by Michael Jay » Feb 19th, '08, 15:58
I think that you would be wise to listen to bmat and Farlsborough.
I purchased the Smoke 2000 system, because I felt much the same as you. I mean, seriously, how magical would it be to have something vanish in a puff of smoke - not only that, but to be able to do it anytime, anywhere, as the spirit moves you. That really is magic.
So, upon getting the system, I immediately did everything necessary to set it up for use with one of my jackets (that's right, you have to have sleeves that will allow a bulky system to be installed) and wasn't real pleased with what was required. If I dropped my arm then I'd get a puff of smoke without wanting one. I had to be very, very careful of how I held my hands, otherwise I'd give away the system...Just far too many technical issues for me to deal with, on top of dealing with the general technical issues of doing magic.
I put the system away.
Recently, I've been selling off a lot of the things that I've picked up (that I no longer use) and figured if I could get a fraction of cost of this system by selling it, then good deal. I opened the package (still in its original box - I don't throw anything away) and pulled out the cartridges...They fell apart in my hands. The chemical had eaten away the ENTIRE cartridge. It was all over the plastic bag that it was stored in, all over the box (having eaten through the plastic like it wasn't there) and was beginning to foul up stuff that was packed in the box around it.
I had to throw away some stuff that wasn't even associatied with the system, because the chemical was eating through and fowling up everything around it.
I would suggest that you give such things a pass.
However, if you are working (doing magic) on a regular basis and making some big money, then go ahead and buy the system, because your finances should allow you to buy new clothes on a regular basis (from the chemical eating away the clothes that you wear now) and you'll be able to afford good insurance because if your spectators breath this stuff in, you'll quite possibly have a lawsuit on your hands...Oh, and have a good doctor, too, because it will be a regular occurence for you to get a good whiff of the stuff from time to time yourself.
But, it does make magic look more magical.
Mike.