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Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:59 am
by JohnM
This may not be a well received post, but this is how I feel.

I received Magic Wagon's latest release of Quantum Tunnel yesterday and I am very UNimpressed. This is my third MW with Four Seasons Obelisk and Dice Penetration being the others.

No mater how the trick works, the size of the steel ball as compared to the width of the tube is a major issue. The width of the tube is about 9 times that of the ball. When I am creating a magic trick or add-on, I will work on it until it is right, if it is not right I put it on the back burner. This trick should never have been released.

If people had a chance to evaluate this trick on its merits (not as a collectible which is another issue) before hand, I think most would not have bought it. The system that Magic Wagon has set-up is very beneficial to them and not to the buyer. Basically you have to take a leap of faith if you want to get any of their tricks. People have complained that MW does not make enough copies of a trick, but I believe that this is a strategy that is working very well to their benefit.

Many people are enamored with the quality of the workmanship of the MW tricks but I think that nice woodworking does not warrant a $245 magic trick. The trick has to be good. Some of them are good and some of them are not. This is not a good magic trick and will not be a good collectible because of this.

It is interesting that in the Secret Sessions section of the Cafe that the conversation got very quite once the tricks started being received.

I think many people are caught up in the Magic Wagon spell, and all I can say is that I am glad that I am not.

People might say that the same can be said for Tenyo, but Tenyos, when released, are $20-$30. A $20-$30 mistake is easier to swallow than a $245 mistake.

Of course this is just my opinion.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:12 am
by JohnM
Tony Curtis (the man behind the Magic Wagon curtain) has modified the size of the ball (or tunnel) in his stylized picture of the trick which I think is deceptive. You can see that the ball is now bigger than the actual hole it is supposed to fit into.

Image

This is how it should look.
mwqt2.jpg

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:24 am
by JohnM
One more thing.

No box, it comes wrapped in bubble wrap.

All of their tricks should have been released in a nice box with a label. Something along the lines of a Tenyo Blue Box trick. This would help it storage and collectibility.

Once again JMO.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:31 am
by Roberto B.
Agree John......I still don't receive my copy of Quantum Tunnel.....but I don't have many faith on it, based on the proportion of the different parts as you mentioned.

Too bad that you missed the Diceolation......this is one their best tricks of the last times in my opinion.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:56 pm
by Peter G
Yeah, I already was thinking like that when I saw the picture and immediately thought that it would be difficult to make this a workable trick...so I didn't buy it...

To be honest, I only have one MW and was also not impressed with that one (Golden Sphinx)...

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:51 pm
by JohnM
I did not want to rain on the parade but wanted to let people out there that missed it, like David De Tenyo (and maybe EdShern) know that they did not miss out on anything.

I was just reading on the Cafe how Diceolation is one of the best MW, and John B. was telling me the same, but the size of the outer box turned me off. I do not regret my decision to not buy that one.

A problem I have with MW tricks is that they are so big and made more for display then storing. I display the two I have in my living room where I have other wood novelties. The Die Penetration looks good on display, but I have never performed it or Four Seasons Obelisk for anyone. I don't think you can really perform these other than when people visit your house. I can't image taking Diceolation with you even when visiting a friend and they are not suitable for parlor of stage performances.

Everything I collect I like to use. I race my slot cars, launch my rockets and open and play with my tenyo and toys. For me Magic Wagon items are more eye candy.

Of course this is my opinion, but I think it is good to put out their another view so people who are not yet hooked on MW can see an alternative opinion to the majority of posts raving about their items.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:26 pm
by Roberto B.
What is the other stuff on your photo John?.....I recognize the Japanese puzzle box but I'm wandering about the oval box and the dark vertical box...... :ugeek:

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:44 pm
by John B.
I also do not like to have to make a decision in a matter of minutes. The problem with MW items is that only so many are made and they now sell out in a matter of minutes. You have maybe an hour or two from when the email arrives to order the item before it is sold out. If you wait, it's gone. I almost did not buy Dicelation because it is yet another mentalism item, but I was very glad to get it. I mentioned to John M. last night that I think it is their best one. However, for anyone who missed one, it will probably be very expensive on Ebay or from a collector.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:47 pm
by Richard W
Look like I see a miniature lane cedar chest on that table.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:20 am
by David DeTenyo
I have to agree with everything that has been said.

