Vested interests..4x4 type magazines..Events etc

I think in your heart of hearts, you know the answer to that....

I stopped buying them years ago.

I find if I want to know something now, I jump on the net and look for forums. Why would I take the word of a journalist who is paid for his/her comments, when I can hit the net and find hundreds, if not thousands, of different peoples points of view. Some is utter crap, but I have learnt to sort through the rubble, and find what I am after.

For example, if I were looking for a fridge, Waeco and Engel seem to come up a lot. If I read enough comments, Waecos can have lid problems (in the older models, it would seem), but the after sales service is great. Engel seem to just go forever. Both have odd problems from time to time, but it is the recurring themes I am looking for.

This analogy can be applied to any subject / product / whatever when using the net.

A magazine article just no longer cuts it. At the most, it is one of the many articles that may be read on a particular subject, but I would quickly discard it when I knew sponsors were involved.....

The knowledge pool is just light years bigger, and so much more accessible than it was just five years ago.......

Cheers,

Chump

I've given up on the 4x4 magazines also. Used to always buy Overlander, 4wd Monthly and 4x4 Australia but found they are all exactly the same and all they ever reproduce are the manufacturers figures for fuel etc.
Most of them now concentrate on new vehicles or simply comparing vehicles. I'm not after a new car but was after information on trips and places to see, things to do etc.
I now use the net for everything. As has been mentioned there are some biased reports but if you take the average I think you get a pretty good idea of what's good and what's not.
Lets hope the magazine editors realise they're losing a lot of business and start producing unbiased, reliable information (about as much hope of that happening as Ray Martin doing an honest story on 4 wds)
Peter

I too have given up on the mags, although I do brouse them at lunch time in the local shop. I get more honest feedback on equipment and trials from the good ppl on ExplorOZ, such a wealth of knowledge.

Guess yo already knew this,but,anyway! Was coasting through a 4b mag last nite re adv & headlines..Was obvious and this is not an objection,but rather,an observation,that the ads are on the right hand page (I imagine it costs more and also attracts much more attention).Over 50% of headers to an article were also on that side..However,when an article starts with an opening,two page spread,the left hand page appears,in this case,to be just as dynamic as the right-hand one.Maybe even more so,if the photo leads the eye from left to right.We humans are funny cattle,as,I have done tests in our small store,whereby I have placed vital items or signs at eye level in the isles,only to come to the conclusion that the eye-ball appears to be affected by the forces of gravity,as,those items,when re-positioned at about average chest height,get the desired result,consistantly.However,items and signs,which are placed at head height,which will be viewed at a reasonable distance,do,in fact,attract the most attention.Ever noticed just how un-natural it is,quite appart from the mechanics involved,to observe traffic lights and signs which are well above our normal.comfortable field of view.Back to the magazines,I can see a major break-through on the inventors show on TV when,some genius comes up with a magazine format which has only right hand pages..Maybe we will just go back to the "scrolls"..Have fun..RockyOne