For those with a Wise Tensioner

[Centryx]

Have you had it for more than 2 years?
Does it ever break down? if so when (3 months 6 months 1 year etc)?

how much easier does it make your life as a stringer?


thanks in advance
I am thinking about purchasing one for my revo wonder if its all that and more? and to get the pedal or not?

 

[Lakers4Life]

13 months before breaking down after about 450+ string jobs.

You don't want to go back to a crank after using it.

No need for foot switch if the Trigger is on th gripper.

 

[mad dog1]

some have owned & used them for 4 to 5 trouble free years while others have had problems with them within the first 2 years. it's electronic so unfortunately it will break down, but there's no hard & fast rule as to when the load cell or any other part may go out. it's great as long as it's working.

just know this about herb. even if your wise is under warranty, if it's going to cost him to fix it, he will charge you. he will require proof of purchase to validate the warranty. and even if you're able to provide that, he'll come up with some lame excuse to void the warranty. i'm speaking from experiences that i had as well as a friend of mine.

 

[Lakers4Life]

Once the warranty expires, it's $75 for service, minimum.

 

[BLXTeam9996]

Are the wise tension heads worth the $495? I have a prince neos and was considering getting a wise tension head, but wasnt sure it was really worth the money...

 

[Lakers4Life]

If you string quite a few rackets a week it's worth it. Also if you are looking for CP accuracy, it's the best of the few that are out there.

 

[BLXTeam9996]

well at the moment, im only string for friends and family, but soon will be stringing for some people at the local high school team. Would it sill be worth it?

 

[Lakers4Life]

I made my investment back in less than two months, averaging about 5-10 rackets a week.

 

[wally]

Are the wise tension heads worth the $495? I have a prince neos and was considering getting a wise tension head, but wasnt sure it was really worth the money...

I picked up one on the big aution site - about 3 - 4 years ago 2 years ago I sent it in for a bit of maintainence & TLC - Herb installed his new "whisper drive" and re-calibrated the WISE. It cost me $75 and was well worth it.

If you string more than a few racquets per day or you have evenings where you're looking at a stack of racquets you'll never regret the purchase.

I have mine mounted on a Neos 1000 and have what I think is the best setup next to spending the $ on a Bab Star 5 or Sensor.

 

[theace21]

I have had mine since the spring of 05. First problem I had was this fall when the tension head "kicked up" and got off track. Sent it back to Herb and he fixed it, tuned it up and it has run flawless since. Going back to the crank was a terrible 2 weeks...

If I would buy again - great little device!

 

[mad dog1]

^^ just curious...how much did it cost to get fixed?

 

[rich s]

well at the moment, im only string for friends and family, but soon will be stringing for some people at the local high school team. Would it sill be worth it?

divide the cost of the machine by how much you plan to charge for labor for stringing.... that is how many string jobs you will need to break even.

divide that number by how many racquets you plan to string a week.... that is how many weeks it will take you to recoupe your outlay.

if you are ok with both of those numbers.... then it is worth it to you.....

 

[Rabbit]

Well, I'll have to differ with mad dog on this one. I bought my Wise from TW back in April 2010. I have had to send it back 3 times for the flashing '3'. Herb has been nothing but great with me. It was very frustrating, but he thinks we've got the problem fixed. If you purchase one, make sure you save proof of purchase. If I were fixing them, I'd require it too; just common sense.

As far as value, the Wise tension head will spoil you if you're using anything else (other than another electronic). It really takes the wear and tear off of you and I find that I can string a lot more without getting worn down. The tension difference takes a little getting used to, but in the end you get a much better final product.

Mine is mounted on a Neos 1000. I would never go back to anything else other than an electronic.

 

[theace21]

^^ just curious...how much did it cost to get fixed?

$100, plus I paid shipping to Herb - add another 10.

 

[Lakers4Life]

One thing I noticed about Wise 2086 Pro tension heads, there is no serial numbers on the units. There is no way Herb knows who owned what. He probably has them dropshipped directly to his re-sellers from the Chinese factory they are made in.

