how accurate do you think reviews in Model Railroader Magazine are?

[IRONROOSTER]

I find they generally give a friendly review. But they do point out where the differences from the prototype are and for kits I have seen them point out problems in the instructions and occasionally problem parts. They're not Consumer Reports, but I find them very useful for providing more information than the corresponding advertising.
Enjoy
Paul

[trainfan1221]

I`ve seen them give good reviews to some questionable models. I have to agree with brothaslide that they have an overly friendly attitude. However its also possible that when the manufacturers send one to them, if thats how its done, they certainly are going to make sure its in the best possible condition. Also, an initial review of a product can`t account for long term problems such as how quickly a model falls apart.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brothaslide

QUOTE: Originally posted by lupo

how accurate do you think reviews in Model Railroader are?
Do they reflect your opinions ?
or do you think they are in any way influenced by commercial interests? (you don't write a negative review on one of your best advertisers sloppy work)

I will have to say, MR tends to have this "nice guy" friendly attitude. I've never seen MR "slam" any product in a review. On the other hand, car magazines can be ruthless when reviewing a car they don't like. I think the difference here is that if MR slammed a product, there is a greater potential to really hurt a manufacturer which would lead to people loosing jobs, etc. A bad review for a car manufacture hurts sales and egos.

However, a manufacturer should give the best product for the money but if they can't or won't, I want MR to give a fair and balanced (ala FOX News) opinion regarding the quality of a particular product.

With all that said, I do think the manufactures and the hobby press are in bed together so you will not, in my opinion, get a truly accurate review of a product.

I totally agree, even though I am not in the market for products reviewed in MR, the attitude and flavor at sister magazine CTT, is very much the same. Bob Keller is the person who writes the reviews for CTT, and there was a long and interesting topic in that forum about Lionel's new track product. Bob actually posted to the topic, but I felt as if his response was really limited by his position within the industry.

As a free thinker and speaker, I went on to be rather blunt about the product, and may have turned some heads in the process. I'm not sure this industry is large enough to support seriously detailed product reviews, and perhaps the magazines should just stick to articles, advertising, and product announcments.

[CP5415]

I believe the reviews are accurate for the model they tested.
It doesn't mean that there arn't lemons out there though.
You could test drive a car. It could be the best car on the planet!!! Order the same model of car off of the assembly line & it could be the biggest lemon on the planet.
Same goes with any review of anything.
Look at the review of the latest Rivarossi offering. They did note the subtle differences in the paint on them.

Just my [2c]

Gordon

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

I think they're pretty good, though I don't always really understand them. They should put more pictures in there, too.

He's right. There needs to be more photos at more angles. And more disassembled shots.

[Anonymous]

I think they're pretty good, though I don't always really understand them. They should put more pictures in there, too.

[ndbprr]

Well let's see:
1. BLI GG1 - numerous people received them with broken gears
2. BLI T-1 - Numerous people have problems with the universal joints breaking
3. BLI M-1 - A Lot of them require reprogramming or resetting the decoder to do anthing but sit there dead.
BLI responding - apparently
Any review of the problems - Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

[nfmisso]

I do not rely on them as a sole source of information, and usually they come out later than other available reviews/opinions.

[Anonymous]

Believe three quarters of what you see and a half of what you hear! If I see something I want, at a price I can aford, I will go for it. I am mechanically inclined enough that I can tell if something is generally made well and can likely correct anything wrong or lacking, if needed. I read the reviews for information on the product and feel MR does as good a job of reviewing as any. Also, I believe manufacturers are really trying to give us the best bang for the buck. I don't have any experiances with them that show otherwise.

However, some of MR's business is selling advertizing for manufacturers. This is the balancing act they must endure, so it behoves to make up your own mind about a product.

I see things espoused on this forum, which I do not agree with, so other modeler's opinon's arn't more valad than MRs, IMHO.

[AggroJones]

Use the reviews in MR to get an initial impression of the product. Then check the internet for other people opinons and information. Usually there are people out there who own it and can help anwser your questions.

[Anonymous]

II appreciate the reviews of modelers first if available and then MR

[Anonymous]

I have to say, I think they do a pretty good job. I have disassembled a couple of models discussed in MR and my findings were, apart from a few very minor things, the same as was reported.

[DSchmitt]

I think the reviews are generally factual, but they print reviews only of products they find acceptable so there won't be any truly bad reviews. I believe the reviews are the individual reviewers opinion not the editorial staff.

I have seen problems with products mentioned, although the reviews are overall positive.

Overall the quality of what is available has improved tremendously. Our expectations have changed. Many products which got good reviews in the past would be unexceptable to most modelers today.

[MAbruce]

Do you really think they would bite the hand that feeds them?

[brothaslide]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lupo

how accurate do you think reviews in Model Railroader are?
Do they reflect your opinions ?
or do you think they are in any way influenced by commercial interests? (you don't write a negative review on one of your best advertisers sloppy work)

I will have to say, MR tends to have this "nice guy" friendly attitude. I've never seen MR "slam" any product in a review. On the other hand, car magazines can be ruthless when reviewing a car they don't like. I think the difference here is that if MR slammed a product, there is a greater potential to really hurt a manufacturer which would lead to people loosing jobs, etc. A bad review for a car manufacture hurts sales and egos.

However, a manufacturer should give the best product for the money but if they can't or won't, I want MR to give a fair and balanced (ala FOX News) opinion regarding the quality of a particular product.

With all that said, I do think the manufactures and the hobby press are in bed together so you will not, in my opinion, get a truly accurate review of a product.

[lupo]

how accurate do you think product reviews in Model Railroader are?
Do they reflect your opinions ?