Jeff-
I do not mind you using me for an example, however I don't feel that my bias comes simply due to the fact that I sell bows for a living. I sell many brands other than just BT and Merlin, and altho yes, I am partial to those "limey bows",<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> it is not without good reason, and it has nothing to do with profit, I can make my living off of any bow on the market if I so choose, so therefore I am probably less-biased than most in this respect. Yes, I had my differences with BT awhile ago, but if those differences were ones that could not have been worked out, they would no longer be part of my sales platform, bottom line. Profit has nothing to do with any of the opinions expressed here by myself, other factors such as quality materials, quality design, quality customer service, fit, feel, ease of draw, recoil and shock, accuracy, and attention to the "little things" are what creates my biasm. And yes, we all have it, I agree 100%.
So what do we do? Each jump on board with these "reports", only to have biasm affect the overall summation of each report in the end?(this would not be confusing, especially to a newbie?) Or, do we simply discuss highlights and problems within the messageboard system as we've always done, and leave the "reports" to those that do it for a living and have had many years experience in dealing with the biasm, and in this way eliminate any confusion from new archers as to who or what to believe? I firmly feel open discussion is warranted and that it makes for not only interesting but truthful (and sometimes heated! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>) debates, but we do not need complete "reports" from everyone over the discussion of a product, IMO. You yourself have done a great job in your test reports, and as stated before I commend you on this.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> However as also stated, the "I wanna do that too" phase settles in, and then it becomes the free for all with everyone eventually becoming an "expert" with various "reports" and no means to an end. Do I think I could do these reports? Absolutely. Do I need to? No. Everyone gets the answers they need here anyway.
Therefore as stated, for myself, I'll merely try to keep it within posts and questions concerning individual products, and in this way do my part to allow some sense of direction for the newbies to go when looking for a "true technical report". Which I think the above mentioned Professionals currently handle very well. Just my own thoughts, Pinwheel 12