RØDE - VideoMic Pro

Are you looking for on camera shotgun mic? or wireless lav mics? I use the Rode Wireless Pro for lavs and I've liked them quite a bit. Range is good, sounds is good, kit comes with a lot and they record internally for a backup if the sinal cuts. For on camera shotgun I use the Rode Video Mic Pro and it's also great though I think I'd like to try the Sennheiser MKE 400 I've heard good things and I don't wanna have to keep buying 9v volt batteries for the Rode. Also I have a Rode NTG 5+ and with an xlr to 3.5mm cable I've used it with my Z6III succesfully so I guess that's an option too if you need a longer or ofcamera shotgun.

Reviving this debate again. Bought an Android CarPlay Unit for my Peugeot (looks OEM and works great! —sorry haters), but I’m looking to get better microphone audio specifically for calls (wired 3.5mm). Any recommendations? Already tried: Olympus ME34 (Standard, mounted on steering wheel column). Rode VideoMicPro (Great when close, mounted on steering wheel column). Currently looking at the Rode SmartLav+ or Sony ECM-LV1 or maybe super high-end Shure WL185MW Cardioid.

A Rode VideoMic Pro or Rode VideoMic NTG would both be good candidates for the use you've described. The former should definitely fall within your budget; depending on where you are the later might be a little over.

Rode video mic. But it’s consumer grade. A big step up from phone mic for close (2-4ft). Not “top quality” because that implies you’re using a proper preamp

In my experience, awful for anything with extremes (really quiet or really loud) and even “normal” conversation/dialog doesn’t sound GREAT. I would definitely recommend an external mic. For karaoke specifically, the Rode videomic should be OKAY, without diving off into more expensive and cumbersome equipment.