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About BackpackGearTestThe BackpackGearTest group was created when Jerry Goller, a hiker from Utah, saw a need for impartial reviews in a world where most people got their information from publications that accepted money from the same manufacturers whose gear they were testing.Jerry originally created a Yahoo! Group called BackpackGearTest and posted invitations to join his group on a number of different hiking related email lists and forums. As hikers were joining the group, Jerry was contacting manufacturers with a pitch that just makes too much sense to ignore. Manufacturers recognize the value of independent reviews with no advertising dollars skewing the results. Their cost is limited to a few pieces of gear and minimal time organizing the reviews. If they would like, they are able to specify the type of tester they would like to have and are able to pick their testers from the applications. Most leave the process of tester selection to the Moderators. Not only do we test products in the manner perceived as normal by the manufacturers, we test them in ways that manufacturers may not have originally conceived of their items being used. We report our findings and make constructive suggestions. Manufacturers are then able to incorporate the feedback they get from the group into the designs of their products. They can also use test results in their marketing materials. The amount of time and effort that typically goes into these reviews is extensive. The reviewer’s only payment for manufacturer test series is the gear they get to keep at the end of the test if they have successfully met all the requirements of the test. Reviewers not only submit reports based on gear they’ve received from manufacturers, but they also provide reports on gear that they’ve purchased themselves. Through word of mouth from members of the group, from manufacturers who made use of our group, and through the tireless efforts of Jerry, our group continues to grow. Jerry regularly attends the twice-yearly Outdoor Retailer shows. Through his exposure there, he continues to find manufacturers in need of impartial testers. The January ‘02 Outdoor Retailer magazine showcased Jerry and the BackpackGearTest group just in time for the winter show. With that exposure, there are more retailers than ever aware of our presence and in demand of our services. In August of 2002, our group outgrew the services available at the Yahoo! Groups web site. With some personal capital and a lot of elbow grease gleaned from the diverse knowledge of the group members, we launched our independent web site, BackpackGearTest.org. Who runs BackpackGearTest.org | |||