help with Gamma 790 ELS
- Thread starter Red001
- Start date
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
A Gamma 790 ELS? @Gamma Tech
Red001
New User
7900 ELS
I just used one today. It looked pretty impressive, solidly built and high tech with many tensioning options (pre-stretch, knot tension, etc.). Unfortunately, I found it very cumbersome to use. First, I'm not a fan of individual control of each arm of the 6 point frame; it's much easier to have symmetric control. Not a deal breaker for me, but you have to add the need to use an allen wrench to adjust the frame for different rackets. Mounting a frame on a Babolat is a snap.
Second, the contact points at 11, 1, 5 and 7 positions seemed quite wide and bulky. In addition, the mounts fit tightly against the edges of the frame; given the bulk and the tight fit against the frame, negotiating around them doing the crosses added some effort. Third, the clamps have a very large adjustment screw on one side, and a very bulky locking lever on the other side. Coupled with a large platform from which the arms protrude, they make it tough to clamp the last couple of crosses. This became an issue with a racket whose final crosses were close to the top and bottom of the racket hoop. I had to clamp almost 2 inches from the grommet hole. I used a floating clamp that the person had to help, but the clamp turned out to be useless, and there was significant lost tension, making the whole job a waste.
Next, the tensioner is probably a few inches farther away from the turntable than machines I'm used to using. Not a big deal, but became an issue for me, as the guy didn't have a starting clamp and I was short by about 1 1/2 inches with one racket.
Finally, the touch pad is great. However, some of the buttons got accidentally pushed during stringing, and I noticed that it switched to kg from lbs a few times, and tension got moved up/down twice.
As I said, I found the machine cumbersome, and it definitely added time to my day today. I've used other Gammas which seemed easier. I really thought I'd be impressed with the 7900, but I'd take my Babolat Star 3 any day of the week. In fact, I'd take an Ektelon/Neos over the 7900 in a second.
Just my 2 cents.
Second, the contact points at 11, 1, 5 and 7 positions seemed quite wide and bulky. In addition, the mounts fit tightly against the edges of the frame; given the bulk and the tight fit against the frame, negotiating around them doing the crosses added some effort. Third, the clamps have a very large adjustment screw on one side, and a very bulky locking lever on the other side. Coupled with a large platform from which the arms protrude, they make it tough to clamp the last couple of crosses. This became an issue with a racket whose final crosses were close to the top and bottom of the racket hoop. I had to clamp almost 2 inches from the grommet hole. I used a floating clamp that the person had to help, but the clamp turned out to be useless, and there was significant lost tension, making the whole job a waste.
Next, the tensioner is probably a few inches farther away from the turntable than machines I'm used to using. Not a big deal, but became an issue for me, as the guy didn't have a starting clamp and I was short by about 1 1/2 inches with one racket.
Finally, the touch pad is great. However, some of the buttons got accidentally pushed during stringing, and I noticed that it switched to kg from lbs a few times, and tension got moved up/down twice.
As I said, I found the machine cumbersome, and it definitely added time to my day today. I've used other Gammas which seemed easier. I really thought I'd be impressed with the 7900, but I'd take my Babolat Star 3 any day of the week. In fact, I'd take an Ektelon/Neos over the 7900 in a second.
Just my 2 cents.
Red001
New User
Last month I used GAMMA 7900 ELS for few stringing jobs.
Below are my findings comparing to my GAMMA X-6FC with WISE 2086.
Pros:
Most noticeable fixed clamps are smaller and more convenient to use comparing to old style bulky clamps.
Fixed clamps' drawback is also smaller than on my X-6FC.
I found all metal parts are made with good precision better than on GAMMA X-6FC.
Self-Centering Mounting System with K shape mounts is also improvement comparing to my L shape mounts on bolted mounting posts.
There are few more improvements but 7900 ELS is in the different price range therefore I will not include all obvious pros offered with all higher priced machines ...
Cons:
I did not find an electronic head on 7900 ELS any better than WISE 2086.
In fact I was surprised the 7900 ELS did not remember all my settings from the previous session.
E.g. I set pulling speed to "SLOW' and next session 7900 ELS electronic head powered on with the default speed 'FAST' which is not a deal breaker but annoying.
GAMMA engineers should fix it - storing all settings from the previous session is a basic function on any electronic devise.
Overall:
I can't compare it against Babolat or Wilson machines but comparing to my stringer mention above, GAMMA 7900 ELS is well built machine and convenient to work with.
Below are my findings comparing to my GAMMA X-6FC with WISE 2086.
