Pro's Pro Comet vs Gamma Progression II 200 for hobby stringing?

hurworld · Oct 12, 2018

For stringing at home (maybe 1-2 racquets per month) and learning as a hobby, would Pro's Pro Comet be better than Gamma Progression ii 200?

Pro's Pro Comet:

Gamma Progression ii 200:

Price-wise the Comet is more expensive than the 200, but not by too much if I get directly from Pro's Pro.

Any advice is much appreciated.

gmatheis · Oct 12, 2018

The one thing I did not like about the Gamma was the composite clamps. Sometimes it was hard to get them to hold tension without slipping while also not crushing the string.

I think personally from those 2 I would take the comet for that reason.

mmk · Oct 13, 2018

Fixed clamps for the win. Why not the Pro's Pro Pilot? Fixed clamps and less expensive than the Comet.

jim e · Oct 13, 2018

I would also go with the fixed clamp machine.
If you know of any stringer in your area, see if you can watch or even try stringing. If you like it and know you will be stringing for the long haul, your best to get as much machine as you can afford, as it does make the job more enjoyable.

Arzivu · Oct 13, 2018

I own the comet.It is a very stable machine with six point mounting system and quality fixed swivel clamps.The lockout system is easy and quick to operate.I have not used the drop weight gamma machine but flying clamps is a big disadvantage.I do not know your budget but the price gap between the two machines is around 150 euros if you include the shipping costs..

hurworld · Oct 13, 2018

mmk said:
Fixed clamps for the win. Why not the Pro's Pro Pilot? Fixed clamps and less expensive than the Comet.

Pilot is sold out in both places. What’s the difference between Pilot and Comet?

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Arzivu · Oct 13, 2018

hurworld said:
Pilot is sold out in both places. What’s the difference between Pilot and Comet?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3teeth vs 5teeth clamps.If you like cheap quality drop weight machines,you can wait for a month,pros pro will land challenger x,a new drop weight with fixed clamps,around 250 euros.

hurworld · Oct 13, 2018

Arzivu said:
3teeth vs 5teeth clamps.If you like cheap quality drop weight machines,you can wait for a month,pros pro will land challenger x,a new drop weight with fixed clamps,around 250 euros.

I assume 5 teeth means string is better secured in the clamp?

What’s the pros and cons of drop weight vs Comet’s crank?

Pardon my newbie questions here.

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Arzivu · Oct 13, 2018

hurworld said:
I assume 5 teeth means string is better secured in the clamp?

What’s the pros and cons of drop weight vs Comet’s crank?

Pardon my newbie questions here.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes.There are many threads in this forum regarding the crank-drop weight debate.If you want to string one or two rackets per month a drop weight is not a bad choice.You get constant pulling(less tension loss than cranks) and there is no need for calibration(cranks need from time to time).Cranks are easier in terms of use i think...

Dan_N11 · Oct 13, 2018

I too own a Pro's Pro Comet and am really enjoying using it. Never used a drop weight, but feedback I've read is that it's a bit of a bind (no pun intended) and the crank is easier to use.

2nd Serve Ace · Oct 13, 2018

hurworld said:
I assume 5 teeth means string is better secured in the clamp?

What’s the pros and cons of drop weight vs Comet’s crank?

Pardon my newbie questions here.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cranks are complete junk. Drop much better.

5 teeth are better for tight stringbeds but I think only alpha has those. Still probably need floating clamp supports for mains at very high tensions.

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Dan_N11 · Oct 14, 2018

2nd Serve Ace said:
Cranks are complete junk. Drop much better.

5 teeth are better for tight stringbeds but I think only alpha has those. Still probably need floating clamp supports for mains at very high tensions.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

Recurring themes:

Cranks are rubbish: Box checked.
Have you looked at Stringway:

hurworld · Oct 14, 2018

So in summary, drop weight achieves better tension accuracy but takes longer to do so, and crank is faster and less accurate but tension volatility can be minimised with consistent technique?

Some older threads also mentioned crank-based system would allow for electronic tensioner upgrade in future? I don't think I would do that but I assume that would mean a better resell value.

esgee48 · Oct 14, 2018

Ask yourself how many frames a day, a week, a month you are likely to do. Then ask yourself how fast do you need to do 1 frame/week, 2 frames/month. If you say 15 minutes/frame, then go for a crank. If you say I do not care, then you can use a drop weight or a crank. Both of your original choices are OK if you fall into the low volume, no time limit category. The post recommending a crank is an attempt to make the experience easier, but is that what you want? I recommend that you just read the sticky about features that can be had on various machines and make up your own mind after that. 3¢

Dags · Oct 15, 2018

hurworld said:
So in summary, drop weight achieves better tension accuracy but takes longer to do so, and crank is faster and less accurate but tension volatility can be minimised with consistent technique?

