Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

Announcement!

We've had a little something in the works based around this idea for a while now, take a look over at our RoadTest Open Call!

Excuse me. As a beginner, I find Element 14 very helpful. It's quite helpful in my learning and development. Shabaz explains several topics for my final project in Element 14. Thank you. That's why I'm quite focused on this platform and am still exploring its features.
The great thing about this platform is that it has a place to write articles about projects, and I'm quite interested in posting my final project here. I think I have a lot to learn about writing and a friendly writing style here.
Thank you.
Best regards

As a new member in this roadtest community, I would like to make a review of something that I know to learn the process of reviewing in general and improve how I use my tools along the way.

As long as audio is good people can forgive quality a bit is what I found. 

I sometimes grab the external webcam to use handheld but often need a third hand to be able to hold it in the right position, whilst still holding the part you are working on; then you still need to adjust focus and hit the shutter release to take the photo. 

Not so bad here at the desk but if you are in a MEWP bucket 8m off the ground working by torchlight, it might start to get a wee bit tricky.

There appear to be a couple of design flaws in the older style SpeakON chassis connectors when working with 4mm² wire. Firstly, you can't use bootlace ferrules and secondly there is an obstruction partly inside the terminal requiring the wire to be inserted at a particular angle to avoid it, however with bare stranded wire it then starts to get a bit 'interesting'. Trying to quickly get a photo/video of that whilst you are working is tricky but it is exactly the type of thing you might want to be able to include in a write-up.

I'd love to see these sorts of items in quick videos/photos too. Regarding recording, often nowadays I just use my mobile phone, because if I get out the proper camera and set it up, it's just too much time consumed. For me, I've decided I'm willing to tolerate the lower-quality, if it means I become more likely to record something than not. 

I like this idea this is great. I usually have a shopping cart of connectors, supplies, random sale items I dont need but want for no reason and things on newark and wait til I hit the minimum for shipping.  reminds me I need to go buy some more connectors thanks Dave lol and my wire strippers I like are in my storage locker....might have to take a look at them knipex. 

Speaking of connectors, this week I was thinking that my desk was starting to resemble a Farnell advert...

• 144x Neutrik SpeakONs
• Multicomp 4mm² bootlace ferrules
• Penn Elcom 19" punched rack panels
• Multicomp 4mm² tri-rated switchgear wire 
• Knipex cable shears
• Knipex wire strippers
• Knipex bootlace ferrule crimps
• Knipex cable dismantling tool
• Wiha nut driver

so perhaps there is some scope to combine a number of stocked products into a useful product-focused blog.

Not only that but like many will have done, I've gone through a number of tools along the way so potential for comparisons between tools along the way.

One of the issues perhaps is capturing enough video/photo content, especially in the field, to then be able to later create a blog around. I suspect that will soon change with the wider adoption of camera glasses.

How about something like a 'Product14' area based along the lines of the current 'Project14' area ?

One aspect I really like about this idea is that it could provide a valuable entry point for newer community members who may not yet have a RoadTest history.

Many applicants have strong technical skills and interesting project ideas, but they often have no previous RoadTest reviews to reference when applying for more competitive opportunities. Allowing members to create RoadTests using equipment they already own could help build a portfolio of work and demonstrate their testing methodology, technical writing ability, photography, data collection, and overall review quality.

In a way, it could serve as a RoadTest "resume builder." Members would have an opportunity to show the community what they can do before applying for larger RoadTests, while manufacturers and the element14 team would gain additional insight into the quality of a member's work.

It could also encourage greater community participation by giving members a reason to create detailed technical content around products they already use and understand well. Even modest supplemental items, accessories, sensors, test equipment, or expansion modules could help enhance these reviews and make them more valuable to readers.

Overall, I think this could be a great way to help develop new reviewers, increase community engagement, and create a stronger pool of applicants for future RoadTests.