A rant about Line 6 / Line6 wireless (G50, G30)

[MNAirHead]

At the church I'm responsible for .... It's only rechargeables.....

High reserve capacity - never had an issue

[georgestrings]

I have to wonder if the OP got a transmitter that actually has an issue, since I know atleast halk a dozen players in my area - including one of my guitarists - and haven't heard any complaints about batteries not fitting... I know for a fact that my guitarist uses whatever is available, since the other guitarist and he are always sharing picks, batteries, etc - and they both use AA batteries in their wireless units...

Regardless, I doubt I'd ever force a battery in, if it didn't want to go in there - just seems like setting yourself up for some sort of failure...


- georgestrings

[Rickett Customs]

OP,
Did you read the user manual? I realized you got it used, but manuals for most things can be found online.... (The RXS12 receiver) "Only use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries"..............sorry man, but you can't rant about something that is explicitly mentioned, Fail.

http://line6.com/data/6/0a060b316ac3...S12%29%20Pilot


On another note,I've been using Energizer ultimate lithium in my G50 receiver.............I can easily bet they will last you 3 full gigs, even if you left them on the whole time during these gigs.

[F-Clef-Jef]

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

Thanks. I think I'll go to the Internet and complain. Because if a roomful of engineers are too stupid to realize that the "universal standard measurements for that battery type" really aren't universal at all, and if taking out a caliper to check the sizes of batteries from different manufacturers is too difficult, then maybe they chose the wrong profession.

-jb

Yes, I'm sure this is it... dumb engineers. What with all that college learnin', cipherin', figurin', measurin' and thinkin'...

Idiots, I tell ya... !!!

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I have rechargeables that do fit and ones that don't fit in my G50 receiver. There's no way Line 6 can be responsible for checking every type of battery. Even if they did and made the compartment large enough to fit the oversized rechargeables, someone else would be on the internet complaining that their standard-sized batteries were rattling around in an oversized compartment.

[seanm]

I'm also guessing that they want the batteries fairly tight. You will be moving around and they don't want them rattling.

[ksandvik]

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen at any gig.... Maybe a cable is better?

[JimmyM]

You would think that by now someone could invent a compartment that allows for different size batteries and not rattle around. Kids' toys can do it. Why not transmitters? Even between different brands of batteries the manufacturer actually recommends the sizes can vary and annoy you.

[Fergie Fulton]

Used G transmitters for years and never had a problem.
I use Duracell rechargeable and Enegizer rechargeable because they work.
Simple fact is I use two chargers that each hold four batteries so I always have batteries. I would think it foolish to force any battery in and then complain about it, the fact is does not fit, and you did not do your homework is not a Line 6 problem.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen at any gig.... Maybe a cable is better?

Only if you've never used a quality wireless before - I will probably never go back to using a cable, now that I've tasted the freedom of a good wireless... After around 300 or so trouble free wireless gigs, it just isn't a concern anymore - in fact, odds are good that I would've had some sort of cable failure with the same amount of use that my XDR-95 has seen...


- georgestrings

[seanm]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen at any gig.... Maybe a cable is better?

I prefer to use a cable. But a wireless just provides much more flexibility. I do sound from the stage, so being able to go out into the venue is really helpful, almost required.

I have played entire songs off the stage because I walked out to check sound and the dance floor filled up so I couldn't get back to the stage. An overly full dance floor is a *great* problem to have

[bakerbass]

I'm a bit late to this, but I think I'll chirp in.

I'm sold on getting a G50. I'd be happy with the performance of a G30, but it's an investment, and I want it to be made of metal.

Line6 make quality products, and the G50 (and other models) seem to be exceptional wireless systems.

I'd guess that Line6 only want their transmitters to use Alkaline because of the guaranteed 1.5 volts (from new); whereas most NiMH batteries are rated under 1.5 volts.

Digital equipment in my experience is temperamental with lower voltages than specified, and sometimes just won't work -although I presume battery life indicators work on available voltage and use a specific alkaline battery curve based on volts and time to give their result in hours.

I would like all manufacturers to embrace re-chargable batteries though. If they could expect their device will be used for hours at a time, and day after day - they could make provision for both alkaline, and NiMH.

