Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
(For cars, year after year they recommended Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics; safe and bland and economical. Exciting or fun to drive never factors in. Even on the rare occasions they test sports or luxury cars the recommended model is invariably the more practical and reliable one.)
The typical CR subscriber will buy a product and use it until it breaks and not even think of upgrading as long as the old one works. Buying a new reader every year? You don't need them; their job is to save you money, not help you... spend it. 
CR fills a very important and necessary role; they are honest, blunt, and no-nonsense and strictly focused on consumer safety. But their reports are not for techies, hobbyists, or enthusiasts. |
The last CR review I read was some years ago when they tested small SUVs. Their recommended pick was the least utilitarian of the bunch. Cargo space, towing, off road ability did not factor in at all. Inexcusable in a utility vehicle review.
I also read a snowblower report where they used sawdust instead of snow. Complete waste of time.
Let's not forget their clear bias towards giving some manufacturers good ratings on new unproven models while not doing this for other manufacturers, and their tendancy to ignore some data for years, like Honda transmission issues.
Honest and blunt? I could go on and on with specific examples of their foolishness. But I think the point is made.
The biggest problem with CR is that you have no idea what their ratings mean because they don't release their actual numbers. The difference between a black circle and a red circle is not a tangible fact and in many cases statistically irrelevant. But that's what happens when you relate everything to averages rather than what a consumer should reasonable expect. Many products with black circle ratings are still quite able to do the intended job well. Many are not. Sometimes they will tell you this in the article. Sometimes they won't.
You are certainly right in that their reports are not for techies, hobbyists, or enthusiasts. Trouble with that is that techies, hobbyists, and enthusiasts are the best equipped to know what is to be expected of the product.