First and foremost the guide saves his or her voice. The guide can speak softly and still every member of the tour group will hear perfectly thank to the radio transmission – even persons standing several dozen meters away or around the corner. This is all without making noise as with the case of using a megaphone (a voice amplifier).
In addition, thank to the tour guide system, we can discreetly visit places such as churches or memorials where maintaining silence is required. Why is that? The guide just needs to whisper to the microphone and the group will hear everything.
Some museums require the use of a tour guide system. If the tour group does not have one – it must rent such a system there on the spot, which usually costs quite much. By having one’s own system a guide simply saves money – his or the tourists.
Using the tour guide system we are ecologic, because we do not contribute to generating noise, which in places such as narrow streets of old towns is of great importance (many EU countries have introduced very high norms and the prohibition of using voice amplifiers by guides). Additionally, we are also not “drowned out” by another group with a guide.
A guide with a tour guide system is more competitive on the market. Sightseeing with such a guide is simply convenient for tour groups. Tourists don’t have to closely press around a guide to hear him well. There is also no risk that someone from the group would get lost.
- Tour guide systems, including the WT-300, are systems for one-way radio communication with very high audio transmission quality (higher than in the case of a telephone).
- Transmission is sent from the guide’s transmitter to receivers of tour group members.
- The number of receivers is unlimited. The most popular are sets of 50 or 25 receivers.
- If there is one guide, one transmitter is used.
- If it is necessity to divide people into two tour groups in the same place, then a second transmitter is used, which will operate on a different channel than the first transmitter.
- WT-300 has 40 channels and a range of up to 100 meters. This means that in a radius of 50 meters 10-12 tour groups may be smoothly led using the WT-300 – under the condition that each of the 12 guides uses a different channel on their transmitter and each person in their groups has their receiver set to the appropriate channel.
- WT-300 receivers and transmitters are powered by AA rechargeable or alkaline batteries (so-called penlight batteries) 2 per each device.
- The operating time of a receiver on 2050 mA rechargeable batteries is a minimum of 24 hours, while alkaline batteries last even longer. In practice this means the devices can be used for several days before the necessity of charging or replacing the batteries.
- Rechargeable batteries can be charged using a transport case which at the same time is a collective charger. Rechargeable batteries can be charged without taking them out of the receivers. There are two types of cases – for 12 and 36 receivers/transmitters (purchased separately).
- The charging time usually does not exceed 6 hours (maximum in the case of charging new rechargeable batteries from zero).
- A comfortable, single (for 1 ear) hygienic headphone (included in the set) is connected to the tourist receiver. Hygienic – because it does not enter the ear. The headphone hangs from the ear on a rubber hanger that gently adheres to the ear and does not causing perspiration. Additionally, you may purchase disinfection for the earphones.
- Other types of headphones with a 3.5 mm jack (the most popular jacks) can be connected to the receiver. This means that the tourist may connect single or double headphones from his own telephone or MP3 or buy any kind of single or double headphone at a store.
- For the guide, we recommend connecting a behind-the-head microphone to the transmitter. This microphone frees the hands. Its headband rests on the rear of the head, so that it can be worn together with a hat. It also does not mess up the hairstyles of women guides …
- Any other microphone with a 3.5 mm jack will fit the transmitter.
- Because they care about their voice, which is their capital – thanks to their voice they bring home the bread, and using the tour guide system they use their voice less – simply they don’t need to scream. They can even whisper!
- Because they respect their customers – touring with the tour guide system is convenient, easier and safer – tourists don’t need to crowd around the guide, they don’t have to chase the group and it is difficult to lose the way.
- Because they value the work comfort, a group of tourists doesn’t press in to hear better and guides don’t need to worry about those who stayed behind to take a few pictures.
- Because it is important for a guide to be able to enter without any problems places that requires silence and nevertheless in a whisper continue to tell tourists its story. With the tour guide system this is possible!
- Because they do not want drown out other guides with a megaphone and they also don’t want to be drowned out themselves. A tour guide system takes care of this problem!
- Because they do not want to pay for renting a tour guide system in places where touring with a group is prohibited without a tour guide system,
- Because wherever passion comes with a profession, money can also be made. Owning your own tour guide system gives you an advantage over your competitors as well as the possibility of making a few more dollars, euros, etc!
- Because just like in simultaneous interpretation, the listener needs to receive the communication in parallel with the source.
- Because the transmission of content (e.g. in a cinema or theater) must be carried out discreetly and without disturbing other listeners.
- Because the transmission must be clear and reach the listener without obstacles so that he or she could experience and enjoy it.
- Because when opening a cinema or stadium it is good to remember about everyone who could come there – also the blind or visually impaired.
- Because a tour guide system is nothing more than a wireless interpretation system!
- Because they are useful both for conference rooms as well outdoors thanks to their mobility!
- Because through the use of many channels, simultaneous interpretation can be done in several languages at the same time.
- Since “whispering” using the tour guide system is more convenient both for the interpreter and the listener.
- Because in the interpretation industry the voice is important – tour guide systems help save the voice.
- Because through investing in a radio system for simultaneous interpretation based on the tour guide system we receive 3 functionalities rather than 1: first of all, a high class simultaneous interpretation system in our conference room, secondly, a mobile interpretation system, and thirdly, a system for guided tours.
Operation time without charging or replacing the batteries
This is especially important in tourism – the longer the better, as it is often during travel that there is no time for frequent charging of rechargeable batteries, a frequent changing of standard batteries is an additional, unnecessary cost.
Weight and ease of use
The receiver should be light – but not so light as to forget it, and its use should be intuitive.
