FAQ

General

What makes PeekSmith 3 unique?

Unlike smartwatches and fitness bands, PeekSmithโ€™s screen stays on indefinitely. Smartwatches turn off their screens to save battery, and you canโ€™t disable this.

PeekSmith was designed specifically for magicians:

  • Always-on display โ€” Messages stay visible as long as you need.
  • Fits anywhere โ€” Small enough to hide in a card box, pocket, or hand.
  • Optimized screen โ€” Designed for maximum readability at a glance.
  • Wide compatibility โ€” Works with many magic apps, not just iOS or Android.

How much does PeekSmith 3 cost?

PeekSmith 3 is $247. For shipping, VAT, and customs information, see our shipping page.

How do I order?

Visit the PeekSmith 3 product page to order.

Whatโ€™s the difference between PeekSmith 3 and SuperPeek?

PeekSmith 3: Available with Micro-USB or USB-C charging. Latest models use USB-C โ€” Micro-USB editions are discontinued.

SuperPeek: Discontinued product with Micro-USB charging. We now recommend using PeekSmith 3 with the Sharpeek shell for an enhanced experience.

Note: There are no functional differences between models โ€” the electronics are identical except for the charging port.

Using PeekSmith

Can I use my phone while the app is running?

Yes. The PeekSmith app can run in the background and stays connected even when you lock your phone or switch to other apps.

Note: Some remote controls (like Atom, ATC, and MATT+) also work in the background, so you can use them to send information even when the app isnโ€™t visible.

Can I use PeekSmith for other effects besides peeking?

Yes! While PeekSmith is designed primarily for peeking, it has other creative uses:

As a thumper:

  • Works with smart dice โ€” vibrates dice values automatically.
  • Apps can send custom vibration patterns.
  • Use the PeekSmith appโ€™s vibration screen to send any pattern.

As a remote:

  • Assign actions to button presses (in app or standalone mode).
  • Control SB Watch time predictions.
  • Trigger phone vibrations for secret communication.

Note: With only three buttons, remote functionality is limited but still useful for simple triggers.

Does PeekSmith work with third-party apps?

Yes! PeekSmith works with many magic apps thanks to:

  • Documented Bluetooth protocol โ€” Developers can integrate directly.
  • PeekSmith app bridge โ€” Connects PeekSmith to other apps.

Many developers have added support over the years. For a complete list, see our compatibility page.

We encourage developers to integrate with PeekSmith. If youโ€™re a developer, the protocol documentation is available.

Can I control other devices with PeekSmith?

Limited. In standalone mode, you can:

Control:

  • SB Watch โ€” Set time predictions directly.
  • Compatible impression pads โ€” Clear the screen for the next drawing.

Receive information from (but not control):

  • Smart dice โ€” Display dice values.
  • Impression pads โ€” See drawings and handwriting.
  • Card readers โ€” Display card information.

For details, see Standalone Mode.

Can multiple apps or devices connect to PeekSmith at the same time?

No. Only one app or device can connect at a time. If something is already connected, other apps wonโ€™t see PeekSmith until you disconnect.

Should I get PeekSmith 3, Bond, or MrCard?

Each device serves different purposes. For a detailed comparison, see our peeking devices comparison page.

Quick summary:

  • PeekSmith 3 โ€” Longest battery, fits in card box, standalone mode.
  • Bond โ€” Smartwatch form factor, touchscreen, everyday wear.
  • MrCard โ€” Access card size, built-in remote, ultra-long battery.

Whatโ€™s the difference between PeekSmith and Apple Watch?

PeekSmith was designed specifically for magicians:

Always-on display: Messages stay visible indefinitely. Apple Watch turns off its screen to save battery, and you canโ€™t disable this.

Compact size: Fits in a card box, pocket, or palm. Apple Watch is too large for many hiding methods.

Wide compatibility: Works with many magic apps. Apple Watch has limited magic app support.

Optimized screen: Designed for maximum readability at a glance.

Bottom line: While Apple Watch can be used for magic, it has significant limitations. PeekSmith is purpose-built for performance.

Where should I hide PeekSmith?

PeekSmithโ€™s compact size (52 ร— 17 ร— 12 mm) gives you many options:

Pocket concealment โ€” Breast pocket, inside jacket pocket, shirt pocket, or pants pocket.

Other methods โ€” Card box, finger palm, under table, lap, or inside objects.

Accessories โ€” Sharpeek (Sharpie marker shell), Business Card Peek Case, Peek Box 3, FleshPeek, and more.

For detailed hiding strategies and tips, see our Hiding Methods guide.

Is PeekSmith waterproof?

No. PeekSmith has no water resistance. Keep it dry.

Can I attach magnets to PeekSmith?

Yes. Some people use magnets to attach PeekSmith to metal table edges or other objects.

Note: Attaching to large metal objects may reduce Bluetooth range.

Does PeekSmith have a speaker or beeper?

No. PeekSmith only has a vibration motor for silent alerts and thumper functionality.

Whatโ€™s the Bluetooth range?

Up to 10-15 meters (30-50 feet) in typical conditions. Actual range depends on environment and obstacles between devices.

