Rode VideoMic Me Directional Microphone review

I excitedly bought the Rode VideoMic Me Directional Microphone for iPhone and iPad from Amazon UK for £48.91, hoping that it would solve the issue of recording clean audio from >1 person facing the camera.

After using it for a week, I have discovered a couple of issues:

1. static/crackles in non-windy environments (I guess just by moving it about)
2. the dead cat seems to be needed almost all the time (bit ridiculous)
3. captures electrical noise whilst being charged by lightning cable
4. was hoping I could monitor sound whilst recording but you can't from the rear headphone jack
5. if you click/plug it in whilst recording, I found you can get crazy mis-aligned audio!

• Example test recording of an interview with the RØDE VideoMic Me without the dead cat
• Example recording of being outside on a still night without dead cat
• Best VideoMic Me recording I've made so far without the dead cat
• More about the Magewell USB3 capture
• More about my Archlinux recording setup

So my rating is 2/5 atm. Disappointed.

UPDATE: I should have read B&H reviews before ordering from Amazon UK.