Pros:

1.) Comes fully made and ready to go. All you need to supply are the pieces of paper and playing cards. Kaylor uses regular playing cards, index cards, and a folded up piece of standard paper that's trimmed a bit for a better fit. Essentially, anything that's about the size of a playing card works.

2.) There are no extra pieces other than the pieces of paper that are involved (the dummy paper, the switched paper, and the papers in the index if you decide to use it). There are no magnets or anything like that.

3.) The index system is very simple and well designed. The index is self contained on the envelope. A cool feature of the index is that when the envelope flap is closed, the index is completely hidden.

4.) Comes with both the updated instructions and the original instructions for Unbelievalope 1.0.

5.) The Kraft paper material allows for the envelopes to be much more durable than the original version. I do not own the original but I can only assume it's better than the standard white envelope material. Some prefer the look of the white envelope, but I'd much rather have something that lasts than something that may look slightly better. Another big plus about the Kraft envelope is that you can use white paper. The original unbelievalope had you use colored paper because white paper would blend in too much in the white envelope. I feel that white paper for a prediction is much easier to read from an audience's point of view.

Cons

1.) The set only comes with three envelopes (one regular envelope not gimmicked for switching, one gimmicked switching envelope, and one gimmicked switching envelope with the index). I'm not 100% sure why a regular envelope was included. I know if you have a regular envelope you'll be able to hand it out for inspection, but you'd need to switch it for the switching envelope after that anyway, so the envelope wouldn't be in full view the whole time.

2.) The switch is very simple but there is a bit of a knack to it. Multiple times in earliest practice sessions I had the same issue. Without going into too much detail, if you don't pull the dummy piece enough it will still be visible in the envelope, and if you pull it in a wrong way the corner of it will stick out where you don't want it to. Kaylor never seems to have this issue due to his practice and expertise, so this just comes down to practice. This may have just been a me problem, but don't expect it to be automatic right away. It will take a few ours of repetition and getting the muscle memory down for the ideal angle to remove the dummy paper.

3.) The index may not be ideal for you if you have dry hands. Anyone who's used an index before knows that the outs are stacked on top of each other and the unbelievalope is no different. It's not a uniquely designed index. You have to slide around some things to get the correct paper into the correct position. I first practiced this after I got inside from a cold day and my hands were very dry. I had a tough time sliding the right piece into place with my dry hands and fingers. I have young hands so this is not a problem for me most times, but it made me think about older performers who struggle with having dry hands.

4.) This is such a great utility device for confabulation without breaking the bank, but it's important to know that if you want to do it the best way possible according to Kaylor you need to purchase another one of his products. He does teach how to do it without the use of this other utility device and I do plan to use it with that method, but if you want the envelope to be used to its highest potential you made need to make another purchase.

5.) Because the Kraft material is much thicker, it doesn't close as easily with its first uses. If you want to keep it closed completely you may need to use a bull clip like he uses in the instructions.



Overall I think this is the ideal way to switch a piece of paper for any routine during a stage or parlor performance without having to break the bank. Of course, if you're a seasoned performed a nice $1,000 printing device or other mechanical method may be more deceptive, but this still works wonders. I purchased this and Joao Miranda's Vision Box 2.0 near the same time so now I feel 100% set to do any type of switch either close up or stage.

With a bit of arts and krafts, this should also be easy to duplicate for anyone wanting to make another one with the right materials.

Such an amazing idea! I recommend using as prediction as apposed to impossible location but both look so beautiful!! this gem is pricey, I know I paid but if your a pro its an investment you will get a return on. This utility is showstopper if you can use red herring to disguise method a little bit. Also the fact they are holding prediction all along adds to deception. You get a normal envelope too so if your on stage you can easily swap it out looking clean af 👌 😎

I really like the added index feature of 2.0

Having watched several performances and figured out how the Unbelievalope works, I decided to buy it (not from Penguin). However, when it arrived and I tried performing it along with the videos, I realised that Jeff has both right and left handed versions in the videos and I had got a left handed one - unfortunately for me, I have a couple of damaged fingers on my left hand which won't straighten properly and make the move very difficult to perform without drawing attention to what I am trying to do.

I didn't really figure this out until I had been struggling to perform it right handedly and the card on display inside not staying in the right place - gravity kept pulling it to the non-gimmicked part of the envelope.

Which kind of brings me to my main issue with the Unbelievalope. I got into magic when I was a kid, over 50 years ago, not out of a desire to perform but to work out how things were done. I'd always look for anomalies or anything (object or movement) which didn't seem necessary - that's how I figured the Unbelievalope out - the window has an odd shape which drew my eyes to the gimmicked area. I don't know why it was not made with a fully rectangular window which does not raise questions and, with a second gimmicked area on the other side would allow for ambidextrous use.

The heavier card makes it a bit awkward to get my fingers in comfortably and the 'lip' in the gimmicked area not only seems a bit unnecessary but with the card being so stiff, cuts into my knuckles.

I like the concept but the issues I have with the design prevent me from giving it five stars. I am going to make my own with less rigid card, a regular shaped window, two gimmick areas and no 'lips' which I hope will work more smoothly.

I'm sure that other people will not have had the same problems and theirs have been fine - I'm just adding my experience without (hopefully) being overcritical nor putting anybody off.

Very good! I'm just a guy that does mentalism and magic for fun to friends or people i meet traveling. you can really do a lot of fun/mind blowing/unexplainable stuff with these.

I started using this for confabulation on stage shows and it looks great! Visually it fools and it’s so well made. The spectator I had on stage for this, her jaw almost dropped to the floor through the whole reveal. Great reactions.
Fortunately I can do this without TKO. He teaches you that alternative and that’s good. Although TKO makes it look cleaner, I’d rather not go through the hassle of buying something else that requires having to do all this other stuff for it to work. There’s also the option for multiple outs which I’m brainstorming ideas for, so this is very versatile. I look forward to using it for other future ideas.