If gear reviews get in the way of exploring the world or building rigs, then defo get back to exploring the world and building rigs. Gear reviews might be fun if they are high quality products that can be used for exploring the world, which most of your audience is likely to be interested in. I'd love to hear your thoughts on recovery or cooking gear for example. Reviewing a drone most people have never heard of before (just to hear that it indeed is about as poor as can be expected) isn't something I think the majority of your audience is going to be interested in (and would better suit a camera review channel for example), but curious to see how this video does compared to your others! That said, your honesty is always appriciated, and reviewing any gear is always hard. Put together a harsh review, and other brands might be hesitant to work with you. Put together an overly (or underserved) review, and your audience will not appriciate it. If a brand does good creator marketing, they will also be looking for honest (but likely positive) reviews, so even those will be put off by 'fake' reviews.
I have no issue with occasional gear reviews of swag that you are actually using… I also understand the need to occasionally fill the coffers with some paid promotions of swag you may consider using…
You get up to some amazing adventures Dan and what I enjoy & appreciate is your characteristic, low-drama response to almost all situations. I get a strong sense of sincerity from you, as I suspect others do. I see nothing wrong with you doing product reviews so long as you maintain the trust you’ve formed with us. However, in the end, if you don’t enjoy doing them, I’m not sure why you’d bother.
Dan, I love your content, your channel is one of the few that really gets my attention. The reason is that your have a simplistic and realistic approach to life, travel, and all of it. Review channels are a dime a dozen. Your channel is more than that. Although I appreciate your opinion on tools, items other things that make life a little easier while you do what you do. May I suggest that if it's not something you have experience with, or use on a regular basis... you allow others to commercialize themselves, but you stay true to what makes your channel great. Please keep up the good work! Thanks.
Thanks for the helpful feedback - I agree 100% with your thoughts, and after all the feedback here I plan to do exactly what you said. Reviews will be few and far between, and they will only be for battle tested gear that I've used heavily and really does work.
I note that at many tourist sites my wife and I have been to over the past few years there are more signs banning drones. Some of our national and provincial parks have banned drone usage as well. I’ve never used a drone and still prefer doing still photography with my Sony cameras than video. Having said that, I like watching travel channels like yours and the drone footage really adds to the viewing experience. To my eye, the 4K video is excellent. For my two cents, reviewing too much kit or tech probably isn’t beneficial to your channel but if you choose some specific things that you have found that are truly innovative game changers that would would be fine. There are so many products available today but you have always kept grounded with the basics that you need versus things that would be nice to have once in a while. That formula has worked very well for you to date.
Thanks for the feedback, and I agree 100% When I think about the stuff I take with me and would want to review, none of it is "new" or a "gadget". It's just the basics you need to get the job done!
I like your in the field reviews of stuff that you have been using for months or years. It is helpful to see what really lasts and can handle outdoor use/abuse. So maybe do product promos, but only after a certain number of months of use...and share the good and bad. That would set you apart.
I trust your honesty. And I wouldn't mind a couple of reviews that you think would benefit your viewers. And having said that., I am a Avid outdoor traveler always looking for cool stuff.
Well, Dan the way I think about it is you’re providing information whether that be on how to build something or 6:54 how to travel or on products. I value your opinion, so therefore, I’d like to see you do more of these due to the fact that you can get a look at the product, and that can save me, money and time both are valuable commodities Keep up the great work. 😎👍
I really enjoy your content and deeply appreciate your honesty. So you asked for our thoughts about this type of video. There are tons of drone reviews out there, so this review video doesn't grab me. The things that really grab me are: 1) your adventures, 2) your vehicle builds 3) reviews of equipment you love that you've used for a while and beaten the crap of out, and 4) an occasional video showing the "behind the scenes" - the cameras and mounts and computers you use to shoot and edit the videos. I can certainly appreciate the need to be able to create an income from the channel, and it would be totally cool if you could make that happen with the stuff you use regularly. All the best!!