 

[rich s]

One thing I noticed about Wise 2086 Pro tension heads, there is no serial numbers on the units. There is no way Herb knows who owned what. He probably has them dropshipped directly to his re-sellers from the Chinese factory they are made in.

I would venture a guess that there is one on the inside...

who are his other re-seller besides TW?... ... A buddy of mine ordered one from TW a few months ago and his was sent from Wise/Herb.

 

[Lakers4Life]

I've looked inside and there are no serial numbers, unless it's in the firmware. Also the boxes don't have any numbers at all.

Watdon in the UK, to name one and many other dealers in Europe and around the world. TW and a couple other online Tennis stores re-sell Wise tensionheads.

My unit was sent from TW when I ordered it a little over a year ago.

 

[rich s]

I've looked inside and there are no serial numbers, unless it's in the firmware. Also the boxes don't have any numbers at all.

Watdon in the UK, to name one and many other dealers in Europe and around the world. TW and a couple other online Tennis stores re-sell Wise tensionheads.

My unit was sent from TW when I ordered it a little over a year ago.

interesting.... you'd think they'd be numbered....

 

[Centryx]

one more question, if you've ordered a Wise is it the same price + shipping ordering from Herbs website directly compared to TW??

 

[tes]

one more question, if you've ordered a Wise is it the same price + shipping ordering from Herbs website directly compared to TW??

TW occaionaly offers deals. TW offered 20% off gift certificates recently.
Utilizing them I picked up a wise 2086 for $396 + 11.00 shipping.
ie. $500 credit for $400.
I thought this was a wise move.

 

[Lakers4Life]

I would order from TW than Herb, that way if anything goes wrong, you have TW on your side, rather than deal with Herb.

 

[kinsella]

My Wise Tension head has had a few issues since I bought it in 2005. Herb worked with me and sent me replacement parts at no charge. He does not have the charm of Johnny Carson or George Clooney, but who does? He was sincerely interested in getting me back on line. I had no issues with "proof of purchase" because my issues were long after the 2 year warranty period.

Keep in mind: a "name" brand electronic stringer is MUCH more expensive (up to $12,000). If my current unit one dies, I will just get another and be WAY ahead of buying a Babolat or Technifibre.

 

[Rabbit]

My Wise Tension head has had a few issues since I bought it in 2005. Herb worked with me and sent me replacement parts at no charge. He does not have the charm of Johnny Carson or George Clooney, but who does? He was sincerely interested in getting me back on line. I had no issues with "proof of purchase" because my issues were long after the 2 year warranty period.

Keep in mind: a "name" brand electronic stringer is MUCH more expensive (up to $12,000). If my current unit one dies, I will just get another and be WAY ahead of buying a Babolat or Technifibre.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Great post. I have to add that in my dealings with Herb, he has been very considerate and personable on the phone. AND, he has never failed to call me to follow up once the unit was returned to me. I don't know how much better customer service one could ask for.

 

[dgdawg]

My Wise Tension head has had a few issues since I bought it in 2005. Herb worked with me and sent me replacement parts at no charge. He does not have the charm of Johnny Carson or George Clooney, but who does? He was sincerely interested in getting me back on line. I had no issues with "proof of purchase" because my issues were long after the 2 year warranty period.

Keep in mind: a "name" brand electronic stringer is MUCH more expensive (up to $12,000). If my current unit one dies, I will just get another and be WAY ahead of buying a Babolat or Technifibre.

Really......My 1st 2086 kept cutting polies. I discovered one of the gripper jaws wasn't machined true, or totally flat. I called herb. He told me that was impossible and the jaw somehow must have gotten bent.

This is where it gets good....he told me to carefully remove the "bent" jaw, lay it on a flat, solid table, and tap it with a hammer. I thought he was kidding and I laughed. I think that p*ssed him off because the conversation did a total 180.
When I realized he wasn't kidding, I told him I wasn't comfortable beating the jaw with a hammer. He them told me I could send the unit back to him for inspection. If the "unit" was found to be defective, he would make the necessary repairs, and send it back. He then added that warranty repairs were 6 to 8 weeks out "after receipt".
At that point I asked him if he would just send me a new pair of jaws so I could replace them myself. His comment was "we don't allow our customers to make warranty repairs".
OK....dude was fine with me removing the jaws and beating one w/a hammer, but he wasn't cool with me replacing them.
I shipped it back. I call him 6 wks later....to the day. He says that he'd received the unit and should be able to have a tech look at it in a few days.
Another week goes by and I call him again. He says "yes, we looked at it and found one jaw to be defective"....Oh really, Ya don't say!!!!!
He said he would have the necessary repair made and "should" be able to send it back in a couple weeks.
I said, in a very animated way, I don't want your machine, send me a refund. He wouldn't credit my credit card, he sent me a check.

