Prince NEOS 100 vs Gamma 6004 vs Gamma 5003 - Page 2

danb · 05-06-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LttlElvis

No, I have USED the Neos and I OWN the 6004. Both are good machines. I can't tell you which one to choose. When I made my purchase I figured whether I got the Neos or 6004, I would be happy.

The reason I chose the 6004 was the ease of and the stability of the 2 pt mounting. It is incredibly fast and solid. I like the spring lock clamp mounts. The feel is nice and firm. I chose the 6004 because it is newer technology.

The Neos is also a good choice because it is the proven standard of stringing machines. The mounting is not as fast, but super solid. The overall build quality is like a tank. There is a reason this machine has been around a long time. Some people think glide bars are a little antiquated and reduce your flexiblity to string all racquets, but the glide bar concept has little chance for breaking down. When a Neos goes on the auction site someday, watch how high the bids go. I have seen it go up to $800, and that was for an old scratched up, rusty model that was over 15 yrs old. My 6004 is only a year old, I have never even touched the tensioning unit since I have a Wise, and I seriously doubt that my machine would sell for up to $800.

Personally, I still love my 6004 and am happy with the purchase.

Thanks man!

rjkardo · 05-06-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danb

I am thinking to buy a new stringing machine. It will be used 1-2 times a week for me and my daughter. Could you please let me know your experience with these 3 machines?
Dan.

I strung for about 15 years on an Ektelon, which is pretty much the same machine as the Prince Neos. I have owned a Gamma 5003 for just about a year. I have not used the 6004.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danb

Which one would be quickest (least time spent) to get the job done?
Dan.

All three will be about the same. The Neos 2 point system will probably mount a bit faster, saving you a few seconds each string job. Depending on the racquets you string, the glide bars may be an issue (but unlikely).

Quote:

Originally Posted by danb

Also what do you prefer - 6 point mount or 2 point mount?
Dan.

2 point is a bit quicker, since you don't have the extra braces on the side of the racquet to work around. Again, may save you a few seconds per racquet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danb

Which one is the most reliable (I heard they are all built like tanks)?
Dan.

All are built like tanks. Any of them will last you a long, long time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danb

I can buy 5003 for 799$ but I couldn't find the 6004 for less than 1199$...
That is 400$. Is it really worth (is it that much faster)?
Appreciate all your help,
Dan.

I would say whichever you get the cheapest is the best deal.
I bought a 5003 on an auction site for about $500. But I did not get the string and other freebies.

Just remember, you do not need to spend $1000 to get a great stringer. And stringing a handful of racquets a month, you should not worry about a few seconds difference in the time to mount or string a racquet.

Rod

hadoken · 05-07-2008, 08:37 AM

Rjkardo, pretty much summed it up right. Like him, I own a used Gamma 5003 that I bought for $500. It was an "upgrade" from an older Gamma 4000 that can be thought of as a poor man's NEOS. There were tradeoffs in going to the 5003 and I would trade my 5003 for a NEOS if I could because I prefer the simplicity and speed of glide bar clamps after using both systems extensively.

I wouldn't spend for a new upright...used ones can be found if you wait.

Teyko · 05-07-2008, 11:04 AM

I loved the Neos personally

danb · 05-08-2008, 12:13 PM

Thanks ! 10 char

danb · 05-09-2008, 02:01 PM

I decided to buy Prince Neos 1000. Gamma would be as good but this is just personal prefference. Thank you all for your postings!

AmericanTemplar · 05-09-2008, 02:05 PM

Tell us your thoughts once you get it!

marrodr · 05-10-2008, 02:10 PM

LittlElvis, I'm glad to finally have found someone with a Gamma 6004 2pt. I am stuck deciding on the Gamma 6004 2pt or 6pt, or the Alpha Apex II. My priority is for stringing racquetball racquets. Any machine preferable for stringing these racquets? Will the 2 pt system not be as sturdy for smaller racquets? Thanks for your feedback.

