I finally went digital for portable recording, and bought the PMD660. I also finally picked up the AT899 lav kit. Spent all last night learning the PMD660 operation, using the AT899. Compared it to my SM58, Oktava MK012, AKG C417, and some other cheapy mics I had lying around. Verdict:

The AT899 is freakin' awesome!! It sounds excellent. For a little thing, it is really well built, the cable is like a steel wire or something. The accessory kit is very well designed and thought out, it's very versatile. Just a fine, fine product. Zero dissapointment. I'm gonna need another one :-)

The PMD seems to be very nice as well. I still have a bit to learn and I'm looking forward to recording more serious sounds with it. Report to follow.

Dan,

I too have an AT 899 and really enjoy the quality of sound compared to on camera mics. You'll have to read up on techniques to avoid clothes rustling becasue the AT 899 is very sensitive (unless you're already and audio guru, I'm not).

I did have to acquire an XLR extension so that I didn't have to have the cam right up on the person wired for sound. The "Viper" attachment looks somewhat frightful though and I've not found a volunteer to wear it yet.

Same here. I have an AT899 and PMD660 too and you’re gonna love them both. I use the AT899 for all of my video tutorial work because I can move my head to look at my two monitors and not worry about mic proximity (I use to do the tutorials with my AT4033 on a mic stand and head movement was a problem). The AT899 is an impressive little mic.

~jr