Rode Blimp Unboxing

Nicole Hankerson · December 9th, 2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole Hankerson

They beat a competitor's price with no problem

That is how. Find someone else selling it low click on the SEEN IT FOR A LOWER PRICE. Fill out the form and they will respond within 24 hours and offer you the item at a very low price.

Nicole

Carlos Padilla · December 9th, 2009, 10:10 AM

I bought one from DVestore for $699 + free k-tek 110cc boompole ($225 or more). If you need a boompole this offer is far better

Nathan Moody · December 9th, 2009, 07:30 PM

I've had one for about six months. That little cable-quieter gasket in the back will get lost...wish there was a better solution/design. Also not a fan of the acrobatics of getting the internal cabling outta there when I want to use a stereo mic with its requisite 5-pin XLR. Guy a a pro audio shop sneered when I said I picked one up.

Despite its failings, I've used it at a beach in 25mph winds (I have a hand-held weather gauge with readings for wind speed) and it rendered the wind utterly silent. It's not broken, bent, or failed me other than the weirdnesses mentioned above. The suspension system isn't the most high tech and it can be fallible...but for wind, specifically, I've had great results.

Andrew Smith · December 9th, 2009, 07:56 PM

If the "cable-quieter gasket" is what I am thinking of, there is a spare in the bag of extra suspension rings and adapters that come with the blimp.

Andrew

Mike Beckett · December 10th, 2009, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan Moody

Guy a a pro audio shop sneered when I said I picked one up.

You mean he sneered at the Rode blimp?

Well, I suppose it's cheaper and less profit for him. But I wouldn't pay double the price just to get a sneer-free life.

Andrew Smith · December 10th, 2009, 05:04 AM

On the other hand, my "dead wombat" blimp cover is in danger of being abducted by a friend who thinks it is "so cute" and was thinking of wearing it as a fashion accessory.

Doing video is an interesting business.

Andrew

John Willett · December 15th, 2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Gold

You could buy an NTG-2 and pay full street price for the blimp and it would still be less than the NTG-3 alone...

Or better, get the Rycote S-series. The suspension on the Rycote is much better than the Blimp (and patented so it can't be copied).

John Willett · December 15th, 2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Beckett

But I wouldn't pay double the price just to get a sneer-free life.

No, you pay the extra for a technically much superior product.

Andrew Smith · December 15th, 2009, 01:50 AM

And the Rycote cover can be used as a handy paint roller if you're in a bit of a pinch and can't make it back to the hardware store. That's gotta be worth a few extra dollars.

Andrew

Mike Beckett · December 15th, 2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Willett

No, you pay the extra for a technically much superior product.

Of course you pay more and get better. But for me, the Rode Blimp suffices. It blocks wind, and reduces handling noise. What more do I need?

- If I pay double, do I get double the performance?
- Does it block extra wind that I'm not noticing at the moment? Probably not.
- Is it more robust, will it last longer? Probably does, but then I'm not out shooting for the BBC, this is a hobby, not a commercial operation.
- The blimp is for occasional use for me, it spends a lot of its life lying in a corner and only comes out for special occasions.

I'd love to know specifically what's wrong with the Rode product!

As it stands, I had to choose between affordable wind protection and not buying Christmas presents for the family. Family won, in this case!

John Willett · December 15th, 2009, 11:17 AM

The Rode Blimp and Rycote S-series are about the same price - but Rycote's patented "Lyre" suspension is the best there is (which is why I have swapped all my suspensions over to these - these are *all* my suspensions, not just outdoor recording ones, and include studio mounts for all my small and large diapgragm microphones).

So there is no need to pay double.

The Blimp's size means that it is pretty effective at wind attenuation - but I don't like the weight, the suspension or the hairy cover.

Mike Beckett · December 15th, 2009, 03:17 PM

Ah, I see. I forgot about the S-series. I'm sure that I read somewhere that the Rode was a bit better in high wind, but you do read a lot of funny things on t'internet. I automatically think of the £400 Rycote systems rather than the S-Series.

David B. Sanders · December 18th, 2009, 03:39 PM

I see that the RØDE Blimp was awarded the Prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2009.

Andrew Smith · December 19th, 2009, 12:08 AM

Not quite as prestigious as the Red Dot award, they also received an Australian International Design Award for the blimp as well.

This is not to neglect mentioning their use of "dead wombat" technology, moving beyond industry standard "cat" technology.

Andrew

Trevor Meeks · December 27th, 2009, 03:16 AM

Andrew, how long did your blimp take to be delivered?

Just curious. Thanks!

December 9th, 2009, 07:30 PM	#18
Nathan Moody Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA, USA Posts: 78	I've had one for about six months. That little cable-quieter gasket in the back will get lost...wish there was a better solution/design. Also not a fan of the acrobatics of getting the internal cabling outta there when I want to use a stereo mic with its requisite 5-pin XLR. Guy a a pro audio shop sneered when I said I picked one up. Despite its failings, I've used it at a beach in 25mph winds (I have a hand-held weather gauge with readings for wind speed) and it rendered the wind utterly silent. It's not broken, bent, or failed me other than the weirdnesses mentioned above. The suspension system isn't the most high tech and it can be fallible...but for wind, specifically, I've had great results. __________________ designer of media for eyes and ears sound design and field recording at http://www.noisejockey.net/blog

December 15th, 2009, 01:50 AM	#24
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,064	And the Rycote cover can be used as a handy paint roller if you're in a bit of a pinch and can't make it back to the hardware store. That's gotta be worth a few extra dollars. Andrew Attached Thumbnails

December 15th, 2009, 11:17 AM	#26
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	The Rode Blimp and Rycote S-series are about the same price - but Rycote's patented "Lyre" suspension is the best there is (which is why I have swapped all my suspensions over to these - these are all my suspensions, not just outdoor recording ones, and include studio mounts for all my small and large diapgragm microphones). So there is no need to pay double. The Blimp's size means that it is pretty effective at wind attenuation - but I don't like the weight, the suspension or the hairy cover. __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

December 15th, 2009, 03:17 PM	#27
Mike Beckett Trustee Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland Posts: 1,569	Ah, I see. I forgot about the S-series. I'm sure that I read somewhere that the Rode was a bit better in high wind, but you do read a lot of funny things on t'internet. I automatically think of the £400 Rycote systems rather than the S-Series. __________________ Irish Railway Videos on Youtube

December 18th, 2009, 03:39 PM	#28
David B. Sanders New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Folsom< CA Posts: 21	Red Dot Design Award I see that the RØDE Blimp was awarded the Prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2009.

December 9th, 2009, 10:10 AM	#17
Carlos Padilla Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 33	I bought one from DVestore for $699 + free k-tek 110cc boompole ($225 or more). If you need a boompole this offer is far better

December 9th, 2009, 07:56 PM	#19
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,064	If the "cable-quieter gasket" is what I am thinking of, there is a spare in the bag of extra suspension rings and adapters that come with the blimp. Andrew

December 10th, 2009, 05:04 AM	#21
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,064	On the other hand, my "dead wombat" blimp cover is in danger of being abducted by a friend who thinks it is "so cute" and was thinking of wearing it as a fashion accessory. Doing video is an interesting business. Andrew

December 19th, 2009, 12:08 AM	#29
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,064	Not quite as prestigious as the Red Dot award, they also received an Australian International Design Award for the blimp as well. This is not to neglect mentioning their use of "dead wombat" technology, moving beyond industry standard "cat" technology. Andrew

December 27th, 2009, 03:16 AM	#30
Trevor Meeks Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sonoma, CA Posts: 336	Andrew, how long did your blimp take to be delivered? Just curious. Thanks!