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Event (Updating
Ratings-starting 2008) |
TackleTour Introduces Updated Rating System
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Date: |
1/01/08 |
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Tackle type: |
All |
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Manufacturer: |
All |
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Reviewer: |
Team
TackleTour |
Introduction:
On January 1st, 2008, TackleTour is updating the way we score tackle in our
reviews. When the original team started the site seven years ago we never
thought that TackleTour would reach the scale it has today. For years we have
considered doing away with the actual numerical ratings in our reviews, but
after much deliberation and feedback from readers we have decided that it is
best to provide as much quantitative data as possible. We began long ago with
what we thought was a simple and basic A-F rating scale, and left the score
values 1-10 (supposed to represent 10-100%). For example an 8 was like an 80% or
a “B” grade, but the large 1-10 scale made it difficult to really hone in on the
actual quantitative ratings of tackle. For example a really bad element in any
category deserved an F rating, but did that mean a 5? Or justify a 4, or perhaps
even less? For years readers have been asking for a more detailed, more
accurate, more representative rating system. That is why this year we are
retooling with a brand new appraisal system.
Updated 1-10 Ratings & what the Values Represent:
The
following are how the new rating system breaks down. The rating system will
still continue to be out of a 1-10 spectrum, but actual values are now being
assigned rather than on a percentage scale. Because the scale is much more
defined it is likely new reviews after Jan 1st. 2008 may have what
appears to be lesser ratings than those in previous seasons, but they are not
actually “lower” but rather more representative of the actual product. The
actual categories (Construction/Quality, Performance, Price, features,
Design/Ergonomics, and Application) will remain the same.
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Updated
Rating
Scale
(Starting
January
1st,
2008)
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10.0:
Unbelievable:
The rarest
of all
scores is
reserved for
tackle that
surpasses
all our
expectations
in a
particular
category. In
fact from
our
perspective
a product
that
receives a
10 is as
close to
perfect as
possible. As
our reviews
in the past
have shown
the ante
does get
raised, and
times
change, but
at the time
of the
review in
this
particular
category the
element of
tackle was
simply
“unbelievable.”
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9.0-9.9:
Excellent:
A 9 rating
is
excellent,
and we
completely
recommend a
product that
achieves
this rating
in the
particular
category.
This rating
implies
superior
attributes
in the
respective
category
and/or a
higher level
of
performance
than what we
normally
would expect
in relation
to competing
products.
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8.0-8.9:
Great:
In our
previous
rating
system an 8
meant just a
“B” rating
or 80%, well
no longer.
Now this
number
refers to a
product that
is overall
very good in
almost every
way, and
while there
may be a few
shortcomings
these
typically
don’t affect
most anglers
or
performance
in any major
way. Many
anglers will
find that
these
products
have a lot
of fine
attributes
that they
may consider
valuable for
their
particular
application.
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7.0-7.9:
Good:
A product
that obtains a 7 rating in any category really has nothing to be ashamed about.
This product is good overall and while there are some areas for improvement the
product is certainly worth considering as the strengths still outweigh the
flaws.
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6.0-6.9:
Fair:
Tackle that
earns a 6
rating in
any category
has
exhibited
some
positive
qualities
and some
notable
negative
attributes
as well.
These
products are
still worth
considering
but if the
rating is in
a category
that you put
higher
emphasis on
then you may
want to
carefully
consider
just how
much the
other areas
balance out
the overall
product
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5.0-5.9:
Mediocre:
In our
previous
rating a 5
meant an “F”
rating, but
in the new
spectrum a 5
score simply
means the
product is
just ok, and
average and
somewhat
mundane.
Being
average
implies that
the product
has plenty
of
weaknesses
that equal
or even
surpass the
number of
positives
making this
a product
that you
should
approach
with
caution, as
there are
plenty of
products
that are
above
average to
consider.
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4.0-4.9:
Sub Par:
When a
product
receives a 4
rating it
means that
it didn’t
perform as
advertised
in our
tests,
and/or key
flaws in the
product’s
design or
construction
were
revealed
during
testing.
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3.0-3.9:
Lacking:
Any product
that gets a
3 rating in
any category
is
significantly
“lacking” in
quality
and/or
performance
in this
category. It
simply
doesn’t
function
like it
should, and
because of
major flaws
will likely
be found
highly
disappointing
by anglers.
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2.0-2.9:
Poor:
Watch out, a
2 rating
implies a
product that
is simply
not thought
through,
fails to
meet any
semblance of
advertised
performance,
and we
struggled to
find any
positive
attributes
whatsoever.
This product
for lack of
a better
word is
simply
“poor” in
quality
and/or
performance
and not
something
that you
will want to
spend any
money on.
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1.0-1.9:
Terrible:
You know
that feeling
of
disappointment
when you
think you
have a
lunker on
the line and
end up
pulling up
an old boot?
Any way you
look at it
this is as
bad as it
gets. We
found
ourselves
asking
throughout
the tests….
“why?” The 1
rating is
for the
worst of the
worst, and
there are
simply no
redeeming
qualities of
this product
in this
category
whatsoever.
Plainly put…
avoid it
like the
plague.
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Conclusion:
While the
new rating system will provide a more detailed spectrum of analysis for our
readers, we remind you that our “reviews” are just that…."reviews." Depending on
your own unique region and application you will likely find slightly different
uses and performance for any element of tackle. Whether you quickly glance at
our ratings and review summaries, scan through our pictures, read our full
reviews in their entirety, or all of the above, our job is to arm you, the
angler, with more data on any particular piece of tackle so that you can draw
your own conclusion and decide if that product meets your own inimitable needs
and requirements.
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