Book Review: How to use the Flex XC 3401 by Mike Phillips
- Thread starter Dr_Pain
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dsg03gt
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- Jan 8, 2013
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Great review! Very honest. I have this book as well. I received it from a prize pack. After reading the book I feel the same way Claude felt. It seems like the advance information I was hoping for just wasn't there. I bought Mike's Art of Detailing book when I first started detailing and loved it. I read that book 100 times and seemed to gather so much information. Didn't really gather much from this book that hasn't been told a bunch of times on this forum. The Flex book definitely seems geared towards the novice detailer looking for the basic information. Great book but not technical enough for me.
Dr_Pain
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- Nov 28, 2012
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- #25
Merci Claude!
I think it's a fair review, though I have not read the book. I might add that it does sound a little bit like Mike's original Art of Detailing, as a slickly-edited compendium of AGO articles including links that for some reason aren't hot in the printed version.
I guess I'd pin myself as #3-ish if I didn't already own the original. It sounds like it contains a ton of valuable ready-reference material.
Merci a toi aussi pour ton commentaire.
You know, you bring about a GREAT point. For a well seasoned self educated detailer this book would have major appeal and awesome value, as in terms of knowledge they are no better than than a newb "geeker". I guess my veteran detailer analogy should have specified that it was one that is an avid student of the art and constantly learning. Conversely, in referencing a newb, I would be I should make a distinction between a true newb and a "geek" newb. Mike's pearls of wisdom which he share in his book are discussed so often on the book that a "geek" newb will find familiarity in the content of the book and what they read on the forum.
You know, it did cross my mind..... but it is unfortunately a risk that I need to take in order to maintain a certain degree of credibility on the forum. I believe that my personal reputation is more valuable then the potential perks I may get. I've done MANY reviews, all prompted by products I was given to review or products I had purchased. I've been fortunate so far to have many positives experiences to report (which is so gratifying), but I did expose the flaws of a couple of products of late. In every instance I always attempt to provide a helping hand, albeit providing my feedback (good or bad) or in providing a "fix" from my experimentation with the product. In this case I've tried to describe what would have made the book somewhat more appealing -->to me<--.
FYI: If you would like an example of me being hard on a product I will link you HERE! for a fair and constructive review of CarPro 2014V1
To be honest, it would be a pity if I was "benched" for being fair and honest, but I do understand the marketing value of positive reviews. I believe my reputation on the forum does bring about some credibility to my reviews. If I was a product developer, I would be looking for a knowledgeable, fair and honest person to review my tools or products.
Hi Claude...
Thanks for your book report.
Alas:
I couldn't help but notice that it set off
a carpet-bombing accompaniment.
However, IMHO:
It's highly unlikely that sales of any past, present, or future Mike Phillips' books...and/or other training materials...will be negatively impacted from that action.
Note to AGO Staff:
For all future Mike Phillips' book giveaways---no matter
the subject matter: Pick Me...Pick Me!!
Bob
Bob, I completely agree that my review of Mike's book won't affect sales. I cannot undue in a few lines on a forum what took him YEARS to build. His reputation outclasses mine 100 folds. I love your note to AGO staff. I would definitely read your review
Thanks bud! I doubt it will affect sales. Being optimist, I believe that the AGO community may rally behind Mike to counter my review (a great show of support we've seen over and over on this forum), and I would not be surprised that some may be buying the book just to see if I was truly fair in my review LOL! Either way, Mike and AG wins!!!
There was a general description of the differences between free spindle DA and forced rotation, but a true decision algorithm to select one over the other was not offered. DAMF and other thin pad were discussed in the pad selection section and Mike did offer his personal experience on the matter.
As we discussed above, I don't think you should classify yourself as a pure newb but more of a "geek"newb, so you that is why you were looking for answers to the same questions I have.
Thanks!
I think it does speak highly of our geek community that we are so interested in the "meat". This is a blessing but also a curse, and I think Mike's book review may reflect that. We have so much valuable information on the forum and from prior threads that are expectations are HIGH when the latest and greatest comes out.
I think your last line should be emphasized: "Great book but not technical enough for me". Some people will love the book and some people may be left wanting more, it is all a matter of preferences
I do want to thank you all for commenting. I actually surprised me how many of you decided to comment considering the nature of the review. I really thought most people would not touch this with a 10 foot pole. The other revealing thing about this thread is: No confrontational negative feedback!!?! You guys rock :dblthumb2:
To be honest, I've re-wrote this review a couple of times trying to make it sound better and better but ultimately I had to be fair and honest. I did consider just doing a "blur review" (ie. here's the book, here is the signature, I read it and its good) but that is not me and would not be fair to you guys, or to the promise I made to Bryan about doing a book report.
dad07
New member
- Nov 9, 2010
- 4,227
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Claude Quit beating yourself up over this.......
Honesty, Integrity= DrPain.
I for one look forward to your reviews.....they are well written and very informative, and this one is no different. We are all here to learn and stay on top of the newest and greatest...yes we are geeks!
We all have opinions and your review showed your honest opinion and that my friend brings respect! Something we all strive for in our postings.
Being benched for your honesty? Absolutely Not! I don't see that happening.
Keep up the great work here at AGO Claude, and THANK YOU for your always outstanding contributions.
Honesty, Integrity= DrPain.
I for one look forward to your reviews.....they are well written and very informative, and this one is no different. We are all here to learn and stay on top of the newest and greatest...yes we are geeks!
We all have opinions and your review showed your honest opinion and that my friend brings respect! Something we all strive for in our postings.
Being benched for your honesty? Absolutely Not! I don't see that happening.
Keep up the great work here at AGO Claude, and THANK YOU for your always outstanding contributions.
weeecho
New member
- Jan 31, 2013
- 119
- 0
in two year with my flex 3401vrg i have to buy two extra backplates flex originals i don´t trust any other brand if the velcro is going bad every 6 or 8 months
and with the overheating same thing don´t know if is going get on fire or its normal.
nice to read a full nice review of the book, almost 6 months ago i bought the flex dvd and it was a compilation of videos that i alredy seen online
and the thing is i live where everything you need to do this $x8
hilld
Member
- May 10, 2014
- 150
- 0
Dr Pain,
I appreciate the critical review. I wish more people would be so honest, some might even call it blunt, but like you said, it will help make a better product if it were to be revised and separate the wheat from the chaff. There are a lot of products out there and many claim to do the same stuff, knowing which ones deserve my hard earned dollars makes for a better informed consumer.
I had purchased Mike's "complete guide to a show car shine" a while back on my iPad and have read it "cover to cover" and just purchased the Flex hard copy during the Cyber Buster sales this weekend (to go along with my Flex 3401 purchase).
I was looking for a bit more depth as were you, but it looks like I am going to get disappointed. I am glad I read your review, but would have loved to have seen this before making the purchase.
Thanks again for your honesty and keep doing these types of reviews, I certainly appreciate them.
I appreciate the critical review. I wish more people would be so honest, some might even call it blunt, but like you said, it will help make a better product if it were to be revised and separate the wheat from the chaff. There are a lot of products out there and many claim to do the same stuff, knowing which ones deserve my hard earned dollars makes for a better informed consumer.
I had purchased Mike's "complete guide to a show car shine" a while back on my iPad and have read it "cover to cover" and just purchased the Flex hard copy during the Cyber Buster sales this weekend (to go along with my Flex 3401 purchase).
I was looking for a bit more depth as were you, but it looks like I am going to get disappointed. I am glad I read your review, but would have loved to have seen this before making the purchase.
Thanks again for your honesty and keep doing these types of reviews, I certainly appreciate them.
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