Gecko/The Raven

Struggling with an effect? Any tips (without giving too much away!) you'd like to share?

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Gecko/The Raven

Postby philnitro » Aug 26th, '08, 15:05



From reading different conversations I take it that the gecko and the raven are near enough the same gimmick as such?
Forgive me if i am wrong.....

I recently purchased The Gecko which arrived last week and after watching the DVD and fixing the gimmick to suit my body I dont like the way it works. I'll try not to give anything away with what i say here.....
But i've tried using the gimmick with a couple of different tops/hoodies but i find that during the vanishing part there is always a clunk against the zip or you can hear a snap sound which is obvious to anyone and everyone even if you can't see the gimmick. I've used both gimmicks supplied for smaller items and the one for bigger items, but both end the same way.
I've been practising this each day since it has arrived and still no improvement with the trick.
I've taken the advise given about leaning forward a little so no contact is made but again... this doesn't seem to change the problem, also changing the location of the gimmick.

Any ideas about this issue i am having?
Also if the Raven is roughly the same in the way it works which is the better of the two if you are able to compare them both?

This is the first gimmick i have actually purchased as i've been keeping my head buried in books of the the last month learning cards and and other basics.

Many Thanks

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Postby nickj » Aug 26th, '08, 16:36

I can't compare them both, but if the gecko is similar to the raven then trying to release a bit of tension before the clean up part of using the device would probably help.

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Postby philnitro » Aug 26th, '08, 17:34

I have already done that, for the first two/three days of practise I managed to be able to successfully vanish little items e.g. coins, pens, cards and even a glove. But this needs to be very close to my body and doesn't create the illusion that it is ment to be. But when it is up close to my body then i dont get the problem which is what i am originally asking. Which is i am unable to create this illusion without the gimmick catching on either a zip or an obvious un-natural stretch of the jacket.
A thick-ish jacket hide's the pull pretty well but then because of the bulkiness the zip is more sturdy and this is where the issue is.
I still need lots of hours of practise with the trick but it's got to a point of littrally hitting a brick wall with how the effect is just a laugh.
I think i mentioned that I have played around with the location of the gimmick - high, low, further back, further forward.. but nothing improves or changes the end result.


Thanks for the reply by the way :)

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Postby Phas3r » Aug 26th, '08, 22:52

i dont know what the gecko is but it seem similar to the raven.

I use a raven and i must say i dont really likes it. Although i always gear myself with it when i go for a performance, it is something you can do after the show while talking with everyone down the stage.

After some sleight of hand it is a very clean vanish to finish and pass to something else.

Your problem seem to be because you make the thing vanish to close from you. In fact you can make it vanish a feet or 2 ahead then keep moving forward the hand wich is now empty forward a bit while your other hand move back in position to let it go...

Once your clean both hand can join togheter in front and rub togheter to show their emptyness.

Your acting should make the diference with this kind of gimmick.

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Postby Frymus » Aug 27th, '08, 18:27

I don't have this, as of yet. But, I did hear from many people that the noise is usually incorrect set-up.

It usually depends on the way you set up the gimmick according to the DVD.
It also depends on what shirts/jacket you are wearing. If it has any buttons or any hard surfaces inside. Or even your pants, like belt and stuff.

But, if the problem is still occurring, as it is not hitting any clothing, but making the noise all by itself, then its the set-up.

The DVD I believe explains one set-up. What you must do is set up the gimmick in a different way as each shirt/jacket you use is different. It may seem all the same, but you must always make it fit that certain shirt.
Try making it higher, lower, move it around, make the object appear somewhere else rather then the right pocket, etc.

I'm not sure how the set-up of the Gecko is, as I have never seen it. But, thats what I have been told. when there is a noise issue, not resulting to hitting clothing, you must change the set-up, even if its minor adjustments.



The Gecko by all people has been said to make noise. no matter what you do, the noise might be reduced a bit, but you will still be able to hear something out of it. so, only option left is perform with music on, people talking in the background, or just make up a story that you can actually hear it vanish in the air. If its the right type of sound it makes.. :lol:

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Postby Bigtone53 » Aug 27th, '08, 21:34

I don't know about the gecko but I thought that the whole point of the Raven was that you could use it with short-sleeve shirts. Don't understand the references to hoodies.

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Postby Mr.Mystery » Sep 2nd, '08, 04:42

I have a raven but have never heard of gecko. If gecko is almost the same as the raven then after the vanish move your hand across your front then when the load is hidden let go. That way you avoid the noise and the gimmick won't hang out, if you catch my drift.

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Postby twistedjester » Mar 22nd, '11, 11:22

Ok the raven is nothing like the gecko yes different setup but different moves and what not I own two ravens one for each of my two jackets I vcr them just ordered my gecko and should have it in a couple of days I'm sure ill be able to help the situation and the raven makes the same noise but its all about releaseing the tension once u play with the raven and give it the time in a few mins u will find its the best gimmik in your box gecko is new to tje magic scence really it hasnt been studied properly by the buys but I bet if u jist gave it a little patience and time it will work like it should hopes this helps and when I gety gecko in ill let you all know what I think

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Postby hds02115 » Jul 2nd, '11, 16:08

I've got the gecko, but have mixed views on it. I do think it can be a great way to vanish things, but I don't like the fact that you basicly have to wear the thing the entire evening, or how ever long you'll be performing for, and because of that, it's not in my starting line up of effects.

As for the noise issue, I had the exact same problem. I would use it with a suit jacket, so although I wouldn't get the clunk from it hitting the zipper of a hoodie, you could always hear a slight wizz as it "vanished" the object, even after a good time spent tinkering with it. The way I over came this though is to vanish the item earlier than I was making out, for example, I'd take it from the person and as I was saying "what I'll do next is make your ring vanish..." I'll vanish it. So the noise of me talking covers the noise made from the gimmick, also, then when I say "look, I'll make it dissapear..." it's already gone.

Just my way of getting around the problem, it always seems to work for me.

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Postby hds02115 » Jul 2nd, '11, 16:13

Just another quick thing, what do you guys to to return the vanished object. Of course if it's a coin or something like that, you could have one already somewhere else or planted, but I will often use a ring or something borrowed, so as much as I might like to be, I'm not rich enough to carry around a vast range of wedding rings just in case.

What I usually do is reach as if I'm getting something from my pocket, or shunt my chair back/forward, this give the excuse to reach and retrieve the item. For people with the gecko gimmick, I'm sure this will make sense.

I was just interested in seeing what other people did.

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Re: Gecko/The Raven

Postby Catalyst » Oct 10th, '11, 17:47

Hey newbie to the site, woop woop
I have both the raven and the gecko and if I honest I used to prefer the raven for it's magic effect but always saw the gecko's potential. I mean what more could a magician want than to literally make any pocket object disappear. I hear what every1 is saying about the 'clunck' and noise, but after some practice I managed to minimise both. Have you tried leaning forward and instead of just letting go twist your hands so that your hands are parallel, with both hands facing opposite ways. In this twisting motion I bring my hands closer to my body and let go when the elastic is less taught. I then rub my hands and watch their faces. Trust me guys once this is mastered your in for a treat

Good luck :D

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