I've recently bought a Sonuus Wahoo pedal, which can be powered by 4 AA batteries. They recommend using rechargeable batteries so you don't have to keep buying batteries.

I've also got a Zoom H2n recorder, which has battery life indication for alkaline or rechargeable batteries. To be honest though, I buy Lithium Batteries for this, and they last a ridiculous time (can't change the batteries halfway through a set if the recorder is over the other side of the room).

It would be nice then if Line6 could embrace the environmental issue, and recomend a brand or two of NiMH batteries that both fit, and work in the Relay transmitters.

If these transmitters were accredited by Line6 to work with re-chargeables then I wouldn't really need a battery life indicator - although it is a nice feature - as I'd charge them up fresh before a gig.

If they only recommend Duracell AAs, then I might have to end up buying in bulk from the internet, and checking the indicator each time I use the transmitter.

This isn't going to stop me getting one, but I like when manufacturers include features which mean that there's one less thing to worry about during a gig.

[RichardCranium]

I've been using the silver Energizer rechargeables in my G30 and a borrowed G50 before that and never had any problems.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I've been using Maxell AAs lately for gigs and even a lot of practices over my rechargeables. If you buy the big box at Amazon they're only $0.23 a battery and they hold up fine. I kinda got fed up with realizing I took the wrong rechargeables with me and having to use a knife to pry the positive end down battery out.

[Big_Daws]

you shouldn't ever use rechargables anyway IMO! my reasoning is that you aren't actually supplying the correct voltage to your unit you are using them in. for instance a 9v rechargable is 8.4v and a AA rechargable is 1.2v VS 1.6...albiet minute voltage differences, over time this can create issues, can have performance issues and CAN (although not likely to be caught out) void warranties if the manufacturer specifically warns against it.

[walterw]

again, that's why i like the NiZn rechargeables for my G50, because they hang at more like 1.7V right up until they die.

also they fit just fine.

[1954bassman]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I see all the wireless companies warning against using rechargeables in their systems. Not a single one recommends it. I think they design the compartments not to work easily with rechargeables to discourage it. They're too unpredictable. They might work, and then they might not. And the lack of accurate strength monitoring is a dealbreaker for me. I get not wanting to waste batteries and contribute more toxic goo to the toxic goo we already have, but I could never trust rechargeables in a wireless. If you can and they're working for you, then that's fine, but I couldn't do it, and I don't blame wireless companies for discouraging their use.

My thoughts exactly.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Big_Daws

you shouldn't ever use rechargables anyway IMO! my reasoning is that you aren't actually supplying the correct voltage to your unit you are using them in. for instance a 9v rechargable is 8.4v and a AA rechargable is 1.2v VS 1.6...albiet minute voltage differences, over time this can create issues, can have performance issues and CAN (although not likely to be caught out) void warranties if the manufacturer specifically warns against it.

Wrong - the fact is that these units have a battery meter and are designed to run until it goes all the way down - which is way lower voltage than what you're talking about...

FWIW, I've been using Hitech Li-Ion rechargeable 9v batteries in my Line 6 wireless for around a year with nothing but positive results...


- georgestrings

[walterw]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

FWIW, I've been using Hitech Li-Ion rechargeable 9v batteries in my Line 6 wireless for around a year with nothing but positive results...

which one is that?

i wish my G50 pack was 9V, so i could use the same ipower li-ion 9Vs that run my in-ear pack; those things are awesome, in that they last longer than regular alkalines and recharge in like 20 minutes.

lithium-ion is so much better for rechargeable batteries that it's not funny, but unfortunately it just doesn't exist in AA size, apparently because the actual internal lithium cells are 3 or 4 volts each, so way too much for AA applications.

[bakerbass]

I've ordered a G50, and as matter of course, I've downloaded and read the manuals.

The transmitter manual states 'The battery life indicator is calibrated for Alkaline batteries but you can use any AA type, battery life may vary'.

The receiver manual states 'Only use non-rechargeable Alkaline batteries in the transmitter'.

This seems a bit ambiguous.

I'll have to wait and see what works for me. I can get 100 Duracell AAs for about the cost of 4 NiZn 2500mAh AAs, and a charger (here in the UK).

I've got plenty of NiMH batteries to try when it comes. If they don't fit, I'll try something else.

As I said above, I'd like the option to charge and go each time I play out.