 

[mad dog1]

^^ he's cool with you hammering on the bent jaw cuz it doesn't cost him anything. had you done this first and then sent it back in, he probably would have voided your warranty cuz you've "tampered" with the unit. then he would have grounds to charge you to fix it!

 

[dgdawg]

^^ he's cool with you hammering on the bent jaw cuz it doesn't cost him anything. had you done this first and then sent it back in, he probably would voided your warranty cuz you've "tampered" with the unit.

Ha ha....exactly.
The 2086 is an awesome add on. Too bad herb is such a nimrod...

 

[Maui19]

Really......My 1st 2086 kept cutting polies. I discovered one of the gripper jaws wasn't machined true, or totally flat. I called herb. He told me that was impossible and the jaw somehow must have gotten bent.

This is where it gets good....he told me to carefully remove the "bent" jaw, lay it on a flat, solid table, and tap it with a hammer. I thought he was kidding and I laughed. I think that p*ssed him off because the conversation did a total 180.
When I realized he wasn't kidding, I told him I wasn't comfortable beating the jaw with a hammer. He them told me I could send the unit back to him for inspection. If the "unit" was found to be defective, he would make the necessary repairs, and send it back. He then added that warranty repairs were 6 to 8 weeks out "after receipt".
At that point I asked him if he would just send me a new pair of jaws so I could replace them myself. His comment was "we don't allow our customers to make warranty repairs".
OK....dude was fine with me removing the jaws and beating one w/a hammer, but he wasn't cool with me replacing them.
I shipped it back. I call him 6 wks later....to the day. He says that he'd received the unit and should be able to have a tech look at it in a few days.
Another week goes by and I call him again. He says "yes, we looked at it and found one jaw to be defective"....Oh really, Ya don't say!!!!!
He said he would have the necessary repair made and "should" be able to send it back in a couple weeks.
I said, in a very animated way, I don't want your machine, send me a refund. He wouldn't credit my credit card, he sent me a check.

Wow that is pretty bad. I would not be interested in doing business with someone like that.

 

[Lakers4Life]

I had to call, to find out if he got my unit. Then had to call again to find out if they shipped my unit back. Not even one email, or tracking info. Geez what customer service.

I will admit he was nice on the phone, like a tiger's grin.

Herb's RMA form has his home address, but his tech shop is near Burbank. You'd think he be smart enough to change the address on the form. What a tool.

 

[Clintspin]

I think Herb may have a little bit of soup **** in him.

I bought a second hand 2086. I still paid plenty for it. The guy I bought it from had just gotten the machine back from Herb. I think it sent it in for warranty repairs only just before I purchased it from him. His return receipt from Herb was in the box. I did about 50 racquets before the machine gave me the code 3. I called and emailed Herb and he said it had to be sent back. I shipped it to him and after several weeks, Herb emailed that it was not covered by warranty and I owed $ 32.50. I paid the charge and received the machine a week later. I reinstalled it, turned it on and it lit up with the code 3. I called Herb and he said that sometimes happens and send it back. I have now been without the 2086 for 6 weeks and paid $ 25.22 to ship it by USPS the first time, $ 28.22 by UPS the second time plus the charge of $ 32.50 for a total of $ 85.94.

Hopefully it will work this time and work for more than 50 racquets.

 

[dgdawg]

I think Herb may have a little bit of soup **** in him.

