"Crystal Vision" by Pieras Fitikides
Suggested Retail USD$49.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

"Crystal Vision", a outright strange effect by Pieras Fitikides, is a good effect right out of the box but with some thinking behind it can become a powerhouse of a routine.

Of course, we can say the same thing about most magic, from the Ball and Vase to the latest whiz-bang techno-marvel, but I don't think that statement applies to anything as well as "Crystal Vision".

The basic effect as outlined in the instructions is simple: a spectator names any number between 1 and 1000 and a fully laminated card is pulled from a sealed envelope by a spectator. On that card, sealed in plastic, is, of course, the selected number.

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that effect, even with the window dressing, is a bit dry even as I say that it plays well. That's because, after first being disappointed in "Crystal Vision" and then not letting it lie in my sock drawer, I came to all but fall in love with the thing.

It just took a lot of thought to get me there.

What you first notice about "Crystal Vision" is that it's just plain odd. Speckled green and black paper that's been laminated? "Odd" just barely begins to cover it. On more than one level it doesn't even make sense. This was my first "What Am I Going To Do With This" moment.

The second one followed when I tried working the thing. You see, the writing on the prediction is more of a scrawl than anything else. Try as I might I couldn't get it to look like anything other than a thick scribble. Legibility definitely became an issue.

And that brought up the other problem. You're greatly limited in what you can produce on the prediction. Because of the methodology and the size of the card (we're talking "poker-sized" here; I didn't try the jumbo version), you're limited to three, perhaps four, letters or digits and just the most basic of designs.

At this point, I headed back to the instructions but was let down -- none of the problems I saw as readily apparent were even addressed. True enough, the included routines and the handlings were covered, but that did little to make me feel better about it.

So "Crystal Vision" got put away for a while.

I just couldn't stop thinking about it the thing.

"Crystal Vision" has a lot of pluses going for it. First, you can manipulate the prediction at any time during the routine -- you've got full control over the where, when, and what of that prediction appearing. Second, the envelope (or whatever other container you elect for it) can be opened by the spectator -- no gimmick or gaff to worry about there. Likewise, the card itself is open to inspection: there's nothing to see there except the untouchable, laminated card. There is a certain something you'll have to get rid of eventually, but it's very, very minor and ditching it is a non-issue. Once that's done, though, you're as clean as can be.

So I love the method, and a part of me really loves the appearance of the thing. "Odd" is okay at times, and something struck me that, in this case, "odd" was just fine. And the legibility problem? Well, I've seen some routines where it was actually worse using more common props. The limited size of the revealed info? Maybe it wasn't so limiting after all.

Come to find out, it wasn't. With some thought -- okay, okay, a lot of thought -- all of the concerns were dealt with in a way I was happy with. So happy, in fact, that this is one I break out way more than I ever imagined I would. Not really saying much there; when I first played with "Crystal Vision" I was extremely disappointed.

Now? Not so much at all.

I suspect everyone buying this will go through that whole existential angst thing with "Crystal Vision". And I also suspect for many this will land in the sock drawer or suffer a similar fate. To each their own, as somebody famous once said somewhere. Me? I found it a neat tool that delivers when given the proper theatrics and the right work to accomplish.

My advice is simply this: "Crystal Vision" is one of those things you shouldn't even consider buying unless you've already got an idea how to address the issues this thing carries with it. With an exquisitely simple handling and an extremely practical nature to it, the only real problems are the ones I mentioned. Granted, they are big ones, but not insurmountable ones and, considering what you can do with this tool and how much impact you can possibly wring from it, solving those can be worth the time and trouble (besides, thinking outside the box is fun).

In the end, with those issues out of the way, "Crystal Vision" can be a powerful, show-stopping piece of magic that's almost addictive to perform.

"Crystal Vision" by Pieras Fitikides
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

Practicality: 5
It's simple enough to do, with close to no set-up. Reset is quick and easy, though you may want a bit of privacy just to be on the safe side. Also, it packs very small -- a laminated card, an envelope, that certain something and you're good to go. The biggest drawback lies in just what can appear on the card: space is very limited, restricting you to three or four digits or letters and very small, very simple designs.

Workmanship: 10
Everything here put together extremely well and, with proper care, should last a lifetime.

Documentation: 7
The documentation is well above average, including all the care you'll need to take with this and a couple of good routines to get your juices going. It would have been nice to see some thoughts about overcoming the shortfalls built into this one.

Effect: 7
The included effects are good and will get you good reactions, but there's some great potential here for the right performer with the right idea.

Presentation: 7
The big thing here is the laminated prediction and how it's simply "untouchable". As such, it's got some punch. A better framework given the strangeness of the prop will up the amperage here considerably.

Shane

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