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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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  • It's difficult because there's value involved. Especially with the current 'cost of living crisis' invites questions, and also makes it difficult. How can someone ensure that a person offering to RoadTest such equipment is genuine? How can you guarantee that there's the appropriate value from the review to justify it?

    There are obviously reasons why there are laws around this.

    With items that are valued at $20k I believe you're entering realms of shows such as 'Top Gear' with supercars, it's unlikely that Jeremy Clarkson will keep fancy supercars (not that they couldn't afford them themselves) but there are certain realms where items should be considered to be on loan for a RoadTest rather than given away. I've seen YouTube reviewers do this (though I wonder if they try to circumvent being a 'sponsored' video by saying they didn't receive anything of value, but I would argue that the opportunity is still of value).

    My view doesn't reflect the decisions and views of the entire Community team, but they're certainly views that I express to the team for their consideration and I've brought up that the terms and conditions should be considered to change for items to be loaned when they're above a certain value.

  • in reply to cstanton

    Thank you so much for taking the time to listen. I understand its a complicated issue with a lot of moving pieces. 

    I know there is no obvious line in the sand here. Regardless of what side it is on I think its value is getting close to said value.

    E14 has reviewed many products that have an order of magnitude lower value, so I will be interested to see what a review of this scope entails.

    Thanks again as always for listening and sharing your feedback. 

  • in reply to scottiebabe

    I think that this is a case where everyone has some line in some sand. And maybe that's good: stick to your own ethics, principles,... as rule #1.

    And once you do something online: be prepared to deal with challenges of your choices. Complying with your own little code of conduct is a good start when dealing with world ethics.

    Breaching the trust of other people may be hard. But not as hard as breaching your own principles.

    also: if you aren't confrontational/controversial, and you use common sense: the more backlash you get on your choices, the more popular you are online.. It's a law. Unpopular channels don't get flack. Popular channels get critique whatever they do, whenever they do something. The online world runs like that. And when you reach a decent amount of followers, you will have freaks and trolls amongst them. It's statistics.

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    When DJones produces a review I don't believe he walks away from every aspect of his business for 6 weeks to double down on nothing but producing a product review 9 to 5. I still find his reviews interesting and insightful and inspiring:) 

    I know if I did review the scope my review wouldn't be anywhere near 100K words. And I worry that no matter how hard the reviewer tries many of the regulars are going to be disappointed with the review.

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  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    When DJones produces a review I don't believe he walks away from every aspect of his business for 6 weeks to double down on nothing but producing a product review 9 to 5. I still find his reviews interesting and insightful and inspiring:) 

    I know if I did review the scope my review wouldn't be anywhere near 100K words. And I worry that no matter how hard the reviewer tries many of the regulars are going to be disappointed with the review.

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  • in reply to scottiebabe

    Of course everyone has a different concept of what constitutes a good review, but I don't think the bar for an acceptable review should be set too high. If the reviewer makes a good effort given their experience level, that has to be acceptable. That is a murky definition, but I think you could get general consensus of whether a reviewer made a decent effort. I don't think potential reviewers should abstain just because they feel their best effort doesn't meet some standard. For example I am sure you would make a perfectly adequate effort with such a road test and the members would not have a problem with it.

  • in reply to scottiebabe

    Cant please everyone. I wouldnt be picked to review the scope if I didnt show basic competency and/or had a poor test plan.