I really don't know much about mic specs. I've mostly used stock mics and whatever wireless lav who I was working for had. Now I'm doing weddings and my shorts on the side and want better sound.

I have a XL-1s. I have a crapy sony wireless that is worthless. I tried the iriver 790 but I"m having power problems with it.

My big question is what should I be looking for in a good low end shotgun. I've been looking at the Azden SGM-2X but have no idea what the specs mean. Anyone have a fav hard working shotgun (under $300) that could work well in shorts on a boom and as extra sound on the camera for weddings?

I have a rode ntg-2, around $250. I picked this mic because it has a nice low mid boost which is nice if you are more than a couple of feet from the source. Specs are pretty much worthless when it comes to something like mics. The most sought after mics in the audio world, if you measured them, would have some of the worst specs. Even if you took two mics that matched in specs, would sound very different in the real world. I would throw the ntg-2 into your mic list to check out.

I agree that specs don't tell the whole story--you need to hear a mic to decide whether you like it. But I disagree that specs don't tell you anything useful. Sensitivity and polar pattern are important, and output impedance and maximum SPL often are too.

From what I hear, the NTG-2 is a good low priced shotgun, but even an expensive shotgun isn't good for wedding ceremony audio. You need a lav on the groom feeding a wireless transmitter or a recorder in his pocket.

For weddings I always use a lav. I'm trying to use the iriver 790 but I think I got a busted one. It won't power up. I'm think more as a back up souce to add to the lav. Also I need a shotgun for shorts that I do on the side.
Is the ntg-2 a mini plug or a pro?

Backup is good :>)

The NTG-2 has an XLR connector.

have you tried the AT 897? it's a real nice mic and a good deal also.
Bruce Yarock