Price$99.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedJan 20, 2015
Lynx Wallet
Lynx Magic
Magic Without Limits
(Based on 2 reviews)
Inspired by the effect "Bang On" created by Marc Oberon, Gon
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Cleanly producing a freely named card is a classic of magic. In the case of the “Lynx Wallet” by Lynx Magic, the performer can produce a freely named card from an envelope in his or her wallet. Per the ad copy, and relevant to any potential purchaser,
• The wallet is in full view before the spectator names a card
• The envelope contains one, and only one, card
• Any card from a 52 card deck can be named
• The spectator can reach inside the wallet before the routine begins and confirm there is only one envelope in the wallet
The “Lynx Wallet” comes with a gimmicked wallet, additional items needed for the effect, plus information on where to find the instructions for the wallet online. The wallet is a bill fold type hip pocket wallet, though it’s slightly taller than most wallets of this type. In addition to the bill compartment, it also has slots for credit cards as well as a zipper compartment that can be used to hold props for other effects. The wallet is well made and, if handled properly, will not arouse suspicion, even in a close up environment.
The instruction for the “Lynx Wallet” is on vimeo.com, accessible using the included passwords. The instruction is clear enough, though at times difficult to understand as both of the people providing the instruction have very thick accents. The videos include basic information, a close up performance, a stage performance, some handling tips plus additional routining ideas. At times the instruction was repetitive, but this is a minor complaint.
The routines taught are not particularly clever or inspiring, but that isn’t really what one is purchasing with this wallet. What one is purchasing is a method. And as a method, it’s a fairly workhorse approach, though well executed and, if performed well, will be deceptive. The main drawback is that, at the beginning of the routine, when the envelope is displayed as the only envelope in the wallet, it has to be placed back into the wallet, then removed again by the magician at the end. If the routine you plan to perform can justify this somewhat illogical procedure, then there isn’t a problem.
Being able to show that you have predicted any card a spectator names is a powerful effect. Countless methods exist, as do approaches. When choosing strategies, there are always benefits and drawbacks, and the correct approach depends on the effect one wants to achieve. To know if the “Lynx Wallet” is for you, watch the trailer. If the effect as it appears fits your style and approach, this could be a great fit. But keep in mind, this is a utility device, not a routine. To get the most out of it, you’ll need to come up with an application that makes good use its particular advantages and limitations. And at $100, it’s not cheap. Make sure you know how you’ll use it before you buy it so it doesn’t end up in the drawer of unused props.
• The wallet is in full view before the spectator names a card
• The envelope contains one, and only one, card
• Any card from a 52 card deck can be named
• The spectator can reach inside the wallet before the routine begins and confirm there is only one envelope in the wallet
The “Lynx Wallet” comes with a gimmicked wallet, additional items needed for the effect, plus information on where to find the instructions for the wallet online. The wallet is a bill fold type hip pocket wallet, though it’s slightly taller than most wallets of this type. In addition to the bill compartment, it also has slots for credit cards as well as a zipper compartment that can be used to hold props for other effects. The wallet is well made and, if handled properly, will not arouse suspicion, even in a close up environment.
The instruction for the “Lynx Wallet” is on vimeo.com, accessible using the included passwords. The instruction is clear enough, though at times difficult to understand as both of the people providing the instruction have very thick accents. The videos include basic information, a close up performance, a stage performance, some handling tips plus additional routining ideas. At times the instruction was repetitive, but this is a minor complaint.
The routines taught are not particularly clever or inspiring, but that isn’t really what one is purchasing with this wallet. What one is purchasing is a method. And as a method, it’s a fairly workhorse approach, though well executed and, if performed well, will be deceptive. The main drawback is that, at the beginning of the routine, when the envelope is displayed as the only envelope in the wallet, it has to be placed back into the wallet, then removed again by the magician at the end. If the routine you plan to perform can justify this somewhat illogical procedure, then there isn’t a problem.
Being able to show that you have predicted any card a spectator names is a powerful effect. Countless methods exist, as do approaches. When choosing strategies, there are always benefits and drawbacks, and the correct approach depends on the effect one wants to achieve. To know if the “Lynx Wallet” is for you, watch the trailer. If the effect as it appears fits your style and approach, this could be a great fit. But keep in mind, this is a utility device, not a routine. To get the most out of it, you’ll need to come up with an application that makes good use its particular advantages and limitations. And at $100, it’s not cheap. Make sure you know how you’ll use it before you buy it so it doesn’t end up in the drawer of unused props.
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Jump in The Fire by Metallica
Lynx Wallet Review
One wallet, 8 streaming videos, and $100 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
The main effect is any named card (truly a free choice) is found to be inside of envelope in your wallet, apparently the only envelope in the wallet. The bonus effect taught is any card at any number. The spectator deals to the named (free choice) number in the deck of cards, and it matches the card in the envelope in your wallet. By the way, the envelope is removed from your wallet before the spectator begins counting.