YULitle · 05-10-2008, 02:16 PM

marrodr: I would think that a 2-pt would be MORE sturdy on smaller racquets, compares to larger racquets. There is less length hanging off the side, thus less torque when pulling crosses. But that's just one analysis.

LttlElvis · 05-10-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marrodr

LittlElvis, I'm glad to finally have found someone with a Gamma 6004 2pt. I am stuck deciding on the Gamma 6004 2pt or 6pt, or the Alpha Apex II. My priority is for stringing racquetball racquets. Any machine preferable for stringing these racquets? Will the 2 pt system not be as sturdy for smaller racquets? Thanks for your feedback.

Marrodr,

I agree with YULitle. I have not strung a racquetball racquet, but I think a 2 pt mounting would actually be more stable on a smaller head than the 6 pt. There are 4 internal supports on the head and throat mounts, so it should be quite sturdy. I think the 6004 has the best 2 pt mounting system out there.

marrodr · 05-10-2008, 05:43 PM

That makes a lot more sense, YULitle, LittlElvis. I have become quite educated by reading many of both your postings. YULitle, you recommend often to go for the Revo 4000 for beginners. I'm one click away from purchasing something. What is your final preference: Revo 4000 with a Wise, Apex II, or Gamma 6004 2-pt? These are all within my price range $900 - $1200.

I apologize in advance if I'm asking this in the wrong thread, but my head is about to explode with all of the research I've been doing. Any final thoughts would be greatly appreciated, regardless of your bias towards any one machine. thanks guys.

LttlElvis · 05-11-2008, 07:47 AM

Since I haven't done a racquetball racquet, my opinion doesn't hold much value, but I would go with the Gamma 6004 because of the mounting.

2 pt mountings are just better for me and I think they are better. (debateable) For years the Ektelon/Neos machines were stringing oversize aluminum racquets with no problems. Now we have better, stronger graphite racquets. Good 2 pt mountings like the 6004 and Neos should be fine.

You probably can get a better answer on a racquetball stringers forum. For pics of my machine with Wise, you can do a search.

marrodr · 05-11-2008, 08:33 AM

LttlElvis,
I have seen those pix of your 2pt Gamma with a Wise. They are what steered me towards wanting the Gamma 2pt.

downey stringing master · 05-11-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YULitle

If it were me, it'd be the Neos no question.

but the gamma's are pretty bling when new..

Chicken Neck · 05-11-2008, 02:46 PM

I started on a NEOS, Ektelon back then, and have used the Gamma 6004 and I would choose the Gamma hands down. The glide bars really are antiquated. Just my opinion.

iplaybetter · 05-11-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marrodr

That makes a lot more sense, YULitle, LittlElvis. I have become quite educated by reading many of both your postings. YULitle, you recommend often to go for the Revo 4000 for beginners. I'm one click away from purchasing something. What is your final preference: Revo 4000 with a Wise, Apex II, or Gamma 6004 2-pt? These are all within my price range $900 - $1200.

I apologize in advance if I'm asking this in the wrong thread, but my head is about to explode with all of the research I've been doing. Any final thoughts would be greatly appreciated, regardless of your bias towards any one machine. thanks guys.

revo and wise, for the money i cant imagine a better setup

mpenders · 05-11-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LttlElvis

You probably can get a better answer on a racquetball stringers forum. For pics of my machine with Wise, you can do a search.

There really isn't a racquetball stringer's forum - there just aren't many of us that predominately string rball frames. In order to discuss stringing, we lurk on the tennis stringing boards.

Anyway, I started stringing 20 years ago, and have always string on a Prince/Ektelon machine. First the P200, then a Model D, a Model D upgraded to a Model H, a NEOS 1000 (which is for sale right now), and most currently on a Prince 3000. They all work fine for rball. The mounting systems on the Model H and NEOS machines all work great for rball frames, and the glide bar clamps are very solid, and very fast.

