Tennis Warehouse: Zepp Tennis Sensor Playtest

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We have closed the sign-up period for this playtest. This playtest is only for U.S.A Talk Tennis members.

*IMPORTANT: you need a smartphone or tablet (Compatible with iOS 5.0+ and Android OS 4.0+ ) to use this device as the data is uploaded to an app.


In order to participate you must post your findings in this thread by Wednesday June 25.

If you do not post a review, or if your review is clearly lacking effort, you will be excluded from future playtests.

Once you have playtested your Zepp and have been able to upload your data to a phone or tablet, please use the following to write your review:

** Post review by Wednesday June 25 **
Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (e.g., baseliner w/heavy spin, serve & volley, etc.,):
Current racquet/string:
Which mount did you use? Was the device easy to attach to the racquet?
Given its weight along w/location on the racquet, was it a hindrance?
How easy was it to upload, view and understand the data on the app?
What did you like about the app?
What did you dislike about the app?
Did you find the data you received from the app useful? Please explain your answer.
Any additional comments/suggestions?


Click me to learn more about this device.
 
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You'll barely know it's on your racquet too as it weighs a total of 0.6 ounces. We recommend wrapping an overgrip over the mount for better grip and comfort during play.

^ From TW link.
Does the manufacturer really claim that 0.6oz (18 grams) is barely noticeable?! An overgrip doesn't seem enough to mask the ridges created by this racquet mount either.
tennis_how_it_works_01.jpg

Also, since the sensor itself weighs 6 grams, could it be possible to minimize weight by putting the sensor directly inside the butt cap to avoid the 12 grams added by the mount? If not, this product seems rather impractical.
 

Sparky

Semi-Pro
I am very interested in the performance of these products from a coaching standpoint. They all have their pluses and minuses. The Babolat Play Pure Drive integrated design is optimal for Pure Drive players. It would appear the integral mounting would provide the most accurate results.

The portability of the Zepp has it's advantages. Players using multiple racquets or demoing racquets can compare their hitting between racquets quantitatively. I am curious to see the accuracy of the results and if the mounting method affects the results. In addition, the mounting appears as though it will interfere with players like myself who grip the over the end of the handle.

At a quick glance of the app screen shots, the Zepp doesn't provide the shot placement analysis of the PPD. Also, the PPD quantifies the level of spin.
 

McLovin

Legend
@BLX_Andy: That was posted yesterday. You haven't missed anything yet.

Actually, he did. They edited the original post @ 9:30PM last night and added the following:
TW Staff said:
We have closed the sign-up period for this playtest.

I'm really hoping for this test. I coach a high school team, and practice starts in a few weeks. If I find it useful, I'd like to try it out on a few of my players as well.
 

g4driver

Legend
^ From TW link.

Does the manufacturer really claim that 0.6oz (18 grams) is barely noticeable?! An overgrip doesn't seem enough to mask the ridges created by this racquet mount either.

tennis_how_it_works_01.jpg


Also, since the sensor itself weighs 6 grams, could it be possible to minimize weight by putting the sensor directly inside the butt cap to avoid the 12 grams added by the mount? If not, this product seems rather impractical.


Bingo !

18 grams added to the buttcap right where my hand is gripping the racquet :( :(

Even it weighed 6 grams, that mounting system looks most cumbersome- no way I want to play tennis with that mounting system on my handle. Seems after market buttcaps with the sensor inserted makes much more sense.

I'll pass and wait for ZEPP tennis version 2.0 if they make one with an integrated system in the buttcap.
 

TripleB

Hall of Fame
Actually, he did. They edited the original post @ 9:30PM last night and added the following:

I sent my email in at 9:24pm last night so I'm hoping I sneaked (as a Southerner 'sneaked' doesn't sound right) in and get chosen! :grin:

As far as the product I love the fact that you can apply it to any tennis racquet which would allow you to compare your statistics to other people you play with or compare the 'numbers' to other racquets you play with. To me, this (along with the cost) is a huge advantage over Babolat's racquet.

TripleB
 
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kimguroo

Legend
I received the notification email from TW that I have been selected to participate in playtest. There will be a few week delay due to software.
Looking forward to test this gadget soon ^_^
 

Out?

Rookie
I received the notification email from TW that I have been selected to participate in playtest. There will be a few week delay due to software.
Looking forward to test this gadget soon ^_^

i didnt receive the email :( anyways let us know how it goes
 

TW Staff

Administrator
We sent out emails to the chosen participants. There will be a delay in this playtest so the company can perform some software updates. Please reply to your confirmation email, so we know you are aware of the delay.

