Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Careless Whisper By George Michael

For $435 dollars (yep $435) you get a 5 minute DVD, a 4 page full color set of basic instructions and a very well made quick change vest.

The version I got for review was the 'large.' Anybody who knows me, knows that me in a large anything looks like a 10 year old wearing toddler clothes. So, I couldn't fully wear the vest to test out the gimmick. However even with my upper body girth stuffed into the vest (read: laying across my chest) I was able to pretty easily operate the gimmicks.

The vest starts white; then changes (under some cover) to white with a black line sketch of a birthday cake; then changes to a full colored bright birthday cake. Finally, the candles on the birthday cake light up at the snap of the fingers or the wave of the hand.

The vest is self contained, so you're not wearing three vests or removing multiple layers of clothing. It's a very quick change and can be done with a brief cover. My favorite method in the five minute DVD is the use of an umbrella. Open the umbrella with the top pointing to the floor . . . then as you slowly raise it above your head (3 to 5 seconds), by the time you get it above your head, the vest has changed. You need two hands to make this work. One to hold the umbrella (or whatever you're using for cover) and one to operate the gimmick.

I'm not above paying a high price for products if they're worth it. I purchased Mother of All Book Tests for $350 bucks, and I used it in my stand up work. The effect you get is so worth it.

This vest effect is very magical and I had no idea how it worked. In fact, I've had this vest in my possession for over a year now. During that time, I've opened the box and looked at it (not really taking it out of the package) a couple of times. Looking at the vest (while still in the box) I didn't see any possible method. Even just a moment ago when I pulled it out of the box and popped in the DVD, I saw the effect on the DVD and began to wonder if I had the right DVD because looking at the vest, I didn't see anything else.

Once the method was revealed on the DVD, I was able to see it on the vest. So my point is that the vest is very well made and is not unlike something I'd be willing to wear in a kid show (back in the day when I did kid shows). I'm not sure if I'd pay $435 for it.

Honestly, I don't know if that's a fair price or not.

So I'll let you be the judge of that and I will ignore it for my final verdict.

The DVD is very short and has no speaking parts. It just essentially exposes everything, which really is all that is needed. However, it does have a small section where it shows you how to maintain the lights in the vest . . . how to remove them, etc., which is not very clear and is very fast paced. Additionally, the gimmick does make a sound when you use it. So you'll have to work out a way to detract from the sound (which isn't horribly loud). Those really are the only 2 major weaknesses that I can tell.

Just based on product quality and effect alone, this is easily a 4 or 4.5 star product. There's really not much more to rate it on, so I'll say this: if you watch the demo and you like the effect, you'll get exactly what you see (as far as effect goes) in the demo video. They don't cheat with the camera; you see it exactly as it it looks. But if that effect is worth you spending $435 bucks is up to you. I can tell you this: you won't be disappointed with the product, the method or the quality of it. That said, ignoring price I'll give it . . .

Final Verdict
of 4 stars with a Stone Status of Gem (if you think the trick is worth $435 bucks).