I don't believe that RC magazines are completely without integrity, but the reality is that many publishers tend to take a "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" approach to keep their advertisers happy. I think that only positive reviews get published because that keeps everybody happy. If a product sucks, you simply won't see it reviewed anywhere.

A savvy RC shopper can read between the lines. Last summer Hobbico came out with a new sailplane called the Upstar 2M EP. It looked like a fantastic value; a 2M electric sailplane with motor, speed controller, and battery all included for $89.99. Just add 2 standard servos and your receiver, and you've got a sailplane. The only problem was, nobody anywhere reviewed it. A new Hobbico product that nobody wants to review?

Finally word started trickling out on the forums, the Upstar was a turd with motor/esc problems and a tendancy to come out nose heavy after assembly. I haven't seen much about this plane anywhere, but nothing I've ever read about it has been good.

If the plane is good, the reviews will come pouring out. If the plane is awful, all of the magazines and review sites will pretend that it doesn't exist. It's what shall from now on be known as "the Upstar effect."