TW Staff
 

gzhpcu

Professional
Well, I have tested the Zepp sensor here in Switzerland, and man is it buggy! Don't understand how they can put an untested product on the market. First I kept getting other players data on the iPhone app. Finally, after 5 days of emailing screen shots, they resolved the problem a week ago. Now, however, the statistics are way off. The power scale (similar to Babolat's) with a max of 100, shows my average power on the forehand to be about 11! I am not Federer obviously, but can still manage to hit with power. I informed them, they told me to reboot the sensor, which I did, and still no better. Still waiting for an answer, but I have lost confidence in the product and their level of professionality. Don 't these products get beta tested?
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Software updates

Well, I have tested the Zepp sensor here in Switzerland, and man is it buggy! Don't understand how they can put an untested product on the market. First I kept getting other players data on the iPhone app. Finally, after 5 days of emailing screen shots, they resolved the problem a week ago. Now, however, the statistics are way off. The power scale (similar to Babolat's) with a max of 100, shows my average power on the forehand to be about 11! I am not Federer obviously, but can still manage to hit with power. I informed them, they told me to reboot the sensor, which I did, and still no better. Still waiting for an answer, but I have lost confidence in the product and their level of professionality. Don 't these products get beta tested?

The post above mentions some software updates.
I would suggest to investigate the issue.
Maybe climate in your country (is it Switzerland ?) is not very friendly for tennis?
 
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gzhpcu

Professional
The post above mentions some software updates.
I would suggest to investigate the issue.
Maybe climate in your country (is it Switzerland ?) is not very friendly for tennis?
I would hope updates were being done from a centralized server... (Lugano is a semitropical climate as opposed to the German-speaking cantons.)... :)
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Version number

I would hope updates were being done from a centralized server... (Lugano is a semitropical climate as opposed to the German-speaking cantons.)... :)

Software should have a version number.
Please speak to a customer support
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Serve

Are you able to get a power number for your serve?
Julian W.Mielniczuk
Team Babolat member
 
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julian

Hall of Fame
Software updates

I should have researched more before getting the Zepp sensor. At this stage of development of the product, the statistics delivered are very rudimentary and not very helpful.
But check for yourselves:

Zepp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4argW5PQ20

and now look at Babolat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nkw6aTLmo

and now look at upcoming Sony product:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBNa5-K5yx0

Sony looks very promising...
Please read post #16 about software updates
Julian W.Mielniczuk
Babolat Team member
 
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julian

Hall of Fame
Is a bad Zepp sensor better than a bad coach?

Absolutely
important areas for coaching using a sensor:
1.a power number
2.spin
3.swing path
4.evaluation of strings and a racket
5.which part of strings/face of a raket was used for a given stroke
The value of item #5 is very disputable
Julian W.Mielniczuk
Babolat Team member
 
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Sparky

Semi-Pro
I should have researched more before getting the Zepp sensor. At this stage of development of the product, the statistics delivered are very rudimentary and not very helpful.
But check for yourselves:

Zepp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4argW5PQ20

and now look at Babolat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nkw6aTLmo

and now look at upcoming Sony product:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBNa5-K5yx0

Sony looks very promising...



Watch out for that middle link, it'll suck you in.... He said 2 1/2 hours later from watching TW reviews and TW racquet stringing completion....

The Sony and Babolat appear the most impressive.

I am 99% sure the Zepp won't work with folks like me who grip over the butt of the racquet. Plus, it doesn't give string bed contact data. :(
 

julian

Hall of Fame
String bed contact data?

Watch out for that middle link, it'll suck you in.... He said 2 1/2 hours later from watching TW reviews and TW racquet stringing completion....

The Sony and Babolat appear the most impressive.

I am 99% sure the Zepp won't work with folks like me who grip over the butt of the racquet. Plus, it doesn't give string bed contact data. :(

How would u use string bed contact data?
It is a serious question.
Julian W.Mielniczuk
USPTA
Courtside Tennis Club,Bedford,MA
Babolat Team member
 
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Sparky

Semi-Pro
How would u use string bed contact data?
It is a serious question.
Julian W.Mielniczuk
USPTA
Courtside Tennis Club,Bedford,MA

I'm curious to see where I'm contacting the ball expressed in quantitative terms. I want to see how it changes based of varying conditions, opponent, wind, court, night play. When I play at night, I want to see how my game changes because I frame a lot of shots at night.

With the data, I'd like to see if I can clean up the consistency.

Can you add to my list?
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Serve

I'm curious to see where I'm contacting the ball expressed in quantitative terms. I want to see how it changes based of varying conditions, opponent, wind, court, night play. When I play at night, I want to see how my game changes because I frame a lot of shots at night.

With the data, I'd like to see if I can clean up the consistency.

Can you add to my list?
There are multiple interesting points here.
I coach tennis-for example serve does not have to be hit at a center
Julian W.Mielniczuk
 
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Sparky

Semi-Pro
There are multiple interesting points here.
I coach tennis-for example serve does not have to be hit at a center

I notice my string wear (breakage) is from the PWS to the 2nd cross at the top on a Juice (bought for $40 brand new CL:) woohoo!). In the past, my Wilson FPK95 & BLX PS90 would break the mains at the top of the PWS area. There is nothing up top with the FPK or is it my conversion to the modern forehand stroke on the Juice?

