Confused! So many choices!

[Max Winther]

Ok, so I've got around 350-400 to spend on a stringing machine. This will be my first time ever stringing. I've done a lot of research and think I've got it narrowed down to 6 point mounting, fixed clamps, and dropweight tension head (for accuracy and low maintenance). I'll probably be stringing only about 5-10 racquets per month, so I don't really have a need for a crank. So, I've got it narrowed down to these few machines. If anyones got any input or something I missed, feel free to correct me. My choices are:

Mutual Power Hercules 680
Pros
Looks to be sturdy construction
Linear string gripper
$299
5 year warranty
Some people get free string?

Cons
Not much info out there about Mutual Power. Could be risky?
People have complained about the clamps being tempermental.

Alpha Pioneer DC
Pros
Reputable company
Seems to be popular on this board (advice is accessible)
Clamps seem to be high quality
14 free sets of string
5 year warranty

Cons
Rotational string gripper
$399

Eagnas Combo 710
Pros
Spring assisted clamps
Linear string gripper
Ball bearing turntable
Only $299
5 year warranty
Recent posts have suggested that Eagnas/Maxline may have started to get their act together

Cons
Eagnas is notorious for their horrible customer service
Quality is suspect
Very risky

Gamma 602FC Progression II / Gamma X-6FC
Pros
Very reputable company
High quality
Free String package with some retailers
Free Shipping with some retailers

Cons
Rotational gripper
$469 would be stretching my budget

Please let me know if I have missed a machine out there that is comparable to the machines above. Right now, the Hercules 680 looks like the best value, but that could change. Thanks to everyone in advance.

 

[YULitle]

There is a guy on here who was looking at the Hercules as well. I think his name was iRadical.... I wonder if he got it.

For the same price, Eagnas' 710 has the spring assisted clamps. Which is nice. But, again, customer service. But, I've heard a couple reports lately that the service isn't ALL bad. Not to discount the scores of horror stories people on these boards have, but maybe they've turned over a new leaf?

 

[BigGriff]

I have strung 3 sticks on my Mutual Power and did not have any clamp problems at all. I did get some demo strings to try. I put the machine together in about 25mins and was up and running. No problems so far. Customer service was great.

 

[Max Winther]

Hmm, so I guess what you're saying is for the same price, the better clamps on the Eagnas is not worth the worries of poor customer service and warranty hassles. I'll have to see a few more good reports towards Eagnas before taking the plunge.

Also, would you buy a $299 machine like the MP or the Eagnas and spend the rest on string, or would you buy a higher quality machine like an Alpha or the Gamma 602 and not have the budget for strings. I don't think the extra 150-200 dollars on the more expensive machines really makes that much of a difference in this case. I could see 150-200 dollars making more of a difference between say, the entry level stringers such as the X-2 or the Kmate and the 300 dollar machines out there. Anyone have a different philosophy?

Also, I don't know if any of the machines above accept a Wise tension head. My guess would be no, but then again, I don't have any experience. It'd be nice to know that once I get more advanced and have more customers, I could save up for a Wise and not have to change machines.

 

[YULitle]

I've always had the suspicion that the WISE head can be mounted like the Gamma electric tensioner upgrade. It just mounts to the table-top's base. But, I haven't heard a confirmation. Anyone know?

 

[YULitle]

I should have looked first. Here you go.

http://www.photostringer.com/images/Wise_061202-001a.jpg

Proof that it DID exist, at least.

 

[Max Winther]

I remember seeing that pic before and wondering what machine that was. Anyone know? Looks pretty similar to the machines I am looking at. Well, thats nice to know that I can upgrade in the future if I want. Thanks for all the help, YUlitle. You've been a tremendous help to my search, in many, many threads.

 

[iradical18]

Yes I was thinking of getting a Mutual Power Hercules and I probably still will end up purchasing one, I just haven't saved up the cash yet. Max, on the Alpha website the Pioneer is listed as 399$, and it also has a linear gripper. Were you looking at a different machine?

 

[Max Winther]

Hmm, thats weird. On the Alpha website I was looking at, The Pioneer DC was 495. Anyone know a retailer that sells the Pioneer for $399. That certainly changes the situation if it can be bought for that low. Keep us updated, iradical, if you buy the Hercules.

