What to Consider Before Buying a System and Choosing a Supplier – A Test of a Chinese Tour Guide System
Audio Guide: Ways to a Unique Tour
Are you planning to purchase your first tour guide system, or perhaps considering renting equipment for a specific tour? The multitude of available models and technologies can be overwhelming, but you don't have to make a decision in the dark. We're here to help. As one of the pioneers in offering wireless communication systems, we have prepared a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed choice of the best solution. Want to learn the most important tips in just a few minutes? Watch our video Which tour guide system to choose?, then read this article to explore the topic in depth.
Before You Buy – Ask Yourself Key Questions
The right equipment is the one that perfectly fits your needs. That's why it's worth answering a few questions at the start:
- Nature of tours: Are these short, one-day city tours, or perhaps multi-day, international trips?
- Type of transport: Does the group travel by coach, plane, or on foot?
- Location: Do you operate in Poland and Europe, or also on other continents?
- Type of communication: Do you want your tours to be more interactive? Are you considering two-way communication that allows participants to ask questions? Or is classic guiding sufficient, where only you speak (one-way communication)?
The answers to these questions will determine your choice of power supply, technology, and operating frequency of the devices. For example, for long air travel, lighter systems powered by disposable batteries are more commonly chosen. On the other hand, for coach tours, the weight of a case with a charger is not an issue. As for frequency, the universal 2.4 GHz will work globally, while the licensed 863-865 MHz in Europe is a safe choice on the Old Continent.
Understand the Basic System Components
A complete tour guide set typically consists of:
- Transmitter: Used by the guide, with a connected
or built-in microphone. - Receivers: Each tour participant has their own receiver
with an earphone. - Chargers: Essential for charging rechargeable batteries. Their weight
and size matter during transport. - Microphones: Professional microphones "pick up" only the speaker's voice, ignoring ambient noise.
- Earphones: Can be hygienic (packaged in a sealed bag) or reusable, ideally suited for disinfection.
- Hygienic accessories: Maintaining equipment cleanliness is essential. Liquids, wipes, and hygienic covers make it easier to maintain sanitary standards.
Discover "2-in-1" Systems
Systems that combine the functions of a tour guide and audio guide are also gaining popularity. With them, the guide can
play a pre-recorded message at any time (e.g., in different languages). Such solutions, like the Okayo EarME Player, work well
on hop-on-hop-off coaches and even in museums.
