I use these pads for both the PCT and Swami Gimmick effects. I like the opacity, ease of tearing and pencil shows up well (with minimal sound as you are writing). It's a good size and makes perfect sense for me to pull it out of my jacket / blazer pocket (sometimes I say "I always carry a pad of paper to jot down ideas as they come to me"). Since the pads are thick, I split them into thirds, that's a nice size to carry and hold and I ALWAYS carry one in my jacket.