I bought a second hand 2086. I still paid plenty for it. The guy I bought it from had just gotten the machine back from Herb. I think it sent it in for warranty repairs only just before I purchased it from him. His return receipt from Herb was in the box. I did about 50 racquets before the machine gave me the code 3. I called and emailed Herb and he said it had to be sent back. I shipped it to him and after several weeks, Herb emailed that it was not covered by warranty and I owed $ 32.50. I paid the charge and received the machine a week later. I reinstalled it, turned it on and it lit up with the code 3. I called Herb and he said that sometimes happens and send it back. I have now been without the 2086 for 6 weeks and paid $ 25.22 to ship it by USPS the first time, $ 28.22 by UPS the second time plus the charge of $ 32.50 for a total of $ 85.94.

Hopefully it will work this time and work for more than 50 racquets.

That's a drag.....The 2086 really is a great machine, when working.
I got my 2nd unit from TW when they started selling them.
I strung 300 or more frames on it before I sold it as part of an Alpha Equinox build.
I LOVED that rig, but I'm cool with what I use now.

 

[mad dog1]

I think Herb may have a little bit of soup **** in him.

I bought a second hand 2086. I still paid plenty for it. The guy I bought it from had just gotten the machine back from Herb. I think it sent it in for warranty repairs only just before I purchased it from him. His return receipt from Herb was in the box. I did about 50 racquets before the machine gave me the code 3. I called and emailed Herb and he said it had to be sent back. I shipped it to him and after several weeks, Herb emailed that it was not covered by warranty and I owed $ 32.50. I paid the charge and received the machine a week later. I reinstalled it, turned it on and it lit up with the code 3. I called Herb and he said that sometimes happens and send it back. I have now been without the 2086 for 6 weeks and paid $ 25.22 to ship it by USPS the first time, $ 28.22 by UPS the second time plus the charge of $ 32.50 for a total of $ 85.94.

Hopefully it will work this time and work for more than 50 racquets.

man, that SUCKS big time! you'd think herb would pick up the cost for you to ship it back the 2nd time since it was obvious the problem didn't get fixed right the 1st time.

 

[Clintspin]

I also really enjoy using the 2086. I think it would be nice if Herb allowed trained techs to service the machine in several locations around the US or even the world. How hard can it be?

 

[Lakers4Life]

I think Herb may have a little bit of soup **** in him.

I bought a second hand 2086. I still paid plenty for it. The guy I bought it from had just gotten the machine back from Herb. I think it sent it in for warranty repairs only just before I purchased it from him. His return receipt from Herb was in the box. I did about 50 racquets before the machine gave me the code 3. I called and emailed Herb and he said it had to be sent back. I shipped it to him and after several weeks, Herb emailed that it was not covered by warranty and I owed $ 32.50. I paid the charge and received the machine a week later. I reinstalled it, turned it on and it lit up with the code 3. I called Herb and he said that sometimes happens and send it back. I have now been without the 2086 for 6 weeks and paid $ 25.22 to ship it by USPS the first time, $ 28.22 by UPS the second time plus the charge of $ 32.50 for a total of $ 85.94.

Hopefully it will work this time and work for more than 50 racquets.

Next time send it FedEx Ground, it costs a little less. I would never ship an electronic item via USPS, even through Express Mail.

I hope you get it fixed and it never breaks down again. That code 3 is a return limit error. If I read the tech report right, the limit switch has to be replaced. Which can either be a magnet or the switch itself.

 

[Dags]

I also really enjoy using the 2086. I think it would be nice if Herb allowed trained techs to service the machine in several locations around the US or even the world. How hard can it be?

W&D, the UK reseller, will perform servicing and calibration.

 

[Lakers4Life]

I have the instructions for calibration of the Wise 2086 Pro. It's recomended you have a good scale for calibration. I think Herb is selling one for $75 or $100, not sure I don't want to ask.

 

[Steve Huff]

I have one of the original ones, and one of the 2nd generation ones. I keep the original as a backup now. The 2nd gen model has a little over 3400 stringjobs on it. If it broke, I'd probably buy a new one. I'd use my original one until the new one arrived. The original broke while under warranty and Herb fixed it at no cost to me. I know the new ones have the Diablo cone on them. I'm not sure I want that as I have been happy with what I have.

