"Enlightenment" by Ben Harris
Suggested Retail USD$79.95
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Enlightenment", a utility device from Ben Harris, is an extremely clever apparatus for creating some startling, clean, magical levitations that will win many a heart with its deviousness and flexibility.

The basic effect with "Enlightenment" reads pretty dry until you really consider the details. Essentially, it's a playing card levitation, but that's not the whole story.

It begins with the spectator shuffling the deck, stopping on a card they like (no force). The chosen card is removed from the deck and placed on top of it, face up. The deck is then placed on the spectator's open hand. As you like, when you like, the selected card slowly begins to float upward, over the deck then slowly descends back to the top of the deck. The spectator can take the card, examine it to their heart's content... there's nothing to be found.

As to the specifics, the floated object really is ungimmicked; Harris' device does the work without that kind of thing. The levitation is always under your control: you control the speed of both the ascent and descent, as well as the length of time the object hovers. It can be done in your hand, the spectator's, a table... lot of different ways depending on your style and needs. While I wouldn't call this self-contained (you'll need a PK device of some kind in addition to the "Enlightenment" gimmick), the majority of the work is contained within the gimmick. It doesn't require a reset and can easily be repeated with no fuss. Angles aren't much of an issue; as with most such levitation devices, as long as the spectator can't see under the object, then you're good to go.

"Enlightenment" hit me on a couple of levels. First, it's clever -- damned clever. The workings, based on a trick many a card guy has turned up his nose at but which floored many more spectators, have been re-worked by Harris, making it more controllable and put the thing in spectators' hands. Second, it can do a lot more than float a card on a deck. Granted, you can't float your cat, your car, or your significant other, but small, flat things like pictures, postcards, paper money and the like are easily done (you can be more daring, but it's not recommended -- I've floated a pack of crackers, a tiny stuffed toy, and a few things better left unmentioned, all of which were really putting "Enlightenment" to the test).

So what is "Enlightenment"? It's a magnetically-operated lifting device, to be pretty plain. To be plainer still, it's a magnetic mini-jack that does the heavy lifting of tossing a spectator's mind into a whole 'nother place.

It's slick stuff and I dearly love the thing (I'm just a sucker for good utilities).

But let's get to the stuff you need to know about it before jumping in on this one.

First up, the effect description above is accurate, what with all the spectator involvement and all, but this is a utility device that you have to put to work. You'll need superlative audience management skills to execute the routine as described. It can be done that way -- been there, done that -- but it's not recommend for novices without the skills. There are other meeker but more sure ways of doing it.

Second, this is a utility device as I've said several times before. Like a thumbtip or a pocket index, you get out of it what you put into it. With a good utility device, you get more out than the little you put in it. Put some thought and work into "Enlightenment" and you'll get back some awesome reactions. But you've got to want to do the work. Harris has included some great routines and ideas, but in the end you'll want to explore your own ways of working with "Enlightenment". If you don't feel like putting forth the effort, this is one you probably want to leave alone.

Third, just because you bought the thing doesn't mean you're done with the thing. There is a certain amount of craftwork involved before you can do the touted effect (that is, if you don't want to spend more money on the special deck you'll need to house "Enlightenment"). Harris includes two version of this in the documentation: a simple one that takes no more than a few minutes and the "ready for primetime" version that will take you an hour or more. The simple one is good to play with, but the more complicated one is what you'll want to make for actual performances. Being the penny-pincher sort of guy that I am, I opted for building rather than buying. That's a personal decision but I can say that it's not difficult to construct; it's just very time-consuming and detailed work.

Having said that, there are other ways of using this (referred to as "free-standing levitations"), but mastering it is a struggle and, until you develop the knack, extremely difficult. Once you get it, though, once it clicks, you can forget about the construction projects and move on to more neat stuff, like levitating an object dropped on a table or something sitting on the spectator's knee.

I did mention "Enlightenment" was flexible, didn't I?

So, when it comes to purchasing this one, there's all of that to consider. "Enlightenment" is a lot of work, both in getting the method down and in finding something to do with it that fits you. If you want something a bit more "ready made", "Enlightenment" may prove to be a bit too overwhelming for you and you'll find yourself frustrated. If you're okay with all the labor involved -- and you probably should be, all things considered -- and you're looking for a slick levitation mechanism, you'll get a kick out of "Enlightenment" and you'll enjoy working with it, playing with it, and performing it time and again.

"Enlightenment" by Ben Harris
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
For the most part, this is incredibly practical, with no set-up or reset involved. Angles are only an issue in so far as looking under the levitated object is a no-no. Really the only notable thing is that, in most cases, you'll be switching out things if you absolutely, positively feel the need to leave things completely clean.

Workmanship: 10
Harris outdid himself with this one. The unit is remarkably well made. It's fragile, so you'll need to handle it with care, but should last a good long time if treated with care.

Documentation: 10
Harris' documentation is always clear, concise, and extremely detailed. Here it's all of the above and then some. From the beginnings of this device to alternate handlings, it's all here.

Effect: 10
It's a levitation device, which means what gets levitated how is entirely up to you. However, with a little thought, this is easily mind-blowing stuff that leaves spectators gasping.

Presentation: 10
It's about cleanliness here, and it's got it in spades if you work for it. What you do with that openness, that'll really determine just how good this thing can be.

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.