$57 Lekato wireless guitar system review

[dave64o]

They're inexpensive enough that you could buy a set to have as a backup to your AKG.

Actually, that was one reasons I bought my first Lekato set. I was using a Shure GLXD16 that had worked quite well. Even though it was a 2.4 GHz system, I never experienced any problems with it. But, once Shure discontinued it, I wanted to have something else to fall back on if the Shure started having connection issues. But the Lekato system worked well enough that I just kept using it to avoid any potential future 2.4 GHz issues. And at that price point, I bought a few others to try them out (including the UHF WD70).

 

[bpc]

Do these fit well plugged into an Ibanez SR series bass?

I've got an Ammoon branded one of these and it does fit into an SR1200. Not a great fit as it won't change position when inserted but it does work.

 

[vindibona1]

You're probably right on the money about the frequency thing. If I hadn't found that deal on the AKG set I'd have probably tried a 5.8 Lekato or similar brand. Still might at a later date!

Isn't the AKG WMS420 a wireless MICROPHONE system?

@dave64o NU-X C-5RC with the charging case is convenient, for sure. I have to come up with a suitable case for the Lekato set. It's no big deal to charge them at home as I have several charging bricks to choose from. I can buy another set, or the WS-70's for backup as owning two sets is still cheaper than the NU-X C-5RC just for the benefit of having the case.

 

[vindibona1]

At $33 I couldn't resist buying the Lekato WS-70 (UHF) to try. There were some reviews that spoke of a "gate" problem, whatever that is (can someone please explain that?).

I have til the 28th to return the WS-50's and probably a month to check out the WS-70's. It would seem that if one has issues with interference, the other set being on a different frequency would be a good stand in for the other (?). Just speculating as I know little about this stuff.

 

[dave64o]

Isn't the AKG WMS420 a wireless MICROPHONE system?

@dave64o NU-X C-5RC with the charging case is convenient, for sure. I have to come up with a suitable case for the Lekato set. It's no big deal to charge them at home as I have several charging bricks to choose from. I can buy another set, or the WS-70's for backup as owning two sets is still cheaper than the NU-X C-5RC just for the benefit of having the case.

I use this case for both of the Lekato sets I have - the 5.8 GHz system and the WS-70 UHF system. The 5.8 GHz isn’t perfect but they do fit pretty nicely. The WS-70 doesn’t look like it will fit but, if you put them in right, the case closes easily. Works well enough for me.

Case for the Lekato wireless systems

 

[vindibona1]

Update:
I received the WS-70 today. Unfortunately I found it had a significant amount of hiss, more than the WS-50. I could subdue it by turning the treble down on the amp. But just to see how bad it could get, when I turned the treble up the sound became very distorted, not that I would ever turn the treble up to that extent. I tried the same thing with the WS-50, and while the hiss became more prominent as expected, the sound remained intact.
At $33 I couldn't resist trying it for comparison or backup. But the WS-70 is getting returned and I'm keeping the WS-50.

There are a lot of features of the WS-70 that seem quite advanced such as charge level indicator lights and the ability to change channels and run several systems at once. But there must be something telling about the price of it compared to the WS-50, which was $53 vs $33 (discounted) for the WS-70, originally priced at $41.

Additionally, it warranted reading the enclosed manual. in addition to it being printed in incredibly small type, the translations from presumably Chinese to English was laughable and to some extent not translated well enough to be properly understood to be able to use all the features.

 

[Auer]

I just got the 50, works well.

Good deal so far.

 

[skyline_01]

Isn't the AKG WMS420 a wireless MICROPHONE system?

@dave64o NU-X C-5RC with the charging case is convenient, for sure. I have to come up with a suitable case for the Lekato set. It's no big deal to charge them at home as I have several charging bricks to choose from. I can buy another set, or the WS-70's for backup as owning two sets is still cheaper than the NU-X C-5RC just for the benefit of having the case.

The WMS comes in an instrument version as well.

I had planned on going with another rechargeable set like the XVive but I couldn't pass up the deal I found on the AKG. It's arriving tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to put it through its paces in the coming week.

 

[dave64o]

Will look forward to hearing your impression.

 

[cymbop]

I got the 5.8 a few months ago -- first wireless experience -- and for the money it's stupid-cool. Gigged it a couple of times, with backup cords at the ready of course, and had no problems. Use it for home practice, too.

Zero complaints. Roaming around the stage is so much fun now.

 

[vindibona1]

Update: So far so good. It's freeing.
But the real benefit to me is that I get to roam into the seats and hear the balance and blend. The MD wants to twiddle the controls from the stage to set levels which makes no sense at all. Then he asks untrained non-musicians to help balance levels and it's about all I can do to bite my tongue because they have no ensemble experience and have no real idea of what good sound balance sounds like. While I don't have final word, at least I have some input, and can adjust my bass from a place and even adjust my amp's positioning which was really helpful this past Friday.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Took one on a gig for the first time. I gotta say: This performs as well or better than the Boss WL-20 I used for many years (until it stopped charging), at half the price. And it has real on/off switches, not those tiny toggles.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

Just chiming in to follow up:

it’s now been 1.5 years with this wireless set, and after many gigs, jams and studio sessions they’re still going strong with zero issues to report.

