With all respect Nicky, the test and promo is PUBLIC and should this be untrue, I am sure that EVINRUDE would sue MERCURY millions of dollars! the promo is used in Australia and USA since there OPTIMAX markets are strongest there.
We all know that the advertising laws in the USA and elsewhere are very different in terms of the claims to be made. Yes they can't make any old wild claim, I would imagine they would have to produce some kind of evidence but let's face it and not bullshit around.......if a manufacturer, any manufacturer whether it's Mercury or Evinrude conducts its own tests to make all sorts of claims on a Promo video, then it is totally SUBJECTIVE and therefore should be interpreted accordingly, they are not Objective tests at all. Heck just look at some of Evinrude's tests where they sink the competitors engines by out pulling them....it's true it actually happened but the test was very subjective!
The tests are not a just marketing gimmick: the tests are true and results speak for themselves.
You couldn't have chosen a better word.....gimmick!!! As I mentioned they don't compare noise levels which on any modern engine are a big deal...convenient because they are well aware that their engines are considerably noisier and that does bother people. They feel that Low Pressure Direct Injection is superior to High Pressure, but Mercury didn't develop the injection system, it was designed and created by Orbital Engine Corp.
http://www.orbeng.com.au/intellectual-propertyflexdi.html so they can't really take credit for that!
Recommended Service for MERCURY OPTIMAX 75Hp to 125Hp is Euro 145.96
Recommended Service for MERCURY OPTIMAX 150+ is Euro 172.59
I am sure that these rates are the lowest on the island as offered direct from MERCURY AGENT and not any mechanic!
You already discussed the ETEC Non Servicing in previous blogs and you were all shot down that to look after your outboard, servicing is a must....
Ummm not really, E-TECs in the first 3 years are far cheaper to service because all that needs to be done are the basics, drive oil, greasing and filters and I haven't read anywhere that this HAS to be done by RLR directly but they would have to confirm....What we said in the previous blog was that because they are used in Saltwater the 3 year no service claim doesn't apply in Malta as we are exclusively salt water but elsewhere in the world on lake's that stands, and Mercury cannot compete with that.
The demo you are showing leaves so much to bve desired? Independent by whom?
Why don't they show the throttle, the type of prop etc etc....Should they wanted to make a real test, they would have given all data. it is very evident that they wanted ETEC to look nicer even in their comments!
I'm SO GLAD you wrote this and you agree, because I couldn't agree with you more!!! But then YOUR VIDEO fails to provide this information as well except that it was endorsed by Mercury....but again no prop information, no sea conditions, no temperature and humidity, no boat info, no fuel/water/people loads and so on and so forth....the links I provided were to show you that anyone can do and comparison and make it Subjective!!!
Several points you listed above are also debatable.
Of course they are!! As are Mercury's claims but you were happy to accept those as the Truth....
Why is it calculated that overall, MERCURY OPTIMAX use less fuel than EVINRUDE ETEC?
Ummm because it was a Mercury test LoL, I'm sure we can find some other tests online that show the opposite!
Why does ETEC web site makes only comparisons to Mercury 4 Strokes when they are fully aware that Mercury Manufactures OPTIMAX!!
Here you have a point....again simple answer is because they are two very good and very similar engines in terms of performance the gap/results wouldn't be exciting enough to make one of those cheesy Promo videos

The Reason: a better direct competitor! THE TRUTH IS PROOF!
Said like the true Salesman that you are

But at least you believe in your brand

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Show me a
REAL comparison test done by someone like Boattest.com , same hull, same load, same conditions and then we will have THE TRUTH for that particular tested Horsepower, on that particular hull, which may perform very differently on a different boat!!!
So guys I reckon the lesson to learn here in case there are any of you out there that would be so easily swayed by such promotional video's.....is do your research, see what works for you and your boat, and remember you're buying the After Sales Relationship and not so much the brand. If you're in the shit in years to come it will be of little comfort to sit behind your computer watching a video that says your engine is the best if you are dead on the water and waiting to have it fixed!!