The Best Wireless Guide System

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out the best wireless guide system, I’d recommend the EXMAX ATG-100T 195-230MHz Wireless Tour Guide System as the best one.

Wireless guide systems are popularly used in educational tours and monument visits. They have helped numerous guides effectively educate each tour group they handle without physically straining themselves. 

However, the use of wireless guide systems has expanded beyond tourism. Large classroom lectures, factory visits, and assistive learning are some examples. But why has the application of wireless guide systems grown, and what are the things to look out for when choosing one for you?

Here are the best Wireless Guide Systems we will be reviewing:

• EXMAX ATG-100T 195-230MHz Wireless Tour Guide System
• Vocopro Commander-Tour-10 Wireless System
• Flysoundtech Wireless Tour Guide System
• Shure SLX14/85 Lavalier Wireless System Band H19
• Retekess T130 Wireless Tour Guide System

What is a Wireless Guide System?

A wireless guide system helps you effectively communicate with your audience. Usually, a wireless guide system utilizes a Bluetooth mic, headsets, and portable transmitters to easily broadcast your message to all those with a connected receiver. Wireless guide systems can be used in multiple ways, such as during factory visits and conferences and for tourism and assistive learning.

One-Way system vs Two-Way system

A one-way system only allows the communication to go one way, from transmitter to receiver. Compared to a two-way system, the person with the receiver can send an audio transmission to the transmitter and vice versa. Two-way systems benefit assistive learning, classroom settings, conferences, and factory visits. You can also choose whether to broadcast it to the whole group or a particular receiver/s only. 

Components of a Wireless Guide System

Earphones/Earpieces

The type of earphones you get with your wireless guide system depends on the brand. Some brands have standard 3.5mm earphones, with either single or double earbuds. Other brands provide full ear headphones instead. Usually, only the receivers have earphones, while the transmitters have earpieces with the mics attached. 

Transmitters

Transmitters are electronic devices that produce the audio frequency that the receivers acquire. Usually, the host or the one who will do the talking has the transmitter and microphone. The transmitters look slightly different from the receivers; it does not have a volume button unless your guide system is a two-way system. It also has controls that allow the host to choose between channels.

Receivers

Receivers convert the signals the transmitter sends into audio. Participants use the receiver to hear everything the host is saying. Participants can send an audio signal back to the host during a question and answer portion if it’s a two-way system. Receivers also have volume controls and an LCD screen that displays the battery percentage.

When to Use a Wireless Guide System?

Tourism

Wireless guide systems are the most popularly used for tourism purposes. Guides would not have to strain their voices all day to ensure that everyone in the tour group could hear them. With a wireless guide system, tour guides would only need to speak normally, and everyone who has the receiver will listen to them loud and clear. 

Classrooms

Wireless guide systems are also used in classrooms. Besides large classes, they can be of service to students with hearing impairments. The guide system is also used for one-on-one training between athletes and their coaches, especially in sports requiring them to be outside or on the field. Since most wireless systems used in the classroom are two-way, students can easily ask their teachers their questions and clarifications directly.

Factory Visits

Most headsets and earphones in a wireless guide system have a noise-canceling feature. This feature helps the wearer hear everything the guide says and vice versa if you’re using a two-way system. It’s this particular feature that is helpful during factory visits. Factory visits are more efficient because communication is directly delivered to those with the receiver. It is also easier for the hosts to hear their group’s concerns and questions.

Assistive Learning and Interpretations

Wireless guide systems are also widely used for assistive learning and interpretations. Using a wireless guide system does live translation for a group of people more convenient. Usually, you’d see this among tour groups and monument visits. Churches have also started using wireless guide systems for live translations for members who need them, proving that its uses can go above and beyond.

How to Use a Wireless Guide System?

1. Before using the guide system, ensure that you have enough receivers for everyone and that they’ve all been charged for use. 
2. Check if the transmitter and receivers have the same channel. 
3. After everything’s checked and good to go, it’s time to plug your microphone into the transmitter and switch it on. 
4. The next step is to issue a receiver to each person in the group and make sure to switch it on before handing them out. Don’t forget to guide them through the controls, such as the volume. 
5. Plug your microphone into the transmitter and turn it on to start broadcasting if all is well.

