talkmagic.co.uk

THE EFFECT

Here's the official spam...

Sixth Sense has evolved! Magictricks.co.uk and Hugo Shelley are proud to bring to you the latest incarnation of the bestselling magnetic detection device.

With an extended range, 360 degree sensing pattern and self-calibrating digital circuitry, Sixth Sense 2 allows you to perform a variety of beautiful and stunning mind-reading effects including the classic 'which hand'. Place the tiny sensor under your watch strap and a silent vibration will let you know in which hand your volunteer has hidden a magnetic coin.

Sixth Sense is the only device in the world that allows you to perform this effect in short sleeves.

The basic effect: The performer chooses a spectator and asks her to hide a coin in one hand behind her back. If he guesses incorrectly, she wins the game. The effect is repeated as the stakes are raised …

This plays just as well in close-up as it does to an audience of 2000. If you are currently performing any kind of mentalism routine, this device is invaluable.

Limitless variations: Although Sixth Sense was originally designed for 'which hand' effects there are an endless variety of different effects that can be performed using magnetic coins or other objects. Kurotsuke, Find the Lady, and Smash and Stab effects are all possible. You are limited only by your imagination.

Extended range: We have seen many other devices that try to create a similar effect. But where a weaker sensor will leave you 'scanning' your volunteer's hands in an unnatural way, or failing to detect the coin entirely, the range of Sixth Sense 2 allows a variety of coins to be used with complete confidence.

Advanced miniaturisation: Not only is Sixth Sense 2 the most powerful detection device in the world, it is also one of the smallest. 12 months of prototyping have enabled us to create a device small enough to fit under a watch strap, allowing the 'which hand' effect to be performed in short sleeves and at a moment's notice.

Instant on: No calibration routines, no wires, settings, or complicated hookups. Just turn the unit on via the switch at the base and Sixth Sense 2 automatically configures itself in a fraction of a second. Keep it in a pocket and perform your favourite effects wherever and whenever you want.

Long battery life & enhanced durability: Using the very latest in low-power digital circuitry and power saving techniques, Sixth Sense 2 will function for over 50 hours of continuous use (18,000 detections) on a single set of readily available button cells. The rubber coating and inset switch ensure that Sixth Sense 2 is robust enough to withstand years of constant use.

Specifications:
Dimensions 33 x 20mm x 8mm
Range (to Magnetic £1 - Hugo Shelley) ~ 4 inches
Range (to Magnetic US Half Dollar - Kreis Magic) ~ 4.5 inches
Range (to Wizard PK ring) ~ 5 inches

Please note - magnetic coins must be purchased separately and are not included with the Sixth Sense 2. Please follow the links above for details of the recommended magnetic coins for use with this device.

Cost: £195.00 from http://www.magictricks.co.uk

RATINGS

Difficulty: (1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
1-2: Couldn't be simpler but you need good performance skills to make it convincing, as with any mentalism effect.
Instructions: 5/5 No DVD, but you shouldn't need one. The printed instructions tell you all you need to know.
Presentation: 5/5 Stylish and sturdy packaging. Minimalist instructions.
Gimmick build quality: 5/5 Seems pretty sturdy and well protected.
Reset: None required. The only 'set up' is switching it on, which is a tad fiddly but that can't be avoided with a small device. Depending on where you hide the device, you may find that the switch is on the wrong side. I can see no way around this problem as different performers will hide the device in different ways.
Angles: No issues.
Pocket space: None required.
Nudist colony rating: Possibly you can get away with sliding the device under a watch strap but it's quite thick. I wouldn't want to chance it. Personally, I wouldn't use it without long sleeves.
Mucky pup rating: Clean as a shaggy dog on bath day--provided it isn't poking out from beneath your watch strap.

Overall: 10 out of 10. The only issue is whether or not you think it's worth spending so much money on an effect of this kind. For what it is, it's amazing.


REVIEW

Personally, I'm perfectly happy with the SS2 as a physical object. I'd rather Hugo had made it slimmer than SS1 and kept the width, than reduced the width but kept the thickness. You'd then be able to slip it into a shirt cuff, say, without a bulge. But maybe this isn't possible. And of course another performer may prefer it this way. It comes down to where you want to hide the device.

It works brilliantly. The range is as good as you need it to be. I've not had it long enough to have experienced battery problems, but if you use it efficiently the batteries should last a long time.

Many mentalists would rather use "naked" techniques (tells etc). I haven't taken this into account when writing this review as I think it's beside the point. If you don't want to use an electronic device, you won't even consider buying this product.

