Product description : The world of thread has been revolutionised by the Venom Project by Magie Factory, a French Company, which is quite honestly the best mechanical ITR on the market ! However, Yigal Mesika has released its new Tarantula device, the release date was delayed a few times but I have been testing it for a few months. Basically, it’s an electronical ITR, similar in the way it’s made to the first version but with differences too. Is it worth taking a look at ? Let’s find out !
Price and where to buy it : This is sold at $75 and you can find it in nearly every Murphy's magic « partner » shop !
What you get : You get a small cardboard box, quite difficult to open, but nicely made, with flashy gold printing on it. Inside, you’ll find the wire in order to charge your Tarantula device, which is a big novelty, as well as the device in itself. On the bottom of the box, you have a link to watch the explanation video. The video is well made, as you can expect from Yigal Mesika, but there is nothing new or revolutionary compared to the first version. The device is really well made, should last a long time, and have some new features. First, it’s a USB battery while the first version was powered by a simple battery. Second, you have the Soul Technology built in the Tarantula II which means the thread is always in tension, and that there is no ON/OFF switch ! Overall, I’m really happy with what I’ve received, I don’t have the first version but heard some bad reviews, and I’m really surprised with this second version, it’s reliable and well made.
The pros and the cons : Here is the core of my review, let's begin with the cons, as I will usually be doing, I prefer to keep the good things for the end.
THE CONS :
[if !supportLists]– [endif]The thread is always in tension, because of the Soul Technology, this will be both a con and a pro. Because of that tension, you can’t do the haunted deck you could do with the first version.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]It’s a rechargeable battery which means it will run out at some point, it’s not a mechanical ITR. I figured out that you would be good for 80 to 100 “performances” before the battery runs out.
THE PROS :
[if !supportLists]– [endif]The Sould Technology is a great thing since you don’t have any ON/OFF switch, which means you can always have it ready in your pocket and just by pulling the thread, the motor will activate.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]The rechargeable battery is a nice addition since you don’t have to switch the battery when they run out, just plug it in a regular micro USB cable, which you should have if you don’t own an Iphone. The charging time is fairly quick, I would say 2h.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]This device is the same in its construction as the first one, so you have to hide it in your hand. But it is very sturdy, I dropped it a few times and there is no marks or anything, it works like it should, like in the first day.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]You can really pull out a good length of thread, without worrying too much about tension, because it’s an electronical ITR. This is not possible with the mechanical ITR out there.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]If there is no tension on the thread for more than 30 seconds, the motor turns itself off which is a great thing.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]There is a small button on top of the Tarantula, you can press it so you stop the tension, this is a great addition because you can attach a bill to the thread, lay it on the table, press the button so the bill will stay. When you want, you can stop pressing on it so the bill will fly back to your hand.
[if !supportLists]– [endif]There is also a hands free version, you put the device in your pocket and thanks to the Soul Technology, you will be able to levitate objects.
Overall rating : This is a good electronical ITR, it works as advertised and works well. It’s sturdy and should last a long time if you look after it, but I will stick to my Venom, 3.5/4 hearts.
As for the difficulty level, this is IT work, it will need work, patience and dedication but it’s well worth it, I would say 3/5 stars.
Similar products : For an electronical ITR, you have the Spider Pen Pro, for a mechanical one, you have the Venom. My vote goes for the last one.