 

[Lakers4Life]

You could buy one from Europe, they don't come with a diablo. j/k

 

[Rabbit]

I have one of the original ones, and one of the 2nd generation ones. I keep the original as a backup now. The 2nd gen model has a little over 3400 stringjobs on it. If it broke, I'd probably buy a new one. I'd use my original one until the new one arrived. The original broke while under warranty and Herb fixed it at no cost to me. I know the new ones have the Diablo cone on them. I'm not sure I want that as I have been happy with what I have.

Steve, just to be clear, the diablo is a customer install. If you bought a new one, you wouldn't have to install it. I love mine though.

 

[Irvin]

I have had a Wise now for about 5 years and it is a good CP tensioner. BUT I think you can get great results with any tensioner. It does not matter if it is drop weight, crank or electronic. As a matter of fact for the most part the least consistent is going to be the electronic. Now that is a controversial statement if I ever made one but let me explain. All electronic tensioners are not constant pull even some of them that claim to be. If it is not constant pull and your voltage ever fluctuates (like when your wife plugs in her hair dryer) you tension changes. Oops, imagine that.

I think cranks are great but if you do not crank consistently there's going to be inconsistencies there too.

Drop weights are greet too but if you don't lower the weight at the same speed there are inconsistencies again.

It does not matter what you use, or what you can afford. Work on your technique and you can produce quality results with most stringers. Work on doing your best with what you have. The best player does not always win, and the best equipment does not always produce the best string job.

Irvin

 

[Clintspin]

I got my 2086 back today. Herb replaced the circuit board and left a nice apology on the invoice.

 

[Lakers4Life]

Glad to hear you got your problem resolved.

 

[Clintspin]

I got my credit card bill today and discovered Herb charged me more than the $ 31.50 for the first failed repair. He also charged me the $ 19. to ship it back. So my total for getting the Wise fixed, which I did nothing to break, was not the $ 85.95 I originally posted but $ 104.99. That's some pricey service for something that costs $ 500 brand new.

 

[Lakers4Life]

I got my credit card bill today and discovered Herb charged me more than the $ 31.50 for the first failed repair. He also charged me the $ 19. to ship it back. So my total for getting the Wise fixed, which I did nothing to break, was not the $ 85.95 I originally posted but $ 104.99. That's some pricey service for something that costs $ 500 brand new.

Did you buy your Wise 2086 new with the same credit card? You might want to check with your credit card company, for covered warranty service. He should not have charged you, if it was under 2 years old and you have proof of purchase.

 

[Steve Huff]

That doesn't seem like Herb--charging you for a failed repair. He seems to take a lot of pride in his work and in his machines.

 

[mad dog1]

That doesn't seem like Herb--charging you for a failed repair. He seems to take a lot of pride in his work and in his machines.

he'll make the customer pay when it affects his bottom line.

 

[Lakers4Life]

That doesn't seem like Herb--charging you for a failed repair. He seems to take a lot of pride in his work and in his machines.

Herb takes a lot of pride that his product is the only REAL viable product on the market. His customer services skills are a bit lacking.

he'll make the customer pay when it affects his bottom line.

+1 I totally agree.

 

[Clintspin]

I got my credit card bill today and now Herb has charged my account another $48. I am going to have to call Herb on this one because I think he is trying to sneak one by me. After I paid to have it fixed the first time and it lit up code 3 straight out of the box, Herb said to send it back and he would fix it at no charge. So, I should not owe a penny.

 

[dgdawg]

I got my credit card bill today and now Herb has charged my account another $48. I am going to have to call Herb on this one because I think he is trying to sneak one by me. After I paid to have it fixed the first time and it lit up code 3 straight out of the box, Herb said to send it back and he would fix it at no charge. So, I should not owe a penny.

good luck w/that.
N/C to herb means N/C for the fix. Keep us posted on the shipping thing.

 

[struggle]

this guy scares me more than victor (been considering a wise at some point). with victor, it's simple components, etc. with herb it's "complex" electronics that i can't fix myself.

if you buy from TW do they deal with herb on your behalf (send the unit back to TW?)?

 

[Irvin]

...if you buy from TW do they deal with herb on your behalf (send the unit back to TW?)?

LMAO that is too funny.

Irvin