For detailed specifications, see our Specifications page.

Does PeekSmith work offline?

Without a phone: Yes. Use Standalone Mode to connect directly to other Bluetooth devices like watches, dice, impression pads, and card readers.

Without internet: Depends on what youโ€™re doing. Some app features and integrations require internet (like web polling from online apps), while others work completely offline (like sending text or displaying dice values).

Check your specific routine to understand what data sources it needs.

What do the buttons do?

Side button:

  • Press and hold to turn on/off.

When connected to an app:
Apps control button behavior. In the PeekSmith app, you can assign custom actions to short and long button presses in Settings โ†’ Action Control.

In standalone mode:
The buttons control device settings and Bluetooth connections. For detailed button functions, see our Standalone Mode guide.

How do I adjust brightness?

Lower brightness extends battery life significantly.

In standalone mode:

  1. Press both front buttons to enter the menu.
  2. Press the left button to navigate to brightness.
  3. Adjust with the right button.
  4. Exit with the side button.

With the PeekSmith app:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ PeekSmith Device.
  2. Tap โ€œDetails.โ€
  3. Adjust brightness.

We recommend brightness levels 4-5 for best battery life.

Battery & Charging

What kind of battery does it have?

Rechargeable LiPo battery.

How long does the battery last?

Up to 24 hours depending on brightness and usage. Clear the screen when not peeking to maximize battery life.

For detailed battery tips, see our Battery Life guide.

How do I charge it?

  1. Connect the included cable (Micro-USB or USB-C depending on model).
  2. Plug into any USB port โ€” computer, wall charger, power bank.
  3. You can use any 5V charger, even high-wattage laptop chargers (they wonโ€™t damage the device).

Charging time: 1-2 hours for a full charge.

Not charging? Some โ€œsmartโ€ chargers designed for fast phone charging may not detect PeekSmithโ€™s low power draw. Try a simple USB charger or different cable.

Can I charge it while itโ€™s on?

Yes. Charging works whether the device is on or off. It charges faster when off.

Can I replace the battery?

We donโ€™t recommend or support battery replacement. Opening the case requires tools, soldering skills, and voids the warranty. We donโ€™t provide documentation for this procedure.

Better approach: Maintain your battery properly and it will last for years:

  • Charge every 2-3 months, even when not using.
  • Never let it drain completely โ€” this damages LiPo batteries.

For more battery care tips, see Battery Life and the main page.

How do I clean and maintain PeekSmith?

Cleaning:

  • Wipe the screen and body with a soft, dry cloth.
  • For stubborn marks, use a slightly damp cloth (not wet).
  • Never use cleaning chemicals or alcohol.

Storage:

  • Store in a clean, protective case or box.
  • Donโ€™t keep it loose in your pocket with keys, coins, or other items that could scratch the screen.
  • Remove from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.

Battery maintenance:

  • Charge every 2-3 months, even when not using.
  • Never let it drain completely.

Regular care:

  • Keep firmware updated for performance improvements.
  • Check charging port for lint or debris.

With proper care, your PeekSmith will last for many years of performances.

Technical Specs

What are the dimensions?

52 ร— 17 ร— 12 mm โ€” specifically designed to fit comfortably inside a standard card box (like Bicycle or Luna decks).

Why this matters: Similar devices on the market (55 ร— 18 ร— 12 mm) donโ€™t fit properly in card boxes. We designed PeekSmith 3 with card box concealment as a priority.

For full specifications, see our Specifications page.

Whatโ€™s the screen size?

0.96 inch, 160ร—80 pixels, full-color IPS display.

Is PeekSmith waterproof?

No. PeekSmith has no water resistance. Keep it dry.

Can I attach magnets to PeekSmith?

Yes. Some people use magnets to attach PeekSmith to metal table edges or other objects.

Note: Attaching to large metal objects may reduce Bluetooth range.

Can I use PeekSmith outdoors or on the street?

Yes. While PeekSmith was designed for indoor use, many people perform with it outdoors successfully.

Important limitation: Even at maximum brightness, the screen is not visible in direct sunlight (like summer beaches or bright sunny days). It works well in shade, overcast conditions, or evening performances.

Tip: If you perform outdoors regularly, position yourself and your audience to avoid direct sunlight on the device.

Can I set the color of the text?

No. PeekSmith displays all text in white on a black background.

Why white only? White has the highest contrast against black, making it the most readable at a glance โ€” especially in challenging lighting or when peeking quickly. Using other colors would reduce readability, which goes against one of our main design goals.

This consistent color scheme ensures you can read information instantly, no matter the performance conditions.

Can PeekSmith display non-English characters and languages?

Yes! PeekSmith 3, Bond, and MrCard support Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, Arabic, Cyrillic, and many other languages through multiple font options.

If text doesnโ€™t display properly: Go to PeekSmith app โ†’ Settings โ†’ Your Device โ†’ Font and select:

  • Roboto โ€” For Hebrew and Arabic
  • Unifont โ€” For Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and most other languages
  • PeekSmith Font โ€” Default with transliteration

For complete details about language support, fonts, and character sets, see our dedicated Language Support page.

Still Have Questions?