(This review is being done by my husband. I bought it for him but since he is the one actually using it, it only seemed right that he do the review.)
First of all, I did a lot of research before deciding on the Rode Videomic Pro. I looked at video's on YouTube and read many reviews on this product. I had many hopes for this product but after I received it, I was very disappointed. When I opened the box, it looked as though it had been a return and not a NEW product. The box was not damaged on the outside but the thin cardboard that holds the microphone was damaged. It's as if someone had difficulty removing the microphone from the cut-out area of the cardboard and then didn't really care how they put it back in because it was torn and crushed. I don't understand why Rode didn't put this in a styrofoam cut-out, at least for protection of the product or if not that, maybe at least some bubble wrap? But it had NOTHING to protect it, so the box is a BAD design and someone at Rode should address the quality control issue.
At $229.00, I think it is an overpriced piece of plastic! Yeah, I had all the paperwork that comes in the box, except the one to get the free Dead Cat but for the price, it should be INCLUDED, with a case! I don't think Rode is including the paperwork for the free Dead Cat anymore. Well, the problem I have with this one is it RATTLES! It is something inside the tube of the microphone that is loose. I shot some video while moving around and the rattle is heard in the video. I don't think this is normal but if anyone else has this problem, it's probably defective, at least that is what I consider defective, and needless to say I will be sending this back. I will say this, the sound quality is very good and I don't know how Rode does it with everything being plastic. The tube, that is covered with the foam rubber, is plastic, the base is plastic, and one reviewer indicated that trying to put the 9-volt battery in this thing is difficult, I would agree. Read the directions first before attempting and then good luck figuring it out. The cover for the 9 volt battery is also plastic but basically place your thumb on one side of the cover, your middle finger on the other side of the cover, and your index finger in the slot of the cover, push in and push up but be careful. Like I stated, it's plastic and it's some expensive plastic at $229.00! Also, the wire to connect it to a camera or camcorder is thin and seems like it would break easily. Why it isn't a coiled wire like the Sennheiser MKE 400 is beyond me. (The 10 foot extension cord does have a coiled male end.) Just beware and handle it carefully!
I will say, it does sound better than the built in microphone on my Panasonic HDC-TM700 but play with the settings because with the +20db setting on Videomic Pro and the TM700 set to 0db, the sound can be very distorted. I was fifteen feet away from the camera and it does pick up a lot of other sounds including the fan noise on the TM700. I found the best setting on the Videomic Pro at 0db and the TM700 also at 0db. But it will depend on what you are videoing and the distance. Make sure you do some sound test before you do some actual recording or you could have a really good video with really bad audio.
So, here is the gist of my review. Is this microphone worth $229.00? No, not in my opinion and I really think it is WAY overpriced for what you are getting...overpriced plastic! Rode should put this product in a much nicer box with it in styrofoam or at least bubble wrap. It is very possible this is why mine has the rattle because it was just bouncing around in the box during shipment with nothing to protect it, and so something got knocked loose. I also believe Rode should include the Dead Cat with the mic, and a case for the mic. Even with all that, I still consider it overpriced by about $130 bucks! It is made in Australia or that is what is printed on it. Don't know what the price of plastic is in Australia but must be difficult to manufacture or to obtain. Maybe they should have them made in the USA but then that wouldn't work because of all the government regulation they would have to deal with and then the unions would want their share. So, it's no wonder that so many companies have left the USA for China...less government regulation and don't have to deal with unions! Well, this is a whole different topic for another time. If I ruffled your feathers a little, just stop and think about it, that's all.
Anyway, like I said, I will be sending this back and hopefully I won't have too much difficulty returning it. I have been a long time customer at Amazon and I wish Amazon would sell this and not through Kellards but no matter who you buy it from, the $229.00 price seems to be the going rate. I couldn't find it any cheaper by anyone or any other website. Also, I didn't do an unboxing video of the Rode Videomic Pro, there is already plenty of those out on YouTube. I will do a video of the rattle and try to post it here if Amazon allows it and if not I will post it on YouTube. Just do a search on Rode Videomic Pro Rattle.
Two Stars for I Don't Like It, but I don't hate it. I just think Rode could do much, much better than this. No problems with service from Amazon or Kellards. Wouldn't it be nice to buy something that said "Made In The USA"? I could give five stars for quality but it isn't there yet. So, I hope Rode makes improvements to the boxing of the product as well as the product itself. I understand the plastic for weight but it WILL break easily because that is what plastic does...BREAKS! And beside, aren't just about all toys made of plastic? This isn't suppose to be a toy but if you drop it, it will be a busted $229.00 expensive piece of plastic! Hey, that's my review and if your angry, don't be, I just like to be honest and tell it like it is!
Veteran
There is a newer model of this item:
Rode VideoMic Pro R Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
$229.00
(2,284)
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
$229.00
(2,284)
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2012
All I can compare this mic to is the built-in one on my D800. The mic on the D800 is really nice, but I've had all I can take of the motor noise of the AF system.External: Packaging is as expected, mic comes in a paper box - with cut foam fitted for the mic. (Years ago, I bought a similar mic made by Sony called a "Zoom Mic" that was shaped like the letter "Z"). Rode's mic was packaged similar. Hmm, no coupon for a free dead cat. Wish I had bought this when the dead cat was offered. I did get the dead cat anyway (more on that later). I've seen a lot of comments regarding the plastic build. I like the lightness and since the feel seems solid enough, I am guessing the plastic is a good choice? The shock absorber does make the mic feel a bit fraile. For those who do not know (the "Z" mic mentioned earlier did not have this feature...) the mic sits on a rubber shock absorber and not fixed solid to the base. This helps keep a lot of excess noise down.Internal: The manual is nice - but the instructing for getting the nine volt into the mic - lol - well, it does take some care and attention. The good side(s) though is that the battery will NOT fall out, and you do not have to change the battery too often.Mic function: Very NIce. I turned the camera's mic input down, and left the mic on "0" gain. While capturing video, I watched the vue meter on the camera just to be sure that the input was not too loud (away from the red). This worked nicely. I guess I will have to tweak/retweak every time I use the mic. Every situation/location will be different. While I like the extra controls (i.e. mic gain/cut, and high pass) it'd be nice if this can be done auto-magically. I can slightly still hear the AF motor, but I really have to concentrate.I did order the dead cat and after figuring out how to put this thing on, all is well. Is it worth $30? lol. There are videos online of folks making similar devices much cheaper and works just as well.HTH.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2012
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