Tests and reviews done by magazine

[PtGear]

Thanks for all the input, yes, I guess besides paying attention to these reviews from magazine, I need to stay tune to scubaboard in order to get more feedback from more users.

Pt

 

[drbill]

I had a lot more faith in the reviews when Jon Hardy did them. I knew him and his integrity. Can't say anything bad about the current reviewers... I just don't know them.

Of course the regs I use aren't made any more... but IMHO they sure are sweet! And ultra reliable.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Never forget the primary purpose of the magazine is to make money for the owners. So they aren't exactly an impartial reviewer. Combine that with their methodology and you get a result that is not exactly credible.

Oh the reviews are entertaining, but that's it. A diver is much better off asking questions and test diving a variety of regulators.

 

[deco_martini]

A few years back there was a review of defog agents. It compared them with spit as a baseline and used a mirror for testing. And yes, some of the defogs couldn't outperform spit. I bought some 500psi after reading the review and have been using it since. So yes, they do review things unfavorably.

I would certainly hope that no BC or regulator would score a completely failing grade on a review if they came from a major brand manufacturer. After all, this is scuba. Those are critical path items. If they bring a product to market that bad..... well.... death and stuff occur.

 

[coldstroke]

I HEARTILY agree. Advertising dollars are a Major influence on the results of testing. Divers are generally discerning and open and honest. When you dive look at what other divers choose to sustain life underwater, ask them why they choose that manufacturer and model. They will respond: Scubapro; US Divers; Atomic; Sherwood;..... That is the real test, in my humble opinion. I subscibe to two dive magazines: Scuba Diving- for entertainment; and the other to continue my education and training. Thank you for allowing me a few minutes in the pulpit.

 

[pescador775]

Never forget the primary purpose of the magazine is to make money for the owners. So they aren't exactly an impartial reviewer. Combine that with their methodology and you get a result that is not exactly credible.

Methodology; are you referring to Scubalab's strictly controlled in-water tests conducted by prominent members of the diving community, or do you mean the instrumented tests done on machines? Can you give some examples of poor methodology resulting in a "non credible" result? Thanks in advance.

I HEARTILY agree. Advertising dollars are a Major influence on the results of testing. Divers are generally discerning and open and honest. When you dive look at what other divers choose to sustain life underwater, ask them why they choose that manufacturer and model.

Divers are often biased and not trained observers. Some of them are dumber than a post. Scubaboard is crawling with special interests. On the other hand, there are divers who report logically consistant and verifiable information on this forum. Do you know the difference?

 

[TSandM]

I read the reviews with interest, although I can't say I've ever bought anything as a result of one. On regulators, the WOB data are actually not very interesting; the results are basically SO good for all of them that I seriously doubt that, within recreational ranges, any of us would notice much of a difference. I'm more interested in the diver reports of things like whether the reg breathes dry in all positions, and how bubble dispersion goes.

I was really intrigued by how well the Micron did in the testing. For people who travel a lot, that low weight with good performance I would think would be quite tempting. (Although the other lightweight reg they tested was about $250 cheaper, if I remember right.)

 

[Twistedarts]

IMHO The best thing you can do is talk to some firemen, rescue, and police divers about what they bank their life on.
YMMV.


mine-- Sherwood Magnum.

 

[Rick Inman]

I was really intrigued by how well the Micron did in the testing...

My buddies and I were just talking about how this might make a great deco reg.

 

[Teamcasa]

I HEARTILY agree. Advertising dollars are a Major influence on the results of testing.

I doubt the advertising money effects the results very much, but I’m sure it influences what products get tested.