Its all advertising not objective reviewing. Who do you think makes the mags pay?
Advertisers.
Without them there would be no mag.
Same with all the articles, most are promoting products from this company or that.
Just get used to it and the mags are ok.

Whilst obviously advertisers are a significant factor, nevertheless, within what is largely a subjective reviewer opinion , you can notice and detect, after a while of reading reviews by the same angler/journalists, the often subtle remarks and phrasing that pretty much well convey the plus points and often the drawbacks by omission or in how the phrasing is conveyed.

So in that sense, imo, the reviews are certainly not as uniform in fulsome praise or lacking in criticism as many forum anglers allege.

Magazines will not give bad reviews for a few reasons.
advertising by manufacturers in their magazines.they will not risk upsetting the manufacturers,even if the review was honest.this holds back technology and also is the biggest reason for manufacturers lack of customer afterservice when a product goes wrong.
they say there is no point giving a product a bad review,if the products is bad to start with,there is no point reviewing it.this i believe is wrong,as it prevents buyers from knowing what might be an expensive mistake if purchased and not up to specs.

@wightangler wrote:

Whilst obviously advertisers are a significant factor, nevertheless, within what is largely a subjective reviewer opinion , you can notice and detect, after a while of reading reviews by the same angler/journalists, the often subtle remarks and phrasing that pretty much well convey the plus points and often the drawbacks by omission or in how the phrasing is conveyed

So in that sense, imo, the reviews are certainly not as uniform in fulsome praise or lacking in criticism as many forum anglers allege.

Very true. You’ve to read between the lines and in most cases you’ll find a honest revue.

Maybe we should campain to have “Which” magazine review poles and more importantly the disgraceful sums one can pay for tackle boxes?

Then there would be no fear of upseting the advertisers :rolleyes:

If you are sick of reading reviews that are not to the point it’s easy; don’t buy the mags in the first place,

Look round local fisheries speak to guys that aren’t sponsored and ask them what they think of the pole they’re using.

I think there is much less rubbish around now. Even rods for £20 to £50 range can be very good. Some of the pole deals around too are as cheap as chips compared to what we used to pay. Terminal tackle too if you stick to the well known names which are underwritten by the likes of Des Shipp Steve Ringer you will never go far wrong.
Whilst I read the reviews occasionally I generally take them with a pinch of salt. The shops I use to buy my gear would not sell me rubbish even if I wanted to buy it.
The old rule of if it looks too good to be true its not worth buying still ring true..

Just treat them all as adverts……job done…….move on!

If you want independent testing then you can’t use the tackle trade, Which magazine is a fair shout.

……can’t wait to see the 16m pole that’s not 16m, the 0.15 line that’s not 0.15 and the size 16 hooks that aren’t size 16, funny really anything else bought on the high street that wasnt as stated and we would probably go to trading standards about it!

I can just see the future redress campaigns “have you been mis-sold a 16m pole, tackle manufacturers have paid out thousands, ring us today, we can help, no win no fee!!”

The reason there are no bad reviews is Simple. “They will not review a bad pole” or any other substandard product for that matter. If problems are encountered then it will be returned without a word been written. That’s the way it works unfortunately rightly or wrongly, the same goes for sponsored anglers, very seldom will you hear them knock there own gear for reasons which are obvious.
😀

regarding line dia/ bs strengths – in the Dave Harrell editor era – at least two fully comparative tests of all major pole lines were undertaken using micrometers with a measured length of various lines and also the accurate comparative findings starred into various test categories.

Most pole reviews have also,for many years until quite recently shown a manufacturers stated length and the DHP review team’s own assembled measured length.

Despite finding their reviews useful personally as previously stated and explained, andbecause of living on an Island. Nevertheless, why they have stopped this doing the latter this year and the reasons why might certainly be a point worth asking them for emailed explanation, which in my own previous experiences they, to their individual credit have always kindly comprehensively and promptly responded to.
I

This is a really good thread and well worth highlighting to the industry. I am very frustrated by so called tackle reviews which are not reviews at all just blatant advertising. Of course I appreciate that magazines rely on advertising revenue but at the cost of not being honest or providing an expert opionion? surely if reviews were done properly then this would promote products and sell more in the long run. People could then make better informed decisions on whether they would be happy with a £50 rod or pay more for a better product if the review was honest then it’s up to them we all know you get what you pay for instead of reviews saying that every item is fantastic and a must buy???????

Unfortunately the sport is dominated by top anglers only pushing sponsored products so we would never know if Steve Ringer for example would really rate a Matrix box better than his daiwa for example !!!

the only problem with reviews in mags is if they are done by sponsored anglers who review their own sponsors products which does happens sometimes.they are hardly going to slate those products.reviews are ideally supposed to be done by unsponsored people who can give at least an impartial review.

I would have done a good ‘destruction’ cupping kit test at the world champs. Broke two and also broke a No4 on another LOL.

That’s cos you YANK’ed it about abit to much!!!!!

he he he………………………

Very interesting post Chris.
I can say that the standard of tackle is much more consistent nowadays, so there are fewer poor products out there. But basically, magazines are not going to give space to products that are not up to the job. It doesn’t help them, or their advertisers, to just slate poor kit.

