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VernonOnCoins Inner circle NYC 1978 Posts |
Anyone workng with one of these. I'm ready to send it back unless I hear some positive feedback.
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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
I saw a friend's and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Some folks I really respect said some great things about it, but it didn't live up to any of it. I couldn't believe how visible the gaff is, not to mention the fact that the leather felt rather stiff and cheap.
I ended up designing my own wallet, sized like a US billfold, to do most of the same things as the MindSpy more easily and deceptively. I'm talking to a couple folks about having it manufactured--it'll be a while if it does happen, but I'll keep you filled in if you'd like.
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Ken Regular user Belfast 112 Posts |
Andy "I saw a friends" is not a good basis on which to start any review. I am not sure what you were expecting but I disagree with your comments about the quality and it's potential as a very useful tool.
Anyone interested in more information should look at the reviews of Mind Spy in "The good, the bad and the ugly". Best wishes Ken |
Andrewdavidson12 Loyal user England 232 Posts |
I had the chance to handle it in the shop and I have to say I agree with Andy. I was not greatly impressed by it.
Maybe I'm missing something but, having handled it, I was not persuaded to buy it. Andrew |
Michael Peterson Inner circle is where I'm trapped, because of my 4071 Posts |
I posted about the Mindspy in the secret sessions, go check it out & tell me what you think.
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Andrewdavidson12 Loyal user England 232 Posts |
I would love to check out the secret section... but I’m still too new for that...
One day I hope... Andrew |
Ian Rowland Special user London 889 Posts |
I've just posted a few notes about this item over in Good Bad Garbage.
www.ianrowland.com . Working Magic.
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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Quote:
Okay then, I’ll rephrase it. I didn’t want to buy one sight unseen, so I asked a friend who had one if I could see his. He gladly obliged, and we both played with it for a while and agreed that it was pretty much unusable. I don’t see how "I saw a friend’s" is a bad way to start a review. I didn’t say, "I heard from a friend that...", I said that I had actually seen one, just that I didn’t own one myself. To clarify another question Ken asked, what I was expecting was a wallet in which the gimmick was hidden. That isn't the case with a major part of the gaff in the Mind Spy. It is clearly visible from quite a distance from three sides of the wallet when its closed--it even extends out the right edge when the wallet is closed by at least 1/4". I also expected it to be of a high quality soft leather like most wallets, not a cheap, stiff leather that looks more like vinyl than leather.
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Looks more like vinyl than leather?
I’ve seen tons of wallets, magical and straight in my 35 year interest in magic and it looks like leather to me. Is it just me? What’s wrong with laying the wallet down so the long opening edge is towards you rather than the audience? Whats wrong with lifting the wallet from this position at right or left edge depending on which side a spectator is sitting, fingers going underneath thumb on top and concealing that edge? Why not put it in your right inner jacket pocket, opening facing the left so you just reach in and grab it at the top edge pulling it out and forward into view, hand concealing that top edge? Your other hand can immediately come to the lower edge, put a thumb in and flip it open. The wallet can be held with both hands at either side to steady it as a business card is inserted, concealing the edge from the audience as you turn to left or right for a spectator. There is no reason why I should defend this wallet, I have no financial gain from it (though Mr. Nardi asked me for any effect ideas for it) but at the same time I don’t want people exposing it by bad handling. Like any prop, SOME thought by the performer is required regarding it's handling and presentation. If you JUST want a peek device, buy something else. |
Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
The points you make are true, Paul, but I know that if it's a choice between a wallet where the gaff is quite well hidden and one where you have to concentrate so much on hiding the gaff, my choice is for the former.
Perhaps I exagerrated my comment on the leather, but I did find it quite low quality compared to any other wallet I've seen. It was stiff and just didn't feel like real quality leather.
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Ken Regular user Belfast 112 Posts |
[quote]
On 2002-01-19 04:34, Andy Leviss wrote: I don't see how "I saw a friend's" is a bad way to start a review. I didn't say, "I heard from a friend that...", I said that I had actually seen one, just that I didn't own one myself. Andy I was just making the point that I think the most reliable and informative kind of reviews are from people who are intimately acquainted with a product. A bit like the difference between a person who has actually owned the car for some time and the person who has just taken it for a test drive. I know which opinion I would value most. I am also unclear, (says Ken trying to stir things slightly), about your comments on making and designing a wallet of your own. I trust that this new design is not in anyway going to benefit from the information you obtained from your free peek, excuse the pun, at the Mind Spy. Given your comments about Patrik Kuffs I am sure this is not the case. Very best wishes Ken |
Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
No, my wallet design is not a design stolen from the Mind Spy. It was inspired by Peter’s wallet, however, and once I speak with the manufacturer about it's feasibility, I of course will credit Peter and, if appropriate, get in touch with him for his okay before going through with it.
I maintain a high degree of ethics with stuff like this. _________________ Andy Leviss Check out my new book for mentalists, Ramblings and Revelations (and other products for magicians and mentalists) at: http://www.asquaredproductions.com
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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NickW New user Derby, UK 66 Posts |
I've just started using the Mind Spy wallet, but haven't been called on the gaff so far, and think it's fairly easily concealed. Perhaps part of the advantage is that I use it (carefully!) as my regular wallet (I needed one with a notepad anyway!) and so people seem to see it as a personal item they're uneasy about scrutinising too closely. Of course, that depends on keeping its use 'incidental', and giving a good reason to put the card in the zipped compartment etc.
I'm not so sure about the 'card to wallet' feature, the loading's a bit fiddly. |
Daniel Nicholls Veteran user UK 390 Posts |
I have used mine for over a year
Close your eyes. Open your senses.
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Daniel Nicholls Veteran user UK 390 Posts |
In addition to my last comment unless you look shifty with the wallet then you shouldn't be called on the gaff. After all to all extents it is a wallet. Laymen won't have a clue. When I use mine I tell people that I am getting them to draw the picture so we have reference to go back to after. And if you use it as a wallet then it will begin to wear and age as a real wallet would.
Close your eyes. Open your senses.
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