Rycote zeppelin, or Rycote S-series + Rode blimp

[Jema]

About to purchase some wind protection for boom work, and was curious what people here think about having either just the rycote modular kit, or the S-series AND a rode blimp. They end up at roughly the same price, and I think either system would work.

Rycote zep is lightweight and offers top notch wind protection and suspension. S-series is even more lightweight with equally good suspension, decent wind protection, and quick to dissasemble. The rode can then be a backup for the times when the S-series can't take the wind, or be put to use with a second boom-op or a stand. The downside is that the rode is heavy (too heavy for extended boom use?), and I don't know if the wind protection is as good as the Rycote zep.

So, anyone else has some thoughts?

[gpforet]

I invested in the Rycote Wind Protection System about 2 years ago and have never looked back. Has saved numerous shots where anything less would not have been enough. As the salesperson at B&H said when I was debating which to buy, he said "If you can't get it with the Rycote, it can't be gotten."

Buy once, cry once.

About to purchase some wind protection for boom work, and was curious what people here think about having either just the rycote modular kit, or the S-series AND a rode blimp. They end up at roughly the same price, and I think either system would work.

Rycote zep is lightweight and offers top notch wind protection and suspension. S-series is even more lightweight with equally good suspension, decent wind protection, and quick to dissasemble. The rode can then be a backup for the times when the S-series can't take the wind, or be put to use with a second boom-op or a stand. The downside is that the rode is heavy (too heavy for extended boom use?), and I don't know if the wind protection is as good as the Rycote zep.

So, anyone else has some thoughts?

[wbrock001]

I agree if you can get the Rycote, get it! But being a Rode Blimp owner, I have to say its pretty damn good. I was doing a promo shoot for a dude ranch in central Texas many moons ago and it was rather windy. Well I had my Sony 7506 headphones on and heard lots of wind noise while using the blimp, but when I went to listen to the audio afterwards, there was no wind noise...turns out it was just the wind noise on the headphones themselves...the rode blimp performed great in what I would call pretty windy conditions. So you get a lot of bang for the buck. Is it as good as a rycote...probably not, but it can be had for 1/3 the price and will work for most situations. Regarding weight, true its not what I'd call light, but with my loon boom extended about 9 feet and letting the pole rest on my shoulders behind my neck, I actually held it steady for an over 30 minute interview...yeah was pretty tough, but wasn't too bad. Given that most situations will be much shorter, I wouldn't expect a problem...or get a nice pole holder for those static shots.

[John Willett]

About to purchase some wind protection for boom work, and was curious what people here think about having either just the rycote modular kit, or the S-series AND a rode blimp. They end up at roughly the same price, and I think either system would work.

Rycote zep is lightweight and offers top notch wind protection and suspension. S-series is even more lightweight with equally good suspension, decent wind protection, and quick to dissasemble. The rode can then be a backup for the times when the S-series can't take the wind, or be put to use with a second boom-op or a stand. The downside is that the rode is heavy (too heavy for extended boom use?), and I don't know if the wind protection is as good as the Rycote zep.

So, anyone else has some thoughts?

The Rycote full windshield kit is definitely the best bet.

The latest versions are much lighter and are more effective than the earlier ones - if you can afford it I would definitely get that.

The Rycote has the best shockmount available, they fully understand the science behind making windshields (which the copyists don't appear to) and the Windjammer is well designed to cut the wind and affect the high frequencies minimally (much better than others). "Original and best" as they say.

[Jema]

Thanks for everyones feedback. After looking into it some more I think you are right that the full windshield kit is the best bet (new model as I want the lyre suspension). I would probably invest in one later on anyway, so why not get it right from the start!

[John Willett]

...why not get it right from the start!

Yes - it's the cheapest way in the long run.

[prexdealer]

Regarding weight, true its not what I'd call light, but with my loon boom extended about 9 feet and letting the pole rest on my shoulders behind my neck, I actually held it steady for an over 30 minute interview...yeah was pretty tough, but wasn't too bad. Given that most situations will be much shorter, I wouldn't expect a problem...or get a nice pole holder for those static shots.

So I boomed for the very first time and someone who was experienced mixed. He said two things to me one hold the boom pole with the knuckles facing me (any other way and you look like you don't know what you are doing - which was the case) and he didn't let me boom with the pole resting on my shoulders. I had a k-tek carbon pole and a rode blimp going. Is it bad to rest on shoulders? Thanks.

[Alan H. Chang]

So I boomed for the very first time and someone who was experienced mixed. He said two things to me one hold the boom pole with the knuckles facing me (any other way and you look like you don't know what you are doing - which was the case) and he didn't let me boom with the pole resting on my shoulders. I had a k-tek carbon pole and a rode blimp going. Is it bad to rest on shoulders? Thanks.

Not exactly bad, though, if the scene required some movement then yes your mixer is right. If you know the scene is quite still and steady, then boom whichever way you feel comfortable.