Alpha Apex and Prince Neos Owners:

[Mike Cottrill]

Alpha Apex and Prince Neos Owners:

Have you strung racquets on both these machines? If so, how would you compare them?
Ease of use?
Quality (clamps, frame, etc)?
Other tangibles?

Thanks

 

[rich s]

I haven't strung on either of them,

but my question would be: why would you want a machine that is a 2 point mount and glide bar clamps when you can have a 6 point mounting with fully swivling clamps for the same price.

To me the Apex is the hands down winner based on features and Alpha reputation.

my $.02
rich

 

[fedex27]

i have a neos with a wise tension head and i love it. i like the two point it doesnt warp at all as long as you mount it correctectly. also i prefer the glide bars except for the fact that you have to change them from mains to crosses.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

rich s
They are both excellent machines and have their strong points. I’m sure they have their weakness too. Would you say that if the Neos was $400 less?

gstring21,
Thanks for you input. Yes, moving the bars is weakness. The machine I just looked at, one of the glide bars stuck some on the box frame. I assume the mounting brackets need adjusting time to time.

 

[10s99]

i've no experience w/ the apex - i've only strung on a neos. the neos is extremely fast and has never hurt a racket i've strung.

 

[zeniththepinnacle]

I have strung on the neos and I love the glide bar clamps. They are easy to move and they are single action clamps and also there is no drawback.
Mounting mechanism is a slight weakness? but on the other hand it works and dose not obstruct any grommetts.

I have no experience with the alpa apex.

Mr Hillix should be able to shed some light on the comparison.

 

[rich s]

Mike-
If the Neos was $400 less expensive I would recommend the Alpha Axis/Axis Pro or the Gamma 5003.

The features of the Neos are lacking in my opinion compared to other machines of similar price. While the Neos may be a fine machine that delivers consistantly, I think 2 pt mounting and glide bars are a thing of yesterday.

my other $.02
rich

 

[Gaines Hillix]

I've never strung on a Neos, but I do string quite a few frames with fan shaped string patterns, which can only be strung with flying clamps on a Neos. I also like the 6-point, full suspension frame mount on the Apex. It is very quick to mount the frame on(just as fast as the Neos from what I've heard) and it supports the frame better while providing easy access to the frame and string holes. The Wise tension head fits on the Apex or Neos, no advantage there. All else being equal and I didn't have a machine I'd buy the Apex. If I was on a budget I'd prefer the new Revo 4000(even though it's a table top) or Gamma 5003.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Thanks Gaines,
The only reason I was considering the Neos in the first place was I walked into a local sports store to compare the Neos machine quality to the few Alpha machines I have seen. When I walked in the manager said they were getting out of the tennis business and wanted to know if I wanted to by their 18 month old machine that has less than 500 racquets strung on it for $800. I have not used the Neos either, but I hear many say it is one of the easiest crank type machines to use. It does not look like there are many folks out there that have strung on both machines.

What do you like better about the sensor clamps from the apex? Around here there are not many places that have Sensors to look at. Anyway, I can’t justify the cost for that machine. Just curious to what you find better about the sensors clamps.

Thanks for you knowledge
Mike

 

[bejo900]

Mike,
I have an Ektelon Model H for sale for $500 plus shipping. I have the newer NEOS clamps. I have never had any problems with the two point mounting. If you don't string fan patterns you don't need swivel clamps. And if you are, my machine comes with a floating clamp. Email me at bman@gbis.com if interested.
bejo900

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Thanks Gaines,
The only reason I was considering the Neos in the first place was I walked into a local sports store to compare the Neos machine quality to the few Alpha machines I have seen. When I walked in the manager said they were getting out of the tennis business and wanted to know if I wanted to by their 18 month old machine that has less than 500 racquets strung on it for $800. I have not used the Neos either, but I hear many say it is one of the easiest crank type machines to use. It does not look like there are many folks out there that have strung on both machines.

What do you like better about the sensor clamps from the apex? Around here there are not many places that have Sensors to look at. Anyway, I can’t justify the cost for that machine. Just curious to what you find better about the sensors clamps.

Thanks for you knowledge
Mike

Mike, the sensor clamps are the most rigid of any clamping system. They have magnetic bases. Basically, once the clamp is locked, it will not move at all. Most other clamping systems have a little movement in them.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Thanks Gaines,
Do the clamp systems with the Axis Pro and the Apex move the same? I suppose as long as the movement is the same from frame strung 1 – 100000, you would get consistent results.
Mike

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Thanks Gaines,
Do the clamp systems with the Axis Pro and the Apex move the same? I suppose as long as the movement is the same from frame strung 1 – 100000, you would get consistent results.
Mike

They are the same clamps. They have very little movement and what they do have can be taken out by locking the clamp head on the string first and then pushing the base into the direction of the pull while locking the base.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Thanks Gaines,
The Apex mount looks very close to the Sensor. Is the machine movement as smooth as the Sensor? PS, Mark has been very helpful.
Mike

 

[Gaines Hillix]

The basic design of the frame mount on the APEX is very similar to the Bab Star 3/4/Sensor. The machining and clearances on the Bab machines is probably better, but the finish and quality of the pieces on the Apex is very good too, especially considering the difference in cost.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Gaines,
How is manual that comes with the machine? Is it as detailed as the ones Gamma has on line?
Thanks

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Gaines,
How is manual that comes with the machine? Is it as detailed as the ones Gamma has on line?
Thanks

I would rate the manual a 6 on a scale of 1-10. Adequate, but could be better. Not familiar with the Gamma manuals.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Gaines,
When you strung on your drop weight, let’s say 65 LBS. When you went to your lock out Axis Pro, did you have to make any adjustment on tension setting to get the same string bed tension you got with the drop weight?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Gaines,
When you strung on your drop weight, let’s say 65 LBS. When you went to your lock out Axis Pro, did you have to make any adjustment on tension setting to get the same string bed tension you got with the drop weight?

