I think this is a vast improvement over Rycote's InVision mount, which has in recent times been most people's go-to. I'm so pleased to see Schoeps developing new accessory products (perhaps partly as a response to Rycote's recent sad implosion), and their continual innovation along their product line. Some of their earlier accessories were inferior to third-party alternatives despite being quite expensive; their newest products, however, are excellent and quite reasonably priced.
This is using a lyre design from Cinela — whom Schoeps credit prominently as their design partner — which is already proven and works very well. The surprise bonus is that it's significantly less expensive than the comparative full mount from Cinela.
Even so, it's a very beautifully constructed and high-quality piece. The bottom of the mount is metal, not plastic, with a nicely machined insert for different thread sizes. The suspension itself is quite solid and firm, and holds the microphone well. The firmness takes some pressure to open, but the design that allows for faster and easier insertion of the microphone than the InVision, and less chance for marring the Nextel finish on the Schoeps. The design is also smaller and more discreet than Rycote's, making it better in performance situations, on camera, and when storing.
My initial experiments suggest a significant improvement in noise reduction over the Rycote mount. Note that if using Schoeps microphones with the CMC 1 amplifier body, it may be difficult to use this mount with a windscreen.
Schoeps make wonderful microphones and are a lovely company to boot. I'm happy to see them making this product.