In my limited time as a reviewer, I have upset companies with my reviews (pellet waggler rods and more recently method feeder rods). Usually in the Quick Comparisons (I review for the Angler’s Mail), when anyone who doesn’t win considers themselves to be a loser. Even if they scored 28/30 and I said it is a great product.
My brief is to be honest, and I think the format of testing products against each other allows me to really make proper comparisons.

Going back to MF, which seems to be the mag most are referring to, try reading Alex’s review of the MAP pole in conjunction with his Editorial.

I have sent an e-mail to a few magazines,asking for a mass test on all the top end poles,rather than a single review.so comparisons regarding droop results at full length,true length when assembled,instead of stated length etc.they have replied with hopes of doing one next year if all manufacturers send poles in for testing.

I think the key word there is “IF” all manufacturers send their poles for testing. I will bet you now that they will not.
If you are a manufacturer with a top of the range pole which is poor in comparison why would you? A negative report will affect sales and lose you money.
The best way to get the info without upsetting all of the manufacturers and advertisers is by doing individual reviews to set standards. Lets see the mags introduce some easily measured tests such as droop at 16m, down force required to hold the pole at set lengths etc. I would love to see a breakage test but can’t see anyone doing that!

The problem with reviews are that it is only one mans opinion on the item of tackle that is being reviewed, how on earth do you review a pole? so much criteria goes into it, is it stiffness, lightness, balance Action ? there have been a lot of great reviews about the Map 901 as the stiffest pole to date, does this make it the best pole?, chatting too lots of anglers including some England internationals all there opinions vary on the matter! it’s like asking an angler what’s your favourite line you will get 101 different answers, if asking for a comparison you might as well whistle everyone is looking for the qualities in an item that suits them, a review is a review, put simply, one man’s opinion, simple as that, the best reviewer is yourself, either have a look on the bank or get down to the tackle shop and have a good look before you part with your hard earned cash. There is only one review that counts and that’s your own, reading a review or another man’s opinion from a magazine is interesting but not gospel, reviews are and should never be taken as if they are written in tablets of stone.
As for technical details it’s the tackle firms that give that out weight of pole elastic rating etc.
there are some stiff poles that in a tackle showroom look superb take them on a bank with a strong side wind and they bend like a banana even stiffness does not show the true story of a poles capability.

There was a test comparison of a few top end poles a long while back in pole fishing magazine.
if all manufacturers send the full length pole for review{ie not just 13mts of a 15.5-16mt pole model,then it will be a fair enough test.it will benefit both the buying public,and the manufacturers in the long run.the buyers will get a better impression of the poles true worth in terms of practical usage.and the manufacturers will see where they need to step up their game where needed.

Tidal wave, companies send in new product for review to match magazines normally just prior to or after the time of the release of the item for distribution to tackle shops, this is done so that the angling public is made aware that new product has been released and is available for us to purchase, as different companies all release tackle at different times getting every company to send in there pole for a like to like comparison just to satisfy you, is never going to happen, why should they? product is promoted around the release date, tackle is a personal thing, what some anglers like others don’t, if you as an individual want to have an idea of a poles true worth in comparison to another brand there is only one way, go to an angling show and compare like for like and make up your own mind.

Chris, I don’t mind you disagreeing with my opinion it’s a free world, however I don’t think Map will agree that there 901 pole is the same as a Z12 pole, I did not buy your pole once you told me all the top two” had been cut back by an inch or so, in my mind that completely ruins all the top kits that was the only reason for none purchase, however after being told I would think that any purchaser would be allowed to firstly consult with a mate who owns the same pole then on there advice change there mind, however feeling disgruntled, you went even further slagging me off on another post or two one which had to be removed by Geepster.
I apologise for not buying your pole and am sorry that you are so upset by my decision however that was my decision. Like wise I am also entitled to my opinion which I shall voice. However I do applaud you efforts for trying to get some sort of industry standards on fishing tackle to which you deserve much credit.

@chrismoorhead wrote:

I totally disagree fred with your opinions
the 901 is exactly the same as the BROWNING Z12
the same kit choice the same pole all apart for the graphics

Is it? Does the 901 have extra long sections like the Z12?

Have them side by side, or try interchanging the sections. The TKS901 is not the same pole as the Z12.

@chrismoorhead wrote:

….

also I pose this question to you why are all cars vans and trucks
different why do we make so many different makes and models
why not just one mdel …….

I’m not sure I would buy a pole called a Trabant…. :rolleyes:

@Cutnut wrote:

@chrismoorhead wrote:

….

also I pose this question to you why are all cars vans and trucks
different why do we make so many different makes and models
why not just one mdel …….

I’m not sure I would buy a pole called a Trabant…. :rolleyes:

Some folk would especially if Browning made them :rolleyes:

Lets wait and see which manufacturers send in poles for testing first,and then judge by the finished results.

Chris you like taking points from other people for no good reason other than you dont agree with a different point of view!

@chrismoorhead wrote:

mike your exactly right one says BROWNING on it one says MAP

Realy ? I’m shocked if this is the case , anyone would know though as the Z12 has long sections from the 8 up .

100% not the same pole. Considering I helped develop the MAP pole I should know.