I finally received it in the mail after a long wait due to lack of stock availability. Anyway, here's my take on the Escalator.

Here's what you'll get: A pack of cards (bicycle), the gimmick, several small envelopes to be used in conjunction with one of the effects described, an instructional DVD.

Here's the rating and review:

EFFECT 9/10:
If you guys have seen it, yeah it's kick-ass. The concept is extremely clever and the final product that you get has been tested time and again by Gaeton Bloom and has gone through several incarnations.

PRACTICALITY 7/10:
Depends on how you see it. I'll probably keep it for performing together with a full routine so I don't think I'll get to use it often. Well of course, you can perform it after a short ACR routine but it works best if you do and ACR, do something else, then get back to it. I can't explain why because of exposure but take it that it is very versatile and is a flexible performance tool to work with. Given the handling tips in the DVD, you can perform the effect without much angle restrictions. With enough practice, you can even do it completely surrounded. You can't do it with an old deck of cards though. You'll need a relatively new and clean deck of cards to execute the "move." It comes supplied with Bicycle cards but you can virtually use any brand of cards together with its box, as long as thet're Poker-sized. The gimmick can be placed right under the noses of the spectators as long as you do not draw too much attention on it.

INSTRUCTION 9/10:
Superbly put together in the DVD. All the way from handling, alternative variations, clean-up, preventive maintenance and repairs, and other instructional sources.

DURABILITY 8/10:
For the price you pay for the Escalator, it is apparent that the creator wants you to be able to use it for a long time. The primary gimmick is constructed out of metal and painted over to minimise detection. Due to the material used, I dare say it'll last for a lifetime. There are a couple of small components in the gimmick but it will not pose a problem as long as you use it properly. The other hassle is that when you do maintenance, you'll have to handle the gimmick with very clean hands. Other than that, it's a piece of quality equipment.

Get this if you're into ACRs. It can also be used for sandwich or prediction effects. It isn't cheap but in my opinion, it is worth the money only if you can understand that this isn't an effect by itself. It's too expensive to function as an effect alone, but it is worth every single cent to function as an ingenious utility to supplement your existing routine.