I have tried PRO 88W, or ATR288W from Audio-Technica. I don't remember exactly which one, but I remember that it cost me just below $200 at Skips Music store.
I can tell you with certainty that this is the lowest you should go for a wireless mic system. Anything cheaper will definitely have noise and bad signal with dropouts.
And if you really want to get something serious, or even professional, try one of their more expensive wirless microphone systems, which include portable receivers that run on batterie(s) and are small and light enough to be attached to a camcorder.
The one I have in mind is of Audio-Technica's U100 Series, which are meant for serious business. They cost around $700-800, although you may find them cheaper. I think that they are worth the money.

Here is the link for their wireless microphone systems:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cgi-bin/product_search/wls/wls.pl

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=AUATWU102&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=177180

If I knew how to make the above link blue I would. I found this. Can anybody tell me if it is a good deal and if it would come with everything I need to take it out of the box, pop in some batteries and go or do I need to purchase additional items? What are those items? recommendations would be good. Thanks guys.

I tried the PRO 88W but they are VHF and I got a lot of noisy interference with them. I switched to the UHF Sennheiser Evolution G2's and that solved it.

The U100 is not small and light enough to be attached to a camcorder. To a shoulder mount it's not a problem - it's designed to fit on the back of a shoulder mount camera (I've had experience with them). Excellent box - just not for camcorders. That's why I took the Sony's (size was perfect) the Sanheisers would work well too. That U100 is NOT a solution for camcorders though.

Dave

I will say though that the U100 is not unusable with camcorders, it's just that you'll have to make a box which can fit under your camcorder that will screw into your tripod mount and then have a tripod screwmount underneath that. It's a great unit, just not for formfactor camcorders.

Dave

Thanks for all the advise. I will look into the Sennheiser MKE2 and see if I can find one cheap enough. If I went to B&H Photo and looked it up, would it come with everything I need to get going? Also, the receiver would plug right into the camcorder right? Thanks.

well, assuming that your camcorder has 1/8", yea it would - you can also order these thing with specialty plugs, but that's [($)_($)]

It should come with a mic, and do a very good job - I spent about a grand on audio to start, and another $250 just a few days ago. That could be EASILY done and then some, but if you want to have a decent setup expect to put about $500 for the Tx/Rx.

Mics can go from $20 to the sky. I would also suggest getting an XLR to 1/8" cord so that if you want to record sound right off a church's sound board and be able to pipe it into some small MP3 etc... recorder you can w/o too much trouble (a 1/4" - 1/8" wouldn't be a bad idea either) - neither of those are $$$ just handy to have.

Dave

Another alternative down a different path is to use the Iriver MP3 players to record the audio. They are small enough to hide on the people and no radio interferance to worry about.

I've haven't done a wedding with them, but some wedding shooters recommended them to me.

I think I read about syncing issues by using the mp3 method on this forum at some point in time. I don't know exactly how there could be issues with syncing but nothing amazes me anymore.
I would assume they would just load the mp3 into vegas and match it up with the audio provided by the camera and delete the camera's captured audio? A lot of recommendations... I appreciate the help in this area.

Has anybody out there used this method? what are the results compared to using a lapel?

Azden ULT200

Very good system for event videography.. A little pricey though
Lists for $800
I bought mine from B&H Photo for $650.00

I searched for Azden ULT200 on B&H and on google, but it cannot be found. The model number is ULT200 right? Thanks.

I rivers aren't powered inputs, they are line in, so you have to have, either a preamp, or a prepowered mic.

I've got one - but I use it to record the feed from the soundboards as a back up.

I've seen some issues with syncing here and there, it was only really over a 1 1/2 hr. show or so. Anyway - it does also show a little loss in the compression, but it's nice and small and unabtrusive.

Dave

Personnal opinion: I'd go with the U100 (custom fit on a belt : true Frigid... it's a *big* receiver but performance is good!) or a G2 system by Sennheiser, according to previous comments and budget.
U100 will give better performance 'cause it's diversity (from rememberance, hope I'm right).
G2 system is not, but I think you can buy a diversity receiver later and use it with your transmitter (half rack mount). We're currently using the 500 G2s on a reality show right now and I can tell the sound is good, but you have to be within a hundread feet of "visible" distance to get solid results. More than that or with more difficult situations (Tx/Rx in two cars, in a concrete building, etc...) you'll get drifts.
What's nice with a diversity system is that you can grab sound out of "sight distance", which can be really usefull for editing or to get a LOT more commentary because people more than usually tend to forget about their mics after a short while, or have the reflex to think that because they're concealed by a wall or somethin, the sound is not passing through... think about that : maybe it's worth the investment . I'm not talking about spying people - ethics must always prevail - but about getting these small details to get you ahead of the pack... ; )

We've got 4 G2 500s and they are nice, add the top flight mics and they're even better, plenty of channels to choose from as well. Only thing to watch is getting the correct level going into the transmitter, if you have the person wearing them walk in front of a PA speaker you can overload the transmitter and then you're in big trouble. Pretty robust units as well and I do like they way the minipin connectors lock in.
Bob.

http://www.azdencorp.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=93702&cat=36&page=1

Cut and past the link above to find the Azden.

The 200ULT is a complete dual-channel wireless system that consists of the 200UPR receiver and two 10BT transmitters.

jrazz,

You'll find a lot of helpful info at Video University's Wedding & Event forum...do a search on "mics," "wireless," etc. Different types of mics are used for different purposes...(lapels are used mainly to mic the groom in order to get the vows); other mics are used to get the ambient sound, etc.

http://www.videouniversity.com/forums/gforum.cgi?forum=16;

Dale

KTW

I am looking at purchasing this wireless setup for outdoor production, can you elaborate on the specs (i.e., useful range, compatibility with lower priced lavaliers).

I have used the Sennheiser EW 100 G2 remotes with good results.
The reciever will fit on my DVX100b. I have not used this system out of doors so I can't comment on that. You can check out EVS at evsonline dot com. They are a good competitor to B&H. I shop both places but EVS gives me a disount because I have spent a fair chunk of change with them and belong to the DVXuser forum.