Best stringing machine under $1500 for home stringer :)

[ClubHoUno]

Originally Posted by verbouge

OK, then, my two cents.

The mounting system on the less expensive and the more expensive Stringway machines is EXACTLY the same. In other words, it's not a matter of price once you choose this company. The quality is without question. The next thing, the tensioning, is unique. If you go for the ML100 or the MS 200--there's nothing quite like it. One is done with gravity, one is done with a spring and a pedal. I have the gravity version, the ML100, and I can take the strings off a racket, mount it, and finish the complete string job unmounted from the platform in 31 minutes without being hurried. And I know my string bed is as accurately strung as any in the world. No exaggeration. I'm relatively new to this, too. The machine makes it easy.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the "you get what you pay for" argument is true in just about every case. But this one, this particular case, is worth a second look. The mounting system is the same from the least expensive to the most expensive machines. I can testify that it is rock solid and very easy to use, once you figure it out. The only questions after that are tensioning and customer service. You know where I stand on those two things.

I have no opinion on the Stringway electronics. My guess is that they are excellent, but you'll have to inquire of others who own those machines as to their qualities. But I will tell you that Fred Timmer himself has intimated that there is no more accurate system than that on the ML100. I tend to believe him. The thing is, what can be more accurate than gravity? The spring is great, but still, you have to calibrate it every twenty string jobs or so. And electronics, however sophisticated, cannot replicate tension as accurately as simple gravity. The "automatic drop weight" concept makes this soooooooo convenient and easy. OK, enough soap box and passion.

By the way, Club Ho, I've read many of your posts in "Strings and Stringing" and appreciate your thoughtfulness and attention to detail. It's apparent that you're looking for something of quality and longevity. Whatever you choose will most likely be an excellent machine.

I wish you luck.

Dave in Oregon, USA

Thanks for your insigtful post, Dave

I'm in contact with the Scandinavian Stringway man and if the price on the Stringway M200 is fair, I might give this machine a try.

How much does your machine weigh and is it hard to move it around ?

And since I use VS Team nat gut in the mains of all my racquets, I need to prestrecth the gut strings prior to stringing. Isn't it only electronic machines, that can prestrecth properly and precise ?

Thanks

[verbouge]

Originally Posted by ClubHoUno

Thanks for your insigtful post, Dave

I'm in contact with the Scandinavian Stringway man and if the price on the Stringway M200 is fair, I might give this machine a try.

How much does your machine weigh and is it hard to move it around ?

And since I use VS Team nat gut in the mains of all my racquets, I need to prestrecth the gut strings prior to stringing. Isn't it only electronic machines, that can prestrecth properly and precise ?

Thanks

Golly, got no answers for you there, CHU. I don't have nor have ever seen an MS200 in person. I've never strung natural gut. I can't imagine the gut would be an issue, but perhaps the electronics have things to offer that the non-plug-in machines simply don't. Ask your Stringway contact. You may consider contacting Mark Gonzales here in the States. He appears to be a straight-up guy who finds reward in offering second-to-none service. Just a thought.

By the way, I've strung 8 rackets over the weekend, and just can't get enough. It's more fun than you can shake a stick at.

I'll follow this thread and see what you come up with.

Take care,
Dave

[irish-phil]

Hi Clubhouno did you decide on a machine in the end?

[kato669]

I don't know for a fact with the Neos 1500 but an educated guess would be yes. The Wise instruction manual even sets your expectations to this.

[Tennusdude]

Sometimes I wonder if the Prince Neos 1000 and its two point mounting system was really made to support the addition of an Electronic Tensioner. I guess it should be fine. I am not saying two point mounting system is not able to handle and electronic tensioner but the Prince Neos was never built with that in mind was it?

[MAX PLY]

Originally Posted by Tennusdude

Sometimes I wonder if the Prince Neos 1000 and its two point mounting system was really made to support the addition of an Electronic Tensioner. I guess it should be fine. I am not saying two point mounting system is not able to handle and electronic tensioner but the Prince Neos was never built with that in mind was it?

Why would it make any difference??--tension is tension, the fact that certain electronic tensioners pull constantly should make absolutely no difference. The Neos 1000 has been used (in some form or another) for a very long time and I don't think its mounting system has ever been a problem.

[Roger Wawrinka]

Go with the 1500.


Does anyone know if you lose the 360 rotation with the wise on the 1500?

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by Roger Wawrinka

Go with the 1500.


Does anyone know if you lose the 360 rotation with the wise on the 1500?

+1 on the Neos 1500! The 1000 is a dated machine past it's time.

Not unless you add the Gamma adapter.

[cluckcluck]

I say go with the Stringway machines. Nothing electronic. You can still string when the power goes out.
Deadly accurate as well.

[Irvin]

unless you are buying used I would not think you would get the Prince 1500 and the Wise for $1,500. I have never used the Stringway but they may very well be the best bet.

[Lakers4Life]

It possible if TW has another Black Friday sale. Buy $1800 worth of Gift cards, at a cost of $1440.

$1,299.00 Prince Neos 1500
$ 495.00 Wise 2086 Pro
----------
$1,794.00
-$ 358.80 20% discount via Gift Cards
----------
$1,435.20 Final Price (Tax and shipping not included)

[mmk]

I may be wrong here, but I'm guessing that the OP decided on a machine a couple of years ago.

[mr. stevo]

I have a ms200tt for sale if anyone is interested in not paying full price for one =)

[Roger Wawrinka]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

+1 on the Neos 1500! The 1000 is a dated machine past it's time.

Not unless you add the Gamma adapter.

What's the Gamma adapter?

[Lakers4Life]

It's rasises the Wise 2086 Pro, 2 inches so the gripper can be level with string bed.

[verbouge]

Originally Posted by Tennusdude

Sometimes I wonder if the Prince Neos 1000 and its two point mounting system was really made to support the addition of an Electronic Tensioner. I guess it should be fine. I am not saying two point mounting system is not able to handle and electronic tensioner but the Prince Neos was never built with that in mind was it?

I think Maxply has it right. Tension is tension. The Prince and the Stringway mounting systems are similar, with the Prince having the edge in terms of convenience. However, once secured, the racquet is solidly supported from the inside out, and very easily strung. I think this is a non-issue.

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

It possible if TW has another Black Friday sale. Buy $1800 worth of Gift cards, at a cost of $1440.

$1,299.00 Prince Neos 1500
$ 495.00 Wise 2086 Pro
----------
$1,794.00
-$ 358.80 20% discount via Gift Cards
----------
$1,435.20 Final Price (Tax and shipping not included)

TW only allows up to 6 GCs total per customer so the max you can buy in GCs is $1.2K

[Roger Wawrinka]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

It's rasises the Wise 2086 Pro, 2 inches so the gripper can be level with string bed.

Thanks, Lakers4Life

[quest01]

I would have to say the Prince neos 1500. I have this machine and haven't had any issues with it whatsoever.

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by mad dog1

TW only allows up to 6 GCs total per customer so the max you can buy in GCs is $1.2K

That's true, but what if you asked a good friend to buy you a couple more? TW does not say anything on how many card you can combine, only how many you can buy.