Cranes Etc Rating System
The Cranes Etc
Rating has been devised to produce an objective standard against which diecast
models can be assessed. The rating system gives a percentage score for a model
review by considering a number of characteristics of interest to collectors as a
whole. Individual collectors will have their own preferences but the Rating is
intended to broadly reflect the interests of all collectors. Other relevant
products such as books, DVDs and accessories are also rated and classified
using the badges below, but without scores. Also non-diecast models are
given a rating badge, but not individual score.
The scoring system does not seek to differentiate between different scales as it
is a matter for individual collectors to determine what scales they collect /
find acceptable. Cranes Etc mainly reviews diecast models in 1:50 scale,
but also 1:87 and other scales.
A model would not be expected to
score less than 50%. However over time the expectations of models may increase as model makers improve their offerings and for this reason the year in which the review was made is relevant. An older model
newly reviewed today would likely score lower
than in its year of introduction as overall standards have improved. At
the same time reviews are also rated on a contemporary basis compared to peers
rather than as an absolute benchmark across the years.
Models are also awarded badges as below, although there is some flexibility
depending on circumstances. These badges were changed in 2017 from
'Recommended' to 'Good', Highly Recommended' to 'Very Good', and from
'Outstanding' to 'Excellent'. The old badges will still appear in videos
made before 2017, and older reviews may not have the report amended for the
badge change. Unbadged products have no particular classification, which does not
necessarily mean the product is bad, just that it is not distinguished compared to its peers.
 |  |  | | Models
usually with a rating in the range 62% - 74% | Models
usually with a rating of 75% or more | Models
usually with a rating above
80%, depending on model type |
Early model reviews may have Excellent ratings with lower percentages than 80% as they were the top models reviewed at the time.
The Rating
guidelines for models is described in the following table:
| Packaging (max 10) |
The main function of packaging is to protect the model during storage and
transportation. Marks may be lost under this heading if any review model is received damaged
in transit. Higher marks are also earned for:
- Attractive boxes
- Detailed, clear instructions
- Tools for use during assembly / operation
- Fact sheets / information about the full size machine | | Detail (max 30) | Higher marks are
earned for model detail. Examples:
- Details within the casting; bolts, grilles,
textured surfaces
- Hoses to hydraulic cylinders
- Windscreen wipers, mirrors,
aerials
- Lights
and cab controls
- Ladders and steps
- Graphics
Detail also implies that the model is a faithful representation of the full size machine. Significant deviations from the original machine loses marks. | | Features (max 20) | Higher marks are
earned for additional features of value to collectors, for example:
- Moving parts
- Functionality
- Opening doors
- Accessories | | Quality (max 25) | Marks for quality are judged on the overall finish:
- Quality of casting
- Quality of paintwork and graphics
- Appropriate use of plastic
- Parts which fit together well, where separate pieces are involved
- Damage or manufacturing defects in the model will be noted where
applicable but will not usually affect the score as it is assumed models
will usually be delivered without defects. | | Price (max 15) |
The mark for price is an assessment of the value for money having regard
for the packaging, detail, features and quality as described above. A
high mark means the model is good value, a low mark means lesser value. The pricing level considered is
generally based on the Manufacturers Retail Price where available, or if not available the average price for the model on German
dealer websites at the time of the review. | | Overall (max 100) | The overall rating
out of 100%. |
|