Hey Dan, personally I like the gear reviews but only on products that you love and use all the time. I'd rather spend 10 mins hearing about something you use and why you use it, (vs other products) as opposed to 10 minutes on a not something I would buy. 🙂🙂
I always appreciate how honest you are on things. I am fine with gear reviews for stuff that you use, and have put through its paces. Earlier this summer I was in the market for a drone. And at first I really wanted something other than a DJI, as I feel they are over priced. But review after review said they were the best. So when they came up on sale on Prime Day, I picked up a DJI Mini 3 Pro with the controller that has the built in screen. And thus far, I really like it. My only real complaint is that the "follow me" mode is very unintuitive. But it does work well once it is enabled. Oh, and I flew it a kilometer away last week without any issues.
Nice. My original drone is the first model of the DJI Mini, and it still works great. It doesn't have 4K, but given that I bought it in 2020 for $500, I can't complain for the amount of work it's done!
Dan , I find you to be a no nonsense common sense guy that likes to find the value in what you buy. if it's worth it you will spend it, if it's not you explain why. I think these are great values to do gear reviews. Many of the channels I follow do them. As long as you and the seller agree you are still able to give your own honest opinion , I think it's all good!
You came across as being very honest! Thanks. I just received mine yesterday and haven't been able to use it due to rain. I can't wait to fly it. My previous drone is a Ruko F11, which after 2 years has some picture and video problems.
I think gear reviews are fine if they’re not your weekly video or embedded in your regular content. If they are one off videos that people can either watch or not if they’re so inclined (like this one) rather than “ah crap, I gotta skip over all this content I’m not interested in” The Jeep is looking awesome by the way!!!!
An interesting dilemma for you. One of the reasons we enjoyed your books and watch your RUclips channel is your honesty. Once you start accepting equipment to review there is a perception that you may be obligated to speak favourably about the product. However, if you can negotiate the fine line between accepting products and retaining your integrity and it helps you continue with quality RUclips content I’d be happy with the occasional review your channel.
Even if you were flying on the drone, it wouldn't be something I'm in the market for. The one quality I appreciate is when someone says 'look at that' while looking with their action cam and you can actually see the object.
Hopefully the one people end up buying is same quality as the one they sent you. Quite often companies do bait and switch where the product they send people doesn't live up to what is shown in commercials and product reviews, etc. This has actually come back to bite some content creators in the butt before with other products.
Personally I liked the video. I would like you to do more drone videos because I want one to do what you do. More for personal video not youtube. But please stick mostly to adventures. And maps and planning.
Hey Dan. Saw you in Jeep on Latimer the other day. What cabin is that ? If you don’t mind me asking, I also understand if you don’t want to disclose location. Thanks Blair
@@TheRoadChoseMe Lost in translation lol. My question was about the location of the cabin where the intro of video was shot. I think I figured out what cabin it is. Cheers
Rate occasional reviews may be ok but I’ve noticed other You tubers doing reviews end up doing to many. Their channels feel like big commercials now & I back off watching. So you do you & we will be happy.
You used to do a video twice a week. Now you do a video every two (or 3) weeks, and now you’re inserting videos that have nothing to do with your present build or adventure. Why are you not showing us your jeep ?? Honestly how many weeks has it been since you started your jeep build, and how many videos have you done on the jeep ?? I like watching your channel, (and will continue to watch) but you seem to be ok in leaving your viewers hanging.
Thanks for the feedback James, I appreciate the honesty. I'm working on a TON of different things right now, some of which are just regular life (I put a new clutch in girlfriends car, fixing mold and water problems in house) and some of them are related to the Jeep and everything else I have going on and I'm trying to pull together to finish out this year and next year. Yes, the build is taking a very long time, and it's not finished, and likely won't be finished until well into next year. Lots of stuff outside my control, I'm doing what I can. I'll keep at it!
I'd say that if it's a product they're offering to you that you genuinely want to own, giving a review video to satisfy the manufacturer is fine. No need to start doing product reviews just to do product reviews though. You're all about affording the adventures rather than buying equipment you can never afford to get out and use, so this method fits well with that ethos.