 

[jaykay]

Hmm, thats weird. On the Alpha website I was looking at, The Pioneer DC was 495. Anyone know a retailer that sells the Pioneer for $399. That certainly changes the situation if it can be bought for that low. Keep us updated, iradical, if you buy the Hercules.

Alpha Pioneer DC Plus = $399, see http://www.alphatennis.com/Machines.htm

Gamma X-6 FC =
http://www.gammasports.com/gamma.cfm?prodid=270 , avlbl on h o l a b i r d s p o r t s for $499, free shipping, free string, free 'getting started' tutorial by USRSA

Can anybody do a comparo between the two machines listed above?

 

[Max Winther]

^^^^^^^^ Yeah I'd be interested to see if the extra 100 or so is worth it with the Gamma. I would suspect not. The Progression 602 FC is 30 dollars cheaper and looks to have no major differences, except the base.

 

[jaykay]

^^^^^^^^ Yeah I'd be interested to see if the extra 100 or so is worth it with the Gamma. I would suspect not. The Progression 602 FC is 30 dollars cheaper and looks to have no major differences, except the base.

Progression 602FC is $469 with free shipping at a t s s p o r t s . com. So, clearly, the Pioneer DC Plus is the least expensive amongst these 3 ($399+shipping = ~$434 landed cost). Also, with the stellar reviews for the Pioneer_DC+ on this message board, I think this is a slamdunk. I am still waiting for a quick nod of approval from RedFlea... after which I shall commence the negotiations with the wife (!).

 

[BigGriff]

Progression 602FC is $469 with free shipping at a t s s p o r t s . com. So, clearly, the Pioneer DC Plus is the least expensive amongst these 3 ($399+shipping = ~$434 landed cost). Also, with the stellar reviews for the Pioneer_DC+ on this message board, I think this is a slamdunk. I am still waiting for a quick nod of approval from RedFlea... after which I shall commence the negotiations with the wife (!).

I will give you two thumbs up on the Pioneer DC. I have two machines. A Mutual Power Titan 7600 and a Alpha Revo 4k. Alpha makes rock solid machines. You will get a nice demo pack of strings etc... excellent customer service, and a great warranty.

Good luck with the wife!

 

[YULitle]

I'll second the good luck with the wife, so long as you give me good tips on whatever did(n't) work afterwards.

 

[Max Winther]

Cool man, let us know how it goes. It'd be cool to do a thread like like redflea where you go through a complete assembly and first stringing experience. It'd be good to have 2 perspectives on the DC+ so people in my situation would have an easier choice.

BigGriff, how does the customer service, quality, etc of Mutual Power compare to Alpha? I realize your newly - aquired Titan 7600 is a whole lot more machine than the Hercules I am looking at, but customer service and ease of ordering should be the same for both machines, right?

 

[BigGriff]

Cool man, let us know how it goes. It'd be cool to do a thread like like redflea where you go through a complete assembly and first stringing experience. It'd be good to have 2 perspectives on the DC+ so people in my situation would have an easier choice.

BigGriff, how does the customer service, quality, etc of Mutual Power compare to Alpha? I realize your newly - aquired Titan 7600 is a whole lot more machine than the Hercules I am looking at, but customer service and ease of ordering should be the same for both machines, right?

Both manufacturers provided great service. I really appreciated the phone support from both. Questions were answered promptly and to my satisfaction.

 

[Max Winther]

Cool, that's good to know.

 

[Mr. Blond]

i have the progression ESII, and while it is a bit more machine than you mentioned...the base and clamps and all are the same. So on that I can comment about how nice they are. If I had to do it all again, I would go with the alpha though.....they just seem to be more intuitively designed.

 

[dart_guy]

Pioneer DC+

Ordered this machine off the New Tech website after thoroughly researching as much info I could on machines in this price range. As stated above, 399$ + shipping for a total of 438$. Took 4 days from order (which was a Sunday night) to receive. Took all of <1/2 hour to set up (took longer to modify the old table I had to put it on!).

My two boys and I strung our first racquet last night. Took a few attempts to figure out the correct use of the gripper/tension bar. Mashed the string a couple times by not getting the string into the gripper properly. Made some mods to what we were doing and then finished the racquet easily. We all got better as we went. Just takes practice (two of us had never strung before and the other son had only done one racquet on an Ektelon machine).

I am impressed with the overall weight and sturdiness of the all the components. The fixed clamps are very easy to use and the swivel design is nice. I observed my brother string on his ektelon and having to remove the clamps for the crosses didn't seem as intuitive as these swivel designs. I imagine it is whatever you get used to. Racquet mounting is very positive and strong.

