What I'd like to see in PGI...

[steve_e]

I'm with Jan here! The review of equipment at mo is all good and but there always just free form and written from the writers point of view.

Theres no summary of the testing done on them. At the end of the day you want to know how accurate a gun really is, then number of shots of a tank etc.

Surely a set of testing guidelines could be used for all guns on test? Such as number shots from tank, groupings etc. As for stuff like ROF etc well that could be covered in a stats overview with other details such as operating pressure and the results from the tests.

Each category then could be rated out of 10 according to a baseline figure (which would have to be worked out)

A supergun test would be good!

Also the reviews I understand the kinda of pressure revenue creation paying advertisers can exert but when I've read some of the short reviews they've read literally as though the manufactures have written them an your left with no real understanding of whether it is good or crap. That when critical objection should be used, not slate a product but highlight the problems or improvements that are need to the product.

But hey I even offered my own AKA Viking to Jack for a PGI review but it appears no ones interested!

 

[TJ Lambini]

PGIs primary loyalty is to its readers.

>>>PGI's loyalty is also to tha industry - at tha moment eevrything is so entwined, incestuous and frankly, too small, for it to be any other way, and ALL the magazines and websites know and accept that. Period

If it's in their interest to know that a certain company is ****, the you should tell it like it is.

>>>We do. We have slated gear, fields etc. and will continue to do so as and when we feel it is justified.

Some magazines pride themselves on their independent reviews;

>>>As do we - ask Jack, or Ravi, or Justin, if tha editorial team has ever pressurised them to change anything in one single review.

in fact the extra readers you could gain may offset any advertising losses from pissed off companies.

>>>Sadly, that ain't tha case in tha real world. However, we have lost revenue in tha past from pissed off companies and probably will do in tha future...goes with tha territory.

I find it sad that companies base their advertising media choices on who gave them good reviews.

Don't generalise...many companies are tahnkful of any and all feedback and use it to improve their products - in fact tha majority behave like that. Many advances and improvements that have taken place in guns and gear have been as tha resulty of cruitical reviews in PGI.


In fact, if someone pulls their ads based on a **** review; you should publish that fact too; let the public know who the stinkers in the industry are.

OK, the stinkers are...

 

[Collier]

If you need any insperation check out RiDE magazine. Their product tests are so good insurers are begining to recognise that a RiDE reccomended lock (for example) is on a par with Thatcham approved stuff, now thats impressive!!

Paul.

 

[Si.]

Checkout the marker reviews at www.paintballstar.com They are excellent. They compare each marker on an equal base, go into actual playing experiences, consistency of the markers, accuracy at set targets while strapped down, how easy they are to use in different situations, gas usage etc etc.

Excellent reviews...

Si

 

[Collier]

Originally posted by Si. - Hellfish
Checkout the marker reviews at www.paintballstar.com They are excellent. They compare each marker on an equal base, go into actual playing experiences, consistency of the markers, accuracy at set targets while strapped down, how easy they are to use in different situations, gas usage etc etc.

Excellent reviews...

Si

They're the reviews I've been searching for! I found them once and thought it was warpig that did them.
Cheers Si.

Paul.

 

[Si.]

No problem

There a little out of date, which is a shame. I'd like to see them get there hands on some of the newer markers.. Impulse, matrix, IR3, E-Meg etc etc.

(If someone wants to send me 1 of each I'll review them... )

 

[Snoochie-Boochie-Goochie]

reviews and shiznit

yo I spoke up wi' my main man J-Lo not too long ago and asked him what he thought of this thread
The dude's got his head up in all that school biz so it's not like he has surfin' time too much no mo' so I had to read it to him, yo G check it out this is what he said to me:
He sayz:

"part of the problem with reviewing 'guns, even independently, is that the reviewers receive them from the companies themselves, each of which know exactly why they're sending this particular 'gun to a particular reviewer. No one wants a bad review, so it's reasonable to assume the 'guns being sent out are tweaked as best as possible to make sure they're not going to perform poorly. Now whether or not that makes them unrepresentative of what a buyer can expect is up for debate...in my experience, most users of the particular TOP END markers I've reviewed have STRONGLY agreed with my thoughts on those 'guns...they have felt like I've represented them accurately and of that I'm glad to hear. I can say the same about the Jack's and Ravi's works...they look good to me...they're thorough, well-conceived, and straight up the 'gut relevant to the consumers.
One thing I'm CERTAIN of, though (I can't speak for my two colleagues but I imagine it's true of them as well), is that I strive to be fair and complete in all of my reviews...and I am ALWAYS honest.
The WPG project, in my opinion, is rather exceptional because we are presented with giving products ratings on a scale...which allows potential buyers to compare what we think of various products in the same category against one another, etc., etc., etc. If you look through WPG, you'll find we were not "generous" with our grades...an "average" grade of "3" runs rampant throughout the magazine. That's because we tried to standardize our, ummmm, standards and really bring out those products that were TRULY exceptional and deserved to be mentioned as such, when compared to like products.
I'm not sure what else to say...TJ is right in his assessment of the problems of truly coming out with "the best." You can have stats and things til you're blue in the face but in my experience people are more interested in finding out what our OPINIONS on a particular 'gun are...how does it feel, how does it shoot, very subjective things that can't really be rated on a scale...because without some standard by which to compare it, you're just shooting in the dark anyway and stats mean diddly.
Finally, to answer TJ's challenge: I have NEVER been asked to change something or second guess a part of a review I've done...even when I clobbered that Zap ZXS-600E, or whatever the hell it was, in WPG.
Sorry for the length but hey, that's my spill. Lotsa love to you all, and mucho thankso to my homeboy Snoochie for posting this for me."

Dere ya'z haz it, straight from the horse-mouth.
PEACE

 

[little tone]

my personal view

i have bought pgi since it started many moons ago and here are a few things i miss

1.British paintball.there are a lot of people that work very hard ,play very hard and spend loads of POUNDS every weekend,we have loads of great players/sites ,but most people that pick up the mag at a newsagents(if they find it)because they have always wanted a go may think britain ( oh and europe)has bugger all paintball.
2.site reviews were good and very handy.(these will also help sell advertsing space).

3. how about reviews on "cheaper" markers there are loads of blow-backs and electro markers out there ,and most people start in this area.(more advertising opportunities here.

these are as i said my personal views and i do like and still buy this magazine with british/european roots

 

[TJ Lambini]

cheaper markers do get reviewed in PGI

and there are a shedload coming up in tha new What Paintball Gear? - wehich is gonna be sooooooooooooooooo sweet y'all won't believe it.

And everyone checkout Ravi's review of tha RaceGrip this issue - if that ain't plain speaking, unbiased reviewing than I don't know what is.

PS. We sacked Justin off of What Paintball Gear? and replaced him with Snoochie, cos he am speak da truth.

 

[Collier]

cheaper markers do get reviewed in PGI

Originally posted by TJ Lambini
and there are a shedload coming up in tha new What Paintball Gear? - wehich is gonna be sooooooooooooooooo sweet y'all won't believe it.

And everyone checkout Ravi's review of tha RaceGrip this issue - if that ain't plain speaking, unbiased reviewing than I don't know what is.

PS. We sacked Justin off of What Paintball Gear? and replaced him with Snoochie, cos he am speak da truth.

I was going to say there is normally a good mix of cheaper and high end marker reviews!

TJ did you look at the links Si posted if so what did you think?

Paul.