Magic Wagon is a wonderfull company and has excellent customor service, they are extremely nice to deal with. I even got a trick (Dream Predicition Box, a good one!) for free because I wrote up some ideas for future tricks for them.

But while the building quality is always top notch the effects are sometimes so-so, very basic tricks that aren't very performable.

I bought Quantum Tunnel from Tony Curtis yesterday because I asked him to hold one for me, but perhaps I made a mistake when I read all the reviews about it. It probably will hold its value over time so I don't see it as money 'thrown' away.

MW used to release a few tricks a year but it seems they now release one every month. Perhaps they should not only focus on the quality of the materials used but also on the trick itself, so releasing less tricks but all 'good ones' ... .
I deliberately didn't buy a few items like Zingana Box, Perfect Dice and four Seasons Obelisk and I was pretty much right, people have told me it is not worth it (more or less ;) ) ... same applies now for Quantum Tunnel it seems, but I like penetration effects so I bought it anyway.

I absolutely hate the fact too that you have to make a decision in minutes and their descriptions of the effects almost always leave something out. It all sounds amazing but once you receieve it it is sometimes a bit of a let down.

Once an effect is almost released (Tony Curtis often gives a description of the effect beforen the actual release date on TMC) we should perhaps post it on this forum here so we can give our opinions and decide if it would be worth buying or not.

I had a similar conversation with Rob (Brotherbor) about Diceolation and we pretty much figured out how it would work and decided it is a trick worth spending our money on.

The box of Diceolation is indeed big, but you can use it to store some other mentalism effects in that play well with Diceolation like a few Tenyo mentalism effects. It has become my 'mentalism box of mistery' - Diceolation is the 'big finale', a way to reveal the chosen number from Promystic's MD.

By the way my favourite MW is till the one I bought first, Majestic Hydro Die.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:29 am
by Roberto B.
My favourite MW is Dragon Altar, together with Diceolation.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:38 am
by David DeTenyo
Roberto, you really should do a video of Dragon Altar!

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:54 am
by Roberto B.
David DeTenyo wrote:Roberto, you really should do a video of Dragon Altar!
I will!....I'm just to busy right now making a video of a wonderful Rob (Brotherbor) prop.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:09 am
by Roberto B.
It's interesting to compare the Quantum Tunnel price (USD 245.-) with the Dicescape ´price (USD 60.-).

Different methods but same effect.........both hand made in wood.......(the Dicescape made by Mr. Sugawara himself).

I's hard for me to understand the price gap between these two ítems......OK maybe the materials are finest in one case....but not for such a difference in price.........I have to admit that is incredible how a good business model and marketing strategy can justify such a difference in price.....this is not a critic......it's just my admiration to the business strategy from Magic Wagon.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:44 am
by David DeTenyo
Roberto B. wrote: ...Rob (Brotherbor) prop.
How's that for a tongue twister!

The problem (if you can call it that) with Magic Wagon is they can release whatever they want, it's sold out in minutes anyway ... .

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 5:29 am
by Rob Rand
Yes... I only started shortly with buying MW items, including The Zingana box. Although the whole concept of Zingana box is great, this item is absolutely overprized! No clever mechanism, but he effect is strong... But once again, an other company should have issued this for around € 50, now you merely pay for a beautiful box.
Next week I will receive The Quantum tunnel. I will then share my thoughts about it on this forum.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 6:55 am
by JohnM
David DeTenyo wrote:The box of Diceolation is indeed big, but you can use it to store some other mentalism effects in that play well with Diceolation like a few Tenyo mentalism effects.
Great Idea David.
Roberto B. wrote:It's interesting to compare the Quantum Tunnel price (USD 245.-) with the Dicescape ´price (USD 60.-).
And $60 is after the dealer mark-up. Sugawara probably sells them to SEO for $40 or less where MW got the entire $245 less shipping.
Roberto B. wrote:What is the other stuff on your photo John?.....I recognize the Japanese puzzle box but I'm wandering about the oval box and the dark vertical box...... :ugeek:
I will take another picture with the boxes opened up.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 10:37 pm
by Mr. Ed
1- Everything that was said about MW above can be said for dozens of Tenyo too! Just read through the The Magic Cafe Forum Index » Tenyo of Japan » » The worst Tenyo trick.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view ... &forum=258

2- How many tricks have we all bought from all the different manufactures & been disappointed in either method, construction, instruction etc.