[Note that I bought this product and didn't receive a freebie. Also note that I don't have time to review products that I dislike, hence I tend to write very positive reviews.]

Interesting - but doesn't seem to have enough difference from the original to justify £195. Slightly smaller, slightly better range, etc - not things that have ever been a problem TBH. I'll stick with SS1 I guess...

Yes. Can't argue with that. Personally, I feel glad to have bought it. It's a judgement call. £50 more than the original. And there's no coin. Personally I have enough magnetic coins, so am not concerned.

I think it is half the size or less, though no thinner, so it all comes down to wear you're hiding it.

I'll put my SS1 up for sale if anyone is interested [EDIT: NOW SOLD, SORRY PUNTERS!]. Bargain price. Barely used, not because I don't like SS (wouldn't have spent two hundred quid on this one if I didn't) but because I was going out performing mentalism during that period.

Whats the range like? With a PK ring closed hands from the back? Not the front, finger side.

Hi, just wanted to throw my thoughts into the mix. I have long since been interested in the 'which hand' effect. I started years ago with Roger Curzon's 'Zurcon' which used 2 paperweights of different colours which the participant held in each hand & magician tells them which hand the blue one was in etc. This was much cheaper than electronic devices but meant that you had to introduce these foreign looking propy paperweights. From here I bought the Leyser 2020, a kind of metal detecting device strapped to the arm. This was too big for my liking & didn't provide the detection range through a closed fist which I thought was needed, it also had a less than vibrant communication with the arm so I ended up selling it on. From here I began using one of the Zurcon paperweights & a PK Ring on my finger to detect it. This was good & enabled me to perform with short sleeves but again lacked the organic-ness I was looking for.

I bought Sixth Sense 2 a couple of weeks ago from magictricks.co.uk after emailing round in my research. I also enquired about Childs Play 3 (device built into a watch) which turns out is a standard watch slightly modified & has a detection range much less than SS2. Keelan (Leyser 2020 inventor & guy at magictricks.co.uk) instantly helped me via the email function on the website. I asked loads of questions over a 2 day period & he answered all of them within minutes. He even went to the trouble of getting in touch with Hugo Shelley regarding Childs Play 3 & gave me his response. Possibly the greatest customer service I have ever received.

I also ordered the SS2 magnetic £1 & I have to say I am amazed by the device. Small enough to fit beneath my watch (fashion watch with quite a thick strap), strong enough to detect through a closed fist & silent enough to use in a room with no significant background noise. I believe a PK Ring is slightly stronger than the magnetic £1 therefore is detectable from further away but not as organic looking as a £1.

I think the price is justified by the workmanship & quality. It also means that less people will be performing it which is a bonus.

FYI It now comes with a dvd but this is largely what is written in the instructions anyway although it's good to see.

Love it
9.3 / 10

I don't mean to sound daft but when it comes to magnetic coins do you need a coin with a magnet fitted inside it or a coin that is magnetic for this effect to work??

Both types are in use, it all depends on the effect and any other props/gaffs involved.

If you could nip over to Introductions and tell us a bit more about yourself we'll probably be able to respond a little more effectively.

LeeWellZy wrote:I don't mean to sound daft but when it comes to magnetic coins do you need a coin with a magnet fitted inside it or a coin that is magnetic for this effect to work??

What's the difference? I'm confused.

I think he is making a distinctions between coins that have Ferromagnetic properties and magnets themselves.

Aw, OK. Ferromagnetic coins i.e. steel coins (sometimes look copper coloured but contain mainly steel, such as newer UK 1p and 2p coins) rather than magnetic coins.

Interestingly, some UK silver coloured coins are now made of steel. I've only encountered a few so far. 10p and 5p coins. They're slightly thicker than the non-steel versions, which I believe is to make them weigh the same, so that vending machine recognise them.

The stronger the magnet in the coin the longer the range.

Even with a Curiously Strong (are they extra strong or is it hype? they seem very good to me), if the punter has big hands, you can sometimes need to get in quite close.

Mr Grumpy wrote:Even with a Curiously Strong (are they extra strong or is it hype? they seem very good to me), if the punter has big hands, you can sometimes need to get in quite close.

They have a full 15x2mm neo inside them, making them ridiculously strong. They should be good for just about any hand because they give a 9cm range. But the thing about the FMT2 is that the sensor head is deliberately away from the vibration head, so if you have to get in close and handle the guy's fist you don't vibrate and give the game away! If you use an assistant, he/she could be wired up, hold the guy's hand and you hold the assistant's other hand and feel the thumps coming through.

You know your stuff!

Mr Grumpy wrote:You know your stuff!

I designed it!