A good tip to check if the receivers are working is to play some music through the system. It is achieved by connecting a media player to the transmitter’s aux-in socket. In doing so, you can single out the faulty receiver and have it changed before carrying on. 

After using the transmitter and receivers, turn them off to preserve the battery. Remember to have them all charged to be ready for the next event.

Benefits of Using the Best Wireless Guide System

Real-time audio streaming

Audio frequency is delivered to the receivers in real-time and with little to no delay. Because the transmitter and receiver channels are direct, the participants can hear everything without being close to the host. Plus, if there was a delay, it could be a source of distraction and waiting for the whole group as the host would need to recalibrate the receiver.

Hands-free transmitters

Hands-free transmitters allow the host to move and gesture freely throughout the tour. All they need to do is to turn it on, choose the channel, and they’re good to go. One less thing to worry about, plus the lanyard that ensures the host that they won’t lose the transmitter despite its compact size.

Has multiple channels for functionality

A wireless guide system has programmable channels that you can quickly switch to when you need them. One scenario used in this function is during tours that will need assistive translations. You can assign one main channel connected to all media and another one for those who will need real-time translations. 

Carrying case doubles as a charging case

Most wireless guide systems have a carrying case that doubles as a charging case. These carrying cases are built like a tank, but they also have more than one purpose. The carrying case makes charging even more convenient since it charges all the units simultaneously; all you need to do is plug the case into a power source and wait.

Things to Consider when Choosing the Best Wireless Guide System

Analog or digital systems

Digital wireless guide systems are resilient to interference. Compared to analog, digital systems rarely experience noise and static interruptions. There are also no wires to hold you down with digital techniques; they are highly portable and lightweight. Other notable advantages of digital over analog are the increased audio volume, increased operating range, and reduced battery consumption.

Compliance with the FCC and IC

Of course, it is essential to make sure that the wireless guide system you’re buying is certified by the FCC and IC. These certifications are necessary to ensure that the products have been tested and authorized for sale within the US. You’d see the FCC and IC IDs and the product’s label code and serial number. 

Single or multichannel system

Most wireless guide systems have multiple channels at your disposal. Multiple channels increase your functionality, especially if you’re using it for assistive learning and lectures. Though it will be impossible to use all 99 tracks, it’s still helpful to have all the extra channels. It gives you the freedom to assign a channel per group for quicker recalls.

Batteries

Battery life is another essential feature that a wireless guide system should have. The transmitter and receivers should last at least eight hours with one full charge for fewer interruptions and inconveniences. Also, they should have Lithium rechargeable batteries to reduce the costs you’ll have in the long run when you replace the batteries. Plus, it’s easier to charge the units instead of changing their batteries.

Other features

Other features to look out for are push-to-talk, mute buttons, and noise-cancellation. These features will benefit you, especially when using the system in noisy surroundings. Noise-cancellation will enhance the experience of your audience or tour group as they will hear your voice clearly without getting distracted. The push to talk and mute buttons are for the operator’s convenience. 

EXMAX ATG-100T 195-230MHz Wireless Tour Guide System

The EXMAX ATG-100T 195-230MHz Wireless Tour Guide System is a portable and lightweight wireless guide system. It’s capable of transmitting audio from up to 50 meters away without sacrificing audio quality. You get 99 channel IDs that you can freely use simultaneously, even with one host. 

This package has lanyards for all the transmitters and receivers for participants to wear around their necks the whole day. It also has a long battery life; the transmitter and receiver have a built-in 900mAh rechargeable battery. All units can be used for 18-hours straight after 5 hours fully charged. 

This package includes two transmitters with two clip-on mics, thirty receivers with thirty single earphones, thirty-two lanyards, and a portable carrying and charging case. The carrying case is compact enough to be carried as a piece of hand luggage.

Pros:

• Small and light for carrying 
• Long-lasting power
• The wire of the microphone and earphone has an antenna function
• FCC certified
• Offers 2-year warranty

Cons:

• There are no additional ear covers included.

