Hello all,

Just looking for some suggestions for a good all round shotgun XLR mic for my Sony PDX10P & my Z1 (when I get it next month)

Its to be mounted on the camera & also on a boom pole occasionally. Budget is roughly US$300-400.

Also looking for a mic cover to stop wind noise etc as i'd be using it a fair bit outdoors.

Thanks...

The AT 897 falls directly into your price range, needs, and camera size. You might want to have a close look at that.
If you're in the NYC area, hit up B&H on the 7th of March for the NOW HEAR THIS Audio for Video event. We'll be demonstrating the AT897 there.

hi, checked it out on B&H, looks good.
Whats the shock mount & other accessories like that come with it?
Are they of good quality also?

The Beyerdynamic shockmount that comes with the AT897 from B&H will work, although there are much better mounts available.
On Sony cameras there is a different dimension between their hotshoes and their cold shoes. Neither the plastic foot nor the aluminum extension foot on the Beyerdynamic mount will fit in the Sony cold shoes without filing them thinner. They will fit in the hotshoe, but the plastic is too loose. You must use the aluminum with the tightening ring and make sure you don't expsose the pins and short them out.
The PDX10 has a rubberized ring mount for the stock mic. This isn't as good as a real shockmount, but it is the simplest way to go. The short, right-angle AT cable that comes in the kit is also handy. In total, a very good bargain for this mic and accessories at $280. You can also get furry covers that will slip over the stock foam screen that comes from AT with this mic. Again, not as good as a full zeppelin, or a specialized furry slip-on, but much less expensive than them also.

Spot -- Is that event all day or will the demos be at specific times? I would like to get there and learn something, but couldn't find any program info at the B&H website.

All day event, I believe we're at the New Yorker. Watch for info coming on soon.

looks like i'm going to buy the AT897 from B&H. Can anyone recommend a windshield for this mic also from B&H so I can order them together?