MR Product Reviews

The problem with reviews of products is that the company is usually advertising in the magazine and, as there has been in the past, can and will complain and pull ads if the review isn't great. There are some hobbies that their magazines don't really care about the advertising in the magazine but those magazines tend to be ones that the circulation pays for the costs of the magazine and the advertising is generally a fair bit more muted than in MR. Besides, the reviews are more there to announce new products at a cheap price to the manufacturers more than anything else. If they stayed away from reviewing the major companies and only did the little ones that have a product or two out, the reviews would probably be a bit more real.

-- Bob May Losing weight is easy! If you ever want to lose weight, eat and drink less. Works every time it is tried!

Perhaps I should have been more specific. See the review on page 106 to get the full impact of my comments. Val

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 20:30:47 -0800, "Bob May" purred:

Kalmbach also has Fine Scale modeler and their reviews are a LOT more honest than MR gives. they are rather even handed getting in to the good and bad points of kits. some of their biggest advertisers have gotten poor to weak reviews and some non advertisers get great ones. I think part may lay in the reviewers who feel that to get the shot at another review they had best not rock the boat. Maybe MR should purposely send out some poor stuff to their reviewers and see if they do an honest review and those who don't, find that that review their last. However i seriously doubt that scenario will ever play out at MR.

cat

I know, from experience, that this is the case. I had worked out an arrangement with Atlas to receive an early sample of their new engines for review. The first one I received was a Classic, and the review wasn't totally upbeat. I never received another sample for review, and they refused to even answer my inquiries!

I've reviewed model airplane kits for a small but very honest international publication. I've been completely objective *relevant to my personal level of experience* (experienced builder, intermediate flyer). But there are so many factors that must remain "subjective" on the part of any reviewer, and they remain so far beyond "objectivity," that it's impossible for *any* hobby publication to be completely "objective."

The ones who really can't win are the reviewers!

Texas Pete

ps - y'all should try operating a model in three dimensions sometime. You just might learn somethin'.

C'mon guys, read the review, and get off the high moralistic viewpoint unless you REALLY read the review. After all, the author has a point and even forgot to mention the paint overspray on the roof, the graphics are vinyl, and the car is terribly affected by magnetic uncoupling ramps. Wonder what the shipping charge would be for something that weighs as much as this model. Anyone care to calculate the NMRA recommended weight for this size? Tongue planted firmly in cheek!!!!! REALLY read the review!!! (8>)}

By the way guys, its the April issue we are talking about! Keith Make friends in the hobby. Visit Garratt photos for the big steam lovers.

All I can say to that is, "he who compliments everyone compliments no one."

We need a railroad Diogenes, going around lamp in hand looking for an honest review.

Jay CNS&M North Shore Line - "First and fastest"

Tried it on a simulator. I'm real good at turning airplanes into toothpicks.

Jay CNS&M North Shore Line - "First and fastest"

You too? In CFS3 I make a great target.

-- Cheers Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway

Man, I recently did that with two of my models without even using a simulator. It happens.

Texas Pete