Everone has scene a person lay down and then the magician waves his hand and the person laying will float in the air. Which company makes the best gimmik of this wonderful trick.

Splashes ultimate levitation is the best it's probably the most practical I've EVER seen. http://www.splashescreative.com

Farrell, if I paid $11,000.00 U.S for the Splashes ultimate levitation I would expect it to lift more than 140 pounds!

Ray

Well, have you ever seen a magician levitate an assistant who looks like she weighs more than 140 pounds ? Most of these petite young ladies are dancers and/or models who keep a pretty trim figure .

I imagine the cost involved in Splashes version comes from the clever way the necessary is concealed and comes into play , eliminating the need for stage curtains .

I wonder if Magiciandex was expecting an $11,000.00 answer to the question about "Which company makes the best gimmik of this wonderful trick ?" ? !

As long as we're talking about "the best gimmick" for a levitation , I'll go ahead and mention the wonderful
Walter Blaney Ladder Suspension . Technically it is a "suspension" not a "levitation" , since the subject does not raise or lower, but it is a powerful illusion and has been used by many of the best in the business , including Lance Burton and David Copperfield.

The full version of the Blaney illusion will set you back about $13,000.00 (now, now..... you did specify "the best" when you asked your question. You didn't say anything about cost involved. )

Magiciandex, were you interested in buying such an illusion or just researching methods ? There is a book available called The Encyclopedia of Suspensions and Levitations (Mickey Hades Publications) . It does not cover modern levitation "technology" , so it is somewhat dated , but still has quite a bit of useful information on classic methods for stage levitations .

Contact den dowhy on this site ,he is the KING of levatations and the owner of the "3 in !" a great, low priced illusion that will do three different types of levatations.

A used " Blaney Ladder Levitation " just listed on magicauction.com started at $6500 and the bidding immediately jumped to $10,999. Goes to show you how " in demand " this prop is.

Nathan

Blaney makes a lesser priced version of the ladder levitation. Has anyone had any experience with this one. If so...what's your thought. It's substantially less than the ladder and from what I can see in the photo, the two supports are the main difference. They're certainly not as nice looking as the step ladders but again, there's a big price difference.
Again, any experience?

Actually the price started at $5995.00 and Joe & Chris @ Magic Auction were immediatlely notified by the owner that they had listed it incorrectly. The minimum bid price was increased to $10,999.00. As of last night it still had not sold.

Rudy

Boy what would have happen if someone put in a bid for the orginal posted price.

Michael

I have experience with the Blaney Suspension 3001 as mentioned by AmazingCarrington. It's an awesome effect!! It approximates the ladder trick at 1/3 of the cost. Personally, I like it better since the performer can do the 360 walk around move BETWEEN the supports and the floating volunteer! This move always gets a HUGE response from the audience. The units are well built and will last forever, personally it has my vote.

The Splashes Ultimate Levi will hold more than 140 lbs. I have used this prop with great success and highly endorse it.

Hi Bill,

That 360 walkaround is Walters own creation and what makes the 3001 so superior. ( other than the durability of the construction that is )

You are also right about the cost. This model was designed for those can't afford the higher cost of the Ladder Levitation. There is a short animation of the 360 degree walk around move on Walters website on the Illustrated Rountine page at .... http://www.walterblaney.com/illusions/routine3001.html

There is also an animation ( on the same page ) of the smooth hooping move that the Great White Hoop allows you to do. That move also adds to the illusion greatly.

As a side note....when I saw how the Stainless Steel hoop worked I was impressed but I was just as impressed with the method of the Great White Hoop. Sheer Genius!

Best,

Tim

You got that right Tim! The craftsmanship of the 3001's and the hoops is wonderful. Truly worth every penny and much more in my opinion. Be sure to check out Magic Magazine in May for a new annoucement in regards to the Suspension 3001.