Remember, its the internet
Equipment
Funny…lI was recently reminded…this is the internet where many first timers are subject experts.
The zipper on my 20+ year old solo Tarptent is shot- hey, Good tents, I got a lot of use out of it but I was looking for something light that would take more wind than that Cloudburst model TT.
Anyway, I was on a website forum that caters to hardcore hunters in their Tent section. There were many guys singing the praises of one particular model…so I Private messaged them to ask about particulars since they had experience with it and whether it was suitable for a tall guy.
3 of the 4 guys touting this thing had never actually used it. What? Yeah, they had set it up in their yard…but apparently never used it in the field.
I went with the SO Eolus for my 1-2 day spike out shelter, BTW…..ITS AWESOME….but its in the mail, I haven’t actually received it yet- grin
Oh my gosh don't get me started! I like to read the reviews on Cabelas or MidwayUSA or even Amazon before buying stuff. You'd be AMAZED how many people review products out of the package with zero experience actually using it. Drives me absolutely insane
Also, before reviewing something I think people should actually use and abuse it. And it would be helpful if they had used other similar products to compare it to. . .
I used to think the MR Crew Cab was the greatest thing ever until I used some other packs . . . . Crap there's a whole lot better out there :)
"I just opened the box and wow, this product is AMAZING". So what about after a week? Month? Year? mainly crickets...
I also get a kick out of the "Used this $30 product hard for 3 years and it broke. Piece of crap" :) Like, maybe you got your money's worth out of that :)
"I haven't actually used it, but from the reviews it seems like a solid product"
I don't always give reviews…..
But when I do, I wait for the check to clear….(^,^)
Good points Bake.
The best reviews are the ones that qualify it by starting with how much experience they have had with the product how they have used it, etc.
Those reviews are valuable.
As to Internet forums; I have found the key is to hone in on the guys that know what they are talking about and use the PM feature, and get my advice from them, the rest of it is just noise.
Edit- I di like the info given on Bowsite….and the other supposed hard core site is generally pretty good.
Btw, If you need to know anything about golf, just ask me.
I took my first lesson with my wife yesterday- grin
When you buy something companies are sending emails asking for reviews almost before the product arrives. Makes no sense. I usually respond with "seems to be well packaged".
Bruce, your gripe applies to a lot of subjects, not just gear reviews. For example, every time the DIY euro mounting topic comes up, several "experts" claim simmering the skulls produces inferior results compared to maturation or beetles, because that's how their taxi does it, not because they've actually done a euro mount themselves. I just finished the euro mount above using the same simmering technique I've always used. I'd put my work up against any other's, and the whole process only took a few days including bleaching, not weeks like the other methods.
Matt
I'm an admitted research-aholic when it comes to gear purchases, at least the ones I consider to be a bit more expensive in my world. I want to get my money's worth and I like checking out gear honestly.
I've gotten some great information here and other places but I've also learned to weed out the "Talkers of the Talk" from "The Walkers of the Walk".
I've also come to realize that some people will never be happy with anything and find something to complain about. You could hand people like that a million dollars in one hundred dollar bills and they would bitch about having to break the hundreds.
"I've also come to realize that some people will never be happy with anything and find something to complain about. You could hand people like that a million dollars in one hundred dollar bills and they would bitch about having to break the hundreds."
Not to derail the thread, but I do love the guys who post a generic question and then proceed to tell every person that provides and honest response why they are wrong.
I want to emphasize, I post this not as a bitch session....but more as a 'Its best to develop a strategy' instead of taking what unknown guys on Internet forums say as gospel. When I first started reading these forums I realized that most guys are totally invested in their choice of gear- [It makes sense, they chose it so they figure its the best] One only has to start a Broadhead thread to see just how invested guys can be about their gear-grin.
I like these forums and most of the guys on them- even the ones that have little experience, as they have enthusiasm that has admittedly waned a little for me from doing this so long.
IMO, the Best strategy on gear selection; Find a review like this one at link on the website SectionHiker.com on the Eolus. That reviewer noted plusses and minuses, went into excruciating detail and thoroughly tested it- all in all I thought did a great job.
[I'm NOT pushing this tent, there are many good ones- just using this as an example of good info]
Bruce, I think your strategy is a good one. However, I personally find the best approach is to get to know people on a site like this and then pick the brains of those who actually know their stuff, and at the same time ignoring the noise from the posers. It takes time at one site to learn to differentiate the people who claim to know from those who actually know.
Lots of blowhards on Bowsite ;)
I just ask Treeman. He likely has two of whatever it is I'm asking about.
Or Cory he has more inventory than Cabelas in black Friday.
Sadly, what I have found is that nearly everything links to Amazon and THEIR submitted ratings. I have also noted that a lot of sites that review items such as "the top ten ????" are all really Amazon in a thinly veiled disguise. I do appreciate that the sporting goods companies ( and Tractor Supply) that I now buy from have stopped sending out the email for me to rate the product ON THE DAY AFTER I GET ITand give me a chance to use it. What I have learned to do is look at the lowest ratings and read those reviews. They may sometimes be a lttle nutty, bitchy, or nit- picking, but I often find that it is people who actually know about these type of products,expect better, and explain why the product is being rated low.
I do like the reviews that give initial thoughts on a product, follow up after a short time and then longer term follow up. If I find one like that on a product I will give that 1 review more credence than 50 5 star or 1 star reviews.
