AndI
Rookie
The topic of USRSA is not quite related to the X-ELS machine, it may be a wrong thing to deviate too far from the topic of the thread, but it is related to learning how to string. USRSA web site and material posted in members-only section makes a ... how should I say ... complicated impression. The site evidently was created around 2010-2011 or so and was actively maintained until 2013-mid 2014. At that point, USRSA stopped updating the content. Probably the person who did it left the company... You will find that reviews of equipment do not go past 2013, tables of freebies that come with membership end around 2014, that some tools (e.g., racquet balance calculator, can't remember the exact name) require an outdated Java plugin supported only up to Windows XP, etc. The web site contents were more valuable several years ago than they are now, when they are largely outdated, with a few exceptions. The URSA Racquet Professional Study Guide is a great resource for beginners, 112 pages of good information. It can be downloaded in PDF format and printed. Interactive video tutorial has estimated several hours of streaming videos broken into short segments from less than a minute to several minutes each. Videos closely follow the Study Guide. Videos are professional but resolution is tiny, 240x180. These are also great for beginners.
The booklet that comes with the machine is a nice synopsis of the USRSA Study Guide, a much shorter version which still contains all key information.
For experienced stringers, the key value is in Stringer's digest (which comes in printed form only with the full membership) as well as access to always up-to-date online version of the Stringers Digest - also with a little clunky interface, but it works.I've read people writing on this forum that they value live support from USRSA when they need it.
The ability to get certified may also be of value to those who make profit from stringing.
Since certification or stringing for others (except perhaps a couple of friends for whom we would restring for free) is not on our "to do" list for the near future (not only because we still have a lot to learn, but also because we bought the machine only for our own home use), I am going to get my trial membership expire (I do not need an up-to-date Digest or free samples of obscure strings which I am not going to use), but I will maintain awareness of values which USRSA membership carries for professionals who take stringing jobs for others or make money by stringing.
In my opinion, the $9 one month trial membership is an excellent starting point for beginners. Those who have stringing experience but not string for profit might find it less of a value and would likely be disappointed about the abundance of outdated information - articles, reviews, comparisons of equipment which is no longer even made. Professionals will certainly benefit from full membership that comes with the printed and online Digest.
The booklet that comes with the machine is a nice synopsis of the USRSA Study Guide, a much shorter version which still contains all key information.
For experienced stringers, the key value is in Stringer's digest (which comes in printed form only with the full membership) as well as access to always up-to-date online version of the Stringers Digest - also with a little clunky interface, but it works.I've read people writing on this forum that they value live support from USRSA when they need it.
The ability to get certified may also be of value to those who make profit from stringing.
Since certification or stringing for others (except perhaps a couple of friends for whom we would restring for free) is not on our "to do" list for the near future (not only because we still have a lot to learn, but also because we bought the machine only for our own home use), I am going to get my trial membership expire (I do not need an up-to-date Digest or free samples of obscure strings which I am not going to use), but I will maintain awareness of values which USRSA membership carries for professionals who take stringing jobs for others or make money by stringing.
In my opinion, the $9 one month trial membership is an excellent starting point for beginners. Those who have stringing experience but not string for profit might find it less of a value and would likely be disappointed about the abundance of outdated information - articles, reviews, comparisons of equipment which is no longer even made. Professionals will certainly benefit from full membership that comes with the printed and online Digest.
Last edited: