Uncle Milton Star Wars Force Trainer

Well, this is one of the best thing of this decade.

It really does work (although the lower levels seems to be more of a "calibration" type of thing.

However there's a "surprise" waiting for you when you reach the Master level - you're not allowed to "drop" the ball, or your progress on that sublevel are gone...

Took me about 1 hourish to reach the master lever, and it is way harder indeed!

it does bring a good feeling in the head though -

I think this could be very usefull for someone trying to meditate also! :)

I liked the idea of this toy - neuro feedback is a fascinating subject, and what's more, controlling things with your mind is (as any boy-with-toys will tell you) a cool idea! Any toy that encourages a child, even a big one, to be mindful rather than violent, and develop some more concentration has to get my vote of approval.

Opening the box up my first impression was that this thing is smaller than I expected. Look at the "sphere" and if you remember that it's actually just a ping-pong ball, you'll see the real dimensions. Clever marketing shots and the kid in the picture make it seem bigger. Assembling the parts and getting it up and running was easy, though be warned, it takes a vast number of expensive batteries, and although it has a facility for a mains power unit, none is supplied. A trip to Tandy for a variable PSU (which includes a variety of connectors) will sort you out for that though. The headset can be altered rather like headphones, and can fit any sized head from child to adult. It too needs batteries, plus a small electrical screwdriver to undo covers - this toy needs planning if you want to avoid the disappointment of an unuseable toy on arrival! I suggest adult assistance for anyone of primary school age.

Initially I was impressed with the performance. Yes, if I concentrated it really did seem to make the ping pong ball - sorry, sphere - rise and hover around the middle line directed. The unit has sound effects and Yoda speaks to you, giving words of encouragement and praise when you get the hang of it. I found myself getting quite into this miracle toy!

Then, quite by chance I had to answer the phone mid session. My lapse of concentration made no difference! So I did a few experiments and tried talking, singing, reading a book - everything the instructions say you must avoid if you wish to succeed and become a Jedi Master. It made no difference. The ball kept on hovering up and down, sometimes accurate sometimes not quite, just as if being controlled by the mind of an invisible Jedi. Yoda kept right on instructing and giving praise too.

So it left me with one inevitable conclusion: most of what goes on with this toy is pre-programmed, and involves no great skill or input. Hardly surprising I guess, when real neuro feedback devices cost several thousand pounds each. The illusion was shattered for me, and it became an onnoying waste of time. I returned it whence it came.

Be aware of what this actually is before you buy - if you're happy with an illusion, go ahead. If not, you might want to look elsewhere.

This is great fun! Easy to get the hang of but difficult to master at the higher levels. You get full instructions on how to set up and calibrate the unit but few details of what you need to do. That's the fun of it! You learn as you use it.

It's not just the device but what it represents for the future. In a few decades we will be controlling everything like this, tv, lights, doors, even driving cars!

Get in there and play with the future now. A must for all fans of Star Wars, gadgets and future technology. For all kids from 7 to 107!!