To be honest, a few of the other channels I follow do a bunch of gear reviews and then an actual trip to somewhere once in a while. I've unfollowed most of them. I don't mind someone doing gear reviews here and there, if the gear being reviewed is relevant to what they're doing. I won't watch a hair product review from someone that's a hunter! And a gear review should be maybe every 6th or 7th video. Or better yet, incorporated into an adventure video.
Maybe string together like several hours of your beautiful 4k overhead drone footage of the unpopulated wilderness with some ambient music into an abstract relaxation video. Some of those get like 15m views ;)
Please tell us about the products you recommend or would warn us away from. I'd prefer that be things you've used for awhile vs something you just got from a company's marketing department.
I wouldn’t mind reviews on gear that you use a lot and enjoy. I would stay away from paid products. I just watched one from another RUclipsr that I really like and it made him look like a sell out to me.
No, please don't do more of these commercials. It reduces your credibility and it is sliding slope from an organic and credible channel to one that likely i will no longer follow. FWIW.
Please no walking/driving billboard. I personally stopped watching a bunch of RUclipsrs because it got too much. I get receiving free stuff is cool but please don’t make it a thing
Do you want me to review more gear, or get back to building overland vehicles and exploring the world? Let me know!
If gear reviews get in the way of exploring the world or building rigs, then defo get back to exploring the world and building rigs.
Gear reviews might be fun if they are high quality products that can be used for exploring the world, which most of your audience is likely to be interested in. I'd love to hear your thoughts on recovery or cooking gear for example.
Reviewing a drone most people have never heard of before (just to hear that it indeed is about as poor as can be expected) isn't something I think the majority of your audience is going to be interested in (and would better suit a camera review channel for example), but curious to see how this video does compared to your others!
That said, your honesty is always appriciated, and reviewing any gear is always hard. Put together a harsh review, and other brands might be hesitant to work with you. Put together an overly (or underserved) review, and your audience will not appriciate it. If a brand does good creator marketing, they will also be looking for honest (but likely positive) reviews, so even those will be put off by 'fake' reviews.
How about both 😀
I have no issue with occasional gear reviews of swag that you are actually using… I also understand the need to occasionally fill the coffers with some paid promotions of swag you may consider using…
as long as you're 100% honest, get all the free stuff you can get. You deserve it.
You get up to some amazing adventures Dan and what I enjoy & appreciate is your characteristic, low-drama response to almost all situations. I get a strong sense of sincerity from you, as I suspect others do. I see nothing wrong with you doing product reviews so long as you maintain the trust you’ve formed with us. However, in the end, if you don’t enjoy doing them, I’m not sure why you’d bother.
I would absolutely love it if you did gear reviews, your opinions and honesty are valued.
Noted!
Dan, I love your content, your channel is one of the few that really gets my attention. The reason is that your have a simplistic and realistic approach to life, travel, and all of it. Review channels are a dime a dozen. Your channel is more than that. Although I appreciate your opinion on tools, items other things that make life a little easier while you do what you do. May I suggest that if it's not something you have experience with, or use on a regular basis... you allow others to commercialize themselves, but you stay true to what makes your channel great. Please keep up the good work! Thanks.
Thanks for the helpful feedback - I agree 100% with your thoughts, and after all the feedback here I plan to do exactly what you said.
Reviews will be few and far between, and they will only be for battle tested gear that I've used heavily and really does work.
I note that at many tourist sites my wife and I have been to over the past few years there are more signs banning drones. Some of our national and provincial parks have banned drone usage as well. I’ve never used a drone and still prefer doing still photography with my Sony cameras than video. Having said that, I like watching travel channels like yours and the drone footage really adds to the viewing experience. To my eye, the 4K video is excellent. For my two cents, reviewing too much kit or tech probably isn’t beneficial to your channel but if you choose some specific things that you have found that are truly innovative game changers that would would be fine. There are so many products available today but you have always kept grounded with the basics that you need versus things that would be nice to have once in a while. That formula has worked very well for you to date.
Thanks for the feedback, and I agree 100%
When I think about the stuff I take with me and would want to review, none of it is "new" or a "gadget". It's just the basics you need to get the job done!
