"Real Ghost" by Christopher Taylor
Suggested Retail USD$315.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

"Real Ghost", a creation by Christopher Taylor, is a powerful device and a wonderful tool for pulling off any number of magic and mentalism effects and belongs in the arsenal of any experienced performer.

I chose my words very carefully there, because if ever this was a case of something being only for the experienced performers, "Real Ghost" is it. If you don't have the performance experience, don't have the spectator skills, then, as slick as "Real Ghost" is, as outright clever and well done as it is, you're not going to get the most out of it and you'll end up wasting your time and money.

"Real Ghost", to the experienced, is capable of so many powerful things. Okay, sure, it was designed to be the most hands-off application of "PK Touches" to date (and, brother, is it ever!) but it's capable of so much more. Want to move things around? "Real Ghost" will do it quite ably. Want to use it as a "secret code" type of thing? Yep... can do. In fact, the list of things that people are doing with this -- available on a special website for purchasers -- is impressive.

But you've got to have the brain for it. If you've been around for a while, then ideas will just keep coming for this gadget. If not, you'll find yourself a bit stuck in a rut. Sure, you'll have Taylor's stellar routines to work with, but I think even Taylor himself would admit he's only touched the tip of the iceberg with what can be done with his creation.

You'll also have to be experienced enough to pull some of these things off as they should be. Your audience management skills will help a lot, though Taylor's routines really lessen the need for such things. Still, the better your performance skills the better "Real Ghost" routines will play, moreso with "Real Ghost" than other pieces of magic.

So let's assume you've got the chops... Is "Real Ghost" for you? That's hard to say without really tipping things here. I could go on all day about how well made the device is, how well it performs, and how easy the thing is to maintain. I could warn you about problems with some environments (lighting and angles come immediately to mind). But in the end, it's really a case of being interested enough in the initial effects, the "PK Touches" applications, to get "Real Ghost" and then appreciate the flexibility of the device.

That's really what it all comes down to: if you like the basic theme, you'll love "Real Ghost" and then the extra stuff really becomes icing on the cake.

Normally, I'd end the review there, having said all that needs to be said to get the info across, but there's one sore, really sore, point I have with "Real Ghost" and that's the documentation.

There ain't none. Not a word. Not a drop. When you get the box and open it, you're directed to a website to download instructional videos and PDFs. Now that didn't bother me too much; I sort of expected it for some reason. So, with a passing thought of what people who buy this without a net connection would do for documentation, I began the downloads. No, that's not right; what I began was a struggle, a struggle for three weeks off and on trying to download what for me are large files, through dial-up, from a UK-based webserver that was down more than it was up through routers and connections that were shaky to say the least. About 175MB in three weeks, while I sat and stared at $300 worth of something sitting on my desk.

Sorry, but that's not acceptable. I don't know if the download issues are straightened out yet or not. Just be warned that you might run into the problems I did, or maybe I was just unlucky. Let's just call it a caveat for now and a major gripe with the product.

Having said that, once you get the docs you're really set for life. The videos (QuickTime for some reason) teach you everything you need to know as Taylor does his usual great job of explaining things. The PDF is a great overview for the set-up, care, and maintenance of your unit. The forum is a wonderful place to get ideas and discuss things. All in all, once you're in, you're in and things are good.

Okay, so with that off my chest, "Real Ghost" is a great piece of work, worth every penny if not many more to skilled performers who are looking for a powerful "PK Touches" and who can enjoy making their own effects with Taylor's impressive device.

"Real Ghost" by Christopher Taylor
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
It packs small, doesn't have a real reset or set-up (but some uses for it may), and is wonderfully reliable. It's more suited for walk-around, living room, and close-up venues than stage, but it can be made to work in that environment with a little thought. The only drawback? You'll need to be experienced enough to manage your spectators a bit and watch for potential angle and lighting issues during some of your uses. Otherwise, this is a wonderfully practical piece of work.

Workmanship: 10
Taylor's device is beautifully made and the thought he put into the electronics is just as beautiful. This is a well done piece of work to say the least.

Documentation: 0
Simply put, there ain't none. You'll need to download a series of videos and PDFs from a website that is sporadically down for one reason or the other. This was the worst thing about "Real Ghost" by a long shot.

Effect: 10
It depends on what you do with it, but the effects Taylor teaches on the website are phenomenally powerful. People simply freak out when this thing goes into action.

Presentation: 10
Whether it's some strange psychokinetic sympathy bit, an imagination trip, or something spookier, the presentations all work beautifully. This device makes things so real and personal almost any presentation works with it.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.