Product Reviews - 2 magazines, same engines

quote:

Originally posted by Ed Boyle:
The new Lionel 700E Hudson is a very significant engine in their product line up for several reasons, so it was inevitable that OGR would test it. It didn't surprise us that someone else did as well.

I think you will find after reading both reviews, that we have information about the Hudson that others did not cover.

My point here is that just because you saw a review in one magazine doesn't mean you will not get more and different information about that train when it is reviewed somewhere else.

Way back when when I read and worked with the Car and Driver crew at Volvo, even though I thought they did the best job of the three big auto magazines, I always read the others as well. It is the same with O Gauge Railroading, I think we do the the best quality reviews, but it doesn't hurt to see what the other folks are doing as well, as long as you read us first of course .

To sum it up concisely, the same engines but not the same reviews.

Ed Boyle

quote:

Originally posted by Tom Zemanek:
I miss the other Magazine's "Pros and Cons". (They were usually right on)

quote:

Originally posted by ns1001:
No doubt George Brown's reviews are the crown jewels of OGR - he is even minded, consistant, and knowledgeable. The primary reviwer of the other magazine has definitely been at the same job too long and his reviews are inconsistant.

If I could make a review request, it would be for more non-engines to be highlighted. Signals, scenic accessories, bridges, electronics, etc. As it is, I open up either magazine, see another test of a $600-plus engine, and move on.

Alan P,

Good idea. I think you will like some of the future reviews we have planned.

More information on this is coming later.

Ed Boyle

Partner

Special Projects Editor

O Gauge Railroading magazine

Doing reviews appears to be a thankless task in that you can never make everyone happy.  Reviews aren't my favorite part of the magazine, but I do enjoy them especially when they are on something I am interested in. 

Art

Walt those are exactly my feelings .

I find the reviews interesting and informative even if I have no desire to buy the item.

As AlanP suggested, reviewing other products instead of engines would be a nice change. As far as two magazines reviewing the same product, it makes sense because when a new product comes out, everyone will want to critique it. It's like getting a second opinion from another doctor, never hurts.

"I miss the other Magazine's "Pros and Cons". (They were usually right on)"

No they weren't.

And I wrote them, addressing the issue. Very often in the review of a semi-scale product, they would list as a "con" that it looked out of place with scale proportioned trains. Duh, of course. To a semi-scale operator, that's not a "Con", but a huge "Pro."

I suggested that along those lines of thinking, that all scale products should have listed as a "Con" that they are full scale and will look out of place with semi-scale trains, or will not clear 027 switches, or have too much detail on them in comparision to traditional items.

They soon dropped the "Pro - Con" box.

Nothing wrong with pros and cons if they are in line with what the product is and for who it is intended. For example, on a scale propportioned loco, a "Pro" might be "Equipped with easy conversion to scale Kadee couplers." Or "easy access to controls." A "Con" might be "paint does not match to earlier made matching passenger cars."

All that said, I agree with Ed Boyle, that reading reviews from different sources gives the reader a bigger picture of the product. Reviews are always ONE PERSON's OPINION. George Brown indeed does a good job.

But on the other hand, comparing a MTH Rugged Rails F-3 to one made by Atlas is a moot and even foolish point. They're not the same, and more importantly, not intended for the same type of layout / buyer.

Now, comparing a Lionel Legacy F-3 to an Atlas or MTH Premiere line version is another story. Outside of command capacity, they are similar types of products intented for buyers interested in full scale items.

And I like the idea that Alan P. mentioned and Ed Boyle said was in process.

Ed,

Why do you say that the 700 E is "significant".  I really don't know much about Hudsons in general.

Norm

For me reviews have taken on a greater import due to the local, disappearing hobby shop in favor of simply photos placed on the internet market by dealers...I still hesitate to buy anything sight unseen regardless of reviews or photos. Issues out of the box that reviews or photos cannot predict were the bane of my participation in the hobby.

I guess I am a throwback to days gone by due to quality randomness....a defensive measure, maybe a sign of paranoia attached to my wallet.

Be very glad that you have two magazines dedicated to your hobby.  We two-railers are down to one, and that survives only because of dedicated staff members.

You could get 5 reviews and like the forums, you will get 5 different opinions. 

I would guess that publishers communicate from time to time but I doubt they revel the contents of their coming issues, So reviews of the same product are very likely.

I'm probably in the minority here but I very rarely read the reviews. I guess I'm just not interested. Perhaps if I were thinking of buying that particular engine I would probably read the review then.

I read most locomotive reviews. I think that first and foremost, for the top line MTH and Lionel offerings, should be fidelity to scale. And by that I do not mean a very general comment such as "I measured the locomotive with my ruler and it closely approximates the dimensions of the prototype." I believe actual major dimensions are appropriate here, and for steam locomotives should include the distance between engine and tender (excessive space always looks terrible...) Does the engine to tender drawbar have more than one hole for operation on sharper curvature? Then a review of the appearance of the item should be described, preferably with photographs, with special attention to an exact color match, correct road number and correct locomotive class, correct striping, with the real thing. Are the axle ends and driver rims blackened? Does the engine and tender have brake rigging? Is the tender equipped with safety chains? Does the lubricator linkage exist and does it work? Are all wheel sizes, engine and tender, prototypical? How high is the bottom of the pilot from the top of the rail? If it's a diesel, are the interconnections between units hidden, and how closely do the units couple? Is the gearing exposed? Then a review of the performance, including scale speed range, sound on and "noise" in the motor and drive train with sound "off". If it's a steam locomotive, does it sound like one, or does it sound like a "noisemaker"? Then any operational issues, including coupler integrity, minimum radius, etc. The type of drive train including the type of motor, and the voltage and current draw are important. Drawbar pull is relatively less so but the weight of the item and whether it has traction tires is important also. And of course MSRP....

My opinion.

Well thanks, Ed! I do enjoy dreaming about the fancy stuff, but the review section could be a great place to learn about smaller items that get overlooked. Small vendors, too.

I like to read the reviews first too.

And somebody once told me, if you are not attracted to the ads ina magazine then you are not really in to the hobby.

I believe that to be true......

This thread is interesting in more ways than one.  Things we all posted in 2011 are still relevant to those who are reading them now.  Plus the new posts are offering insights to our reviews that are both helpful and relevant.

That is not bad for for a revived thread from 2011!

Ed Boyle

Partner

Special Projects Editor

O Gauge Railroading magazine

Not to speak for Ed, but I believe it's because that comment in this thread was from almost exactly 3 years ago.

At that time, the 700E Vision Line Hudson was a major event. (Sort of like the Vision Line Big Boy is thought to be today, or probably will be when it comes out)

-Dave

hello

How about more reviews of starter sets and other entry level stuff ,

Along with the mid/high range stuff ?

While I like the $2000.00 big boy unless I win the lottery.

I will just have to think of it as the Rolls Royce of trains