Yes, my contact is higher up in the string bed on serves (including a few shanks ...lol). I'd like to see exactly where I'm contacting with a data pool of ~~300 flat and ~~300 kick serves.

Perhaps it'll be a novelty and it would wear off after a month of fiddling. Who knows.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
I notice my string wear (breakage) is from the PWS to the 2nd cross at the top on a Juice (bought for $40 brand new CL:) woohoo!). In the past, my Wilson FPK95 & BLX PS90 would break the mains at the top of the PWS area. There is nothing up top with the FPK or is it my conversion to the modern forehand stroke on the Juice?

Yes, my contact is higher up in the string bed on serves (including a few shanks ...lol). I'd like to see exactly where I'm contacting with a data pool of ~~300 flat and ~~300 kick serves.

Perhaps it'll be a novelty and it would wear off after a month of fiddling. Who knows.

having played with the pure drive play, i think it is a novelty.
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Instruction section

I notice my string wear (breakage) is from the PWS to the 2nd cross at the top on a Juice (bought for $40 brand new CL:) woohoo!). In the past, my Wilson FPK95 & BLX PS90 would break the mains at the top of the PWS area. There is nothing up top with the FPK or is it my conversion to the modern forehand stroke on the Juice?

Yes, my contact is higher up in the string bed on serves (including a few shanks ...lol). I'd like to see exactly where I'm contacting with a data pool of ~~300 flat and ~~300 kick serves.

Perhaps it'll be a novelty and it would wear off after a month of fiddling. Who knows.
Please see my posts in the instruction section
Julian W.Mielniczuk
 
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ElMagoElGato

Semi-Pro
Does the Zepp's software get any better? Sony looks better in showing contact zones on the string bed and video synchronization.
 

paul500w

Rookie
I was very close to ordering one of these since I had a 30day money back guarantee but I realized they do not show you the area of the racket you are hitting the ball. After the Babolat Play demo, I thought there should be more the zepp did.
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Sony

Yeah... the Sony looks better... Problem is it will only work on Yonex racquets.

I was told/press info that Sony will have a product in Japan first.
I am in US so I will not be able to test/see it soon
Julian W.Mielniczuk
 
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paul500w

Rookie
^ From TW link.
Does the manufacturer really claim that 0.6oz (18 grams) is barely noticeable?! An overgrip doesn't seem enough to mask the ridges created by this racquet mount either.
tennis_how_it_works_01.jpg

Also, since the sensor itself weighs 6 grams, could it be possible to minimize weight by putting the sensor directly inside the butt cap to avoid the 12 grams added by the mount? If not, this product seems rather impractical.

I was going to order one to test since it has a 30day MBG but the app doesn't show you where on the racket you are hitting the ball. That is important to me.
 

syke

Professional
I was told that Sony will have a product in Japan first.
I am in US so I will not be able to test/see it soon

It will be great if you can get one for reference. Anyways, "appcessories" products biggest downfall is not the hardware but the app itself.

I work in a fairly large MNC that produce tons of these "appcessories", and it always sad to see projects being put on hold or products being recalled because no one ever realises the challenges the project team has to face with regards to software.

BTW, Sony's user interface seems much cleaner and there seems to be an live update on each shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D95hGqmcWPk

Chessy Ad... lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFbgsDMcbhE
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Chris Edwards

It will be great if you can get one for reference. Anyways, "appcessories" products biggest downfall is not the hardware but the app itself.

I work in a fairly large MNC that produce tons of these "appcessories", and it always sad to see projects being put on hold or products being recalled because no one ever realises the challenges the project team has to face with regards to software.

BTW, Sony's user interface seems much cleaner and there seems to be an live update on each shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D95hGqmcWPk

Chessy Ad... lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFbgsDMcbhE
Switching gears a bit-
I put some questions for Chris Edwards in the TW Questions section.
There are three posts already,two of them answered.
You may try to check overthere from time to time.
Yonex/Sony is a dead horse for me except of the issue of a golden/silver standard.
As you probably know I do coaching
Julian W.Mielniczuk
 
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palmerop

Rookie
I think the Sony one will only work properly is paired with few Yonex frames (at launch at least). It's a bit restrictive but a much better approach than providing fewer stats.

PS I'm sorry I've just noticed that somebody else posted this information.
 

julian

Hall of Fame
Sony in Japan?

I think the Sony one will only work properly is paired with few Yonex frames (at launch at least). It's a bit restrictive but a much better approach than providing fewer stats.

PS I'm sorry I've just noticed that somebody else posted this information.
I see that you are from New York
The news is that a first release of Sony sensor will be in Japan only.
So Sony will NOT be available in US in next 6 months or maybe even longer.
Sorry bringing bad news.
Julian W.Mielniczuk
 
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