Product Reviews
There are many reasons why reviews are required. The simplest of these is shown by magazine reviews for publication such as those undertaken for several years for Total Car Audio. The requirement is an impartial review of products on an open market with all comments to be made public.
In the years of publication prior to its close all reviews were researched for product history and design. The item(s) in question were observed, auditioned and measured (in that order) and written in a manner suitable for general consumption. This belied the level of sophistication of both the test rig and the measurement equipment employed.
Generally our reviews are less public and may be for a variety of reasons:
a) Product made elsewhere - is it to specification?
b) Component part or parts from “strange sources” appear to give trouble
c) Reliability issues of 3rd party provisions
d) Is product suitable for distribution in UK/EU markets?
The magazine reviews are often termed “black box” reviews because the product is not opened or dismantled beyond the normal use. Many of the confidential reviews involve all of the user review, plus a detailed examination which includes dismantling and investigation of the design.
Some instances of a review case require suggestions for improvement. These may be intended for Hawkshead to design/implement or may be fed back for others to do. In all cases it is the experience and equipment that provides the value to these investigations. The ability to present it in a useful manner means that the review costs are usually recovered by the client in less than 8 weeks.
