Tired of unprepared flashlight reviewers

Jors · **on:** February 16, 2014, 03:49:05 PM

I am regularly downloading youtube videos with reviews on Flashlights (lately), multitools and other topics of interest.

What really irritates me is when a reviewer "reviews" something that he clearly have no knowledge about and can only tell you what you can see for yourself or by using the word "uhm" in every sentence. The should rather keep quiet.

I have just watched a flashlight review from TheUrbanPrepper, titled "Fenix E05 R2 Flashlight Review", which was 11 min 38 sec long. He was well prepared, know what he was talking about and never used the word "uhm" once. I enjoyed his review.

Dale · **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2014, 04:32:48 PM

Selfbuilt does many reviews on youtube of lights. He's pretty well informed. He's my go to guy when checking out a flashlight

Gareth · **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2014, 04:38:47 PM

I know what you mean, there are a lot of reviewers who really should work on a script and not just bumble their way through.

Gareth · **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2014, 04:40:26 PM

Quote from: Dale on February 16, 2014, 04:32:48 PM

Selfbuilt does many reviews on youtube of lights. He's pretty well informed. He's my go to guy when checking out a flashlight

Agreed. Selfbuilt does excellent videos.

Jors · **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2014, 07:44:48 PM

I will really watch his videos as well. Thanks guys.

NutSAK · **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2014, 08:29:18 PM

Quote from: Jors on February 16, 2014, 03:49:05 PM

What really irritates me is when a reviewer "reviews" something that he clearly have no knowledge about and can only tell you what you can see for yourself or by using the word "uhm" in every sentence. The should rather keep quiet.

I couldn't agree more. It's getting harder to find videos with solid reviews these days.

Syph007 · **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2014, 09:46:07 PM

Ya I know what you mean, and it applies to products in all categories. A knife review isnt just taking it out of the box and saying wow if feels great in hand. Go buy one.

sticktodrum · **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2014, 09:55:09 PM

I'd like to think I do pretty decent reviews... I take flashlight reviews pretty seriously, and I'm a huge fan of selfbuilt and also Marshal from Going Gear. His reviews are excellent. I also try to do reviews of things that aren't done yet.

I share many of those complaints about reviews in general.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

PTRSAK · **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2014, 10:32:23 PM

the videos that smurf me are the ones from some pre voice-breaking teen who is just making a video "like one I saw" simply to get themselves on youtube doing a review and sounding all knowledgeable when it's obvious that they couldn't tell crap from clay.

Roc · **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2014, 03:59:49 AM

Quote from: PTRSAK on February 16, 2014, 10:32:23 PM

the videos that smurf me are the ones from some pre voice-breaking teen who is just making a video "like one I saw" simply to get themselves on youtube doing a review and sounding all knowledgeable when it's obvious that they couldn't tell crap from clay.

I've come across these far to many times. Very annoying.

SublimetalMsG · **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2014, 04:37:16 AM

Yeah I have seen a lot of reviews that only cover the basics and the PR ttalk like what's on the box. I wanna know the details, materials used, what its for, where it was made, why they made it with that specific thing and why it matters. I also want to know real world uses ease of use annoyances they noticed during short term/long term use or operation. Most plum it below that bar though.

JAfromMn · **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2014, 05:05:32 AM

Now you know why I don't do video review.

umm ahh hmm

you guys would rip me apart lol

8 out of 10 YouTube videos reviews I watch suck.

Fattsgalore · **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:36:28 AM

You think tool reviews are bad watch people review monitors and other electronics. So much misinformation. People aren't just uninformed they literally don't know what they are talking about...

The worst is unboxing vids and reviews of items after being unboxed. If you haven't used it how can you review it?

Gareth · **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2014, 09:30:22 AM

Oh yes, unboxing videos.

I may not know everything, but I can normally take something out of a box without watching a five minute instructional video.

I don't object to a "first impressions" video really, but I also don't need to watch someone else read the instructions on camera either.

MountainKing · **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2014, 01:12:43 PM

selfbuilt and goinggear are great resources

Taxi Dad · **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2014, 03:43:55 PM

oh I'm glad it's not just me that gets irritable about these things ! I was beginning to believe the wife when she tells me I'm "getting old and cranky"
just adding my two cents here, but I've seen more than one video done slightly out of focus or a review done just out of shot

and plenty of 'correction captions' saying "I meant to say....."

Syph007 · **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2014, 05:17:37 PM

Quote from: Taxi Dad on February 18, 2014, 03:43:55 PM

oh I'm glad it's not just me that gets irritable about these things ! I was beginning to believe the wife when she tells me I'm "getting old and cranky"
just adding my two cents here, but I've seen more than one video done slightly out of focus or a review done just out of shot and plenty of 'correction captions' saying "I meant to say....."

