Blimp: Sennheiser or Rycote?

[Martin Pauly]

I am trying to decide which of these kits to get:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ld_Kit_4_.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...stem_f_ME.html

They are only about onehundred dollars apart; is one significantly better than the other?

Oh, this would be for a Sennheiser MKH416 mic. I have a Rycote softie which works in light wind, but I can't seem to rely on it when the wind gets a little stronger (which it often does here in the midwestern US).

Thanks,
Martin

[Ed Quinto]

Never used athe Sennhiser Blimp but we do use the Rycote. We are also using a Sennhiser 416. Here is an example of how well the rycote works.

Sample one. Very windy area with just a lightwave softie.
http://celtt.kcc.hawaii.edu/~imd/sample_movies/001.mov

Sample two. Very windy area, not the same location as number one but subjectively just as windy. Using the Rycote Windjammer #4.
http://celtt.kcc.hawaii.edu/~imd/sample_movies/002.mov

[Jeffery Magat]

K-Tek blimp is not an option? :'(

[Greg Bellotte]

as far as wind protection goes, i think they are both about the same. however i find the sennheiser to be a superior design and handles far more abuse than the rycote. the senny is also easier to get your mic in and out of, and comes with mounting hardware for both the 416 and 60 mics. i think the senny is a bit lighter as well.

my .02

[Martin Pauly]

Originally Posted by Jeffery Magat

K-Tek blimp is not an option? :'(

Well, I don't really know anything about it. It is significantly less expensive, which is good, but I can't tell if it is as rugged and effective as the others. Any experience?

- Martin

[Daniel Epstein]

Originally Posted by Greg Bellotte

as far as wind protection goes, i think they are both about the same. however i find the sennheiser to be a superior design and handles far more abuse than the rycote. the senny is also easier to get your mic in and out of, and comes with mounting hardware for both the 416 and 60 mics. i think the senny is a bit lighter as well.

my .02

Years ago I would have said the exact opposite of Greg. The Sennheiser was much more awkward than the Rycote. I always found the Sennheiser was good until I had to replace the rubber bands and it was also longer than the Rycote so it was harder to store in a case. Best to check them out both side by side.

[Wayne Brissette]

Originally Posted by Martin Pauly

Well, I don't really know anything about it. It is significantly less expensive, which is good, but I can't tell if it is as rugged and effective as the others. Any experience?

I own both a Rycote and the K-Tek. There is a difference between the two, but ultimately if you're good at booming and take care of your equipment, both will work for you for a long time. One difference I have noticed between the two, is hand noise. With the Ryote, you can be a bit sloppier with your hands and not have any hand noise, with the K-Tek this is not the case. The ultimate question is, is the Rycote worth twice as much? I can't answer that for you, but I did put the Rycote on my Neumann and put the K-Tek on my Rode.

Wayne

[Martin Pauly]

Thanks for all your comments. What I am hearing is that the Sennheiser and Rycote may be a notch above the K-Tek (referring to Wayne's feedback), but I didn't hear anything conclusive that would put the Sennheiser over the Rycote or vice versa. I'll probably go with the Rycote, since it's a little cheaper than the Sennheiser.

Daniel: I wish I could try them both out, but I don't know where to find/rent/buy them nearby, so I'll just have to order one and make it work - that's why this forum is so helpful!

- Martin