I think that you are on the right track.
Both the Marantz PMD671 and TASCAM HD-P2 are easy-to-use and rugged
recorders. Both have a pre-recording buffer (which is not available
on the MicroTrack2496) and can be operated from
8 AA-type rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately, these battereis
cannot be charged within the recorders. So, an additional NIMH or
NiCD battery charger is required (I would recommedn a model than can
charge all 8 cells at once - most are designed for 4 cells only).
The advantage of the Marantz PMD 671 woudl be that there is a
dedicated NiMH battery (model RB6151) that can be charged within the
the recorder (in this way, you could save the weight of an external
battery charger).
The directional Sennheiser microphones ME66 or 67 are also a good
choice. The slightly less directional ME66 is more compact, which is
in my option an important advantage in the field. NOte that you
could save some money (and 4.5 cm of the total microphone length) if
you purchased the K6P phantom power powering module instead of the
(optionally battery operated) K6 moduler.
In Costa Rica it is important that your microphones are immune
against high levels of humidity. The Sennheiser MKH series would be
slightly better in that regard. In any case, I would avoid any
common condenser microphones that are externally polarized.
As far as I understand from the Rode NTG-1 specifications, it uses
a "condenser transducer". Such a true condenser transducer is
polarized with a relatively high voltage of more than 50V that might
break down (and cause loud noise and/or loss of sensitivity) under
humid conditions. However, I still have no practical experience with
the new Rode NTG-1.
On the other hand, any fixed-charge back plate, permanently
polarized electret condenser microphone (as the Sennheiser K6/ME
series or AudioTechnica AT3031, AT815b) should (theoretically) be
less sensitive to humidity as externally polarized microphones.
An additional mic preamp is absolutely not required. Even the
preamplifier of the MicroTrack is good enough for the hot Sennheiser
ME66/67 microphone series. I recently prepared some hints on
microphone/preamp noise myths:
http://www.avisoft.com/tutorial_mic_recorder.htm
Shotguns are usually held in the hand. Therefore and because such
directional microphones are very sensitive to even slight handling
noise, I would strongly recommend a good shock mount or pistole grip
(eg. Sennheiser MZS 20-1). You should also consider a zeppelin and
hairy wind cover:
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_microp
hones_accessories_outdoorprotectionmkh60mkh416
Regards,
Raimund
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