Mic Showdown: DJI Mic 1 vs. Hollyland Lark C1
In the whirlwind world of travel vlogging, where every gust of wind or rumble of an engine threatens to sabotage your precious audio, the quest for the perfect microphone is akin to finding the Holy Grail. As a seasoned TV professional turned wanderlust documentarian, I've faced my fair share of audio hiccups and triumphs on the road.
Today, I'm here to spill the beans on two contenders in the wireless mic arena: the DJI Mic 1 and the Hollyland Lark C1.
Picture this: the rugged North Wales coast, winds howling like a scene from a Brontë novel. Here I stood, iPhone in hand, ready to capture the essence of my journey. But alas, the DJI Mic, my trusty sidekick, faltered in the face of the elements. Its modularity, a blessing in most scenarios, turned against me when paired with the Shiftcam Pro Grip. As I braved the elements, my audio slipped away, lost in the tempest. Cue the frustration and the frantic search for a solution.
In the yellow corner… the new heavy hitter?
The Hollyland Lark C1 - USB-C Android. The Lightning Apple Version is also called the C1 too! Beware!
Enter the Hollyland Lark C1, swooping in like a knight in shining armor—or in this case, a compact charging case. With lightning-fast delivery to an Amazon locker in Nottingham, my hopes were high as I unboxed this sleek newcomer. No levels to fuss over, no labyrinthine menus—just two buttons and a promise of seamless audio.
Any good?
First impressions? Positive. As my kids frolicked in the hotel, their laughter carried crystal clear through the Lark C1. No chance of disconnection here, just pure, uninterrupted sound. Yet, as with any knightly gadget, there were quirks to tame. The elusive "AI noise reduction" mode, indicated only by the LED's subtle hues, took some deciphering. And the accompanying Lark App? A handy tool for fine-tuning noise reduction intensity, though tread lightly, lest your audio veer into the realm of artificiality. The app is simple. It only allows you adjust the level on noise reduction and the level strength the mic is kicking out. For the iPhone, I found the lowest setting gave the best results for me, but your mileage may vary.
Lacking one key feature?
Now, let's address the elephant in the room—or rather, the absence of one. Unlike its DJI counterpart, the Lark C1 doesn't double as an audio recorder. It's a transmitter through and through. So, why swap one for the other? Simple: reliability. While the DJI Mic dutifully records everything in its path, the Lark C1 ensures that when you speak, the world listens—no ifs, ands, or windy buts.
Good value or just cheap?
But what of the price tag, you ask? Fear not, dear reader. The Hollyland Lark C1 comes in at a modest sum… under £100, a steal compared to the DJI Mic's heftier investment. And while the DJI Mic 2 may tempt with its upgraded features, I can't help but lean towards the simplicity and steadfastness of the Lark C1.
Summing things up
So, there you have it, fellow adventurers and aspiring vloggers. In the battle of the mics, where wind and waves threaten to drown out our tales, simplicity reigns supreme. Whether you're braving the Welsh coast or plotting your escape to Southeast Asia, let the Hollyland Lark C1 be your steadfast companion on the road less traveled. After all, in the grand tapestry of travel, it's the stories we tell that truly withstand the test of time.