I like your in the field reviews of stuff that you have been using for months or years. It is helpful to see what really lasts and can handle outdoor use/abuse. So maybe do product promos, but only after a certain number of months of use...and share the good and bad. That would set you apart.
Thanks, I really like that suggestion
I trust your honesty. And I wouldn't mind a couple of reviews that you think would benefit your viewers. And having said that., I am a Avid outdoor traveler always looking for cool stuff.
Well, Dan the way I think about it is you’re providing information whether that be on how to build something or 6:54 how to travel or on products. I value your opinion, so therefore, I’d like to see you do more of these due to the fact that you can get a look at the product, and that can save me, money and time both are valuable commodities Keep up the great work. 😎👍
I really enjoy your content and deeply appreciate your honesty. So you asked for our thoughts about this type of video. There are tons of drone reviews out there, so this review video doesn't grab me. The things that really grab me are: 1) your adventures, 2) your vehicle builds 3) reviews of equipment you love that you've used for a while and beaten the crap of out, and 4) an occasional video showing the "behind the scenes" - the cameras and mounts and computers you use to shoot and edit the videos. I can certainly appreciate the need to be able to create an income from the channel, and it would be totally cool if you could make that happen with the stuff you use regularly. All the best!!
Thanks very much, I appreciate the detailed feedback!
Hey Dan, personally I like the gear reviews but only on products that you love and use all the time. I'd rather spend 10 mins hearing about something you use and why you use it, (vs other products) as opposed to 10 minutes on a not something I would buy. 🙂🙂
Keep filming adventure content. There are enough gear review channels. Your warm nature is what draws people to your channel, not gear!
I appreciate that!
Yes, Dan! More great reviews!
I always appreciate how honest you are on things. I am fine with gear reviews for stuff that you use, and have put through its paces. Earlier this summer I was in the market for a drone. And at first I really wanted something other than a DJI, as I feel they are over priced. But review after review said they were the best. So when they came up on sale on Prime Day, I picked up a DJI Mini 3 Pro with the controller that has the built in screen. And thus far, I really like it. My only real complaint is that the "follow me" mode is very unintuitive. But it does work well once it is enabled. Oh, and I flew it a kilometer away last week without any issues.
Nice. My original drone is the first model of the DJI Mini, and it still works great. It doesn't have 4K, but given that I bought it in 2020 for $500, I can't complain for the amount of work it's done!
Like you to get out on your adventure around the would Dan and lets injoy your trips!
Dan , I find you to be a no nonsense common sense guy that likes to find the value in what you buy. if it's worth it you will spend it, if it's not you explain why. I think these are great values to do gear reviews. Many of the channels I follow do them. As long as you and the seller agree you are still able to give your own honest opinion , I think it's all good!
Thanks for the kind words!
You came across as being very honest! Thanks. I just received mine yesterday and haven't been able to use it due to rain. I can't wait to fly it. My previous drone is a Ruko F11, which after 2 years has some picture and video problems.
I love your content, regardless if it's just offroading/adventures, so just upload what makes you happy and I'll check it out. :)
Dan I trust your word, so if you do gear reviews I think personally I’d just add that as a plus.
I think gear reviews are fine if they’re not your weekly video or embedded in your regular content.
If they are one off videos that people can either watch or not if they’re so inclined (like this one) rather than “ah crap, I gotta skip over all this content I’m not interested in”
The Jeep is looking awesome by the way!!!!
An interesting dilemma for you. One of the reasons we enjoyed your books and watch your RUclips channel is your honesty. Once you start accepting equipment to review there is a perception that you may be obligated to speak favourably about the product. However, if you can negotiate the fine line between accepting products and retaining your integrity and it helps you continue with quality RUclips content I’d be happy with the occasional review your channel.
Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.
I'm very much on the same page as you, and I think these will be exceptionally rare.
Even if you were flying on the drone, it wouldn't be something I'm in the market for.
The one quality I appreciate is when someone says 'look at that' while looking with their action cam and you can actually see the object.
Keep doing the reviews but be you!
Yes sometimes if it's items that you're using then yeah why not 😁
Hopefully the one people end up buying is same quality as the one they sent you. Quite often companies do bait and switch where the product they send people doesn't live up to what is shown in commercials and product reviews, etc. This has actually come back to bite some content creators in the butt before with other products.
