Alpha Revo 4000 vs Gamma Progression ST II – Any appreciable difference?

[Federvich]

Alpha Revo 4000 vs Gamma Progression ST II – Any appreciable difference?



I’m in the market for a crank straining machine. I’ve tried a drop weight a few times now that a friend loaned to me. I think because of time constraints in my life, I will spend the extra amount for a crank machine. I’ve narrowed it down between the Alpha Revo 4000 vs Gamma Progression ST II. Based on what I’ve read on reviews and product descriptions, they seem very similar.



Does anyone have an opinion as to which one I should buy? The Alphs is a little less expensive, so I’m leaning that way right now.



Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

 

[eelhc]

Revo 4000 has better base clamps and a turntable brake. The Gamma has a string guide on the tensioner. Both are good machines with excellent CS. If it were me... I would choose the Alpha for the better base clamps.

 

[gamerluke]

Revo 4000 has better base clamps and a turntable brake. The Gamma has a string guide on the tensioner. Both are good machines with excellent CS. If it were me... I would choose the Alpha for the better base clamps.

Revo 4000 has the better base clamps and sturdier table, but the Gamma has the better (gear-based) brake and the v-mounts which are better than the k-mounts (see http://i.imgur.com/WIMq9oL.jpg). Plus the X-ST (same as the Progression with a different base) looks a hell of a lot better than the Revo, imo. Can't go wrong with either.

For the record, though, I went with the X-ST. Having the better brake and a machine that looked more modern were both important to me.

Edit: actually, the Alpha doesn't appear to have any brake. So that's a big win for the Gamma.

 

[GlennK]

I just went through this decision process two months ago and also went with the Gamma X-ST. It is my first machine so I can't compare it to anything, but I do like it very much. Seems very solid and easy to use.

 

[Irvin]

I've never owned either but they both appear to be similar. The biggest difference I see is the side mount supports. The Gamma has C side supports while the Gamma has K type. The Alpha has no brake where the Gamma has a gear driven brake. The Gamma has a string roller guide to ensure more consistent and accurate tension on all strings.

 

[Federvich]

Thanks for all the comments and advice.

So there have been comments on the different types of brakes. I've been using a drop weight with no brake, seems like a brake is unnecessary. Why do you need one?

 

[esgee48]

While you could get around it, doing Prince frames with their 'stupid' O ports.

 

[Irvin]

Thanks for all the comments and advice.

So there have been comments on the different types of brakes. I've been using a drop weight with no brake, seems like a brake is unnecessary. Why do you need one?

You don't.

 

[Federvich]

You don't.

So you only would use the brake if you wanted to pull the string parallel with the hole (straight through) - right? I'm a newbe to stringing but have not seen that in the videos I've watched.

 

[gamerluke]

You could string O-Ports by essentially using your hip to hold the turntable in place, or use a separate tool that Prince provides (or used to?).

While a brake is not a necessity in most cases, I'd still prefer to have it for when I might use it rather than the other way around. I'd go for the Gamma if I had to choose again today, as I feel like the Revo could use some updates for this decade

Alternatively, you can't go wrong with a used Neos 1000 or Gamma 6003, both of which are wonderful machines as well (although they are on stands as opposed to tabletop).

 

[Irvin]

So you only would use the brake if you wanted to pull the string parallel with the hole (straight through) - right? I'm a newbe to stringing but have not seen that in the videos I've watched.

Parallel? Nothing about the use of a brake is parallel. The normal direction of the string is a straight line from the gripper to the pivot point on the turntable. The string goes through the grommet which normall deflects the string off that line. When using the brake to string O Port racket the turntable is locked so that the entire length of the string is straight until it gets to the gripper then it is tensioned at an angle to that line.

 

[skydog]

I ran into the same issue when buying my machine, and ended up with the Gama X ST. Table brake, Diablo, and C supports made the difference in my opinion. Same machine as the 5003 but in table top mode. You can add a stand for the unit and still come in under the price of the 5003 so I figured I would go table top for now knowing the stand is still an option down the road.

Funny story, while I was researching machines I bought a Gamma starter clamp so that I would have one when the stringer arrived. Machine arrived a week or so later and I finally got it assembled and ready to go on my days off this week. Yesterday, I went to string my first racquet and could not find the starting clamp, searched everywhere I thought I had placed it but could not find it. Strung the racquet anyway. This morning I ordered a another starting clamp online after another search with no avail. Strung racquet number 2 without the starting clamp. As I Was finishing up racquet number 2, my cat came to visit to tell me his bowl was empty. Finished up the racquet, and went to feed the cat. First thing I see in the cat room? My Gama starting clamp sitting on the bed. Must have left it there when I fed the cats the other day and was bringing the starting clamp upstairs where my string machine was to be placed.

Well, someone had suggested getting multiple starting clamps in one of these threads, I guess I am there now.

 

[tacotanium]

Does anyone know the weight of Revo 4000? I read on some review and they are saying the package weight is 75 lb!! Holy cow!! So that means the machine itself is aprox. 50 lb or more?

 

[Irvin]

Does anyone know the weight of Revo 4000? I read on some review and they are saying the package weight is 75 lb!! Holy cow!! So that means the machine itself is aprox. 50 lb or more?

Call New Tech tennis.

 

[therecanbeonlyone]

Yes. The Revo4000 is heavy. I think my shipment was ~77 lbs. That included the tools and strings that came with it. I have not weighed the Revo4000 separately, but I'd guess it is easily over 50 lbs. It certainly won't get knocked off of whatever table you put it on.

 

[Demented]

I have a Gamma Progression ST-2 and I find it to be just as fast as my buddies Neos 7000 when it comes to pulling the actual string but the base clamps are where the biggest difference is. The cam-roller assisted 1 touch base clamps with drop release are just massive time savers(and wrist/finger savers). Buying them aftermarket or from Prince/Gamma is like 180 each....

 

[am1899]

Funny story, while I was researching machines I bought a Gamma starter clamp so that I would have one when the stringer arrived. Machine arrived a week or so later and I finally got it assembled and ready to go on my days off this week. Yesterday, I went to string my first racquet and could not find the starting clamp, searched everywhere I thought I had placed it but could not find it. Strung the racquet anyway. This morning I ordered a another starting clamp online after another search with no avail. Strung racquet number 2 without the starting clamp. As I Was finishing up racquet number 2, my cat came to visit to tell me his bowl was empty. Finished up the racquet, and went to feed the cat. First thing I see in the cat room? My Gama starting clamp sitting on the bed. Must have left it there when I fed the cats the other day and was bringing the starting clamp upstairs where my string machine was to be placed.

Well, someone had suggested getting multiple starting clamps in one of these threads, I guess I am there now.

Nothin wrong with an extra starting clamp (or 2, or 3, or....), I reckon...

 

[MCstringer85]

Alpha has one of the best CS I ever dealt with and I remember the the Revo was used and bought from CL. The rep sent us free parts and shipping. Could not ask more from a team. That being said I never dealt with Gamma

 

[skydog]

Nothin wrong with an extra starting clamp (or 2, or 3, or....), I reckon...

Not at all, it's nice to have the second one for knot tying when the first one is clamped on the starting cross.