Your experience with "The Perfect Holdout"

[erdnasephile]

Does anyone actually use this particular holdout in performances for real people?

I would very much appreciate your opinion as it compares to using simpler rigs (i.e. the Invisible Hand/Original Miller Holdout) in actual use.

Thanks in advice for your insights.

[Ian Kendall]

I prefer it to a 'normal' hold out, mainly because if the anchor point on the left arm fails for any reason, nothing will shoot out of your sleeve. Also, the gearing means that you need a much smaller action to action the thief.

Concerning that, I did have some issues with snagging due to its size, but I solved that by installing a SuperM business end instead, so now I get the best of both worlds.

I did design and install a lock for it, but it is still in R&D at the moment.

Hope that helps.

[erdnasephile]

Ian: Yes, this is exactly the type of information I am looking for. Many thanks!

May I please ask: is the perfect holdout noisy? (Anecdotally, I saw Bob Fitch from the front row at a convention a few years ago, and for some reason, I could swear I could hear the holdout actuating--maybe it was the humidity or something.)

[erdnasephile]

One more thing please: is there a big difference with the first version of this holdout vs. the new version advertised on Antonio's site? (able to be used horizontally).

[Ian Kendall]

I cannot hear anything, and it's just under my armpit - in a working environment with ambient noise there's no chance.

The 'new' version is not completely new - it's the same device, but used with something that allows you to do some fantastic things. I've not used that aspect myself, but I've played with the concept and discussed it with Antonio a few times.

I would also strongly suggest you get hold of the Invisible Hand video set - everything Michel does in that can be adapted to the Perfect Holdout with a little thought.

[mrgoat]

Michel did lots with The Invisible Hand at EMC. I'd never considered a hold out before, but seeing him do what looked like real magic with one has convinced me to give it a go...

[Joe Naud]

I totally agree with Mr Goat, on the above and am looking in that direction as well.
Peace Joe

[erdnasephile]

Thank you very kindly gentlemen! Appreciate the information very much.