talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

Official blurb as follows: As a young man I had the good fortune to meet the legendary Dai Vernon and will never forget a pearl of wisdom he shared with me. "Good magic is like well written comedy" he said, "the audience shouldn't suspect the punchline until you reveal it at the end". The opaque black Eco-Box is identical in appearance to a small department store jewelry box and puts the punchline at the end of the routine leaving the spectators to wonder how the card teleported into the box, instead of watching for a clever switch. I believe both types of effects have situational merits, but when performing for laymen I prefer to not let them get ahead by knowing the contents of the box. There is much satisfaction in seeing the "magic moment" reflected in their faces when the box is opened and the punchline dawns on them. The Eco-Box is designed as the ultimate tool for working close-up or strolling magicians and mentalists. Here are some key features that really set it apart.

Cost

£28:99 at Alakazam at the moment: http://www.alakazam.co.uk/product-ECO-BOX-(Black)-by-Hand-Crafted-Miracles-and-Mark-Southworth.html


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 - Easy-peasy



Review

Put simply, this is a switching device. Do you own a Mystery Box or a Mystery Box 2? Well if you do, this is pretty much exactly the same thing but it has 3 distinct advantages. Firstly, it's half the price. Secondly, it doesn't look like a magic box (it's like a little jewellery box holder you get ear rings in). Thirdly, rather than just switching cards the Eco Box allows you to insert/substitute your own gimmicks. This allows you to do routines with bank notes, billets, newspaper/book corners etc instead of just limiting yourself to playing cards.

Disadvantages - It's not as sturdy as the mystery box for obvious reasons. I've also found the gimmick makes a noise when operated. This shouldn't be a problem in a noisy performing environment, but somewhere quiet may be problematic. The gimmick isn't as smooth in it's operation as the Mystery Box and has a tendency to 'fail/not operate correctly' but this can easily be covered and doesn't require any 'moves.'


Overall

Personally, I think this is better suited to a mentalism routine as it looks innocent and doesn't require explanation. A mystery box (sorry to keep making the comparison but they are basically the same thing) looks like a magic prop to me and is more suited to magic.

I'd give it a 6 out of 10. It's not going to win any awards for innovation but it's an innocent looking utility device that could easily fit into your repertoire.

Kevmundo the Great

Thank you KTG !

It sounds like that might be perfect for a little routine that I've got in mind. Thanks for the tip

I've been thinking about getting something like this for quite a while, but I haven't took the time to master the M*****y fold yet, which I'm assuming is a necessity, to be able to perform this ??

moonbeam wrote:I've been thinking about getting something like this for quite a while, but I haven't took the time to master the M*****y fold yet, which I'm assuming is a necessity, to be able to perform this ??

Yes, it is a necessity if you're using it for a card effect, but, you can use anything else - bits of paper, newspaper corners etc which can be folded in plain sight if you're doing a mentalism type routine. A couple of different ways are taught to do the fold on the vid - which incidentally is online. You get a password with your box. I hope this isn't the shape of things to come as I prefer to have the actual DVD with routines/handlings etc, not a password to something floating in the etha. Maybe I'm getting old!!

I think USB pen drives are the way forward, Something physical but easily stored. I don't even own CD drive these days

mdawg wrote:I think USB pen drives are the way forward, Something physical but easily stored. I don't even own CD drive these days

I certainly think you need something that can be retained. Websites can fold, and a password written on a slip of paper smaller than a stamp can be easily lost. I expect to get the intructions/handling in a format I can keep. I don't think it's toooooo much to ask.

I've bought a few things which came with passwords for online videos. I downloaded the videos and they are safely on my hard disk (and backed up, of course). I haven't come across one yet that couldn't be downloaded with a Firefox extension (don't even bother trying in Chrome).

Going back to the topic - what's the Eco Box made of, please? I get the impression that it's cardboard and not very durable.

Barry

It's exactly the same sort of box you get jewellery in. So basically cardboard with a kind of black laminate skin over it. How long it would last jangling about in your pocket remains to be seen, but I suspect, not very long.

Do you reckon it would be possible to reinforce the box in some way, or maybe even dismantle it and rebuild it with something stronger ??

moonbeam wrote:Do you reckon it would be possible to reinforce the box in some way, or maybe even dismantle it and rebuild it with something stronger ??

Possibly, but to be honest, once you've seen the construction you could easily remake it if you had a little jewellery box. A quick trip to Argos to buy your partner some £1.99 diamond ear rings, and a stop off at Hobby craft should just about cover it!!

kevmundo wrote: A quick trip to Argos ....and a stop off at Hobby craft should just about cover it!!

Now that's my kinda magic!!!!

Firstly, sorry I seem to be joining this thread just a little bit late (a good analogy for my life )
This looks pretty neat, it's the sort of thing I'm looking for. However, being a part-time support worker and part time (soon to be full time) poor student a lot of these great little props are usually beyond my pay packet. Does anyone know a good book/ site that they would recommend for crafting one's own devices? I'm a little cack-handed but needs must!! A trip to Hobby Craft sounds quite idyllic
Thanks!

Tomdjinn wrote:Firstly, sorry I seem to be joining this thread just a little bit late (a good analogy for my life )
This looks pretty neat, it's the sort of thing I'm looking for. However, being a part-time support worker and part time (soon to be full time) poor student a lot of these great little props are usually beyond my pay packet. Does anyone know a good book/ site that they would recommend for crafting one's own devices? I'm a little cack-handed but needs must!! A trip to Hobby Craft sounds quite idyllic
Thanks!

A little later to the party, but no, nobody should be recomending such a site. In magic you either come up with your own solutions and make your own stuff, or you pay to play. What you would be doing is stealing.

That being said there are some good books that have sections on 'Magic you can make at Home" Mark Wilson's course in Magic is an example.