Insta360 launches $249.99 Mic with E Ink displays and microSD storage

The new kit includes two transmitters, one receiver and a charging case for $249.99. The Verge listed the individual transmitter at $79.99 and the kit at $249.99; Engadget listed the individual transmitter at $80 and a transmitter-and-receiver bundle at $140. The Mic Pro kit costs $329.99, and a standalone Mic Pro transmitter costs $99.99.

The Mic uses a 1.22-inch six-color E Ink screen on each transmitter that can show logos, photos or solid colors, matching the Mic Pro’s design, The Verge reported. It has a range of up to 400 meters when paired with Insta360’s wireless receiver, which connects to cameras, laptops and other recording devices through a built-in USB-C connector. The system includes AI-powered noise canceling and automatic gain control modes that adjust recording levels to prevent clipping, according to The Verge.

The main trade-off is the microphone hardware: each Insta360 Mic transmitter has one microphone instead of the Mic Pro’s three-mic array, so it records omnidirectionally and cannot switch among pickup patterns. The simpler hardware makes each transmitter 19.4 grams, slightly lighter than the 19.7-gram Mic Pro transmitter, and battery life rises to 13 hours from 10, or up to 34 hours with the charging case, The Verge reported.

The Mic transmitters have no built-in storage, unlike the Mic Pro’s 32GB. Insta360 added a microSD slot to each transmitter, allowing users to enable backup recording and, according to Engadget, 32-bit float internal recording when a card is installed. Engadget’s review said the removable storage can be an advantage over the Mic Pro because users are not limited to 32GB and can swap cards when they fill up.

The mics can connect directly to smartphones and many Insta360 cameras over Bluetooth without the receiver, including the X6, X5 and Luna Ultra, The Verge reported. Engadget said direct connection through on-camera menus was easy with its Ace Pro 2, Luna Ultra and Luna Pro cameras, and it welcomed the option to leave the receiver dongle off a small camera or phone.

The receiver supports up to four microphones and can output each mic to its own audio channel for editing, Engadget reported. It also supports a multi-receiver setup that can record the same audio to two cameras, and the receiver works with the Mic Pro as well; Engadget said the receivers appear identical to those in Mic Pro bundles.

In Engadget’s review, the Mic’s audio quality matched the Mic Pro’s. Recordings in default and voice modes sounded clear, the Rich tone added presence for podcast-style speech, and the Bright preset suited outdoor recording or low voices, though the reviewer preferred the standard mode. Engadget said noise reduction worked indoors and outdoors without noticeable artifacts or damage to the voice.

Insta360 is positioning the Mic against wireless systems from Rode, DJI, Hollyland and GoPro. At $250 for the two-transmitter kit, it costs less than the $330 Mic Pro and sits between Rode’s Wireless Go III and Wireless Pro, Engadget reported.

Editor's Summary

Insta360 has added a $249.99 wireless mic kit that keeps the Mic Pro’s E Ink displays and noise canceling while switching to a single omnidirectional microphone and microSD storage. The kit undercuts the Mic Pro by $80 and adds removable recording media, but it gives up the Pro’s selectable pickup patterns and built-in 32GB storage. Engadget’s review found similar sound quality and said the microSD slot can be an advantage for users who need more or swappable storage.