An alternative would be the more expensive Sennheiser MKE been 400, but as the reviews of those two microphones were quite comparable, I slammed on this product.
But be careful, the Rode VideoMic is bigger than you think. Check out the extent a closer look at. The microphone is much longer than my Panasonic 707. However, it overlooked the camcorder fortunately not so far that it is at the 35mm wide angle with the image. But by this microphone is your video camera already noticeable - and here and there you will possibly want to see your film permit. ;-)
In the box from the Rode VideoMic a warranty card for 30 years is when they dispatch for what I've done. Not included is the required 9V battery, as some buyers will be amazed first time who want to try the microphone immediately. Because this kind of batteries has not always available in the home.
As could prove fatal in the operation of the on / off switch. If you forget to turn it that nothing is recording. If you forget to turn it off, the batteries are the next turning empty. However, there is a green indicator LED. About the power switch can furthermore activate a low-pass filter if needed.
On the product image it looks as if you can move the microphone on a rail. This is not like that. The Rode VideoMic is fixed. What they see is a complex, swinging bracket with rubber fixations. At first I wondered what that is. But clearly, that is the decoupling of the video camera. The aforementioned Sennheiser Micro has also for a mechanism but looks completely different.
It is recommended that you synchronize the Rode VideoMic Once the volume on your camera. So make test shots and possibly regulate the micro-level of your video camera down when the camera has such a function.
Otherwise, or to complement an attenuation of 10 or 20 can be switched db at Rode VideoMic. This is done using a thin, pointed object (needle, watchmaker screwdrivers, etc.) on the side of the battery compartment. The mechanism has been described in a review as too fiddly. This is true, but this attitude was with me just a one time thing. I think because you have to turn rare. If they do, then the Rode is certainly the wrong choice.
My Opinion: A very good, solid microphone for video cameras with the corresponding connection option. The sound is very good, however, mono, which I see no problem. All in all, one can say that it does what you ask. The suspension is a bit strange, but probably effective. The mice piano for the attenuation is less than optimal, but, as I said, probably rarely needed. I forgive four earned stars.
