great point from Chicago about the batters
It would be nice to have some manufacturer support for battery replacement. Free under warranty if there is a defect or reduced battery lifetime (80% of rated duration?!). And after a warranty expires, service to replace the batteries (as long as the system is still supported). That would help this situation out A LOT. I'd spend $100 to replace the battery if it's a relatively quick turn around, say 10 business days.
Have been trying out a few wireless systems lately and I never thought about the battery situation.
Besides removable batteries is the sennheiser system in ANY way better? It is a radio system by a company with far less expertise in radio systems. It has no onboard recording so in the likely event of a cut out, there's no backup. It's also not 32 bit float.
Is the noise floor better or the actual transmitted audio quality somehow better? Or am I right in thinking that the dji mic 2 and rode wireless pro have completely outclassed all the traditional wireless systems.
At last someone is pointing this out. Ive stuck with my Rode filmaker mics. They take LR6 batteries, and because I only do 2 or 3 interviews a year I don't worry. I simply bought a sarmonic audio mixer, so I can run 2 mics. It works, and has never let me down.
I did watch a review were they pitted the filmaker against a newer rode wireless, and they seemed to be better shielded again interference, maybe because of a larger case.
If you find yourself using a lavalier mic and using the internal recording of your transmitter, another alternative is a small recorder like the Tascam DR-10L Pro or the Zoom F2.
Yes, I love the F2,and the price is fantastic.
Battery life on these units has been my biggest hangup in going that route. Especially after using more prograde equipment with replaceable batteries.
I bought my set of Wireless Go II's when they first came out. Both transmitters have reduced charge capacity, one of them is incredibly bad. Less than an hour before it shows the "red" low battery warning.