ZoomF1-SP/UK Field Recorder Plus Shotgun Mic Pack

I am bought this Shotgun mic with the intention of keeping it but I’m probably going to return it. The shotgun mic is top class probably better than all the on camera rode mics . The only let down is that suffers from the occasional rf signal which isn’t great because I put a lot of time and effort in to my videos and rf signals are put off for making videos, as I have to remake the video if a disturbance does happen . Which reduces my enthusiasm to create videos and reduces my work productivity. Overall the rf signals doesn’t happen often but it does happen enough times for me to consider a refund as it is a. pricey device. If it wasn’t for the rf disturbance it would be the best deal in the market. Overall I’ll dock it one star . Rf signals shouldn’t stop you from buying this product as other shotgun mic and voice recorders suffer from rf signals also but I’ve personally encountered rf signal with this a few times too many . But as I write this review I’m still thinking of returning so it isn’t that bad if I’m considering it . Do buy it if you know how to avoid rf disturbance, I don’t , but if you do you’ve gotten yourself the best deal on the market

As with other Zoom prosumer recorders this is rather better than many similar offerings. Low noise and a nice range of options for different recording scenarios. I already have an H6 and an H1N so it was a shallow learning curve although there are some slight operating differences. I would award it 5 stars but for the fiddly battery cover. It works but they could have done it so much better. So reluctantly I give it 4 stars - but a solid 5 for performance

I bought this for high quality, low noise audio, given the reputation of Zoom to be supposed to do this.I GOT A BIG FAT NOPE!!!The F1 seems to be ok-ish, butt maybe totally rubbish too, tried recording and it came out totally muffled. would not say this is anywhere near prosumer, let alone pro quality as the description tries to lead you to believe.The noise floor of the devices makes it unuseable for any quiet dialogue you may be thinking of trying to capture. Forget it. For less than the same price you can get a sennheiser MKE400 that blows this away to the next Universe where Zoom obviously seem to be in their heads. Andfor less, the trustworth Tascan DL10L or X. Amd saving up for the pro Tascam D 60 MKII or D70 for real pro level gear. This is absolute rubbish compared to Tascam.The Shotgun just rumbles, even at 1 on the gain control, makes this a totally useless combination. There is a -43dB self generated noise band between 100Hz & 350Hz, right at the lower voice range where you want the warmth to come thru, but not with this piece of rubbish!Thankfully I got this combo at the same price as the F1 alone, well on Amazon anyways, so at least I could use it in louder environments that may mask the low rumble and high end hiss this mic has permanently.Also thankfully, when I take this mic off, the F1 is as silent as the inside of a grape, buried deep in the ground. And my sennheiser MKE400 sounds fantastic thru the F1 and on to the camera / headphones.However, I don't trust this piece of garbage, becaue the pre amps might be shot. I tried a recording thru the 3.5 jack, and it was totally muffled. So absolutely rubbish.If you want a seriously good shotgun, forget this combo, get the Lavalier version instead becxause at least you will get a working and useable mic. Then add the XLR capsule, and go buy a sennheiser MKE600 battery powered shotgun (because there's no phantom power on the XLR capsule!!!, yeah I know right?!?!?! these guys just arn't thinking straight!Won't bother with any other Zoom kit, my main need was the F1, but the marketing blurb promised something they obviously cannot deliver from their mics but thankfully (yep again) at least this was my First purchase of a Zoom mic, and my last, so will stick with the Sennheiser Geniuses instead...Overall this package is rubbish and misleading, hence the 1 star, even with the F1, the promise was for a pro quality combo, and this definately is not that!!!I'm off to buy a Tascam body pack and later a Tascan D70 field recorder, at least they are TRUE pro level equuipment, and not self confessed pro level hyped up crap!