Power supply with standard batteries / rechargeable batteries (e.g., AA – R6) (not permanently built-in)
In the case of tourism has the advantage that if necessary batteries can be purchased at any newsstand.
The receiver should be mechanically resistant
After all, it will be heavily used for a number of years, and tour guides do not always have time to arrange everything neatly in a transport case …
Very important – the system should operate in the range of 863-865 MHz
First of all because this UHF range is made available without authorisation within the EU for tourist services, and secondly – this UHF range ensures crystal quality and the lowest probability of interference.
Therefore, it is essential to ask a supplier for the technical specification and CE certificate.
It is worth buying equipment that has a proven track record on the market
A good indicator of the quality here will be its use by large companies and rental companies. They buy large quantities of equipment only from reliable suppliers and are counting on good, durable equipment, which of course have been proven earlier. If a given model is used by large operators – this means we are making a good purchase, for we are following in their footsteps.
If a supplier avoids providing the full parameters of the equipment, the country of origin, the original brand, a CE certificate, certifications and other certificates, there is a risk that we are not dealing with a good commodity, or at least this is not a product with professional features.
Determine your most important needs
In addition, before you start comparing different models, determine which parameters and equipment features are the most important for you and which of them will play the most important role in your business. Are you sure that not having an antenna on the receiver or the colour is the most important from the view point of practical application of tour guide equipment in your company? Or maybe energy efficiency or weight is important?
Supposedly a tour guide system is expensive, so most likely we can’t afford one…
Nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s worth investing in a tour guide system even for a small tourism organizer or an individual guide if they regularly operate tours.
The reason why?
Here’s a brief calculation: the cost of renting a set of 50 receivers with one transmitter costs around 50 euros per day. Cautiously assuming that the average duration of a tour is 5 days, the total amount would be 250 Euro. Let’s assume that a small travel office or guide during the season has 20 trips, so in the case of renting a system the cost would amount to 5,000 Euro per season (net price). For this amount you can buy from us much more than 50 receivers!
In our example we assumed the lowest rental price and the continuous availability of receivers in the rental company (which is not always true), and the rather cautious data relating to the duration of the tours and seasonal traffic. For simplification, we also did not take into account the assumption that the tourist office or guide receives additional material advantages of providing the system to its customers. After all, you can charge a small fee for using the device as part of the tours or sell disposable earphones. The system not only pays for itself after several excursions, during the season it generates for us additional funds!
Is it comfortable to use tour guide equipment? Is it not too heavy?
The WT-300 receiver weighs only 110 grams and that is already together with the batteries. This is less than the average mobile phone. The case with 25 receivers weighs less than 3 kg!
The largest transport case for 36 devices together with the collective charger has a handle and is not larger than the average travel bag!
Isn’t charging the receivers too burdensome?
In practice, it is sufficient to charge the equipment once every 4-5 days or less – according to the intensity of sightseeing.
The WT-300 system for guides that we recommend is an energy-saving system and when it is not in use – it automatically turns off to save the batteries. Therefore, two AA 2050 mA batteries will last for more than 24 tours.
How do I know when to recharge the batteries in the devices?
The WT-300, but also some other models, are equipped with an LCD display on which the battery level is displayed.
If we have 2 transmitters can one be used by the tour director and second by the guide?
Keep in mind that only one transmitter can operate on one channel at the same time. So if there is a need for the other person to speak, either pass the transmitter with microphone to that person or set their transmitter on another channel. In the latter case, also the receivers would need to be switched to another channel.
WT-300 has 40 channels. This makes it easy to guide multilingual groups with an interpreter. For example: the guide speaks in Polish using a transmitter set on channel #1. The interpreter translates the guide on channel #3. Members of the group, in depending on which language they use, have their receivers set on canals #1 or #3.
Can I purchase disposable earphones?
The concept of “disposable” is quite relative. For some it may be a disposable earphone for 8 euro, while for others 50 euro cents at the most. On the market there are simply cheap and more expensive earphones, better and worse. Please note that e.g., earphones (inserted in the ear) should always be disposable, (we don’t expect tourists to return them). Such earphones can be found on the internet for around 1 euro. This though is not the most comfortable earphone when sightseeing for a longer period. If we want to buy earphones on our own, remember that they need to be earphones with a 3.5 mm jack.
Our equipment is standardly equipped with a single headphone on a rubber hanger that does not cause perspiration to the ear, completely non-invasive (no part of the headphone enters the ear) so that even after a few hours of sightseeing the ear is rested and does not hurt.
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Can ordinary batteries be used instead of rechargeable batteries?
In the case of the WT-300 guide that we offer – yes, absolutely. You can also use AA alkaline batteries. Just remember not to charge devices that have ordinary batteries instead of rechargeable batteries.
Is the sound quality of the voice received by members of the group satisfactory? Is there interference?
Tour guide systems, including WT-300, are specially designed so as to preserve crystal clear transmission. This quality is much better than a telephone conversation. The frequency range used by the tour guide system (863-865MHz) is a special range only used by it and stage sound systems.
In the above mentioned radio wave range there are an infinite number of frequencies A given equipment manufacturer selects and programs given frequencies as channels. Every manufacturer programs different frequencies as channels. Normally, tour guide systems have 8 or 16 channels. WT-300 has 40. The likelihood of interference is therefore very remote, practically close to zero.
I’m afraid of loss or damage to the equipment used by tourists, since it is very expensive. Can it be protected?
It is difficult to break WT-300. The channel also can’t be accidentally changed, because the device has an automatic lock. It is resistant to shocks and rain.
The equipment can be insured as mobile equipment for approximately 25-50 euro per year.
After some time is it possible to purchase more receivers and will they operate with the “old” transmitters?
Yes, of course more receivers can be purchased. And they will always be backward compatible.