Just got my shotgun mic and it's pretty, oh so pretty, so pretty to me!
My gear is out on loan so I won't test it for a couple of weeks, but it's
pretty.
That's kind of the point -- it's so expensive, and it's outclassed by other mics in its price range. If it was $200 people would probably love it, but at the price point it's not comparable to what else is available at that price point.
I love that mic. We bought one when they were first out. And I tell you that mic just sounds amazing. It dose not sound like a shotgun. You can use it for everything. I've even done some music recording with it. It is expensive but well worth it.
Along with what Barry said, from my experience, too many retailers/resellers of sound equipment have tried to position the ME66 as a great mic as a part of a broader kit (and charging a premium for it). IMHO, these retailers take advantage of people that don't know any better. For what they paid for the ME66, they could get a 4073a, or even an 897 that would sound better.
As many here know me, I'm all about price-performance and value, and the ME66 fails every test I've ever applied to it. It is, to quote my friend Oleg, CRAP. I am sorry for those that did buy it, because they have been taken advantage of. But, that happens to all of us at one point or another (for me, it was the Sennheiser blimp and windsock - way over priced compared to other options that are available). We live and learn, and ask lots of questions (but only after doing a comprehensive search of the archives...)