RØDE 10ft Boompole Review

[drapeama]

My review of the RØDE 10ft BoomPole with some pictures:

The box was very well packaged:

The pole was in a carton tube as well:

Well secured in a tube, surrounded by plastic airbags!

The pole itself, straight out of the box:

Foam handle:

Mounting accessories (The 3/8 tip + 2 piece of rubber serving as stoppers):

The Velcro© straps:

The Bottom cap, allowing the cable to pass through:

Once removed, you can pass the cable through the pole and securing it with the cap, to prevent cable to be loose:

The parts, removed to pass the cable:

At full length/retracted:

The rubber stopper and the 3/8 to 5/8 adapter:


The stopper allow the shockmount to sit on it when fully screwed, so it doesn't move:



So, here's a quick review...
- It's a bit heavier than I though at approximately 2 pounds.
- The twist-locks are quite solid and seems to be well built.
- The foam handle is great, long enough help for the grip.
- The rubber stoppers are welcome when using the adapter. Without them, you can screw up to 5/8 deep.
- The system allowing to put the cable inside the pole is well built and seems to work well so far (haven't tried it much longer).
- The retracted length is nice for Sound Effects/Foley recording. Way better than the 5ft retracted painter pole (which was cumbersome).
- Overall, it seems like a great addition to a gear bag for the price!

[paperkut12]

Nice review. I still don't have a proper boom pole, but I've always looked at this one and the price seems pretty good, as does the quality.

[drapeama]

Nice review. I still don't have a proper boom pole, but I've always looked at this one and the price seems pretty good, as does the quality.

Thanks!
Price vs Quality is very good. I wouldn't spend over 200$ for one, and the carbon pole Jackson Miller is selling seems lighter and well built too. My painter pole was lighter than this one (both aluminium) but the RØDE is much more robust and solid.
It's the ability to put the cable inside the pole that really convinced me to get this one to be honest.
I'll try to make a little video demonstrating it, because the only one I've found was in french...I can't think that anyone ever did one...
Anyway, I'm happy with that pole!

[Almohada]

Wow, that thing is pretty long and it is very short when retracted. My DIY painter's pole is like 6 feet when retracted. Nice!

[drapeama]

Wow, that thing is pretty long and it is very short when retracted. My DIY painter's pole is like 6 feet when retracted. Nice!

That's another thing I like over my painter pole! Mine is about 5feet or so...which is cumbersome when you're in tight space.
The painter pole was lighter but I can live with that!

[drapeama]

Not convinced Almo?

Edit: Just took some more picture, with the cable inside the pole:

[HueyNRolf]

Looks great and you got your wish; concealed cable. But how do you get the cable in there?

[drapeama]

Looks great and you got your wish; concealed cable. But how do you get the cable in there?

Yeah, best solution so far!
Simply unscrew the top and bottom parts (see pictures #7 and #11 below).
Top: unscrew, remove the golden adapter, pass the cable through the pole then put the adapter back and screw again to secure.
Bottom: unscrew, remove all parts, pass the cable through and screw back. Put the cap to secure the cable.

[HueyNRolf]

Yeah, best solution so far!
Simply unscrew the top and bottom parts (see pictures #7 and #11 below).
Top: unscrew, remove the golden adapter, pass the cable through the pole then put the adapter back and screw again to secure.
Bottom: unscrew, remove all parts, pass the cable through and screw back. Put the cap to secure the cable.

Cool, and there's no problem with retracting and extended when the cable is in there?

[drapeama]

Cool, and there's no problem with retracting and extended when the cable is in there?

Simply remove the cap on the bottom so the cable can move easily and there's no problem. Worst case: pull the cable from the bottom while retracting the pole. Something I can live with.

[drapeama]

Just added my review on the B&H page. Should be up in 3-5 days they said.
My next project will probably be something like that:
12933179774.jpg
So I'll be able to boom, monitor and do adjust the preamp/recorder all alone. Wouldn't cost much neither.

[charlie_tango]

Just voted "convinced" even if I'm still not sure that long aluminium stick really worth the price...I thought the painter pole was working great! (Seriously, I'm happy that he's happy!)
It's nice, especially for the retracted length.

[drapeama]

Just posted some picture in this thread, showing the difference between both poles.