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Should a reviewer keep a $20K Oscilloscope?

scottiebabe

I am just putting the thought out there, that I think a reviewer keeping a $20K oscilloscope is too much.

When an automotive journalist reviews a vehicle, its my understanding typically they return the vehicle afterwards (perhaps that’s not always the case).

I have not seen a review on element14 that I believe is any way deserving of such a reward.

I do believe a reviewer should be rewarded in some form for taking the time and effort to produce a quality review. But I think the reward would have one less zero in its value.

I think there are a lot of other creative opportunities to help see the community grow and flourish.

I don’t intend to say anymore than this.

But I do hope you take a second look at how the terms and conditions for the MXO4 review are defined.

Just a thought...

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  • Clearly such road tests are good for the person testing the instrument. They also benefit the forum by attracting more members, although perhaps not that many more. There is a question about benefit to the manufacturer, but I am sure all manufacturers carefully evaluate the total benefits versus costs for every road test. There is a potential issue with members who feel disappointed that they don't have much chance of participating in high end road tests, and the bigger picture result that it tends to stratify road testers. The high end road testers end up with more high end instrumentation and more experience, which enables them to better test other high end instrumentation, effectively relegating some members to only qualifying to test lower end instrumentation. Bridging the gap becomes harder and harder.

    This is a complex situation that is similar to many other sectors of life. It may not be possible to change this type of situation. Many have tried but the new systems never seem to work. element14 does "take a chance" on some unproven road testers, which helps, but the best way to get ahead within the system is to expend a disproportionate amount of effort.

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  • Clearly such road tests are good for the person testing the instrument. They also benefit the forum by attracting more members, although perhaps not that many more. There is a question about benefit to the manufacturer, but I am sure all manufacturers carefully evaluate the total benefits versus costs for every road test. There is a potential issue with members who feel disappointed that they don't have much chance of participating in high end road tests, and the bigger picture result that it tends to stratify road testers. The high end road testers end up with more high end instrumentation and more experience, which enables them to better test other high end instrumentation, effectively relegating some members to only qualifying to test lower end instrumentation. Bridging the gap becomes harder and harder.

    This is a complex situation that is similar to many other sectors of life. It may not be possible to change this type of situation. Many have tried but the new systems never seem to work. element14 does "take a chance" on some unproven road testers, which helps, but the best way to get ahead within the system is to expend a disproportionate amount of effort.

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  • in reply to dougw

    I wouldn’t personally say the high-end road testers are stratified based on knowledge, experience, and personal access to test equipment. I suspect the regular road-testers are the most motivated to invest in the application process (what drives that motivation, not sure). How many individuals are interested in spending 10+ hours authoring a road-test proposal (based on the applicant count very few…) to maybe be selected.

    Presently only 15 people want experiment with a new state of the art oscilloscope:

    image 

    Now, there are still 5 days remaining, but I do find the number of applicants mysterious.

    Again providing a broader view of the situation there are going to be (Applicants - Kits ) individuals who are going to be very disappointed and hopefully not too disenfranchised with the e14 community. That's just the math and the reality of the situation, not saying there is an clear answer there either.

  • in reply to dougw

    I feel the term "stratify" is appropriate. My analogy is those that have the skills to swim in the deep end verses those paddle around tin the shallow end. I'm the guy hanging onto the rope separating the two pools.

    Professionally, I read the reviews from the deep end and are envious. The skill, knowledge and expertise to accomplish the task is beyond my capabilities. I feel some of the reviews are commercial grade, that would be paid for.

    RS and the selection committee has a tough job. RS has made the program even better by focusing effort into improving the selection process. I hold out hope that originality in RoadTests will get me an application win occasionally.

    I look for the content from those that win. If those in the stratosphere produce quality, I can say it is not fair but hey I have played sports where I have had to sit on the bench while the more skilled players take to the field. I get the reward of reading their review.