The Pack Smart table is intended to be an adjustable table that's portable. I can't resist comparing it to the Eureka table base. The two have much in common. They both have folding legs, both extend to adjust their height, both set up quickly, and both are reasonably light.

Those of you who want pictures should go here:
http://www.billabbottmagic.com/online-store/PSTABLE.html

The first important difference is that the Pack Smart table includes a table top. The top is made of dense black plastic with a matte finish. It's sturdy and small: 9.75" by 14" and 0.5" thick. That's big enough to put a 7" by 12" table-hopping close-up pad on top. I also learned that the top is large enough to put my 12" by 16" pad on top without the overlap sagging or curling. The bottom of the table top has the product's name stamped into the plastic, and is signed by the creator, Bill Abbott. This proves the table is genuine. A bit redundant in my case, since I bought mine from Bill Abbott. Either that, or Rich Little's impressions are getting phenomenally good.

The next important difference is that the table, top and stand, fit into a standard sized briefcase. In fact, they fit in there with a fair bit of room to spare. Which makes it particularly valuable to travelling magicians. Even more so when you heft the table for the first time, assembled or unassembled. It's under 3 pounds.

About 10 years back, I did a pretty fair job decorating the back of a microwave cart to use as my first magic stand. The price was right: about $25 as I recall. Sure, it was heavy, but that's why it had casters on it, right? Well, somehow over the years, the microwave cart really let itself go, because when I had to carry it onstage last summer, I was convinced that my last hour on earth had come. I'm pretty sure the explanation is that the cart had gained weight. What else could it have been?

Anyway, the Pack Smart table has clearly been on a diet. It weighs less than my laptop computer. I shall be careful not to overfeed it.

For something so light, it's remarkably stable. It is not, to be frank, fully as stable as the Eureka base, but it's stable enough not to cause you any worries. It won't take a massively heavy load, but then again, neither will the Eureka base.

Speaking of cost, that's another important difference between the Pack Smart table and the Eureka table base. The Pack Smart table is $200. The Eureka base (no top) is going to run somewhere between $60 and $90. The least expensive top I found was $25, and that was buying IKEA's Dave laptop table and throwing away everything but the top.

The Pack Smart table includes, in addition to its top, protective cases for both the top and the stand. That's fairly important, as it allows the whole shebang to fit into a briefcase compactly and without damage, either to the table or to the other props.

One thing I like about both the Pack Smart table and the Eureka base is that they adjust quite high without affecting stability. I'm 6'2" and I absolutely despise have to spend time crouched over a table that's too low. In theory, the Pack Smart table has a maximum height of 4'0" but I suggest a realistic maximum is 3'6" high.

Where the Pack Smart table leaves the Eureka base in the dust is its minimum height. It goes down as low as 1'6", which is lower than most people need, but consider this: it can be used while sitting, which is not something that the Eureka base can pull off. I like the way the Pack Smart table has been designed with minimal projections. If you use it while sitting, you won't constantly have strips of flesh torn off by knobs when you get your legs underneath it.

The footprint of the table is impressively small. I measured both bases from the tips of two of the tripod's legs: the Eureka measured 1'11", and the Pack Smart just 1'4". If you're thinking that you have so much room on stage that footprint is irrelevant, then may I say that good design is something that you fail to trip over.

One final nice touch is that the Pack Smart tripod is made out of aluminum with a matte finish. The chromium plating of the Eureka table base reflects stage lighting quite distractingly sometimes. It's a minor and subjective point, but I find the Pack Smart table more attractive. The Eureka table base is fine, but it does look like a piece of musical gear, and I've already had enough people mis-hear "magician" as "musician".

I had concerns that attaching the top to the base would be awkward, but it's simple to the point of elegance itself as long as you start the process just after you remove the base for its bag.

I should make it plain that I have not yet field-tested the table. I am eager to hear from those who have.

All in all, this is a swell table. Whether it's worth $200 to you is a question only you can address, but I can tell you I'm happy with the purchase.

Now THERE's a detailed review. Thanks!

MaxfieldsMagic:

You're welcome -- I am pleased beyond measure that you liked the amount of detail.

I suppose I could also contribute a shorter review for those that value brevity: "Quality costs; this item has it."

I love mine - put a mini review in Latest and Greatest. Beautiful table.

The first run sold out.

I dislike relying on others to provide me with validation--but what can I say? I'll take it when I can get it.

This is one heck of a table.

Just in case you are looking for a mat. I have talked with Bill Abbott and have his approval to sell mats to fit his tabletop specifications. They are available at http://www.pattricksmagic.com Thanks. Didn't mean to "sell" but there is a mat to fit this.

Just put in an order

Now that they're back in stock, I encourage anyone who has been thinking about getting one of these tables to follow Jonace's example: Put in your order now before they're all gone again.

I have been using one for a few months now. I use it in all my shows and it has had to stand up to being thrown in my suitcase and going from kid show to kid show. So far it has held up extremly well. I was afraid that the light weight would make it fragile but apparently not. The only issue I have had is that sometimes I find the work surface a little small. Not usually a problem but during one of my holiday shows it became an issue for one effect. Small price to pay for saving my ageing back.

Item on site says $200 plus shipping. Then in the order section says $220 plus shipping?

I'm pretty sure it's $200 plus shipping, or $220 including shipping to Canada and the US.

Sorry for the confusion.
The price for the Pack Smart Table is $200 USD
The shipping anywhere in North Amreica is $20 (+$200) = $220
The International shipping cost is $30 (+200) = $230

Hope that helps.

Cheers
Bill