Overlander July 2011

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

All

Just to shed some light on the current July issue of 'Overlander' that EMG (aka 4WD Action) have bought out recently and now publish.

There is a story published in the magazine, which is a re-hash of the story 4WD Action published in issue 146, with both my 120 Prado and Yota's 90 series Prado. They have published alot of fresh photo's that neither of us have seen before and generally the feeling is that this is a good thing all round. What has greatly surprised me and caused me a few issues is the fact that the person credited as the story writer was not present on the day trip and I have never heard of him ? Also the story rambles on about how we spent a 'weekend' away in the mountains etc, with alot of garbage about a heaps of things that never occurred ?

Too top this crap off, there are some very brash statements about how the new 150 toweled up both the 120 and the 90 on the beach part of the day, which was pretty interesting to read, but sadly mostly more crap. Glen, myself and Samo were all there for the long 15hr photo-shoot day and we can all atest that most of the written and published 'story' was very light in truth content.

I guess the change of owners may not be quite the wonderful thing they have blurted out throughout the magazine to Joe Public ???

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

Mat,

Thanks for the heads up about the article, I was about to buy the magazine for that article. I used to be a subscriber to 4WD Action for many years but have found that the substance to that particular magazine has moved away from the information that I was interested in. I let my subscription expire and now I no longer get my monthlies as my wife says. I would be interested in finding out what other magazines other members are finding informative and relative to new vehicle owners. I would also be interested in a Prado specific magazine or PDF file outlining products, vehicles, modifications, articles and travel tips and locations from fellow Pradopoint members. I would be interested in assisting (I would probably not be able to achieve this alone but if a group were interested I would certainly be keen) the compilation of such a magazine or PDF document if others too were interested.

Regards
Paul

[antonini1971 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close antonini1971]

Matt,

Thanks for the heads-up. I too almost bought the July issue of Overlander for the article until I checked the "free" magazine included was a 4wd Action magazine and figured that the article would just be another re-hash of the original article. They seem to do be doing this for all the spin-off magazines they're producing. There are more 4wd magazines out there but less new content. Even more concerning as you pointed out is the lack of truth in the article. If this sort of thing is happening I may have to reconsider renewing my subscription when it runs out in the next 5 months.

Anton

[Yota Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yota]

Ill have to go find myself a copy, again i know that the photos are theirs to use as they like, but it would of been nice if they let us know they were using them for the 3rd time. It annoys me more when I have heard (2nd hand) they dont want to photoshoot my car becouse its imported.
I have also let my 4wd action sub expire as the stories are getting very old. Simpson, Cape, Tassi. Simpson, Cape, Tasie etc. Ive actully beem buying the odd 4x4 Australia lately, their stories are a bit more like 4wd action used to be, more honest and alot less bogan.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

I no longer buy any of these magazines. From reading articles about my area of expertise it is apparent the authors are clueless. I have found the best source of information is to work out who on the different forums know what they are talking about and ask them questions directly.
Leachy

[1stPrado-White150GXL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1stPrado-White150GXL]

I did not know EMG now publishes Overlander magazine.

I wonder if this sounds the death knell for Overlander 4WD magazine? If there’s going to be two magazines on the Australian market each sharing photos and stories, owned by the same company, how will EMG be able to justify the existence of at least one of them in the future?

[Justo77 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justo77]

I have also let my 4wd action sub expire as the stories are getting very old. Simpson, Cape, Tassi. Simpson, Cape, Tasie etc. Ive actully beem buying the odd 4x4 Australia lately, their stories are a bit more like 4wd action used to be, more honest and alot less bogan.

Totally agree with you there Yota, I used to subscribe to 4wd action as well but let my subscription expire, also good to get the heads up about Overlander, used to be quite a good magazine but now I don't think I'll be wasting my money.

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Ill have to go find myself a copy, again i know that the photos are theirs to use as they like, but it would of been nice if they let us know they were using them for the 3rd time. It annoys me more when I have heard (2nd hand) they dont want to photo-shoot my car because its imported.
I have also let my 4wd action sub expire as the stories are getting very old. Simpson, Cape, Tassi. Simpson, Cape, Tasie etc. Ive actually been buying the odd 4x4 Australia lately, their stories are a bit more like 4wd action used to be, more honest and alot less bogan.

I am with you 100% Glenn.

I think my current sub will be the last also. I used to joke with Samo and Damo, you watch.. once my ARB bar goes on, the truck will get a call up ! and I was correct.

I am far from impressed with the rehash I read, there's alot of bullshit in it...

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I bought the mag. Yet to read it but having Matt's inside truth disappoints me already. Truth in journalism, obviously another urban myth.

Thanks for the post Matt

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Yes, my thought were great photo's but the write was crap!!!! I noticed in particular that they kept talking about the 150 as it was Kakadu and it was clearly a GXL. I am no motoring journalists but I think someone writing a magazine would get the detail right, like what type of car it is.
The photos were pretty damm good though.

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

I bought the mag as I thought it would be interesting to compare the 90, 120 and 150 series. Very light on any realistic comparison and now seems less credible after reading the earlier posts. Won't be buying it again.

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Bugger me Hutch was spot on !

The bloody 150 was a Toyota press car GXL, not a Kakadu like they dribbled on about. What a load of bullshit !!

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Bugger me Hutch was spot on !

The bloody 150 was a Toyota press car GXL, not a Kakadu like they dribbled on about. What a load of bullshit !!

I am a bit of a detail man! I love going to car yard and getting the junior salesperson which normally means I can teach them a few things about the cars they r selling!!!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I From reading articles about my area of expertise it is apparent the authors are clueless.
Leachy

I am not an expert, but some of the stuff I see in there makes me shudder to think that people will read these mags and believe what they read and see.

Cheers Andrew

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

I bought the magazine for that article and was pretty pi$$ed to find a re-hash of an article I've already paid for before.