Insta360 has unveiled the Mic Pro, a new lapel mic with a customisable E-Ink display. It seems that while other companies have been shrinking their transmitters, Insta360 is making its mics' size a feature instead. Lapel mics have become ubiquitous among content creators, frequently appearing in videos as they're difficult to conceal while in use. DJI recently announced swappable magnetic covers for its own Mic Mini 2 transmitters, allowing users to at least customise their transmitter with a variety of colours. However, these covers still retain the company's branding, and have a limited number of hues to choose from.
The Insta360 Mic Pro's E-Ink display takes such customisation several steps further, giving users massive control over their lapel mic's look. Its customisable display enables you to completely remove the Insta360 logo and replace it with any image, from words and symbols to complex photographs. The Mic Pro does have outward-facing icons marking its power and record buttons, which seem unnecessary and disrupt users' chosen design. Fortunately, the vast majority of the transmitter's visible surface is still subject to your creative whims.
In terms of build, the Mic Pro transmitter is slightly larger than its predecessor the Mic Air, and over double the weight at 19.7 grams without its attachment clip. The clip can be slipped off in favour of a magnet, though Mashable found that it took a surprising amount of effort to do so in our first look. Even so, users will likely prefer the magnet, as the transmitter's weight noticeably drags down shirt collars when using the clip. Both Insta360 mics offer up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, however the Mic Pro's new fast-charging storage case makes it easier to top up on the go.
