I normally save up to buy the best equipment I can afford, rather than buy twice and regret it. So it was with some trepidation that I purchased this for my Sony PCM M10 (see my review of that here http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2D959ADS1DAY6/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R2D959ADS1DAY6
Well, I can say that I don't regret the purchase. I have other rode mics which are all excellent value for money and quiet. This mic is *brilliantly* directional and sounds good up to a couple of feet away from the unit. It is also very very quiet when using the AA power, so I always use the on-board power (a switch would have been nice rode!) and I may get some kind of grip for it to reduce on board handling noise (all mics of this type suffer from that). The unit just feels very solid and well made. The xlr pops in with a really strong click and the screw tube for the battery is very good - although I wouldn't like to keep screwing and unscrewing that part of the assembly, it requires a gentle touch - and given that you wouldn't want to leave the battery in when not in use, it's the weakest part of the equation.
That aside, this is extremely good value for money, a nice punchy sound - quite warm, perhaps a bit of EQ after, but then again, all my mics need my personal preference EQ. I think it's the best mic on the market under £400.