Personally I liked the video. I would like you to do more drone videos because I want one to do what you do. More for personal video not youtube. But please stick mostly to adventures. And maps and planning.
If you need the cash, take it. Your integrity is very important and you do a good job here. If this pays for your next trip, no worries 👍
To be clear, there was no cash in this deal, only the drone.
@@TheRoadChoseMe ok. But don’t beat yerself up lad… your channel is cool (even if I still think you should respray the new vehicle “not white”!😜)
Hey Dan. Saw you in Jeep on Latimer the other day. What cabin is that ? If you don’t mind me asking, I also understand if you don’t want to disclose location. Thanks Blair
The Tan Jeep? That's an Ursa Minor pop-up roof called a J30
ursaminorvehicles.com/campers/jeep-camper.html
@@TheRoadChoseMe Lost in translation lol. My question was about the location of the cabin where the intro of video was shot. I think I figured out what cabin it is. Cheers
Rate occasional reviews may be ok but I’ve noticed other You tubers doing reviews end up doing to many. Their channels feel like big commercials now & I back off watching. So you do you & we will be happy.
Fair enough, thanks.
Just tell us about the products you use and purchase
You used to do a video twice a week. Now you do a video every two (or 3) weeks, and now you’re inserting videos that have nothing to do with your present build or adventure. Why are you not showing us your jeep ?? Honestly how many weeks has it been since you started your jeep build, and how many videos have you done on the jeep ??
I like watching your channel, (and will continue to watch) but you seem to be ok in leaving your viewers hanging.
Thanks for the feedback James, I appreciate the honesty.
I'm working on a TON of different things right now, some of which are just regular life (I put a new clutch in girlfriends car, fixing mold and water problems in house) and some of them are related to the Jeep and everything else I have going on and I'm trying to pull together to finish out this year and next year.
Yes, the build is taking a very long time, and it's not finished, and likely won't be finished until well into next year. Lots of stuff outside my control, I'm doing what I can.
I'll keep at it!
price compared to ones you like better or the same?
About the same
I'd say that if it's a product they're offering to you that you genuinely want to own, giving a review video to satisfy the manufacturer is fine. No need to start doing product reviews just to do product reviews though. You're all about affording the adventures rather than buying equipment you can never afford to get out and use, so this method fits well with that ethos.
To be honest, a few of the other channels I follow do a bunch of gear reviews and then an actual trip to somewhere once in a while. I've unfollowed most of them.
I don't mind someone doing gear reviews here and there, if the gear being reviewed is relevant to what they're doing. I won't watch a hair product review from someone that's a hunter! And a gear review should be maybe every 6th or 7th video. Or better yet, incorporated into an adventure video.
Maybe string together like several hours of your beautiful 4k overhead drone footage of the unpopulated wilderness with some ambient music into an abstract relaxation video. Some of those get like 15m views ;)
I've actually been planning to put together all my drone footage from Australia into exactly that, thanks for the nudge!
Please tell us about the products you recommend or would warn us away from. I'd prefer that be things you've used for awhile vs something you just got from a company's marketing department.
That sounds like a plan, thanks for the input!
@@TheRoadChoseMe 🍻
I wouldn’t mind reviews on gear that you use a lot and enjoy. I would stay away from paid products. I just watched one from another RUclipsr that I really like and it made him look like a sell out to me.
Noted!
Keep up the integrity. Make good money for yourself. Buy a cool 'home base'...👍
Who on earth ever told you that your normal? NOT! I mean not even close to normal.
Haha, I suppose that's true!
Never forget, “what is normal for the spider, is Chaos for the fly“
No, please don't do more of these commercials. It reduces your credibility and it is sliding slope from an organic and credible channel to one that likely i will no longer follow. FWIW.
Thanks, I appreciate you honest feedback, and I agree with you.
Why should you do something you don't enjoy?
Please no walking/driving billboard. I personally stopped watching a bunch of RUclipsrs because it got too much. I get receiving free stuff is cool but please don’t make it a thing