Method
The method relies on a special wallet that combines two common wallet gimmick principles into a pretty handy utility device. The method is very easy and very doable. There's a very, very, very small amount of memory work involved — we're talking very, very small. This uses a combination of the Shogun wallet, and a card/envelope index. Included with the wallet is all the cards you need, the wallet and all the envelopes as well. Even with the wallet fully set up to perform, it's surprisingly thin.
Ad Copy Integrity
Okay . . . so up to this point, everything sounds great, right? And it is, but then we have the written ad copy.
Written Ad Copy
Take a look at the second sentence of the third paragraph of the ad copy: "Next, the magician can hand the wallet for a spectator to examine and hold until the end." Hand the wallet for a spectator to examine? Are you kidding me!? (I love using an Interrobang.)
Then they say it again in the fourth bullet point: "Let you [sic] spectators examine both the envelope and the wallet." Really? let them examine the wallet? Are you kidding me!? (I told you; I love using them.)
Just in case I'm not being clear, the wallet CANNOT be examined. They mentioned that the envelope can be examined too. Well, sort of. It's not gimmicked, but what's inside of it is gimmicked. So they cannot examine the envelope while the card is inside of it. Then, once you remove the card from the envelope, the envelope is free to be examined, except for one problem. You kind of need it to help mask the gimmicked nature of the card that was once in the envelope, and if you're gonna hand out the envelope, "why aren't you handing out the card Mr. Magic," asks the observant spectator.
One other minor point is the claim that this can be used as your everyday wallet. It kind of can, but you can really only hold four credit cards (or 3 credit cards and your ID). It's not too bulky, but it only has four slots. The rest of the ad copy is solid and very accurate. It really is only one wallet, and the effect is very clean.
Ad Copy Update - February 12, 2015
As it turns out, the ad copy mistake was a "lost in translation" moment. It was an honest mistake on the creator's part. They've since rectified the situation and changed their ad copy to say "Next, the magician can hand the wallet for a spectator to hold until the end." This is an honest and accurate statement. This correction changes the final rating from 3 Stars to 4 Stars.
Video Ad Trailer
During the video trailer, you'll see the magician show a single envelope inside the wallet. He then spreads the wallet open (while holding it still) and lets the spectator dig around in there to make sure there are no other envelopes. Once she's happy that there are no other envelopes, then he closes the wallet and gives it to her to hold. This is all accurate and honest and correct.
If you consider that handling (i.e., the spectator looking in the wallet while you hold it) "letting the spectator examine the wallet," then you may be okay with the claim that it's examine-able. However, the fact that the ad copy says that you can give it to the spectator for examination really rubs me the wrong way.
For the sake of completion, here's another ad trailer (also very accurate). This one is a performance on stage.
Product Quality
Well, we've got the props (i.e., the wallet itself, the cards and the envelopes). Then we have the training videos. Let's take it a piece at a time.
The Props
The wallet is high quality and very well made. It's super easy to set up — there's a one time set up to use the wallet. It's easy to properly and quickly retrieve the needed envelope. The envelopes and the cards are very thin and they fit in the wallet nicely. You'd be surprised at how thin the wallet is even when it's loaded up and ready to go.
Some of the envelopes had a small problem where there was some glue inside of them, so the inside was kind of stuck together. A quick run of my finger inside the envelope fixed this, but I am concerned that over time, the glue residue may stick to the card inside of it. So far this hasn't been a problem, but who knows what may happen after this thing sits in your back pocket for six months.
The cards you receive are super thin, and I'm not sure how long they'll last. They should be ok if you keep them in the envelopes in the wallet, but just know that they are super, super, super thin. Of course, the advantage of this is that the wallet isn't very bulky at all, even with all the cards in there.
Training Videos
Rather than a DVD, you get a password to a group of Vimeo videos. Once you enter the password, you'll see 8 video thumbnails. Click on one, and watch it. Then click the back browser button and watch the next one, etc.
The videos actually are very well done from a teaching perspective. Everything you need to know to perform this is covered in excellent detail. The lighting, sound, etc. was pretty decent . . . well enough to see what you need to see and hear what you need to hear clearly.
Final Thoughts
If it weren't for the huge ad copy fail, I would easily give this product 4 to 4.5 stars. The only thing I can think of that explains the ad copy is either a) they blatantly lied or b) due to a "lost in translation" moment they were mistaking letting the spectator look in the wallet while you hold it as handing it out to be examined. Either way . . .
Final Verdict:
3 Stars with a Stone Status gem.
Rating Update: February 12, 2015
See the note above about regarding the Ad Copy Update. It turns out, it was option "b" above; it was "lost in translation," so the star rating has been changed.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status gem.