3- I have hundreds of tricks but can actually perform only a couple dozen anyway.

4- I've also learned that even poorly designed tricks can be wonderful in presentation if handled well. So, even if Quantum Tunnel is not the most creative or ingenious trick out there, well considered handling could make it a standout as well as a gorgeous display piece.

Just my 3 cents.

Ed

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:24 pm
by Richard W
Yes many tricks can suck right out of the box for sure. But a new tenyo is 20 to 40 dollars not 250.00 to 400.00 and have a time limit of minutes to decide if you want to spend the money on it. And heaven help you if you didn't check your email fast enough cause they are all sold. But not to worry you can get it on ebay for 100.00 more the next week. If you buy a vintage Tenyo for a lot you at least know if it sucks or not before you lay down the money. ;)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magic-Wagon-QUA ... 232ed3c955

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:20 am
by JohnM
EdShern wrote:1- Everything that was said about MW above can be said for dozens of Tenyo too! Just read through the The Magic Cafe Forum Index » Tenyo of Japan » » The worst Tenyo trick.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view ... &forum=258
JohnM in the Original Post wrote: People might say that the same can be said for Tenyo, but Tenyos, when released, are $20-$30. A $20-$30 mistake is easier to swallow than a $245 mistake.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:30 am
by JohnM
Tony Curtis does not mark them up that much. He has a Quantum Tunnel on his website at 175£ which is about $265. I think the shipping is free. http://www.tonycurtismagic.com/quantumtunnel.html

Magic Wagon sold the trick last week for $245 which included very fast shipping (2 days).

I don't know Tony and he is probably a good guy, but the picture he showed on the Magic Cafe of the Quantum Tunnel was deceptive IMO.

Also, his avatar looks weird. One of the things I stress when I teach Photoshop is maintaining the aspect ratio of the picture. The aspect ratio of Tony's picture is off on the width.

It looks like this:
fathead.JPG
But should look more like this:
corrected.JPG

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 6:39 am
by Richard W
Remember when he looked like this.
Time has not treated him well.
Tony Curtis 02.jpg

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:37 am
by Mr. Ed
Richard W wrote:Remember when he looked like this.
Time has not treated him well.
Tony Curtis 02.jpg


Now that's funny :) (bet you have been waiting forever to use that line.)

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:52 am
by Mr. Ed
Richard W wrote:Yes many tricks can suck right out of the box for sure. But a new tenyo is 20 to 40 dollars not 250.00 to 400.00 and have a time limit of minutes to decide . ;)

1- You can buy a MW effect on the IPO (initial public offering) hate the trick and sell it KNOWING you can get what you paid for it, SO in the end it really is a no risk transaction.
2- Yes, but Tenyo makes thousands of pieces, not 50. in plastic, not Teak. And according to the last few years reviews very few really good ones.
3- Yes- you do have time to decide.
4- Well performed wooden Quantum Tunnel looks far better than the yellow plastic Alpha Tunnel, even if Alpha Tunnel were the better trick.
5- It all depends what you collect & why you collect it.
6- Yes- Magic tricks are OFTEN marketed deceptively (IMO) Glitzy videos, camera angles, camera cuts. I would own far far fewer tricks if they were advertised honestly. Hence the deception.

Re: Magic Wagon Quantum Tunnel

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:56 am
by Mr. Ed
JohnM wrote: I don't know Tony and he is probably a good guy, but the picture he showed on the Magic Cafe of the Quantum Tunnel was deceptive IMO.

Also, his avatar looks weird. One of the things I stress when I teach Photoshop is maintaining the aspect ratio of the picture. The aspect ratio of Tony's picture is off on the width.

It looks like this:
fathead.JPG
But should look more like this:
corrected.JPG

Having said above that I believe magic advertising is often deceptive, I might be inclined to cut Tony some slack since it is obvious (according to you) that he sucks at posting photos as he even posts deceptive photos of himself.