Like everyone said before, R/C magazines (any magazine that get products for free to review) are in it to make money and keep the advertisers happy. Bottom line: get the "real" reviews from local flying folks and R/C forums.

There are many better ARF makers out there than VMAR and similiar pricing once you figure in VMAR's shipping cost (if you buy it directly from their website). Makers such as Seagull Models, World Models, Phoenix Models, Modeltech, and Global are comparable in cost in VMAR, but once you put their products side by side, you'll be stunned at the "low, shoddy, crappy, junk" quality of the construction of the VMAR. I've been there and done that with VMAR. Just say "NO" to VMAR.