GMG Needs Peek Wallets!

[Andrew]

Hey, Everybody.

I think I can safely say that the biggest review request that Keith and I receive here at GMG is for peek wallets. It seems that just about everyone who writes us about them is not asking about one particular wallet, but is interested in a comparison of the various wallets and their quality, features, etc. Well...

We would love to produce a comprehensive comparison of all of the various peek wallets available, but we have a problem. PEEK WALLETS ARE FREAKIN' EXPENSIVE. I own a couple of wallets, but as you can imagine, purchasing numerous wallets in order to make an encompassing comparison would be cost prohibitive. As you may remember, I have mentioned on the show that we are looking for wallets, but so far we've had no offers from creators/dealers who are willing to send us one for review. So...

We need you to help out. If any of you know someone who currently has a peek wallet they are marketing, we would really appreciate it if you could let them know that we are looking for submissions for our list. Ideally, the wallets would be donated so as to incur the least amount of expense here at GMG. However, if that is not possible, we may be able to work out the return of the wallet after the comparison.

At the moment, I have three wallets in my possession. They are...

1. Mark Strivings' original "Sight Unseen Case" Gen 1

2. The original "Outlaw Wallet" from Outlaw Effects

3. The Stealth Assassin Wallet v1.1

Keith also owns John Cornelius' "Thought Transmitter." From what I understand, EvilDan has made a leather case for the Thought Transmitter. We would love to hear an independent review of that case regarding its style and function.

Some of the wallets that I would love to add to this list are...

The Brain Scan Wallet

The Caper Case Unlimited

The Outlaw "Panther," "Prestige" and "Widowmaker"

JB's "Mind Controller"

Jerry O'Connell's "Mini-Himber" (peek version)

...and anything else you can think of.

We'll be working on this, too. I would love to have some help on this, though. It can be very difficult to "hunt and gather" info on all of these items from the various forums. It would be great to have all of this information available in one reference.

Thanks so much. I'll be sure to post more information here if and when we get more submissions.

-Andrew

[Andrew]

I'd love to hear what everybody would like to know about these wallets. If I already know the answer, I'll just post here. Otherwise, I will use your suggestions when making the comparison.

Here is some of the criteria I'm considering so far.

1. Quality: Real or imitation leather or plastic? Will the wallet survive daily life in your pocket?
2. Design: Does it look like a wallet or a prop? Can it be used as an everyday wallet/business card holder? Is it available in colors other than black?
3. Cost: Is an expensive price tag warranted? Is the wallet an exceptional value?
4. Versatility: Does the wallet allow more functions than a peek (stealing, loading, PW, etc.)?
5. Function: How technically fast/easy is the peek? Can you insert the card/billet easily?
6. Angles: Can you perform the peek naturally at close quarters with multiple spectators or is it best suited for one on one?
7. Instruction: Is the wallet shipped with clear instructions for its use? Will you receive presentation suggestions and/or complete routines?

What would you like to see added to this list?

-Andrew

[bugjack]

Are you looking for answers to these questions from those of us who own one or more of these wallets?  Or just if the questions themselves are comprehensive enough?

I own a Stealth Assassin and can comment on it if you want.

For me, the biggest issue regarding peek wallets is the whole issue of having to have info written down in the first place.  It's something you have to get over -- the whole "write this down and then give it back to me" thing.  I'll admit to not ever having felt entirely comfortable with this action which is why if I use my Stealth Assassin (and I do also use it as an everyday wallet), I'll most often use it for one of its other functions like the billet index or for a routine called "Cash Cabaret" that is included in the instruction disks.  I don't have an Outlaw wallet but from what I understand the Outlaw is great for pocket writing as well (also doable with the Stealth).  So, for me, the question becomes what other things can be done with a peek wallet other than peeking.

[FigaroTheParrot]

Andrew - I'd also like to hear about any venue restrictions these wallets might have. For example, I used to have a wallet (I think it was Thought Transmitter) that provided a quick, easy, fail-proof peak....but the first time I used that thing in a dark room was the last time I used it at all.

I'm not really too familiar with peek wallets, but would like to learn more as I inch closer and closer to mentalism. So perhaps the above request is something that really doesn't apply to most wallets, but I can imagine that there might be some where you couldn't use it in bright lighting, or surrounded, etc.

I guess this also kind of overlaps with the angles considerations, but you get what I mean.

[Andrew]

Figs,

That's the type of question we're looking for. We'd like to go into the comparison knowing what our community would like to know in general about peek wallets as well as specifics regarding individual products.



Bugjack,

Thanks for the comments. For this conversation, we're going to try to stick to technical questions regarding the wallets. Once the comparison is done, it would be great to follow up with a discussion regarding the theory of wallet use.

I attended a workshop with Doc Hillford in which he addressed the issue of having the information written. He said that as the performer, this is your game. You make the rules and the audience will just follow along. I agree with you. It is a bit difficult getting over the 'writing' aspect at first, but as long as you don't place too much emphasis on it, it does go by unnoticed. In many cases, the spectators forget that they wrote anything at all.

So to answer your first question, at this point I'd just like to see if the list is comprehensive enough.

Thanks.

-Andrew

[garethwitty]

I'd love to hear what everybody would like to know about these wallets. If I already know the answer, I'll just post here. Otherwise, I will use your suggestions when making the comparison.

Here is some of the criteria I'm considering so far.

1. Quality: Real or imitation leather or plastic? Will the wallet survive daily life in your pocket?
2. Design: Does it look like a wallet or a prop? Can it be used as an everyday wallet/business card holder? Is it available in colors other than black?
3. Cost: Is an expensive price tag warranted? Is the wallet an exceptional value?
4. Versatility: Does the wallet allow more functions that a peek (stealing, loading, PW, etc.)?
5. Function: How technically fast/easy is the peek? Can you insert the card/billet easily?
6. Angles: Can you perform the peek naturally at close quarters with multiple spectators or is it best suited for one on one?
7. Instruction: Is the wallet shipped with clear instructions for its use? Will you receive presentation suggestions and/or complete routines?

What would you like to see added to this list?

-Andrew

Sounds like a complete list to me, if you want you could shoot some video footage, send it over and I can put it on my Vidcast for a GMG Special pod and vidcast type thing?

email me at garethsvidcast@gmail.com or post or pm or even channel a reply to me

 

[gaafman]

I also have my stealth assasin wallet. It is version 1.0 so without the stitching. But Andrew if you would like to borrow it to test it I can send it to you. I just hope I won't miss it too much 

[Andrew]

I also have my stealth assasin wallet. It is version 1.0 so without the stitching. But Andrew if you would like to borrow it to test it I can send it to you. I just hope I won't miss it too much 

Thanks, gaafman. I appreciate the offer. However, just about 20 minutes ago my wife surprised me with one for my birthday, so we can scratch that one off the list.

Gareth,

Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on that. I've still got to do a video for Michael L. Then I've got some stuff I've been planning on for GMG. I'd love to send you a video at some point for your vidcast, though.

-Andrew

[garethwitty]

Gareth,
Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on that. I've still got to do a video for Michael L. Then I've got some stuff I've been planning on for GMG. I'd love to send you a video at some point for your vidcast, though.

-Andrew

Hey mate! that would be great! I would be glad to put some GMG stuff into the VidCast 

[big dan]

I have the Outlaw Panther Wallet and would be happy to write a review on it or discuss the differences between it and the original outlaw with Andrew. I only just got it so i don't to send it to A & K already!!!

Let me know if i can be of any assistance.

laters

big dan