However, for rball frames, I can not recommend more strongly that you should get fixed swivel clamps. It's not that you can't use the glide bars - you can. But things are MUCH easier with the fixed swivel clamps. This is the only reason I upgraded from the NEOS 1000 to the Prince 3000. The mounting system on the 3000 is an upgraded version of the NEOS, which I found to be terrific (the reason why I stayed with a Prince machine).

I'd be interested in the Gamma 6004 with the 2 pt mounting...

Gamma Tech · 05-12-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LttlElvis

The Gamma 5003 and 6004 have Self Centering Mounting. That is, as you adjust the mounting posts from inward, both are moving equally toward the head and throat, and the racquet sort of adjusts itself to be centered before you tighten it.

some clarification. both the 6004s & 5003-2pt come with the self centering mounting system. The 5003 6pt does NOT come with the self centering mounting system. that is the reason for the $200 upgrade from 5003 6pt to 2pt and the increase when going to the 6004 (base clamps also).

also on the 2 pt mounting systems there are 4 points of support on the interior of the rqt. Our 2pt mounting system is very similar to the neos.
bret

marrodr · 05-12-2008, 06:15 AM

Ok guys, I just made my first Gamma purchase last night at midnight, right after the wife went upstairs to bed!!!

I finally settled on the Gamma 6004 2pt. Thanks for all of your feedback.

Damn, i am stoked!!! I'll post some pics.

danb · 05-12-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marrodr

Ok guys, I just made my first Gamma purchase last night at midnight, right after the wife went upstairs to bed!!!

I finally settled on the Gamma 6004 2pt. Thanks for all of your feedback.

Damn, i am stoked!!! I'll post some pics.

Cool - let us know what you think after you string a few racquets...

05-09-2008, 02:01 PM	#26
danb Professional Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California Posts: 1,449	I decided to buy Prince Neos 1000. Gamma would be as good but this is just personal prefference. Thank you all for your postings! Last edited by danb : 05-12-2008 at 10:21 AM.

05-09-2008, 02:05 PM	#27
AmericanTemplar Professional Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 938	Tell us your thoughts once you get it! __________________ 4 Yonex RDS 001 Mid-Big Ace Micro (60/57), Laserfibre tourfits, Supergrap.

05-10-2008, 02:10 PM	#28
marrodr New User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Gamma 6004 2 pt mount for racquetball LittlElvis, I'm glad to finally have found someone with a Gamma 6004 2pt. I am stuck deciding on the Gamma 6004 2pt or 6pt, or the Alpha Apex II. My priority is for stringing racquetball racquets. Any machine preferable for stringing these racquets? Will the 2 pt system not be as sturdy for smaller racquets? Thanks for your feedback.

05-10-2008, 02:16 PM	#29
YULitle Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2005 Location: Guymon, OK Posts: 4,132	marrodr: I would think that a 2-pt would be MORE sturdy on smaller racquets, compares to larger racquets. There is less length hanging off the side, thus less torque when pulling crosses. But that's just one analysis. __________________ Michael A. -- If your flaw in stringing is consistency, http://www.youtube.com/yulitle MRT 07-08 -- your stringing will be consistently flawed.

05-10-2008, 05:43 PM	#31
marrodr New User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Gamma 6004 2 pt mount for racquetball That makes a lot more sense, YULitle, LittlElvis. I have become quite educated by reading many of both your postings. YULitle, you recommend often to go for the Revo 4000 for beginners. I'm one click away from purchasing something. What is your final preference: Revo 4000 with a Wise, Apex II, or Gamma 6004 2-pt? These are all within my price range $900 - $1200. I apologize in advance if I'm asking this in the wrong thread, but my head is about to explode with all of the research I've been doing. Any final thoughts would be greatly appreciated, regardless of your bias towards any one machine. thanks guys.