I purchased a Windcutter (http://www.thewindcutter.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_80) for my Sony SR11 and wanted to let everyone know that the product works as advertised. I shot my daughter's soccer game in the suburbs of Columbus Ohio tonight and couldn't believe the difference. We had 20 mph winds for the duration of the game so it made a perfect test. The windcutter reduced wind noise by about 90% (my unscientific opinion). Best 15 bucks I've spent on my camera to date.

As requested by the folks at www.thewindcutter.com when you purchase one (since they're small and thus depend mainly on user recommendations to get the word out) I'm also posting my experience with their product. Its been nothing but extremely positive. Although I was skeptical one would fit properly on my Canon HF100 due to its under-the-lens bottom wraparound location, I decided to chance it and it fits and works even better than I had expected.

Like the OP above, I decided to try mine out about 3 months ago at my daughters T-ball game when the winds were gusting to 40mph. No joke! Those fold up chairs that people bring were blowing over and rolling away like tumbleweeds when people got up. Well I had it in the bag and the surface looked clean enough (camera still pretty new) so I sized it up and slapped it on. I took several minutes of footage making sure the wind was blowing hard both directly into and across the mic and when I played the footage back later I was astonished! NO WIND NOISE. Not even a single blip.

After compiling over 60 hours of footage from my MiniDV camcorder (R.I.P!) I quickly realized that almost all my footage from beaches, boats, mountains, and just windy days sounded horrible and I had to do something about it. As I said, I was skeptical but I decided that $15 wasn't really a big deal to take a chance on and its been the best $15 I've ever spent on anything, nevermind just for the camera!

I know this sounds like I work for them or was "encouraged" to write such a glowing post, but that's not the case! Try one and I guarantee you'll wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

That's a fair price. DIY options will costs you $20-ish per square yard of fake fur. Scissors, Needle and thread not included. Although DIY gives you a custom fit, and lets you put multiple layers for those EXTRA windy days. And if you have two or more mics, it can be more economical. I opted for DIY, because I have multiple mics and I'll eventually get them wet or dirty and need to replace the fake fur covers.

For those of you who have used the "fake fur," have you also tried that mic spongy foam material? I had a large one sitting around & have been meaning to cut out a chunk and tape it (yes, very ghetto) over the mic on my Canon, but now I wonder if this windcutter would work better? I remove the audio from almost 99% of everything I record anyway, but it would be nice to have that 1% be wind free.

very cool find. I wish I'd seen this before my last beach vacation.

Just ordered one for my TM700, definitely got some wind noise on my first recordings even in some very still environments. We'll see how it works out!

For those of you who have used the "fake fur," have you also tried that mic spongy foam material? I had a large one sitting around & have been meaning to cut out a chunk and tape it (yes, very ghetto) over the mic on my Canon, but now I wonder if this windcutter would work better? I remove the audio from almost 99% of everything I record anyway, but it would be nice to have that 1% be wind free.

It depends. If the mic just has a sort of felt tip, I use the foams. If the mic has a metal mesh, you don't have to. Although part of the noise reduction is the void of still air created when using the fake fur. You also want to avoid any creases in the fake fur material, which the foam helps with.

Bear in mind that there is no wind immunity, a strong enough wind will get through any windscreen. But you can significantly reduce the dB portion of the recording that is wind noise. Too much wind screen layers and you can dampen the sound to a noticeable extent. That sort of a sound in a box kind of sound which you get with cheap mics, but really shouldn't get with not so cheap mics. But you can if you go overboard.

You have to be careful to some extent with foam. It degrades over time and can coat the mic element with foam dust. Not an issue if you only have them on when you use them, but if you always leave them on, when storing, it can become problematic over time. Given the option, buy the foams that fit your mics. They're really cheap compared to the other parts of the chain. And a good fit is key to maximizing results. Loose material can become the equivalent of a drum head. And given the proximity to the mic, that's problematic.

Just ordered one for my TM700, definitely got some wind noise on my first recordings even in some very still environments. We'll see how it works out!

Yeah, I'm going to try this too for a Sony CX500V. Some of my clips of soccer games, waiting for trains on high places, and high mountains are all wind noise.

I too have the Windcutter on my HF100. I will never have a camcorder without one again! Works as advertised and my daughter likes the look of it on the HF100 - she says it looks like it has a mustache.
--M--

Now that I've had it on my HF100 for a few months I will say I do get some minor wind noise from time to time, but only when the wind is REALLY blowing (say 20-25+ MPH.) Overall its easily 60-70% reduced from what I'd get without it at those times. Even considering this, definitely still a worthwhile purchase!

25mph wind would be a calm day where I live. Many wind turbines require 12mph winds sustained to generate power. I would say that wind averages 40mph during our windy season. Which is close to six months worth of the year. Unfortunately it's the six months that you would actually want to be outdoors. When it's 100F+, absolutely no wind.

Also note that fake fur will affect high frequencies more than low ones. And some foam is closed cell and not ideal for audio applications. It's all compromises of sorts.