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How Does a Tour Guide System Work?

Giving guided tours can be challenging, primarily with a large group of people, and it’s essential to have a tour guide system in place that works. For example, providing plant tours or factory tours is only possible with receivers and headsets to drown out the background noise and let your tour guide communicate as effectively as possible.

When plant and HR managers understand that plant tours can happen without interference, you’ll come away with a much happier tour group. A high-quality communication system can revolutionize how you provide tours at your plant, especially when navigating noisy environments that tend to hamper your audio tour.

What Is a Tour Guide System?

A tour guide system is a form of contact. A wireless tour guide system is a portable audio solution that enables the communication between a tour guide and the people on their tours should noise or distance pose a problem throughout the tour.

With fantastic audio quality, guide equipment should even out the noise level and allow the tour guide to interacting with the group, providing information and guidance throughout the plant tour. This wireless communication can happen without distracting other guests at the plant or disrupting the working atmosphere.

The tour guide will not have to raise their voice as they might if they were providing a tour without an audio system. There are tour guide systems that offer one-way assistive listening, where the guide’s voice will go directly into the headphones of the listeners in the group.

These earphones will reduce background noise that might cause distractions within the group and prevent them from concentrating on what the guide says. Distance from the guide will also no longer be a factor, as a hands-free audio guide delivers a flow of information within the wide frequency range of the system.

In most cases, visitors can wander around within limits and still listen to the presentation. Overall, a one-way tour guide system or a two-way tour guide system can genuinely change how you provide tours.

What Does a Tour Guide System Consist Of?

Many different tour guide systems are available on the market today, most of which consist of the same equipment. It’s imperative to make sure that you choose a design with wireless receivers and substantial battery life. The following will likely be components of your one or two-way communication system.

Receiver

The receiver is the part of the tour guide system that receives the voice from the tour guide and allows the person with the headphones on (the tour group) to hear what the tour guide is saying. Some systems offer two-way communication, but this is only suitable for a tour situation if you plan to open the floor to questions.

Transmitter

The transmitter is a necessary piece of the tour guide system that allows other people to hear the guide’s voice. Your tour guide will speak into a microphone that will wirelessly transmit the sound to the earphones or headphones. The transmitter will come with a battery, typically a lithium battery or rechargeable batteries, that will last for an extended period of time.

Microphone

Handheld microphones are usually included with tour guide systems, so the guide can easily navigate the tour and act as equipment for question-and-answer segments. If your guide requires a hands-free option, consider providing them with a headset microphone that will easily get the job done.

Headsets and Earphones

Tour Guide Headsets and Earphones are the devices that allow members of a tour to listen to and speak with the guide (if it’s a two-way system). Make sure you have as many as you’ll need for all tour participants to hear what your guide is saying, keeping language interpretation and group members that use a hearing aid in mind.

Charging Equipment

Tour guide system charging stations typically come in the form of charging cases or stations. The equipment will be portable so that you can charge it on the go. A mobile charging station ensures that your system will always have the battery capacity it needs to perform well and last the duration of the tour.

A portable charging station works perfectly for unplanned or unscheduled tours, allowing you to open the equipment and get to work whenever necessary. In many cases, the charging system will also act as a carrying case, so you can transport your tour guide system wherever you need it. All of your equipment should be fully rechargeable and available in different sizes.

How to Use a Tour Guide System?

Acclimating to using a tour guide system should be straightforward as long as you follow a few necessary steps for success.

Before the Tour

Before you kick off your tour, you’ll want to ensure that your tour guide system is charged and ready for use. Test the sound quality, long before the tour members arrive.

If you’re the tour guide, have someone there with you to perform an audio test, and make sure the headphones worn by tour members work with the microphone and transmitter. By now, you likely know how to use a tour guide system but having your equipment in working order is crucial to a positive tour experience.

During the Tour

Using your equipment during the tour means speaking directly, but not too loudly, into your microphone. When the tour begins, ask your guests if their headphones work by a show of hands. Ask who might need an interpretation system if you have the means to provide one.

Your members will let you know if something is amiss as the tour progresses. Remember to speak as clearly into your microphone as possible.

After the Tour

After the tour, collect your headphones and place your equipment in the charging or mobile case. It doesn’t hurt to wipe your tour guide system pieces down with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and germs, ensuring it’s ready for your next guided tour. Remember to charge it!

See also our guide on how to give a successful plant tour.

What are the Benefits of Using a Tour Guide System?

Using a tour guide system is a fantastic option for companies that want or need to provide tours but work in a noisy environment. You want your tour members to get the most out of your tours, but if they can’t hear the guide, there’s no point in providing them.

Tour guide systems can connect companies and tour members in more ways than just an exchange of information. For example, tour guide systems can offer a show of inclusivity when you have options for the hearing impaired or tour members that require language interpretation.

Tour guide systems make it possible to lead a group of people through a bustling plant floor, allowing them to look around while the tour guide provides necessary information. Overall, it creates a much more immersive and satisfying experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tour guide systems are simple, but those who’ve never used them often have a few questions they’d like answered before they commit to purchasing one. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding tour guide systems.

Is it Hard to Use Tour Guide Systems?

Generally, it’s easy to use tour guide systems, and they come with thorough use instructions and internet-based resources that allow you to troubleshoot seamlessly. There is always room for a technical error, so if you plan to use a tour guide system regularly, ensure you have a strategy in the event your equipment doesn’t work.

One of the most challenging components of using a tour guide system is the setup and sound transmission from the microphone to the headphones. Once you get into a rhythm and allow yourself to become familiar with the equipment, you’ll have very few problems with your tour guide system.

What is the Range of the Tour Guide System

The range of a tour guide system will depend on the model you choose, but they can go as far as 195 yards. This type of range is terrific because your tour members don’t have to be directly in front of your face to hear what you’re saying. Not only can they look around, but you’ll also be able to accommodate larger groups.

Is Tour Guide Systems One-Way or Two-Way

Plant Tours offers both one-way and two-way tour guide systems. Our one-way features an option for audience Q&A as the tour draws to a close, while the two-way allows for live responses.

The model you choose will depend on how you conduct your tours and how you choose to interact with tour members. If it helps you to decide, in most cases, a two-way tour involves staff meetings or corporate inspections, so it’s rarely a random tour member asking questions while you’re attempting to speak.

If you’d like to purchase a tour guide system for your plant tours or staff meetings, contact the Plant Tours team today! We can help you find the best tour guide system for your purposes.

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