I used the Samson Airline 77 for the first time last night in a club I have played before with gear I am familiar with. I have played this room maybe a dozen time with the same band and PA using my PGX/Beta98 Shure system. Here are my observations:
Unpacking the unit I noticed it seemed a bit lighter and flimsier than the Shure. The clip is not as robust as the clip on the Beta 98, but it seemed to hold OK.
The PGX has a higher output so I had to turn up the Samsom some on my amp to give me a comparable volume. The Beta 98 also delivers a brighter sound, so I tweaked the EQ a bit on the high end. Once those adjustments were made, the sound was close enough to satisfy me. I think the Beta might be a bit better mic overall, but the Samson delivered the goods.
The effective range of the Samson is not as great as with the PGX, but more than sufficient for ranges up to 50 feet. (The room I played has a back wall about 60 feet from the stage and it worked fine all the way back. It did not work on the outdoor patio about 20 feet further away and separated by a wall. The PGX however, does.)
I do not like the mute and power button on the Samson transmitter - they seem a bit cheap to me compared to the Beta. I also play a Bari on a stand (with a stationary mic) while holding my alto, and as I brushed against the Bari, it toggled the power switch on the Samson causing some noise. (and confusion) User error to be sure, but vexing none the less.
All those minor negatives were more than compensated for by the fact that there is no belt-pack on the Samson. For those of you who ever have to play wireless with a jacket or suit-coat on, this is a huge plus. I also have caught the cable from my belt-pack on chairs, people, stands, guitars, etc. As I suspected - the freedom of movement more than makes up for any shortcomings the Samson may have.
In the upcoming weeks I will be using it in a variety of venues, both large and small, including a couple of amphitheater gigs where everyone is wireless on some expansive stages. If I encounter any issues I'll post 'em up. The first impression is good though. While I'm not 100% sold on the durability of the Samson, I'm pretty happy with the sound and ease of use. I'll keep the PGX/Beta 98 in my kit for a while longer just in case, but I'm giving the Samson Airline 77 four stars.