I prefer to think of it as getting old and gaining experience, so you can spot the crap!

Although I do feel grumpier than when I was younger.

abd1959 · **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2014, 11:48:26 AM

Quote from: sticktodrum on February 16, 2014, 09:55:09 PM

I'd like to think I do pretty decent reviews... I take flashlight reviews pretty seriously, and I'm a huge fan of selfbuilt and also Marshal from Going Gear. His reviews are excellent. I also try to do reviews of things that aren't done yet.

I share many of those complaints about reviews in general.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

Your reviews are among the top on YouTube. I watch every one.

WWW · **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2014, 11:11:41 PM

It is very sad indeed. Sometimes I try to bear with the reviewer expecting the video to get better, but at the end I just

myself for thinking it would.

I have no problems with first impressions , but I must admit some folks are able to make some pretty lame first impressions.

Marshall and Selfbuilt are really good, I also like TUP!!

N_N_R · **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2014, 01:43:02 PM

I don't usually do "reviews", because to review something means to ... learn and search for a lot of info, while I don't have time for that. What I do is usually record either a first impressions video or impressions after a while, sharing my own thoughts on the pros & cons of some items that I like and buy.

What I'm annoyed by, though, are videos which start with the package and people showing every single label, package, thread, piece of nylon, spare ring, spare battery, brochure and in the remaining 1/3rd of video talk about the very light which I'm interested in.

I'm also annoyed by "reviews" which are about a minute or so long and have no ... "talking" or anything, just someone rotating and playing with the very item with some background music or even silence.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #20 on:** March 04, 2014, 09:25:35 PM

While the 'silent video' can be annoying, it's at least kind of universal. I keep coming across someone making vic videos that aren't in english. Some slavic language, I think.

I don't know why there seem to be so few videos on vic products outside a small number (most notably a frickin' buttload of Cadet videos).

I occasionally think I'd like to make a comparison video of keychain sized MTs, but assume I'd be overflowing with stupid sounding things when pressed to talk in front of an 'audience'. So... I never do. Well, that, and I hate the sound of my own voice.

I mentioned this some time back, where, as much as I dislike Nutnfancy's love of the sound of his own voice (apparently, as he'll stretch ANY review to 45 minutes), I even more DEEPLY loathe prepubescent boys reviewing crap and spouting Nutn's catchphrase 'just keepin' it REAL'.

I'd prefer 45 minutes of 'uhhh' and 'ummm', which can honestly be just a kind of stage fright, over someone talking smurf.

I found a video of a woman reviewing the Walmart Ozark Trail multitool, and thought it was kind of hilarious/sad that she couldn't identify half the tools on it. I mean... did you read the package, at least?

WWW · **Reply #21 on:** March 05, 2014, 02:47:37 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on March 04, 2014, 09:25:35 PM

While the 'silent video' can be annoying, it's at least kind of universal. I keep coming across someone making vic videos that aren't in english. Some slavic language, I think.

I don't know why there seem to be so few videos on vic products outside a small number (most notably a frickin' buttload of Cadet videos).

I occasionally think I'd like to make a comparison video of keychain sized MTs, but assume I'd be overflowing with stupid sounding things when pressed to talk in front of an 'audience'. So... I never do. Well, that, and I hate the sound of my own voice.

I mentioned this some time back, where, as much as I dislike Nutnfancy's love of the sound of his own voice (apparently, as he'll stretch ANY review to 45 minutes), I even more DEEPLY loathe prepubescent boys reviewing crap and spouting Nutn's catchphrase 'just keepin' it REAL'.

I'd prefer 45 minutes of 'uhhh' and 'ummm', which can honestly be just a kind of stage fright, over someone talking smurf.

I found a video of a woman reviewing the Walmart Ozark Trail multitool, and thought it was kind of hilarious/sad that she couldn't identify half the tools on it. I mean... did you read the package, at least?

Now I'll need to watch that video, do you have a link?

Must agree with you, the "uh's and um's" can be really annoying but the smurf are way worse.

I've learned to really dislike the guy's videos, can't stand his personality, his voice, him and all the TNPers thing.

Jothra · **Reply #22 on:** March 05, 2014, 06:02:52 AM

"Unboxing and review" is a catchphrase that should be purged with laser sharks.

First impression video? Fine. Nineteen-minute epic tour-de-force reviews based on a tool you haven't even seen with the actual eyeballs in your face? Not fine.

Also remember, kids: usefulness and durability are not the same thing. I love (read: don't love) reviewers who brag at length about the rugged durability of a tool that spends 98% of its working life removing staples and spreading cream cheese.

I am, however, willing to overlook the odd misused word or occasional "um er uh" moment, if only because I know full well that I make all kinds of interesting (and occasionally museum-worthy) mistakes when I'm tired.

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

Tired of unprepared flashlight reviewers

Donations

Community Links