Alpha Apex Speed vs Prince Neos 1500

AML225

New User
I have been saving up for an Alpha Apex Speed ($1300) for a little while. However recently the opportunity to pickup a gently used Neos 1500 for $1300 presented itself.

I know the Neos is a legendary machine, but I’m inclined to stick with the Alpha, as I’m concerned about future availability of parts and service for the Prince. Is this the right way to go? Is the build quality on the 1500 far superior?
 

jim e

Legend
Parts and service is a big part of a purchase. Parts now being questionable, in a few years will just be worse. If you cannot get parts or support, what would you do with an inoperable machine?
 

snoflewis

Legend
personally, i would pick the neos regardless of the parts situation. i've owned a neos 1500 and a revo 4000 which i believe shares some parts with the Apex Speed including the tensioner, and the quality between my two machines wasn't even close. i can only comment on the parts that are shared, but the tensioner on the alpha just feels cheap compared to the prince. the turntable rotation and brake design leaves a lot to be desired too, not to mention rubbing if it's bent out of the box as mine was. simplest way i can describe it is that the prince actually feels and functions like a professional workhorse machine whereas my alpha didn't. hoping the apex speed is not the same build quality, but i do see some shared parts which would cause me to reconsider.

the parts availability is definitely a concern, but i would take that gamble every time.
 

AML225

New User
personally, i would pick the neos regardless of the parts situation. i've owned a neos 1500 and a revo 4000 which i believe shares some parts with the Apex Speed including the tensioner, and the quality between my two machines wasn't even close. i can only comment on the parts that are shared, but the tensioner on the alpha just feels cheap compared to the prince. the turntable rotation and brake design leaves a lot to be desired too, not to mention rubbing if it's bent out of the box as mine was. simplest way i can describe it is that the prince actually feels and functions like a professional workhorse machine whereas my alpha didn't. hoping the apex speed is not the same build quality, but i do see some shared parts which would cause me to reconsider.

the parts availability is definitely a concern, but i would take that gamble every time.

I believe the Revo shares more components (clamps, uprights, turntable, etc.) with the Axis Pro, though I’m guessing the tensioner is the same as the Apex.

My heart wants the Neos, but my head says the Alpha because of the parts/service issue. On the other hand, if the Neos is in good condition there’s very little that could break or that would need service.
 

Mjolnir

New User
Where were you planning on getting the Apex Speed? If new, New Tech looks like they dropped it a while ago from their site.
 

AML225

New User
Where were you planning on getting the Apex Speed? If new, New Tech looks like they dropped it a while ago from their site.

Not dropped, just have been out of stock for a while and temporarily removed from the site. According to Greg at Alpha they’ll be back in-stock later this year.
 

Wes

Hall of Fame
Where were you planning on getting the Apex Speed? If new, New Tech looks like they dropped it a while ago from their site.

When something is out of stock, many retailers simply (temporarily) remove the item from their web page (rather than having a litany of items displaying "out of stock").
So, that might be why the Apex Speed isn't currently showing on their site.
 

Mjolnir

New User
Not dropped, just have been out of stock for a while and temporarily removed from the site. According to Greg at Alpha they’ll be back in-stock later this year.
Ah, good news. I had an Axis Pro very briefly and the Apex Speed looks better in every way. If they hold the line at 1300, that’ll be very competitive. Pre-covid I think they were around 1100.


When something is out of stock, many retailers simply (temporarily) remove the item from their web page (rather than having a litany of items displaying "out of stock").
So, that might be why the Apex Speed isn't currently showing on their site.
It was gone so long (over a year) I feared the bratwurst. Sorry, Oktoberfest coming up.

Any thoughts on Apex Speed vs Neos?
 

AML225

New User
Well I ended up making my decision:




Picked it up this morning. I have already strung three racquets on it. Really great machine. Really, really like the mounting system. It’s a shame these aren’t made anymore.
 
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