Product description : Marked deck have been around for years but this is the first one of its kind ! The marking are not only done in a very clever way but also visible without spreading the deck. I can see you have the minds racing with ideas and you’re right, this deck will spark your creativity ! You find any card at any position which is very useful but also very interesting for all the controlling part of your tricks. But is it worth you money ? Let’s find out !

Price and where to buy it : This is sold at $24.95 and you can find on Penguin Magic website !

What you get : You get the deck which is printed by the USPCC so the quality is amazing, I think it’s as good as the good old bicycle you’re used to use. So the cards do fan very well and shuffle and faro as a dream. They did a very good job on the design which helps in disguising the concept, but also gives a natural look to the cards so people won’t think it’s gimmicked. You’re also provided with an explanation video with Steve Gore and Pete Turner and I think it’s great they included a video, it helps beginning with the deck and having your first ideas. Overall, the deck is very well printed and the explanation video gives you the bases for it, I can’t see people being disappointed with the quality of the whole thing, they did a great job !

Teaser : http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/7505

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 :
– Bad eyesight and low light conditions can be a problem in order to read the marks. They’re quite discrete so you need to be aware of that.
– The deck is not a Bicycle Rider back design which is the most common back among magician but this is also a pro which I’ll get back to later.
– There is an order in the marks, they decided not to put the CHaSeD order which is a shame, it would have been easier (for me, at least). But the order is still very easy to remember.

THE PROS :
– It’s the first (not the only one right now because The Butterfly deck has been released) deck which allow to spot cards in the deck without spreading it, which is a big plus.
– Imagine asking somebody to shuffle the deck and without looking at the faces or spreading it, you can cut to any card you want ! It’s perfect for forces, but also controlling the spectator card.
– The design look innocent to me, the aim of Steve was to create a deck you could buy at a gas station and I think they did an amazing job with it. Nobody ever suspected the deck.
– This is also great for ACAAN or CAAN, since you know which card is where, you can jazz about it and do some very strong routine.
– I think this opens up many possibilities, not only by knowing where a card is but also knowing which card has been removed from the pack ! This is a very strong piece of magic to do, you don’t spread the cards, you don’t look at the face and yet, you can tell them which card they remove.
– Unlike the Butterfly, the marks are coloured which means you won’t think the wear marks as actual marks ! It has been a problem with my butterfly deck, when the deck is a little bit used, some white marks appear on the sides (due to shuffles and faros) and they blend into the actual marking which makes is quite difficult. This is not a problem with the GPS.
– They included a double backed card in the deck which is a nice intention, some many things can be achieved with it.
– The quality is the same as the bicycle one, so you won’t be taken aback by the feel these have.

Overall rating : I think this deck does what is written on the tin, and does it very well. I have a feeling many people will find this deck and come up with their own ideas. I already use a Rider Back marked deck so I won’t be using it but it’s a very good one ! 3/4 hearts.

As for the difficulty level, the marking system is actually fairly simple to learn, but a little bit of work is still needed, I would say 2/5 stars.

Similar products : The Butterfly deck is the direct competitor to the GPS deck, it has also his own pros and cons.

This is one of the more clever ideas for creating secret markers on a deck of cards for locating any card, anywhere. When you do the locating 'action' (too simplistic to even be considered a 'move' really) care must be taken in not taking too long or giving the impression you're looking and fiddling with the outside edge, since that's exactly what you're doing. I recommend choosing a spectator who's in it for the fun (like in the video) and not with the intention of debunking. As far as being examined I won't go any farther than they shuffling the cards. The secret pretty easy to see with a slightest disruption of the perfectly squared deck, and we all know how rarely lay people hold decks squarely. With that being said it's a brilliant deck and I recommend it for any card enthusiast. When the deck is held squarely the method is well hidden. There's nothing to see on the outside edges and the top is so busy it's not discernible. Just the slightest shift and the markings pop out brightly and clearly.

Got it from Expo in San Jose ~ I am 66 n wearing glasses
for 50 years >>> it actually is not that hard to ID each card,
just needs to spend time to get used to it.

Fun time will come once I master it !

This is clever , a real worker . This is something worth investing the 'practice time' days , weeks , its worth it , its not a one off , its a tool with limitless potential....

I am very pleased with the GPS deck. Immediately it was recognizable and easily used to amaze friends. Additionally the flexibility of use allows me to create routines in terms of the ultimate effect of the magic. The only reason it is not a five is that the special design of the backs suggest it may not be a regular deck.

I think it's a great buy. The deck is innocent looking enough and the stock doesn't seem flaky.
I love it because it's just another way to control a card. I can put a specific card where I need it.
Totally worth it.

Wasn't exactly sure what to expect but this deck is wonderful. It handles well and I find it easy to read. Opens new avenues to anyone who already uses a deck from this category. A new take on an old idea. I don't know why there aren't others like this. Maybe there will be. It's worth the price.

This is a great deck I love the handling and I love the method. I have already started to play with it and have got some GREAT reactions. The decks only downfall is that I have a really hard time using it in low light conditions(which is 90% of the places I would use it). I was however in those situations able to use a different part of the method and created a different trick altogether. So I would still strongly recommend it.

The GPS deck is the most revolutionary product I have seen in a long time. It impressed me so much that I bought 3 decks so that I would not have to ever worry about being without one.

My experience is that spectators pay little attention to the deck, especially if it looks like one off the bargain rack at Wal Mart. At first I was a little hesitant to use it, but once I did, it worked like a charm. I wouldn't use this deck for large performances but it's great for those one-on-one's or table hopping.

Now for the reading. It took me half an hour to figure out how to read the damn things. Once I did, it became easy to identify the card - even across the room. I seriously doubt a spectator would be able to analyze it in a quick performance.

I'm glad I bought the deck.