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Jon Allen: Paragon 3D reviewed

One clear box, one DVD, enough stuff to make two gimmicks and $70 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

This is the old "paradox card" trick. A clear box showing a folded card is placed on the table. A card is selected and signed. Lo and behold the card in the clear case turns out to be the signed selection. The signed card and the clear box can be thoroughly examined. You can also use this for Confabulation style effects, billets and paper money.

Method

The method requires a special gimmick that will take you about 5 minutes to make. Everything you need to build two gimmicks is included with the DVD. You'll also need to put in a fair amount of practice to get the timing and functioning of the gimmick just right. This method is very doable and realistic and within the grasp of anyone willing to put in the time. When you are done, the box is examinable, and the selected card is examinable. You are left holding out something that can easily be ditched, but due to the structure of the routine, there is no need to worry about it. The handling is extremely clean.

You can easily make a second gimmick with the stuff supplied that can be used for billets or something else, and in order to switch between gimmicks from table to table, there is nothing to do. It's as simple as putting one gimmick in the box instead of the other gimmick.

The only negative thing I have to say about this is that often, the gimmick would either get stuck in the box or it would not "operate" quite right. It was very fidgety to keep tweaking the gimmick and the way I handled the box to get it to finally work the way I wanted. It was a bit of a pain, but once I got it "there," it worked groovily . . . if that's a word.

Ad Copy Integrity

Take a minute to read the ad copy. It's 100% accurate. The only point of clarification I have is that the box is not examinable before you dump out the card that's inside, but only after. However, as the ad copy claims, before the card is dumped out, it can be viewed from ALL angles. That is absolutely true. The effects is as clean as it looks on the video trailer.

Product Quality

The box that comes with this is very well made and feels very solid. It's a good looking prop that you may find valuable for other effects as well. The video instructions are well done, though not the most impressive video quality. However, you are taught clearly and cleanly everything you need to know. The menu is simple and includes that all-to-forgotten "play all" button.

Final Thoughts

I know that people are going to ask me this, so I'm just gonna answer it right now. Which is better, Paragon 3D or Mystery Solved by David Penn? Well. In my opinion, this one (Paragon 3D) is much better. First, the box is examinable at the end. Penn's box is not. Second, the card in the box looks more realistic (because it is real) than Penn's. Third, this box is more sturdy and professional looking than Penn's box.

Finally, switching from card to billet or whatever between sets is a simple thing to do with Paragon 3D, whereas Penn's is not. It's quite a pain actually. You kind of have to pick one thing to use the Penn box for and pretty much always use that gimmick.

Both are the same price, and Penn's is a good product. I gave it 4 stars, but if I had to choose between this and that . . . this.

Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.