Eastman's Pack "Review"

[bbrown]

Anyone else happen to catch this one? For some reason... it seems like all their "reviews" tend to be just slightly biased towards their sponsors.

 

[Hardstalk]

I would say 98% of reviews that come from a contracted employee are a bit on the biased side. I always take them more as a glorified product description then as a review. I consider a review to be from someone that has no monetary ties to a product, sponsorship or the like. I really look forward to someone shopping their heart out for their next pack or bino harness and giving full descriptions of the pros and cons before they have made up their mind on a certain product. Such as bb's pack review. Not sure if he paid anything for the packs that he reviewed but it was basically a no b.s battle to the death between the manufacturers. Which in turn gave buyers a great amount of insight on all products tested. If there on tv there probably biased. Someones gotta pay for those tags and air time.

 

[bbrown]

Agreed and I understand that without sponsors many of these shows, magazines and forums would not be around. But I have to chuckle at some of the "strong points" of these products. But hell I keep renewing my subscription so I guess I am only helping their cause.

 

[Weston]

I agree, I put very little thought into reviews where the reviewer has any bias. and +1 on BB's pack review that is what put me over the edge on purchasing a terminus pack!

 

[Justin Crossley]

I agree that there are a lot of bs reviews out there.

I also think that a lot of guys who have paid for their gear will still be biased. Who wants to go and drop $400.00 on a sleeping bag or $600.00 on a tent and then tell people it's not what they were hoping for? I think that when we buy new gear, we WANT it to meet our expectations.

The type of review that Matt did on the packs is the only way to go IMO.

 

[Bobmuley]

"Paid reviews are about as useful as the instantaneous ones; you know the ones, "I just received my Brand X Gismo and it's the best ever...".

 

[Wrongside]

"Paid reviews are about as useful as the instantaneous ones; you know the ones, "I just received my Brand X Gismo and it's the best ever...".

LoL! Lots of both on the InterWeb...

 

[TJ]

Anyone else happen to catch this one? For some reason... it seems like all their "reviews" tend to be just slightly biased towards their sponsors.

I have to agree on this one also. I feel most of their reviews are worthless really.

And I'm not so sure some of the "Trophy" pics looked like there was some photo shop taking place. Of course it's a sponsor's gear.

One hunter's bio says he shoots a Hoyt but guess what bow is shown. It ain't a Hoyt.

 

[slim9300]

Agreed. I was glad to see Kifaru finally get some attention from Eastmans though. It's about time.

 

[cmeier117]

I agree that there are a lot of bs reviews out there.

I also think that a lot of guys who have paid for their gear will still be biased. Who wants to go and drop $400.00 on a sleeping bag or $600.00 on a tent and then tell people it's not what they were hoping for? I think that when we buy new gear, we WANT it to meet our expectations.

The type of review that Matt did on the packs is the only way to go IMO.

I agree with this, it is hard to be honest if a piece of gear costs us are hard earned money and doesn't meet our expectations.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I agree that there are a lot of bs reviews out there.

I also think that a lot of guys who have paid for their gear will still be biased. Who wants to go and drop $400.00 on a sleeping bag or $600.00 on a tent and then tell people it's not what they were hoping for? I think that when we buy new gear, we WANT it to meet our expectations.

The type of review that Matt did on the packs is the only way to go IMO.

This. People are much more likely to get emotionally attached to their gear the more they spend on it.

Mike

 

[Matt W.]

For sure... I like it when my friends spend money and I then I can see how it works out. : )

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I must be a bit different than most people because if I spend $600 on a piece of gear and it doesn't meet my expectations I don't become emotionally attached to it. I tell everyone I know exactly why and how it did not meet those expectations.

 

[Daniel_M]

I must be a bit different than most people because if I spend $600 on a piece of gear and it doesn't meet my expectations I don't become emotionally attached to it. I tell everyone I know exactly why and how it did not meet those expectations.

Bingo. I'll sell off any piece of gear in the house for an upgrade. I can always justify why one item is better than the other.

 

[JNDEER]

I think the Mag is starting to tailor to different hunters.. I honestly never new blacktails lived in the sierra's.

 

[trdhunter]

I agree it sucks to buy something that does not perform like expected. If you know who the sponsors are, you can pretty much guess how the review will go most times. I like to read all reviews I can, but for me, nothing beats hands on use or at least looking at it in a store. I would love to find someone near me who has a kifaru pack, bikini frame specifically, to try on and see how it feels.

 

[realunlucky]

I usually look at the used market if the item I want has been out awhile. If the market is full of them than I have to ask myself why is everyone unloading them? Most times its a long wait and I have to be quick to buy it up before the next guy that's also been waiting and looking. Take for example packs the good ones don't last long in the classified and there are about 10 wtb in there

 

[gulicemo]

I think the Mag is starting to tailor to different hunters.. I honestly never new blacktails lived in the sierra's.

I found that cover and story a bit comical.

 

[Daniel_M]

I found that cover and story a bit comical.

We've had Mtn Lion sightings in Alaska. Never know..

 

[tstowater]

Rule #1 is that none of us are objective. Once we get by that and live on the cynical edge like I do, life is easier. Seriously, it is difficult to be objective unless you have an opportunity to try the different options and know what to look for and what makes a difference. For instance, I know that I am going to get a different pack someday, but I am not automatically going to buy a Kifaru because of the perception on this forum. Based on my little KUIU/Kryptek warm weather gear test, it get damn expensive to play with the different options if you have to buy them yourself, and, that is a rather inexpensive test. I know what I like and what is important to me, but that may not be the same priorities for others. Easiest thing to assume is that the person or publication has a preference, but just need to get as much disclosure as possible. BTW, Aron works pretty hard to do a good job as he understands that his credibility is important. Selling someone a pipe dream will only work once, unless the person is an idiot, and they wil go elsewhere the next time. IMO.