This was one reason I pulled my order for the 744T. In some private emails with one of the SD engineers, he mentioned using the 442, which is an awesome unit, but since I had a 4 channel eng mixer already. He mentioned specifically some of the benefits of the 442, which I couldn't argue with, but for just a bit over the price of a new 744 & 442 I could pickup a full 8 channel recorder and dump the mixer. For me that was pretty important. I haven't had much luck with the wireless unit I borrowed from Zaxcom with the Deva IV using the built-in delay. Part of that I think is simply operator issues. I'm hoping to give it another test before this weekend when I have to press it into use for real. Then next week I have to ship the wireless unit off back to Zaxcom, so I won't get much chance to play with it after that. Although I'm already thinking I might want to pick one up for future use.
Wayne
I was under the impression that the Deva had a built in delay? Maybe it's in the V and not the IV? I would be plenty surprised if it doesn't.
I've had really good experiences with the Lectro units(400), but they don't have a built in delay (except for the natural one inherent with D>A, A>D in transmission and reception) so they may be useless to you if the Deva doesn't have one onboard. I don't even think the 700 series have delays in them - you would think it would be easy to incorporate it into these receivers.
I understand your thought process in going with the Deva instead of the 442/744 combo, given that you already have a 4ch mixer. If that were the case, I would consider the same. But I like the diversity of having the mixer separated from the recorder, moreso for reasons of rental fees when on hire for a shoot than for simplicity.
I guess we each choose or own evil.