Gamma or alpha?

[roddickslammer]

I am going to buy one of these crank machines, which of them is better?

Gamma Progression ST 2

Link: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACGAMMA-STII.html

OR

Alpha Revo 4000

Link: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACALPHA-REVO.html

I am leaning towards the Alpha because it is cheaper..... What do you think??

 

[murrmanfan13]

Alpha. the machines are pretty even, gamma better mounting alpha better clamps.

 

[ryangoring]

Gamma, sorry I have been raised as a Gamma guy.
But don't look at my sig!

 

[Lakers4Life]

If you don't plan on doing any Prince O3 racquets, get the Gamma. Gamma brake is the simplest of all screw brakes, no teeth just a bolt with brass insert. You can never lock it down hard enough, that you can move the table with little effort. Other than that, the rest of the machine is much better than the Alpha.

 

[diredesire]

I say flip a coin, or evaluate your needs. The machines are roughly equivalent, and are both all around excellent. Both brands have excellent post-sale/customer support, and generally include comparable free string packages (or whatever). If it were me, i'd probably take the alpha, if nothing more for cost and cosmetics. If it were a comparison between the Alpha and the X-ST, I might sway the other way, those tool drawers are a nice feature. I've had some issues in the past with the quick action gamma clamps, but those machines were very high volume, and I was sharing the machine(s) with people that I have a suspicion didn't know how to string very well, or were using crappy machines at home, and decided to crank down on the clamps WAY, WAY too hard.

In the end, both are good, just flip a coin
​

 

[Gimmick]

1. Alpha's cheaper
2. Alpha has better clamp bases
3. Alpha doesn't have cheesy thin plastic cover on base
4. I hate the rotational gripper on my Progression II
5. I wish I had bought a Pioneer DC Plus

Maybe the last two are unrelated, but I would buy the Alpha hands down.

 

[SChamp]

How big of a difference does it make that the Gamma has a diablo and the Alpha doesn't?

 

[murrmanfan13]

barely any. i have used both, the difference is minimal.

 

[Lakers4Life]

How big of a difference does it make that the Gamma has a diablo and the Alpha doesn't?

I have yet to try my friends 5003, but I think the diablo helps reduce string stress. Also the leverage point of the lock out is extended. I will try out my friend's 5003 and let you know.

1. Alpha's cheaper
2. Alpha has better clamp bases
3. Alpha doesn't have cheesy thin plastic cover on base
4. I hate the rotational gripper on my Progression II
5. I wish I had bought a Pioneer DC Plus

Maybe the last two are unrelated, but I would buy the Alpha hands down.

That's electronic machine, we are talking about ST 2 with a lock out Crank. YULitle might disagree with you, since his machine is a ELs.

 

[SChamp]

I say flip a coin, or evaluate your needs. The machines are roughly equivalent, and are both all around excellent. Both brands have excellent post-sale/customer support, and generally include comparable free string packages (or whatever). If it were me, i'd probably take the alpha, if nothing more for cost and cosmetics. If it were a comparison between the Alpha and the X-ST, I might sway the other way, those tool drawers are a nice feature. I've had some issues in the past with the quick action gamma clamps, but those machines were very high volume, and I was sharing the machine(s) with people that I have a suspicion didn't know how to string very well, or were using crappy machines at home, and decided to crank down on the clamps WAY, WAY too hard.

In the end, both are good, just flip a coin
​

Why would you decide differently if it was between the Revo and the X-ST?

 

[barry]

Both machines have crappy mounting systems and do not come with a stand and are entry level crank machines. For that kind of money, I would look elsewhere maybe get an SP maestro or a Comet. The Maestro has better clamps, and a better mounting system. You will get sick of the 6 knob system, it sucks, I know I own one. Plus both the Gamma and Alpha have the older 5 tooth clamps, which most manufacturers are replacing with the newer 3 tooth design. The Alpha does have spring assisted base clamps, not sure about the Gamma.

Moving a 75 pound machine gets old. I did that for a couple of years, and finally purchased a table. Buy a machine on a stand, you will not regret it. Add some wheels, about $30. and it is mobile.

 

[VGP]

^^^^ c'mon. Compare apples to apples.

If you're gonna suggest the SP Maestro, you're working up the ladder on buying more machine for more money. If you're gonna compare the Alpha Revo 4000 and Gamma Progression STII to something Silent Partner, you gotta compare them to the Crump.

If you start looking for upright machines with more options Alpha, Gamma, and Silent Partner have several offerings.

