talkmagic.co.uk

just an idea to keep the reviews in some sort of order... just cut and paste Mr. Green

The Effect


The Bat works on a different principle to the Raven, you can still vanish or exchange coins, but it also enables you to accomplish an exiting array of additional magic. The effects range from puzzling table stunts to physic effects. The kinetic ring routine is one possibility. You hand out two brass rings for examination. After a moment of concentration you make the rings adhere to one another and spin the lower ring around. The rings are once again handed out and nobody can repeat your performance. You can also perform many physic routines including the stopping of a second hand on a spectators watch.- taken from Magic box...

Cost

I paid £22.99 from Magic Box, however, I HAVE seen it ranging up to £34.99, so always hunt around...

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- VERY easy to use, quite easily concealed.

Review

I was in two mind weather to get this, or the Raven, in the end, i chose this, they were very similarly priced, and seeing as i have no experience in vanisher's, the words ...works on a different principle to the Raven...but it also enables you to accomplish an exiting array of additional magic for some reason seemed appealing to me... i have used it one several occasions, most effectively for a coin thru table routine, its VERY tidy, lightweight, and can stay hidden very well...

Overall

Ill have to say 10/10, as i have no similar product to compare it with...[/i]

I have and use one of these and some of the effects are real killers.
I use it in conjuction with a PK ring for watch stopping, watch stops in hand and still stops when placed on a table I'm seated at. So many uses.
Coins talk when you do a vanish, but wearing the Bat under shirt and jacket sleeves dampens this a bit.
Never used a Raven either, but I have had some good use from my Bat.

The words 'limited by your imagination' certainly come into play here. I find the best used is when seated at a table so its pretty limited for walk-around. If you do mostly walk around you are better off with a PK ring. I love the kinetic rings but i often do the same effect with coins. Not the greatest unless you want to portray a real psychic personality. A bit pricy at £23 but a very workable prop.

I have heard that the bat has some disadvantages. I'm considering buying one from penguin so will anyone tell me what those are?

it's powerful and i've heard it has hurt people so i would suggest one should use with caution and not forget it's on them. a famous man once said "May the force be with you" and with this utility device it definately will be a very strong force.

Thanks for the advice but someone was complaining about it be cause it "Couldn't be used in all environments", whatever that means. Does it make a loud noise like the raven or something?

i always thought the bat was a similar size and design to a palmo ball, shows how you can be mistaken.
not done much pk work and when i did i used an induction card box made my self from maplin stuff, saved me worrying about the permenantness of other units.

Worn on a shirt sleeve under a jacket reduces the noise and it's still powerful enough to work through all that. I think it's better than the Raven and although the ending is less clean you can hide the offending objects with ease or p**m them off. Requires handling practice, but far better than the Raven and has many more uses too.

Lord Freddie you say it is a lot better than the Raven, but is it good enough to buy now that I already have a ravem. If that makes any sense.

If not... i already have a Raven and am wondering if you think buying a Bat on top of that would significantly aid my vanishes?

Wild Card wrote: but is it good enough to buy now that I already have a raven. If that makes any sense.

If not... I already have a Raven and am wondering if you think buying a Bat on top of that would significantly aid my vanishes?

I suppose it's each to their own .
I used to have a Raven .... then I got a Bat .... then I sold my Raven .... up to now I've still got my Bat (even though I don't use it much to be honest ).

At the end of the day it's all down to personal preference. I personally prefer the Bat over the Raven - other people will prob think otherwise .

Wild Card wrote:Lord Freddie you say it is a lot better than the Raven, but is it good enough to buy now that I already have a ravem. If that makes any sense.

If not... I already have a Raven and am wondering if you think buying a Bat on top of that would significantly aid my vanishes?

I much prefer the Bat. The Raven is too fiddly and I hate the set up. I use it in conjuction with a PK ring rather than the normal method.
With the Bat, you don't end up as clean as you do with the Raven (though nothing is left dangling from your sleeve) so a few handling methods are needed but it is much easier and more powerful.
I have both but much prefer the Bat. I bought a Raven thinking it would be quieter when vanishing a 'normal' coin but it isn't and I wish I had not bothered with it and bought something else.

Thanks LF, I hope to purchase one in Davenports on sunday!

If you need any help, tips etc then don't hesitate to PM me. I have a couple of routines I do which you may find useful.

Lord Freddie wrote:Worn on a shirt sleeve under a jacket reduces the noise and it's still powerful enough to work through all that. I think it's better than the Raven and although the ending is less clean you can hide the offending objects with ease or p**m them off. Requires handling practice, but far better than the Raven and has many more uses too.

Can't agree with you more, ma Lord. just got mine (FINA-FREAKIN-LLY!!!) from penguin. I don't say it like that because it took so long (but it did take a few days more because of the California storms where their warehouse is located. Anyone see that on the news?), but because I've been putting off getting one for a while, & I finally ordered it & got it in. The gimmick IS that tiny. This was my face when I saw how tiny it actually is: . I expected something more elaborate, but I love simple gimmicks. Like the STS. I had Freddie's words stuck in my head & wore (& still am wearing) one T-shirt, one sweater, & one suit coat up top. It really does dampen the noise, AND THE GIMMICK IS STILL STRONG & LIVING!!!! Now, when they say "powerful" & "strong", they're not just talking about the reactions... You'll see when you buy one. Oh & yes p**min the "offending objects" off is a great idea. I did it & got away with it. If you want to know how to show both hands completely empty & roll up your sleeves at the finish, PM me & I'll tell you. I've had it for under 24 hours, but I'm a very smart guy & figured out Lady Bat's secrets. Just swear to me you own it first. I'm not relinquishing the secrets to anyone who doesn't have one.

i have The Bat and i prefer the raven.

I just find it a bit to powerful, it seems to make to much noise. (if you understand me)

In fact i am selling the bat, I have only had it out of the box once and i just didn't like it.

TBH i don't like the raven either, but i prefer it.