Gamma 6004 6pt worth $3K CAD?

[Mannan]

Hi, I am thinking of buying a stringing machine. Budget is 3.5K CAD.

I kind of wanted to buy an electronic machine so initially I had my eyes set on Gamma XLT but looks like its overpriced from the comments I have read on numerous threads. And its out of stock all over Canada.

I noticed a lot of people have Gamma 6004 with Wise 2086 combination. So, I just wanted to ask if Gamma 6004 is worth $2899 CAD. With taxes its going to be roughly $3200 with the cover. And then add wise 2086 which is way more expensive in Canada. Wise is priced at 995 CAD w/o taxes. US price I think is around 625 iirc.

With all the features that Gamma 6004 comes with, does it justify the price tag? I know clamps are better and i guess all the tools are included. Comes with a stand as well unlike the XLT.

Looks like a reasonable option as I will have a spare crank. FYI, Gamma XLT is just 100 CAD more than Gamma 6004, priced at $2999 CAD.

Would appreciate any feedback/suggestions I can get on this. Thanks in advance.

 

[Irvin]

I'm not sure what taxes and shipping would be but that seems quite high.

 

[struggle]

The base clamps are definitely better. I don't know much about the conversion rates.

I have a 6004/WISE and am quite happy with it.

I did buy in several years back (9 years or so), so of course got in at a better rate.

You may consider an Alpha machine as well, to save a few bucks and still get quality.

 

[jim e]

I believe Alpha Ghost is around 3200 US.
A good amount of a machine for the $.

 

[Irvin]

I believe Alpha Ghost is around 3200 US.
A good amount of a machine for the $.

3.2K USD = 4K CAD not counting customs, taxes, and shipping. Baiardo Lite is in that ball park.

 

[struggle]

Could drive across the border and snatch one up, otherwise US dollars are kinda worthless to him.

Having said that, i'd likely also go for a "fancier" machine than the 6004/WISE (which is a fine rig).

Hell, Irvin loves his Gamma X-2!!

@Rabbit

 

[Mannan]

Could drive across the border and snatch one up, otherwise US dollars are kinda worthless to him.

Having said that, i'd likely also go for a "fancier" machine than the 6004/WISE (which is a fine rig).

Hell, Irvin loves his Gamma X-2!!

@Rabbit

I would like to but I think border is still closed. And I dont think there is any website that ships stringing machines across the border. If you know any website, please let me know.

Also thinking about these electronic machines such as alpha ghost or wilson baiardo lite - hows the customer service in case there is any problem with the unit?

On a crank machine if there is any issue, I should be able to fix it myself. But if any issue pops up on the electronic, it might be a bit tricky. I understand that chances of getting an item with a problem are low, but still would like to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Thats why if wise 2086 started giving problems, it wouldnt hurt as much as if a 4k electronic machine stopped working.

Any thoughts?

 

[Mannan]

I believe Alpha Ghost is around 3200 US.
A good amount of a machine for the $.

biardo light on racquet depot (UK) coming to canada will be approx. 6k CAD

 

[Mannan]

you guys are lucky that you have so many options.

Gamma vs Alpha ghost? who wins when it comes to performance and reliability?

 

[struggle]

Your point about having the crank as a back up is a solid way of thinking, BUT not sure i'd buy based on that.

(I have that option, but haven't used it in 9 or so years, ever).

 

[Irvin]

biardo light on racquet depot (UK) coming to canada will be approx. 6k CAD

I’m not sure why but the Baiardo Lite is not a good deal from the UK. At least in the US your can get the Lite in US cheaper than UK. But they’re out of stock the last time I checked.

 

[Dobby]

There is an old 6004 on FB mkt for $750 in the state of NY. See if you can work out a shipping

 

[Dags]

I will have a spare crank.

Or from another perspective: you'll have wasted money on something you'll never use.

 

[Mannan]

There is an old 6004 on FB mkt for $750 in the state of NY. See if you can work out a shipping

Can you please send me the link? Its not showing up for me. THanks

 

[LOBALOT]

I believe Alpha Ghost is around 3200 US.
A good amount of a machine for the $.

As someone who owns one and has strung on one for about 4 years now the Ghost 2 is a no brainer.

 

[Mannan]

Will look into alpha ghost 2 and Wilson Baiardo Lite. Since both are in the same price range.

Does anyone know a location in US selling either of these machines and shipping across border?

 

[LOBALOT]

I have no idea on the shipping piece across the boarder but I certainly have checked out UK sites and have seen almost identical machines probably made at the same factory with a different badge. I am sure there are folks here that can indicate which are basically the same.

 

[Folsom_Stringer_Musa]

Hi, I am thinking of buying a stringing machine. Budget is 3.5K CAD.

I kind of wanted to buy an electronic machine so initially I had my eyes set on Gamma XLT but looks like its overpriced from the comments I have read on numerous threads. And its out of stock all over Canada.

I noticed a lot of people have Gamma 6004 with Wise 2086 combination. So, I just wanted to ask if Gamma 6004 is worth $2899 CAD. With taxes its going to be roughly $3200 with the cover. And then add wise 2086 which is way more expensive in Canada. Wise is priced at 995 CAD w/o taxes. US price I think is around 625 iirc.