Best $57 I spent on gear. I mean, that’s about the cost of a pizza night around here

 

[eriky4003]

I'm happy to hear that has worked out for you. I jumped on with CFG (Cable Free Guitar) inexpensive wireless and was happy with passive basses but not with the actives I had. Sad to say I caved and purchased a BOSS wireless (at about 3x the cost) which has been great but was hoping the inexpensive wireless would be the solution. Sold the CFG

 

[1999 Epi]

I was tempted to use one of the "cheap wireless sets with an unpronounceable name"... (about 1/2 of what you paid) so there are no wires across the room (practice amp in the living room).
About one year later... works well, holds charge (slight & occasional clicking noise when battery runs low) for hours, NO wires to tangle feet...
By the way, I too, lived in Haverhill for lifetime one year... 7 auto parts stores & no bookstores back then...

 

[Spanish Pirate]

Another Lekato user here. About 6 months with it, one practice a week, sometimes two, and a concert. For now no problems. A duration of about six hours, the transmitter wears out faster than the receiver. The small drawback is which in my case at least, take almost the same time to charge as they do with a full charge.

 

[vindibona1]

I recently ordered a UHF wireless set, (not Lekato) which I bought as backup to my Lekato system. So far so good with both. If I hadn't mentioned it earlier, the distances I have from the receivers is no more than 30 feet so far.
Gemini GMU-G100 UHF Wireless Guitar System 512-541.7mHz
I got lucky and got this set off or MF on a Stupid Deal promo for $30. The only thing I don't like about this set is that I have to have the instructions on hand to change channels because I can't remember how, but haven't had to do that yet. But I think one advantage to this set is that you can have multiple receivers on different devices separately... (or is it multiple transmitters??? I forget).

 

[dave64o]

My Lekato WS50 (5.8 GHz) set finally bit the dust about two weeks ago. I made sure it was charged and tried again. I used multiple basses (active and passive) and tried it on amps at my house and on the amp I use at the weekly basement jam I play in. But, in each case, it was garbling the sound and making some screeching noises so I decided to just get rid of it. I got about two years out of it, so I don't feel like it really owes me anything at this point.

My Getaria 5.8 GHz, NU-X C-5RC 5.8 GHz, and Lekato WD70 UHF units are all working fine. I tend to use the NU-X for gigs and bring the WD70 as a backup and use the Getaria at the basement jam. I also have a SWIFF UHF set arriving later today, so I'll see how that one works out.

That being said, now that the Shure GLXD16+ is out, I'm thinking I'll eventually get one of those to put on my pedal board for gigs and then use these inexpensive ones as backup units and for that basement jam I'm playing in. I used the original GLXD16 set and it was rock solid - great battery life, quick charging, strong enough signal to never have a dropout issue, built-in tuner, and robust automatic channel switching to minimize interference - so I'd hope the new model will be a good choice for reliable, high quality, gig worthy unit. But I'm OK using these inexpensive units for less demanding applications. They're a good fit for that.

 

[dlstyley]

I just purchased a Lekato WS-50. Charged it up and tried it in my house. It connected and sounds good, and even has descent range, as long as I have line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver. However, as soon as I begin to lose line of sight, it gets garbled. That includes if my body is between the transmitter and receiver. Anyone else experience the problem. Given that it's pretty common to stand in front of your amp, with the bass in front of you, this seems like it would be a problem for a lot of people. Maybe my unit is defective? I've tried re-pairing and changing channels with the same result Maybe I ate too much lead paint as a kid?

 

[vindibona1]

I just purchased a Lekato WS-50. Charged it up and tried it in my house. It connected and sounds good, and even has descent range, as long as I have line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver. However, as soon as I begin to lose line of sight, it gets garbled. That includes if my body is between the transmitter and receiver. Anyone else experience the problem. Given that it's pretty common to stand in front of your amp, with the bass in front of you, this seems like it would be a problem for a lot of people. Maybe my unit is defective? I've tried re-pairing and changing channels with the same result Maybe I ate too much lead paint as a kid?

I dunno... I can walk a few rooms away with walls in between and don't lose signal, though it is still pretty much the distance I used it when I am in LOS. For the money it has served my purposes quite well. As backup I also purchased a Gemini GMU-100 UHF system with a SDOD offer from MF for $30. While the range seems to be about the same I think I like the funtion of the Lekato. Were my livelihood depdendant on a wireless system of course I would buy a more expensive wireless system (or two).

One thing that I'm curious about is there are similar looking systems like the Xvive system for $155 which appears to have the same or similar casing. How, or is it possible for it to be better for that much more money in a similar design???