Rode videomic vs videomic pro

[pilsburypie]

I'm sure you lot have seen the new "pro" videomic. Seems to me that for well over double the price £77 vs £165 you just get a nicer compact design of the shock mount..... What do you lot think?

[timlan635]

I was not aware of the new model.  I have the original VideoMic -- the original original one, before they added the built-in pads for reducing the audio levels.
 
I don't actually shoot a lot of video, but when I use my VideoMic it is almost always on a separate stand rather than on the camera.  I must admit though that it is a big, floppy microphone.  The way the original suspension works, the mass of the mic is above the shock mount rubber bands, so as you tip the whole thing left or right a little bit, it flops from one side to the other.
 
I can definitely say that the new mic looks more attractive in many ways.  The compact size would be very welcome -- especially if you are going to normally have this on a camera (rather than on a boom pole or a fixed microphone stand).
 
But for the price difference: hmmmm....  I definitely like the new one better, but how much more would I be willing to pay for it???
 
But consider this: if you buy the new VideoMic Pro and register it, they will send you a free dead-cat windmuff.  You definitely want a furry windmuff if your mic is ever going to be used outdoors -- even on what seems like a windless day.  Consider the cost of the original VideoMic plus the cost of a furry windmuff, compared to the VideoMic Pro and the free windmuff.
 
I don't know, I guess I'm sticking with the one I've already got.  The big, floppy one, with no built-in attenuation.
 
By the way, I notice when I go to the Rode site and look up the VideoMic, they still have an endorsement from our Mr. Bruner there:
 
"First time I saw a picture of the RØDE Videomic I thought, "Wow! Somebody is paying attention!" When I actually got the Videomic in my hands, I KNEW somebody had been paying attention, and that somebody is RØDE Microphones. All-in-all, this is an exceptionally good and reasonably priced microphone."
- Guy Bruner, via pana3ccdused.com forums

See the original here:  -- Click on the "Reviews" tab.
http://usa.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=VideoMic
 

[Guy Bruner]

I still think the original VideoMic is the top choice for audio quality versus price.  I haven't had the pleasure of using the new VideoMic Pro.  But, if it has the improved performance and audio that are being reported, it would likely be my first choice, given the option or the need for a second shotgun.  From its looks, it seems really suited to the accessory mounts on new DSLRs and smaller high-end consumer cams.  Put a VM on them, and you'll be banging your head against the rear suspension if you use the eyepiece.

Rode was kind enough to send me several of their lower priced mics for testing.  Each one was a winner in its niche except maybe the Stereo Videomic.  Its not that the SVM was a poor performer.  It just didn't sufficiently outperform the less expensive Sony external stereo mics (which were harder to mount, by the way).