Does anyone have any of these decks? Which one would you recommend? How hard is it to make a radar deck? Just looking for some feedback. I'm trying to figure out which one I would want. I'll probably end up using the effect in my close up show and maybe even small stage situations. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mindpower and Radar decks are both great. Mindpower and Radar Decks are both similar.

Mindpower is more examinable, but neither the radar deck, nor the mindpower deck can be fully examined. But that shouldn't be your deterrant. The spectator will get to see all different cards when they're looking at a card.

It's very important that you MEMORIZE the routine. This is not something you can rip out of the box, quickly read the instructions, and perform.
The mindpower deck comes with a little helper card, but toss it away. It's foolish to use. Memorize your routine and it will be great.

I just got Osterlind's set last night and watched the excellent performance of the Radar Deck. I'm going to ditch my mindpower routine for the radar deck routine.

Thanks for your response. I ordered Vol. 1 of Osterlind's series. It should be here in a few days. I've heard nothing but good things about it. Thanks again.

I got the Cassandra deck a couple weeks ago and I've been pretty happy with it. It's not fully examinable, but it can be ribbon spread and you can create the illusion that it's a regular deck. I like it because it can be tossed out to the audience or you can rifle through the cards and have them mentally pick one. You can have multiple people pick cards, and the trick can be repeated to the same audience.

I have no experience with the other decks you mentioned, so I don't know how this one compares. I've only performed this one about 5 times, but the reactions so far have been great.

Good Luck...
Luke

I just got through the breakthrough card system in disk 2. It's going to take me some time to get used to it, but it's the bomb!!!!!!!

Very powerfull. Similar effect in some respects to the mindpower/radar deck, but more possibilties, and no fishing. It's insane.

And the deck is FULLY examinable. Can even be cut.

IF you have the Breakthrough Card System, will radar deck worth using?

Has a different effect.

Radar deck uses a similar technique to Kennedy's Mind Power deck. The spectator, or multiple spectators can just look at a card, and you can name it.

You can riffle to the card they look at, you can fan it out somewhat, and you should be able to spread it out on a table just like the mindpower deck.

Wow, the Osterlind DVD #1 cost just about the same or less than the mindpower deck......

That it is.

Now that I have the BCS, Im looking for other stacked deck effects.

Anyone have any sources, please let me know.

WC

You can find a reading list and time-line of stacked decks at

www.joyalstack.com

The reading list appears to be pretty exhaustive, but you'll have to look around the site to find it.

Personally, I've read Aronson's last 2 books and they are very good, and contain many stacked / memorized deck effects.

I think it is funny that so many of the stacked decks were reinvented by people. Joyal mentions tha the Stanyon System from 1913 has been reinvented by 3 people since then, including one as recently as 2002!

No doubt. They sometimes get refined a bit too. I've had to refine a couple systems for my own needs as well. It wouldn't surprise me if someone's already gone ahead and done the exact same thing I did. Wouldn't be surprised if the systems were origionally knockoffs of older systems.

That's a cool site. I'm going to go through it today. Thanks.

(EDIT)
That's a really cool site. Thanks again.

i made my own radar deck and let me tell you: A. it always works. Yes EVERY TIME! B. NOrmal bike cards (if you make it yourself) C. great way to do a deck switch. D. four People E. you can even ask people if they thought of a different card and name that card too!

trust me, the reactions are HUGE!

I do a two card version of CHalllenge mind reading. I think its better. Its like Max Maven's THe Hawk, only cleaner

i have the Mindpower and i love it

that is a cool site but theres nothing about sam the bellhop when that is technically a memorized deck