Thanks
Mike

Mike, I made an adjustment of a 2-3 lbs. higher(5%) based on feedback from the best player I string for who is about a 5.0 player.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Gaines,
Did you compare with a Stringmeter?

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Gaines,
Did you compare with a Stringmeter?

Mike, no, I never had a chance to do a side by side comparison. It would be interesting to see the results of stringing the same racquet/stgring combination on a crank and an electronic CP machine to see it the difference would be detectable with a stringmeter.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Usually I playing tennis right now, but it is raining here… Depending on how I string (leaving the weight on the string while I weave two ahead or not, I can see about 3 lbs loss from set tension and stringmeter reading. If I clamp faster I can see 4-5 lbs. Readings taken with prince synthetic 16,17,18. A friend pulls on main strings inside the frame while having the tension arm around 45 degrees from horizontal on the last main. He can see around 1 lb difference. The arm drops back around horizontal. I suppose from the readings there is about 3-5 lbs loss do to friction and string stretch. Not much string stretch once he is done with his method.

 

[rmiller774]

New Prince Neos - having trouble

I am a total novice with the Prince Neos stringing machine. I believe I understand everything about it except the precise mounting of the frame on the machine. I follow the instructions which came with it but even so, the racquet seems "loose" and can be wiggled slightly after I complete the prescribed mounting instructions. I just can't get the frame "tight" to the machine as I could with my old Prince 200 with the crank extender. Can someone walk me through the mounting process perhaps in more detail than was supplied with the machine. I am missing something. Thank you. R. Miller

 

[fedex27]

Mike, no, I never had a chance to do a side by side comparison. It would be interesting to see the results of stringing the same racquet/stgring combination on a crank and an electronic CP machine to see it the difference would be detectable with a stringmeter.

next time you string on your wise turn the constant pull off for a string and look at the tension loss, it is unbelievable

 

[fedex27]

I am a total novice with the Prince Neos stringing machine. I believe I understand everything about it except the precise mounting of the frame on the machine. I follow the instructions which came with it but even so, the racquet seems "loose" and can be wiggled slightly after I complete the prescribed mounting instructions. I just can't get the frame "tight" to the machine as I could with my old Prince 200 with the crank extender. Can someone walk me through the mounting process perhaps in more detail than was supplied with the machine. I am missing something. Thank you. R. Miller

when i mount on mine i use the small mount at the tip. i pull it into the interior mounts and clamp it down there. next i adjust the length for the throat to fit. i use the interiot mount there (that little black peice your supposed to put on) and lock out the the adijustor. then clamp it down. if you lost the black thing just pull the adjuster farther so it goes agasint the bar of the mount. when you wiggle the frame to make sure you did it right hole the turntable still, it make a noise when you wiggle the frame, that might be what your hearing

 

[Gaines Hillix]

I am a total novice with the Prince Neos stringing machine. I believe I understand everything about it except the precise mounting of the frame on the machine. I follow the instructions which came with it but even so, the racquet seems "loose" and can be wiggled slightly after I complete the prescribed mounting instructions. I just can't get the frame "tight" to the machine as I could with my old Prince 200 with the crank extender. Can someone walk me through the mounting process perhaps in more detail than was supplied with the machine. I am missing something. Thank you. R. Miller

R. Miller, you might want to repost this under a new thread. There are a lot of Neos owners on this board and I am sure someone will step in and try to help if they see your query.

 

[rmiller774]

Neos Mounting problem

Thank you gstring21. I will try that. Appreciate it.

Gaines Hillix: I see your point and will repost to gain more guidance but I hope gstring has already solved my problem. Thank you both. R. Miller

 

[Mike Cottrill]

next time you string on your wise turn the constant pull off for a string and look at the tension loss, it is unbelievable

gstring21,

Any data for the difference from a stringmeter? ~5 lbs??
Thanks

 

[Mike Cottrill]

I wanted to let you know the results on my own racquet tension from a drop weight to the lockout on the Apex. Well, the string meter only goes up 70lbs. I set the tension at 72lbs. The string meter got to 70 and still had a little to go. So for all you out there that say you see 5% or even 10% difference, I did not see it here. This was prince synthetic Duro 17g. And yes, I checked the calibration of the machine. Same string meter that notices ~5lbs drop from a drop weight at this same tension. I was pleasantly surprised. Any ideas here? Granted this is only one result and I need a few more stringing jobs from the same frame type to get a good dataset.

 

[fedex27]

I wanted to let you know the results on my own racquet tension from a drop weight to the lockout on the Apex. Well, the string meter only goes up 70lbs. I set the tension at 72lbs. The string meter got to 70 and still had a little to go. So for all you out there that say you see 5% or even 10% difference, I did not see it here. This was prince synthetic Duro 17g. And yes, I checked the calibration of the machine. Same string meter that notices ~5lbs drop from a drop weight at this same tension. I was pleasantly surprised. Any ideas here? Granted this is only one result and I need a few more stringing jobs from the same frame type to get a good dataset.

i say buy the wise