This is the final part of our review guide and on this page we'll run through how we review fireworks and give you further information on our commitment to impartiality.

Our impartiality is one of our best assets which has been appreciated by our readers for many years now. However we understand that in an average week most people come across numerous companies, organisations and websites all claiming that they too are impartial. Saying it is easy, proving it is another thing.

So, we have a commitment not just to remain impartial, but to prove it too through our actions and the material we publish.

Here are the key points that relate to our reviews and prove our impartiality:

	We don't sell fireworks! OK, this concept is a little hard for new readers to get their heads around. Whether you go on and buy a firework from a supplier or not makes no difference to us. We don't sell fireworks and we don't work on commission.
	We support our reviews with video and picture evidence. This is also very important because not only does our video back up our reviews as being genuine, it also means that you can forget about our opinion completely if you want to, and judge the firework for yourself!
	Our members themselves determine the overall rating of a firework through a democratic system of voting. So items rated as "Best Buy" or "Recommended" have earned it.
	We invite member comments and offer our members an option to add their comments to the reviews. As you will see when you browse the reviews not everyone agrees with us - this is great of course - everyone has their own opinion on each product. The more comments the better!
	We cover every brand we can. We want to review as many of the fireworks the public can buy as possible. Many of the brands we cover are competing against each other, some aggressively so.

Remember: We don't sell fireworks and we support our reviews with video, your assurance that our content is totally impartial.

There are three main ways that we are able to see a firework in action: Fire and film it ourselves, see it at a trade demo, or from member submitted material (eg. a video tape).

Where we fire and film the product ourselves, we only fire one single item at a time. This ensures we can see its actual performance. In these cases we are often able to take pictures of the firework before firing (useful to keep a record of the label) and if appropriate afterwards too (eg. to show the construction of the tubes) and these pictures form the "static" page for members.

Two camera cases and out of shot, another camera case and five tripods,
giving a total of three camcorders, a digital stills camera and a 35mm SLR.
This is the typical equipment taken to a review or display feature!

We use digital medium to record the fireworks (miniDV or Digital8) as this offers the best possibilities for providing on-line footage. Where possible, we also take long exposure shots, either digitally or with traditional 35mm film. These shots are useful to see the effects in a firework. All of this material is collated and published on the "action" page for members to view.

Fireworks can and do change specifications from time to time. Please note that our reviews are only indicative of the actual, specific firework that we tested.

Occasionally we are able to attend trade demonstrations of various fireworks. Where fireworks are let off singly, we can assess the performance as normal. However, at some trade events the whole point of the demo is a commercial one to showcase the products (understandably so) and therefore the products may be fired in multiples. Where this happens, and we cannot get a clear indication of individual effects, their entry in the review database will allow you to get an idea of the item and importantly, access to a video clip. It also allows members to rate and comment on the item, as many might have fired the product themselves.

Items filmed at trade demos may, rarely, not be the full and final retail items. Always check member ratings and comments to see how the actual retails items performed when tried by members.

Setting up at the Firework Emporium review night in Enfield.

Quite often with a firework we only see one of several effects available (eg. with a large rocket which might come in several different varieties). Or, we might have seen it at someone's display or for some reason we could not film it. In cases like this you will find the member rating and comments useful to help you decide whether to take the risk and buy them.

Or not, as the case may be. Fireworks are aesthetic in nature and what might appear beautiful to one person might not to someone else. Some people like loud fireworks, some don't. The possibilities are endless.

Since 1999 our review system has evolved to take into account the changing needs of our members and the current rating system offers what we believe to be the best - and fairest - way to rate fireworks.

Each item is added to the review database with some form of review or description. This could be an in-depth review or simply a note that the item was filmed at a trade demo. The reviewer will often give their opinion on the item too.

The item is then rated by the reviewer. Fireworks are scored out of five for effects, and then out of five again for value. These scores are added to give an overall score out of ten.

Members who have tried the firework themselves can then add their rating too. The rating criteria are shown below with the top ones being equivalent to a score of 5 and the bottom ones equivalent to a score of 1.

Effects:

: Stunning - Item produced top quality effects, had the "WOW!" factor and/or original effects, and excellent pace. Good feedback from audience (if applicable). : Good - Above average effects and produced a solid and engaging performance. : Average/OK - Effects as you would have expected from a firework of this type/size. : Below average - Effects smaller than expected for the firework's size, and/or poor pace/timing. : Poor - Low quality effects and/or totally uninspiring performance. Avoid even as a "filler".

Value (at normal RRP):

: Stunning - Excellent value and you would have no hesitation buying again at the full RRP and/or item is much cheaper than similar items from competitor's ranges. : Good value - You consider the RRP to be competitive and the firework worth the money. : Average/OK - RRP what you would expect for a firework like this and/or similar price to similar items from competitors' ranges. : Below Average - The item is a little overpriced at the RRP or you would only consider buying this item if the price was reduced or on offer. : Poor value - You would only consider buying this item if the price was significantly reduced and/or competitors offer similar or better fireworks at much less RRP.

Once a firework has five or more ratings (which we have determined to be a suitable number to provide a cross-section of member opinion) it is then eligible for a or rating. Fireworks which have an average score of 9 or more are rated as Best Buy. Any item with a score of 7.5 or more is given a Recommended rating.

Items have to earn their or rating from members. This is new for 2006 and onwards - previously a single reviewer determined this rating. The rating can also change as other members vote and can go up or down.

As you can see our reviews offer many ways for you to decide whether to buy a firework - from the video, the reviewer's opinion, member comments or the member rating.

Taking pictures of fireworks so that we can identify and rate them.

Members can access the full review which shows the two component scores for effects and value and this is important. Let's look at two items which might score six out of ten and how they could differ:

Here the item above has stunning effects but is poor value. Maybe it has a very short duration or is just over priced. Items with high effects but low value ratings might be suitable if you are after that type of effect or money is not an object with your display. You can be assured that despite the average overall score, the actual effects are very good.

Here the item above has been rated as having poor effects but is superb value! This could mean the item would be good fired in multiples or as a "filler" item to pad out a display.

As you can see the effects/value scores allow members to more accurately rate fireworks and give you more idea of where a firework performs well (or not).

Many, many fireworks offer stunning performance and may be more suited to your display than the ones rated as and . We cannot stress enough that if you just base your shopping list on the Best Buy and Recommended items only, you could be missing out on some really good fireworks. So, please always read the full reviews of each item. Many items only narrowly miss out on a Best Buy or Recommended rating.

Members can comment on any item. Member comments can be very useful as they give an indication of what other people think. They are also a good way to find out if a firework varies greatly in performance when other people have tried it.

The comment system is also only open to members. However, we do still appreciate and value comments from non-members so if you have an opinion about any firework we have reviewed please let us know!

For more help and advice about leaving comments, if you are a member, click on the link to leave a comment in the full reviews and follow the instructions.

In some cases the comments are referred to as "Jury" comments. Here, a number of members were present at the same firing and their comments were used to determine the overall rating of the firework. This system has now been superceded by the new ratings system.

Apprentice UKFR reviewers (we start them young) at a meeting organised
by Gerry in Dorset. Here members prepare fireworks for a short review
session followed by a massive display.

These sections have explained how to use our reviews, sort and filter the results, and how we review and rate the products.

If you need any further help using or understanding the reviews, by all means contact us to ask for help.

For help with other parts of the website, try the FAQ and Info/Help sections. For help with fireworks in general, try the Info Bank, Display Advice section and Glossary.