talkmagic.co.uk

Not a full review just yet, but I thought I would post a few initial thoughts on receiving this today.

Alakazam Magic's latest is already causing a storm in the field of mentalism, apparently, though how much of that is true and how much is clever marketing in the creation of hype, is debatable.


"A standard pack of ESP cards is displayed to the audience, and one of each symbol is removed: circle, star, wavy lines, square and cross. The performer sticks a small white sticker to the back of each one (the spectator can check that they really are stuck) and mixes them up. The spectator freely decides which of the five symbols to draw on each card, with no forces, equivoque or other hokey magician's ploys.

One by one the cards are flipped over (the spectator can flip the cards over himself) and each card perfectly matches what is drawn on its back! Oh yeah, and the cards may be fully examined

Zenner-Tech is a very direct and commercial ESP test. No extraneous props, no 'sticky' cards and no sleights. It is perfect for a formal close-up or mentalism performance or as an encore piece when you need to perform a killer closer. The spectator makes all the decisions and yet the outcome is guaranteed, every time! If you want to add a stunning mental effect to your repertoire, then Zenner-Tech fits the bill."


The description is fair and accurate: real stickers really stuck on real ESP cards; no forces, equivoque, word-play and outs; simple and direct handling.

The member of my family who is normally the guinea-pig on my new effects smiled and said, "how did you do that?" A good sign.

On the downside, the deck can't really be freely displayed at the opening, and, more crucially,the dealing of one of each design at the beginning cannot be open, which did raise a question from my spec.

Zenner-Tech utilises a well-established principle in its execution, but in a subtle, pleasing way.

Hi Daniel. I must admit that I too pre-ordered a zenner-tech, so it's good to hear that they are now being dispatched.

It will be very interesting to see if they match up to the great hype they have so far been given. I do hope so.

lol

Every now and then something comes along which 'takes the magic world by storm'. This has reportedly been one of those effects.

Indeed, it's fair to say that a majority of these effects usually suffer 'pre-hype' and 'pre-reviews'... so it's nice to hear a hot-off-the-press review of this effect—especially so soon. Alakazam only started shipping this week, I've heard.

A more positive breakdown and review of the effectiveness wouldn't go a miss, though

(please please please)

Tom Lauten wrote: but who knows, maybe this one is the trick I've always been looking for!

Perhaps, but possibly not.

As I alluded to earlier, the taking out and laying down of one of each design needs thinking about. That's the one part for me that jars at the moment. I'm sure there's a way round it with a line or bit of presentational subtlety.

i got my copy last week... very clever thinking... i totally agree with Daniel though - the laying down of the five cards at the beginning is a bit clumsy... i've tried just displaying the faces of the deck (while talking about the nature of ESP cards), and then dealing down the top 5 cards... i don't mention what I'm doing, and i simply ask 'which one is the circle' etc etc...

ok peeps can a guy with ozzy osbourne disease do this trick

are there any dificult moves ie a striper / svengali / brinwave deck is ok for me but an elmsley would be hard a double would be mid way between the two, hope this helps.

Daniel wrote:On the downside, the deck can't really be freely displayed at the opening, and, more crucially,the dealing of one of each design at the beginning cannot be open, which did raise a question from my spec.

I'm assuming from this that you can't do an ESP effect beforehand with the same deck (to accustom the specs to the deck), then move straight to this? In which case, is a deck-switch possible? Or is it a special Zenner-Tech ESP deck?

Any more info on Zenner Tech? Has anyone used it yet?

Is it as good as the advets say it is?

Thanks

Cliff

CLIFF from the feedback ive been getting its as good as its review one easy move and its done even a shakey jakey like me could handle it.

I've purchased and presented this effect. As it is, too much is going on, it is not simple and direct. Why the stickers? Unnecessary.

I've come up with my own version which is far superior, on all terms.

You don't need stickers at all. First I was using the X-pert marker to achieve it, but now I don't even need that.

All you need is a regular pack of ESP cars (aka Zener Cards), and a marker. That's it.

Every action is perfectly motivated. It takes more skill, somewhat, but that doesn't bother me, and it shouldn't you, either. The end result is beautiful.

The feeling you got when you first read the ad for this effect is the feeling I get when I perform this effect the way I've engineered it.

Instead, you receive the effect from the website, and, as is often the case, you are disappointed. Some "extraneous" but so-called necessary action was left out of the ad copy.

I'm quite proud of my modification, and plan to copyright it. Absolutely no stickers are needed, so the backs of the cards aren't all gooey and sticking to one another. The spec draws directly onto the card. Absolutely no package containing the stickers is needed, which was crucial to Zenner-tech, but which also is unfamiliar to a lay-audience and excites suspicion.

Also, the RESET for the original Zenner-tech is not practical in the real working world, as those of you who've put forward your money for the effect have discovered.

The reset for my version is INSTANT--the moment you put the cards back into your pocket.

I do owe a debt of gratitude to the originator of the effect for inspiring me to iron out the wrinkles from his handling.

Max

The spec draws directly onto the card.

The reset for my version is INSTANT--the moment you put the cards back into your pocket.

hmmm thease two dont seem to gell right in my head but I'm sure your right and i,m very intriged as to how much and how difficult your version is compared to the origional.

Thank you for the definition of a backhanded compliment!

wow you invented zenertech well i'd have never guesed that, you only have like 10 tricks on e-magic and your own line in skin man.