With all the features that Gamma 6004 comes with, does it justify the price tag? I know clamps are better and i guess all the tools are included. Comes with a stand as well unlike the XLT.

Looks like a reasonable option as I will have a spare crank. FYI, Gamma XLT is just 100 CAD more than Gamma 6004, priced at $2999 CAD.

Would appreciate any feedback/suggestions I can get on this. Thanks in advance.

3200+1000 CA$ = 3350 US$ (roughly)
That is a no from me. 6004 is a great machine no doubt.

Buy used machine - NEOS 1000/1500 with or without Wise.
As suggested above, you ca buy new Ghost II

 

[Steve Huff]

I think the Alpha and comparable Gamma machines used to be about the same price. They both went up in price, but the Gamma went up a lot more. I'd look at an Alpha crank and add the Wise head to it. You could get a top-of-the-line crank and 2 Wise heads for the price you'd be paying for the Gamma. That's basically what I did. Not much to go wrong with a crank machine. If I need service on a Wise, it's about $25 each way to ship (Virginia to California), and whatever he charges to fix it (usually pretty low). That's a lot better than trying to take apart an electronic machine and shipping whatever they need, and leaving you without a machine for the time it takes to fix it and send it back.

 

[LOBALOT]

I think the Alpha and comparable Gamma machines used to be about the same price. They both went up in price, but the Gamma went up a lot more. I'd look at an Alpha crank and add the Wise head to it. You could get a top-of-the-line crank and 2 Wise heads for the price you'd be paying for the Gamma. That's basically what I did. Not much to go wrong with a crank machine. If I need service on a Wise, it's about $25 each way to ship (Virginia to California), and whatever he charges to fix it (usually pretty low). That's a lot better than trying to take apart an electronic machine and shipping whatever they need, and leaving you without a machine for the time it takes to fix it and send it back.

Plus you can upgrade the clamps on the Alpha if you want to and turn it into a beast of machine.

 

[Dags]

There's a lot of talk about the worst case scenario of a machine breaking. If you buy a premium machine from a reputable brand, why would you expect that to be anything other than reliable? They're designed for professionals and to last. Most of us don't string anywhere near the volume that these machines can handle.

As someone who has a crank with a Wise, I maintain it's a very nice upgrade if you already own a crank. But if you're starting from scratch, it would feel a little like going to buy a motorcycle, and then thinking 'just a minute, what's that beauty over there...?'

 

[jim e]

I agree with @Dags, A quality electronic machine is typically built for commercial use, and usually very little goes wrong for a great number of frames .
One time in many years , my LCD screen went bad, and distributor was in Australia at that time, and I received replacement parts in 2 weeks. Took abou 1/2 hour to replace parts.
That was only time down in many years. it just doesn't happen that often. As for those that commented in past, that with a crank you can string in a power outage, that nuts, as if power is out, last thing you will likely do is string.
You will not go wrong with a decent electronic machine. Wise is decent upgrade if you already own a crank, but if you are going electronic, I would get a machine designed that way from the start.
If you string a supply of O Port racquets, as I still get a number of them, I just lock the table and angled pulls are no issue, where a Wise if you pull angled pulls , it can damage the Wise.

 

[Folsom_Stringer_Musa]

There's a lot of talk about the worst case scenario of a machine breaking. If you buy a premium machine from a reputable brand, why would you expect that to be anything other than reliable? They're designed for professionals and to last. Most of us don't string anywhere near the volume that these machines can handle.

As someone who has a crank with a Wise, I maintain it's a very nice upgrade if you already own a crank. But if you're starting from scratch, it would feel a little like going to buy a motorcycle, and then thinking 'just a minute, what's that beauty over there...?'

Looks like Babolat 3000. Pretty indeed.

 

[Steve Huff]

Plus you can upgrade the clamps on the Alpha if you want to and turn it into a beast of machine.

What did you upgrade to. I have some of Alpha's older clamps, which I think are better than their newer ones. Mark found them for me around 10 years ago, and they were from a generation before that. I'm ok with the bases. I'm always on the search for better clamps.

 

[Folsom_Stringer_Musa]

What did you upgrade to. I have some of Alpha's older clamps, which I think are better than their newer ones. Mark found them for me around 10 years ago, and they were from a generation before that. I'm ok with the bases. I'm always on the search for better clamps.

I would agree as well.
House built in the 90s vs the ones getting built now.
More greed > More profit > Less quality.

 

[LOBALOT]

What did you upgrade to. I have some of Alpha's older clamps, which I think are better than their newer ones. Mark found them for me around 10 years ago, and they were from a generation before that. I'm ok with the bases. I'm always on the search for better clamps.

I am not justifying his choices as I would have done differently. However, a guy in our area purchased an Alpha Pioneer DC Plus and requested that they upgrade the clamps to the quick release push button clamps and they did it. I forgot how much it cost him.

I suggested he do it with the crank as the drop weight was going to slow him down anyway. So that is what I am referencing.

 

[Cobra Tennis]

Hard to go wrong with a Prince NEOS + wise combination.

I went from an Alpha Ghost to an Ektelon H and couldn't be happier. The H gets the job done (and a darn fine one) for being a 35 year old machine. If you are only planning to string your frames and a few friends, a lock out machine / crank is just fine. Tons of pro shops still using a NEOS loud and proud. If after a while you decide you want electric, a WISE is a nice touch.