You need to consider the question in the context of the whole machine. For instance, the vast majority (if not all) crank machines come with fixed clamps. Many drop weight machines have flying clamps. The clamping mechanism, and the quality of the clamps themselves, arguably have greater bearing on the final result than the tension head.

With stringing machines, I do believe that there's a large element of you get what you pay for. There's a reason some machines cost more than others. Some of that might be comfort and convenience, but a significant portion of it is build quality.

krisdrum · Oct 15, 2018

I have a flying clamp/DW machine and have only been stringing for a few months now. In hindsight, I wish I had gotten fixed clamps at a minimum. And likely a crank. if I had all the time in the world to string, I probably wouldn't care. But I don't. I have work, a family, etc. The DW can be tedious to work with to get to your reference tension. It is a slow process. Granted my technique is not great, so it takes me a bit, but even with that improving, I'm sure I'd be faster on a fixed/crank machine.

hurworld · Oct 15, 2018

Thanks all. Sounds like the Comet is the better of the two, and yes, I wouldn't want to spend too much time on stringing a racquet either due to family/work too.

hurworld · Oct 23, 2018

Arzivu said:
3teeth vs 5teeth clamps.If you like cheap quality drop weight machines,you can wait for a month,pros pro will land challenger x,a new drop weight with fixed clamps,around 250 euros.

Urgh, looks like the Comet is sold out on PP's website. I guess I'll wait for the Challenger X drop weight, then. At least it looks like it has fixed clamps? Not sure what is so innovative about the locking ratchet system and swivel clamp base that it trumpets about.

https://www.pros-pro.com/en/pros-pro-challenger-x.html?___SID=S&___from_store=de

hurworld · Oct 23, 2018

Dan_N11 said:
Recurring themes:

Cranks are rubbish: Box checked.
Have you looked at Stringway:

Stringway is too expensive for me.

Arzivu · Oct 23, 2018

hurworld said:
Urgh, looks like the Comet is sold out on PP's website. I guess I'll wait for the Challenger X drop weight, then. At least it looks like it has fixed clamps? Not sure what is so innovative about the locking ratchet system and swivel clamp base that it trumpets about.

https://www.pros-pro.com/en/pros-pro-challenger-x.html?___SID=S&___from_store=de

It seems that you are unlucky about the comet. I do not believe it is gonna be available soon.Challenger has fixed clamps,yes.Do not know much about the ratchet system,but hands down,challenger seems the best choice considering the price.If you turn to gamma,double the cost for the same features...

Dan_N11 · Oct 23, 2018

The second hand market is always a good place to start. I bought one on **** and spent a year getting to grips with the process, before buying new. Managed to sell the old one for just as much as I paid for it. It might give you some time to get stringing and wait for the ideal new machine to come to market.

hurworld · Oct 24, 2018

Dan_N11 said:
The second hand market is always a good place to start. I bought one on **** and spent a year getting to grips with the process, before buying new. Managed to sell the old one for just as much as I paid for it. It might give you some time to get stringing and wait for the ideal new machine to come to market.

I've been looking out in DaBay for a month or so now, and if anything worthy comes up (I saw a couple of Neos listings) they are usually far away and seller wants collection only.

Christian Andersson · Nov 1, 2018

I did buy Pro's Pro XP Plus a couple of years ago. The 3 tooth clamps was not good enough, did slip a lot. Ordered the other clamps with 5 tooth from Pro's Pro that worked much better. I am still using them. After the 1 year I upgraded it with a Wise 2086, and that is the best investment I have done. I'm really happy with the machine still, and the combo is awesome. Also easy to get spare parts for everything.

I did not have any good results with the Pro's Pro Crank. Stringing polyesters on a crank ends up loose tension and inconsistent results easily depending on pulling speeds etc. Also it might be so that the crank-mechanism from Pro's Pro was not that good. The gripper on it seemed to not work really good either.

So I agree, go for a drop weight Pro's Pro in front of a crank and add the 5 tooth clamps directly if the 3 tooth are included from the beginning.
Or you can go with Penta Premium Stringer 3600 dropweight which have better clamps from the beginning. Probably they end up on the same price.

Next step in price I would go with a unit including Wise 2086 directly. But if you start with Premium Stringer 3600 or Pro's Pro Challenger as drop weights you can upgrade later on if you feel you want to go electronic.

Pro's Pro Comet vs Gamma Progression II 200 for hobby stringing?

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