Reliability of Magazine Equipment reviews?

[java]

Hi,
I have been reading equipment reviews in a few magazines and have the following observation:
Rodale's Magazine (online at http://scubadiving.com/gear/ )seems (though I have no way of really verifying this) objective reviews of equipment.

• Am I correct in this?
• Will it be the right thing to do to base my purchases on magazine reviews?
  [/list=a]
  The LDS does not carry a large selection and if i base my purchases on the reviews chances are that I will have to go to a few shops (so much for being a walking - i mean diving advertisement for one manufacturer)
  
  Any thought would be welcome.

 

[metridium]

Two issues with those gear reviews: no backplate/wings reviews, and RSD's endorsement of Spare Air.

 

[java]

Originally posted by metridium
and RSD's endorsement of Spare Air.

Hate to get off topic but if they claim they did test it how bad can it be as a redundant backup? also "Hey Mom if I run out of air down there I have THIS TANK" seems to be a nice reason.

 

[java]

Originally posted by metridium
Two issues with those gear reviews: no backplate/wings reviews

Can someone tell me what a "backplate/wings" is and why it is good? Have not seen them anywhere.

Thanks

 

[rstone]

RDS is known in the dive industry by many dive professionals for being biased. Rodales has repeatedly given better reviews to those companies that spend the most money with them (advertising) and provide them with free equipment while being tested under better then perfect conditions.

First let me point out that alot of products in the scuba industry are made by the same people with just different names on them. Having said that, I have seen RDS review the same regulator by two different companies and 1 was rated better than the other. Now logic would say how can that be? Well the fact is that company 1 paid RDS alot more for advertising then company 2. You draw your own conclusions...

I think your more likely to get better advice on this forum than you would through RDS whos reviews I would trust as far as I could throw them.

Ryan

 

[SeaGypsy]

Backplate and wings is an alternative to a bc which has the harness and bladder as separate units. Look here for pictures:
http://www.gue.com/equipment/backplate.shtml

It has a lot of advantages. It is very comfortable and better trimmed in the water. It is modular so you can use different wings with the correct amount of lift for the dive or different weight backplates. You'll have a lot more options with it than you will with a bc.

 

[SeaGypsy]

Oh, and as to Rodale's, Ryan is right. They have a reputation for being biased in their reviews. On the other hand, I'd probably trust them more than a local dive shop just because they are pushing products from more manufacturers.

 

[nickjb]

I trust the reviews at www.divernet.com. They are pretty comprehensive and written by experienced divers. Best of all if they don't like a product they say so and in no uncertain terms. There are no reprints of manufacturer's press releases here.

 

[Mike Newman]

Magazine reviews are an excellent start to any selection process IMHO. However, they can only tell you so much about the relevance of an equipment to you.

I recently invested in my own gear and spent about a month reading up, visiting all my local dive stores, talking to instructors, friends and anyone who would give advice before making a final decision. The only really important opinion on an item is your own, well-informed one

From everything I could see, the magazines are generally quite objective (and yes, I hear what others think of the possible bias to suppliers etc). One really good way to get an opinion on a particular item is to search for comments on it on this Board - or post a specific enquiry. You've probably noticed - folk aren't shy to volunteer an opinion. Also, try some different online reviews, if you're shy of Rodale's. This is one source worth looking at http://www.divernet.com/index.html

Good luck

 

[large_diver]

Factors to consider (you draw your own conclusions):

(1) Rodale's Scubadiving (scubadiving.com) makes most of its money via advertising......from resort operators and gear mfrs.

(2) Their reviews are not of ALL brands/models...just a "selection". As to how the models are selected -- it appears to be a combination of the mfrs. they contact and those mfrs. who send gear to them to test.

As mentioned above, I think it is a good place to start....but like any other expensive (and important) gear purchase, reliance on 1 source of data for your decision can be risky. The more folks you talk to (shops, other divers, etc.), the better information you will have. Each of these sources has different perspectives and agendas -- thus the importance of getting multiple opinions.

One thing I will say about RSD -- they have some great intro information on things to look out for when making purchase decisions -- features, etc.

Good luck.