I thought it might be helpful to give an independent review of my new Sampson Stage 5 wireless microphone.  When I first got it, I tried it out for approximately one hour, and got frustrated because I found that the accuracy was awful.  Then I got busy, and put it aside.  However, last evening, and today, I have had more time to play with it and had found the following using an untrained new User.

1.       It is actually surprisingly accurate once you know how to use it.  The main problem that I found, had to do with position of the microphone  when using the lavaliere microphone.  Proper positioning makes all the difference.  However, I found that this was complicated by the use of a stethoscope.  They would get in the way of each other.  I tried clipping it to my button-down collar, to the stethoscope , and to my tie.  None of this was satisfactory.  And of course, the further from the mouth, the less accurate it was.  Before I realized that proper positioning of the microphone was the main issue affecting accuracy initially, I played with the adjustment of the gain control. In retrospect, I probably should have left it at the factory-set level.  Once I found this perfect attaching system in our junk drawer, it solved all the problems.  Basically, it is a flat ribbonlike structure approximately 0.25-inch wide that has a movable clip in the midportion.  So it can be pushed up towards the neck as far as you wish.  However, if one leaves the microphone element in the midline, it will interfere with a stethoscope.  However, it is possible to secure it off to one side with the microphone element actually hooked to the clip.  This then places the microphone near the base of the neck just to the side of the stethoscope.  Then, at the lower end of the ribbonlike band, there is actually a metal clip attachment.  I then used a piece of sturdy string tied in a circle, and put under the clip of the transmitter.  I then attached the clip on the ribbon to the string which was attached to the transmitter.  I did not find it satisfactory putting it in my shirt pocket.  I also considered putting the transmitter in my pocket.  However, it is nice to have quicker access to it, and to more readily see the lights indicating battery strength. 

2.       One of the reasons that I found this set up to be helpful, is that the clip on the transmitter is incredibly difficult to put onto a belt. It is way too tight.

3.       I found that I could dictate easily from approximately 50 feet away without any degradation of my accuracy.  After numerous episodes of dictating today going back to old patient documents and dictating from these, I have found my accuracy on this new, untrained User to be 98 -99.5%.

4.        I agree with Lunis, the on/off switch should certainly be on the outside, rather than under the cover for easier access.  If it were more easily accessible, I would probably turn it on and turn it off more frequently to preserve battery strength rather than just turning the microphone into sleep mode or the off mode. 

5.       I did notice last evening when the battery strength was waning after a few hours of use, that the accuracy began to drop off some.  This is not surprising.  It is certainly nice to have the accompanying battery charger.

6.       The gain control is difficult to use as it is not apparent whether one is truly turning anything down this circular hole. 

7.  The battery is difficult to get in/out.

All in all, I am quite pleased with my first experience with a wireless microphone.  But pay attention to proper positioning of the microphone element (you’re welcome to search thru my junk drawer at your own risk!)  The Samson Stage 5 is certainly well worth the cost-if for no other reason than to impress my office staff on Monday!  I have not yet experimented with the accompanying headset microphone.  For using this with a new, untrained User, I find that this is as accurate as my Boom O on a new, untrained User.

MDH