I think the most important thing here is that, after only one racquet, I cannot believe I did not learn to string MANY years ago. If you take the time to figure out how to do this (and watching YULitle's videos will get you a LONG way up the learning curve!!!!!!!) I think you will also say, "Geez, that was EASY!" Drop the money and get yourself a machine before you go paying anyone else to do this chore. There is no question that you will recoup your investment in a very short time!

PS My "wife arguments": With two boys playing now (one HS the other in middle school) I expect I will be stringing at least one racquet per week from now till the end of May. Do the math to see how much that would cost at the local pro shop! Not to mention that I can have their racquet back to them by next practice/match. With the HS'er playing three matches per week, that becomes very important! Once my confidence comes up I will offer my "services" for others on the teams who need a racquet back in a hurry.

 

[BigGriff]

HaHa... I used the same arguments with my wife. The dollars and cents strategy will always work! I told my wife with the money I am saving/making with my machines she could buy more shoes. There was a slight pause... and the argument ended LMAO

Way to go dartguy

 

[YULitle]

HaHa... I used the same arguments with my wife. The dollars and cents strategy will always work! I told my wife with the money I am saving/making with my machines she could buy more shoes. There was a slight pause... and the argument ended LMAO

Way to go dartguy

That is absolutely going to work on my wife too. I can't believe I didn't think of it. Can't wait till it's my turn. Shoes. Genius.

 

[YULitle]

Ordered this machine off the N...

What a great review. I think this covers mostly all one needs to know.

I'm glad you decided to practice before moving on the offering services to others. I think you'll appreciate it every day you wait. It's funny the things you learn by messing up racquets. I messed up my wife's racquet so bad when I started stringing (way back when she was just my occasional date.) It's a good thing she didn't really care/notice.

 

[Max Winther]

yeah, great review dartguy. Your "first timer" perspective makes it more realistic to me, a fellow first timer. Great bargaining tactic, too.

 

[Max Winther]

What a great review. I think this covers mostly all one needs to know.

I'm glad you decided to practice before moving on the offering services to others. I think you'll appreciate it every day you wait. It's funny the things you learn by messing up racquets. I messed up my wife's racquet so bad when I started stringing (way back when she was just my occasional date.) It's a good thing she didn't really care/notice.

haha what exactly did you do? I couldn't imagine you EVER making a mistake at stringing.

 

[YULitle]

haha what exactly did you do? I couldn't imagine you EVER making a mistake at stringing.

Hahaha. I had never strung before, and only saw someone do it once. But there I was, supposed to be the stringer. So, I grabbed my wife's wal-mart racquet and strung it up. I used, what I would later find out is, a starting knot on the left side of the mains and installed the mains from one side to the other instead of from the center. And then I forgot to do an entire cross. :shock::shock:

But that was a long time ago.

 

[Max Winther]

hahaha wow, I bet it didn't really look like a racquet afterwards. Those walmart racquets probably can't handle THAT amount of stress. I bet my first job is gonna take like 2 hours, just to figure out everything. I mean, I've seen enough videos and read enough tutorials to know how to do a good job in my head, but I've never actually clamped a string.

Maybe I should ask my stringer If I can watch him do an entire string job. Except my clubs got a babolat sensor, so it'd be a lot easier and faster. Maybe I should ask if I can do my own? He's a friendly guy, and I've taken lessons from him since I was like 10, so it could happen.

 

[dart_guy]

It's funny the things you learn by messing up racquets.

Yea, didn't take long for that! My 14 yo son started the stringing and I was on the phone so not paying close attention. We were doing a one piece string and I saw he was measuring out the string for the short side. Off he went stringing the mains and it looked like he was doing fine (I'm still on the phone at this point...). So I get off the phone and look CLOSELY at what he is doing - now on the LAST main on the short side (yes, same place on the long side, too!) and I look at how much string he has sticking out of the racquet! Must have been three FEET! YIKES! I did not think there was enough string left on the long side to finish the racquet but since this was just practice my other son and I kept going with the crosses. Wouldn't you know there was JUST enough string to get into the gripper for the last cross and then tie the knot! Whew!!

So, yup! We are learning BIG lessons as we go!!!

BTW, the racquet we strung up for our first attempt was an OLD junior racquet that we didn't "care" about anymore.