Pros:
Most noticeable fixed clamps are smaller and more convenient to use comparing to old style bulky clamps.
Fixed clamps' drawback is also smaller than on my X-6FC.
I found all metal parts are made with good precision better than on GAMMA X-6FC.
Self-Centering Mounting System with K shape mounts is also improvement comparing to my L shape mounts on bolted mounting posts.
There are few more improvements but 7900 ELS is in the different price range therefore I will not include all obvious pros offered with all higher priced machines ...
Cons:
I did not find an electronic head on 7900 ELS any better than WISE 2086.
In fact I was surprised the 7900 ELS did not remember all my settings from the previous session.
E.g. I set pulling speed to "SLOW' and next session 7900 ELS electronic head powered on with the default speed 'FAST' which is not a deal breaker but annoying.
GAMMA engineers should fix it - storing all settings from the previous session is a basic function on any electronic devise.
Overall:
I can't compare it against Babolat or Wilson machines but comparing to my stringer mention above, GAMMA 7900 ELS is well built machine and convenient to work with.
chrisingrassia
Professional
I have a 5800 ELS. I do wish it was a self-centering setup, but that's minimal frustration compared to my biggest gripe: there are so many knobs and levers and screws and hooks that my string constantly gets caught on anything and everything that isn't flush or nice and rounded off. Seriously, it's annoying.
chrisingrassia
Professional
@Gamma Tech
I sent you a personal message as well, but I'll leave this here as well.
I bought a 5800 ELS a couple years ago, and so far it has been awesome. But it's the non-SC version. Is it at all possible to upgrade my towers only to the SC ones?
I sent you a personal message as well, but I'll leave this here as well.
I bought a 5800 ELS a couple years ago, and so far it has been awesome. But it's the non-SC version. Is it at all possible to upgrade my towers only to the SC ones?
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
@chrisingrassia I don't think you're not going to like Gamma Tech's response. I think you'll need towers and turntable. $$$
chrisingrassia
Professional
Any reason why the turntable would need to change? Isn't it just the arms and dials that move in sync...? I assume the table would be the same
Red001
New User
I looked up 5800 ELS - main differences 7900 ELS has Self-Centering Mounting System with K shape mounts. 5800 at least on the picture has bolted/fixed mounting system with 'L' shape mounts. 'SC' system with 'K' shape mounts is nice but price tag for such convenience is quite high ...
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
The arms moving in sync have nothing to do with self centering. The towers moving in and out in sync is what centers the racket on the turntable. So you probably need the side supports, towers, and turntable.
chrisingrassia
Professional
Oh, no sh*t? I thought the self-centering function was each pair of the two arms opening and closing together with the turn Of just one knob on the end. I don't think I've ever seen a self-centering machine function like how you described. Is there a video anywhere showing how that works? I'm curious now
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
EDIT: Imagine this, if SC were the function of moving the side supports on a 6 point machine how would it be possible to have SC on a two point machine?
Last edited:
Gamma Tech
Professional
Red001
When going from a standard turntable to a self-centering turntable the reason the two are not interchangeable is due to the self-centering assembly inside turntable that moves both mounting stands at the same time. There is a long threaded rod running down the center of the turntable with a rectangular mounting block at both ends that the mounting stand attaches to. When either of the adjustment knobs at the end of the turntable are rotated both blocks (mounting stands) move in or out together, similar to the jaws on a vice. Since the two mounting stands must bolt to the block on both sides of it to provide strength and stability the turntable needs additional slots for the mounting stands to travel.
Although the turntable and mounting stands are different the six-point mounting systems are interchangeable and you would be able to use what is on the current machine.
When going from a standard turntable to a self-centering turntable the reason the two are not interchangeable is due to the self-centering assembly inside turntable that moves both mounting stands at the same time. There is a long threaded rod running down the center of the turntable with a rectangular mounting block at both ends that the mounting stand attaches to. When either of the adjustment knobs at the end of the turntable are rotated both blocks (mounting stands) move in or out together, similar to the jaws on a vice. Since the two mounting stands must bolt to the block on both sides of it to provide strength and stability the turntable needs additional slots for the mounting stands to travel.
Although the turntable and mounting stands are different the six-point mounting systems are interchangeable and you would be able to use what is on the current machine.
Red001
New User
Thank you for the explanation though I believe it is most likely for chrisingrassia.
Gamma Tech
Professional
Red001 Yep....you're right! Evidently I know a lot about machines but can't read. Lol
chrisingrassia
Professional
Cheers guys. I was totally under the assumption the SC function was just the towers centering the frame on top. I sure do miss that single dial to open close both arms on each tower....
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