Official Reviewer
Jul 01, 2023
Overview
If you like optical illusions and would like to incorporate them into your magic performance, then you won’t be heading in the wrong direction with The Crazy Compass. There are a couple versions out there but this review is specifically about the black, eight sided compass with gold arrows and rose. The Crazy Compass is sold by Penguin Magic and the Magic Trick Compass is made by Magic Makers and I found that Magic Maker’s version is the sturdier of the two. This is a great pack flat plays big item that will fit in a shirt pocket and weighs next to nothing.Effect
You show a black plastic compass with a gold arrows and directional points on both sides. As you rotate the compass from back to front the arrows are pointing in the same direction. The arrows are clearly printed and can’t move. You can even have the spectators touch the arrows. You then talk about losing your way and the arrows are pointing 90º apart. The spectators are baffled because the arrows clearly couldn’t move. However, you don’t stop there, you rotate the compass again and now the arrows are 180º apart. With a little shake you then set the compass straight and once again the arrows are pointing in the same direction.Method
The method is a clever optical illusion that uses vectors. Although the arrows are truly printed 90º from each other, there is one spot on the compass which when held will make the arrows appear to be pointing in the same direction. Each small rotation of the compass will initiate an illusion that the arrows are continuously moving apart. Even when holding the compass in your hand and watching it rotate it is hard to fathom how it works.Product Quality
Both compasses, from Penguin Magic and Magic Makers appear at first glance to be the same. However, upon inspecting both, the compass by Magic Makers is far superior. It is double the thickness of the Penguin Magic version which make is easier to hold and rotate. Both compasses have a download of which neither are incredibly inspiring. Ad Copy Integrity
The product is as stated and for the cost it is well worth it. The biggest challenge will be to make a sensible presentation. For those inclined, you can watch some videos online of other presentation but most revolve around Object Lessons from ministries. This is a good opportunity to exercise your creativity without spending a lot of money.
