LOL, yeah, they are indeed quite rugged compared to plastic indeed.
The Videomic is surprisingly good. Cheaper than an Azden, and significantly better, and it's well thought out, as opposed to being just another SKU in a catalog. Those Aussie's got it goin' on!

yesterday I ordered the Rode videomic from B&H without thinking too much more about it. I got lucky and won exactly $150 from an ohio lotto scratch off. I knew exactly what I was gonna do with it. Probably have it by weeks end. I decided to put off the XLR adaptor for now.