Vocopro Commander-Tour-10 Wireless System

The VocoPro Commander Tour-10 employs a tap-and-sync function that allows you to re-sync to the transmitter with a quick touch of a button. This function is one of the reasons why you should consider getting the VocoPro Commander Tour-10. You won’t have to worry about a noticeable interruption because the tap-and-sync process allows for a seamless changing of frequencies. There’s no need for a brief five-minute break; you could continue talking without a hitch.

This wireless guide system includes ten receivers with ten earphones, one transmitter, and a headset microphone. The transmitter can support a condenser microphone and a line-in if that’s what you prefer using. All the units are super lightweight and easy to carry around together with the included lanyard.

Pros:

• Operates on 900MHz UHF band
• Includes 10 receivers
• Includes one transmitter
• Rechargeable battery with six hours of run time
• Super lightweight

Cons:

• It does not include a charging case.

Flysoundtech Wireless Tour Guide System

If you want a wireless guide system that confidently transmits audio from long distances and is anti-interference, we’d suggest you try this product. The receivers work up to 100-150 meters away from the transmitter, with over a hundred channels to choose and work with. All one hundred channels can work simultaneously at the exact location and are accessed through a single transmitter. 

With its LCD, the battery power, channel, and volume are easily accessed. All transmitters and receivers have a rechargeable Lithium battery that only takes 4 hours before a full charge and works for up to 30 hours. This package includes two transmitters with one microphone for each transmitter, thirty receivers with one earphone for each receiver, lanyards for each unit, and a portable carrying and charging case.

Pros:

• Real digital signal transmission
• Stable and clear audio quality
• Easy-to-use battery charger
• Integrated rechargeable Lithium battery
• Slim design and lightweight

Cons:

• There are no additional ear covers included.

Shure SLX14/85 Lavalier Wireless System Band H19

The Shure SLX14/85 includes all the great audio equipment from the brand. It has a Shure SLX4 Diversity Receiver, a Shure WL185 Lavalier Condenser Microphone, and a Shure SLX1 Bodypack Transmitter.

The mic boasts of using a cardioid pattern that eliminates ambient noise and utilizes a 130-degree pickup angle. The transmitter has a backlit LCD with a timeout feature to save power. 

It also has a frequency and power lockout and can run up to eight hours on two AA batteries. The receiver also has a backlit LCD screen and a frequency and power lockout like the transmitter. A rugged metal chassis protects each unit.

Pros:

• Automatic Frequency Selection
• Automatic Transmitter Setup
• Detachable 1/4 wave antennas
• Multi-function, backlit LCD
• Frequency and power lockout
• Low battery indicator

Cons:

• It does not include earphones for the receiver.
• The units are not rechargeable.
• A carrying case is not included.

Retekess T130 Wireless Tour Guide System

With the Retekess T130 Wireless Tour Guide System, the possibility is endless. You can pair one transmitter to as many receivers as you need. Communication between units is up to 50 meters, and it can last eighteen hours when fully charged. 

All units are compact and lightweight and come with complete accessories such as lanyards, earphones, and microphones. It also has an LCD screen that displays all functions. Play with up to 99 channels, which can be simultaneously operated in the same area. 

This package includes two transmitters with one lavalier mic, twenty receivers with full ear headphones, twenty-two lanyards, and a 32-slot carrying and charging case. The transmitter has a built-in 900mAh Lithium rechargeable battery, while the receiver only has 600mAh. 

Pros:

• FCC certified
• Superior audio clarity
• Easy to set up
• Long battery life
• Long-distance transmission

Cons:

• There are no additional ear covers included.
• There is no warranty included.

Conclusion

Nowadays, wireless guide systems have proven beyond tour groups and assistive translations. Classrooms, factory visits, and conferences have reaped the benefits of using a wireless guide system. The qualities that make a wireless guide system the best are its hands-free transmitters and receivers, long battery life, and long working range. This is why the best wireless guide system is the EXMAX ATG-100T 195-230MHz Wireless Tour Guide System.

The EXMAX ATG-100T is a compact and lightweight wireless guide system. Each unit has a lanyard that the host and participants can wear around their necks. It gives you over 99 channels and can work up to 50 meters away. You get eighteen hours of continuous use with five hours of charging time. Its carrying case also doubles as a charging case and is compact and sturdy enough to be carry-on luggage. You also get a 2-year warranty included in this package.