I see the opposite, an advantage of having a table-top machine is the portability. If the OP has limited space, or doesn't want to have a stringing machine taking up floor space, he can more easily put it away. As for more mobility, it's nothing a wheeled cart can't fix.

I've seen many an example of people that use wheeled utility carts as stands for their machines. Lots of great pics here on TTW. Plus those setups have tons more at hand storage for stuff than the pole stands of your typical upright.

As for an Eagnas Comet - from what I gather, their retail paradigm is one you have to step into with some trepidation. Low prices plus poor customer service post purchase......hmmm.

 

[LttlElvis]

There are things posted by both barry and VGP that I both agree and disagree. But the OP seems set on buying one of 2 specific machines, so it seems like talking about other machines would just add to confusion. Both machines are probably a sound buy. Esthetically, the Alpha looks nicer, and it has spring assisted bases. The Gamma is not spring assisted. What I like about the Gamma is the diablo. It puts less pressure needed on the string gripper. I never thought much about diablos until I finally used one last year. They make stringing nice, consistent, and less pressure. Another thing about the Gamma clamps. I know it's old style, 5 tooth compared to the 3 tooth Alpha style. I have never used the Alpha for an extended period of time. But the one thing I have noticed about my Gamma clamps, is that I have yet to adjust them !! They are nice and smooth to use, and I like the security of the longer surface area. But I am amazed that I have not needed to adjust them at all.

 

[rasajadad]

You won't go wrong with either machine. (I have have the Revo.) One difference is that when you want to get a stand, which is a near necessity if you do any kind of volume, Gamma has them. To figure a stand out for the Alpha, you need to do a lot of research.

 

[barry]

^^^^ c'mon. Compare apples to apples.

If you're gonna suggest the SP Maestro, you're working up the ladder on buying more machine for more money. If you're gonna compare the Alpha Revo 4000 and Gamma Progression STII to something Silent Partner, you gotta compare them to the Crump.

If you start looking for upright machines with more options Alpha, Gamma, and Silent Partner have several offerings.

I see the opposite, an advantage of having a table-top machine is the portability. If the OP has limited space, or doesn't want to have a stringing machine taking up floor space, he can more easily put it away. As for more mobility, it's nothing a wheeled cart can't fix.

I've seen many an example of people that use wheeled utility carts as stands for their machines. Lots of great pics here on TTW. Plus those setups have tons more at hand storage for stuff than the pole stands of your typical upright.

As for an Eagnas Comet - from what I gather, their retail paradigm is one you have to step into with some trepidation. Low prices plus poor customer service post purchase......hmmm.

Personally if I were buying a machine, I would want to know as much about user experiences as possible. I started with a table top, soon found it awkward to lug around, and so put it on a table. It sat there for a couple of years, and I strung around the table. Pain in the butt. Next I upgraded to a crank machine on a stand, and have to say, once you get that setup, you will dump the table. It is engineered for stringing, and for me a big plus.
For as the two machines selected, I don’t have a preference, but what I do is have a warning on purchasing 6 knob systems. If you do any volume at all, you will discover, setup is a pain and time consuming. The new systems, like the Comet, Alpha Apex, and Gamma 2 point are much easier and faster. The 6004 2 point is the best, and easiest I have used.
For as Eagnas machines, my 3 1/2 year old Flash 925 ($450 off big auction site), with crappy 6 knob mounting, and cone lock clamps continues to work flawlessly. I have no issues, but in the $700 price range, I would expect a stand and a better mounting system. The SP Maestro has excellent clamps (better than Eagnas, Alpha, and Gamma), decent mounting, and it is a nice machine to string on.
It is a shame there is no place to try machines before you buy. I learned a lot from traveling to different pro shops and using different machines. Prince Neos and Gamma 6004 2 point is still at the top of my list, with the Maestro second, and the Comet third.

Any machine is better than no machine!

 

[VGP]

I was just saying...

I do know what you mean. I have my first machine, a tabletop dropweight on a wheeled cart. It works fine for me. But last year I got an upright crank at a garage sale (for $25) and I haven't used my other machine since.

I agree that the OP seems set on buying either of the two machines he listed new and I think he can't go wrong with either one. Especially given the customer service that Alpha and Gamma provide. Place them on a wheeled cart and you're good to go.

The best deal would be (like I did) find a good upright crank used if possible. For the price of either machine, it's possible to find a Prince Neos, Gamma 6004, or several others used.

 

[Supracool94]

I have X-ST and clamps are really solid.

I'm upgrading to Alpha Apex II, and I hope the clamps are as good as Gamma 's clamps! I string lots of natural gut and never had any problems with the clamps slipping or damaging the strings!