Hydrogen Sports PROTON
- Thread starter TagUrIt
- Start date
It's been a variety of various Penn and Wilson lines, basically just throwing them in the hopper after a few rounds of play. Some are 2+ years old. The new ones I got (that were just delivered 10 minutes ago, yay!) are the Tretorn Micro X. Hoping they are worth the money.
Prior to purchasing the Proton I had read similar opinions, so initially I was going to purchase some decent balls to go along with it, then I decided the fiscally responsible thing to do (for me) was at least give my old balls a try. I think they served their purpose, but it did lead me to decide if I was willing to invest so much money in the ball machine I might as well invest in good balls and get the most out of it. I'm just hoping I don't need to replace them very often...$160 for tennis balls is tough for me to swallow, let alone doing it multiple times.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Set the tretorn balls with maximum setting and it will be like crazy heavy and hard ball... you may not be able to handle it
ryohazuki222
Professional
Anyone used tretorn AND triniti pros and can compare them?Set the tretorn balls with maximum setting and it will be like crazy heavy and hard ball... you may not be able to handle it
I find it hard to believe tretorns are better from a playability perspective, but have no experience with them to justify why I think that.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Wilson Trinity balls have more predictable bounce and response. but feel more dead ball like. Not sure which one lasts longer though. probably tretrorn.. that thing last like forever but at the cost of killing your arm
FrankyRelax
Semi-Pro
I think I've said it before but I swear by a korny keg system. I rotate three kegs and it works so well. I've only replaced one case of balls since last year. Also saves my arm
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
Completely understandable, but the Wilson Triniti are $120 a case and the Pros are $134. I can tell you from experience they last. Well worth the investment. Better than cycling through endless cases of regular tennis balls.
i'm borrowing a buddies tutor, but i've gone through so many cans of balls because of personal and league use that i just use those used balls. i'm good with that because i see the deviations in all of the ball bounces as a good thing when practicing. you dont necessarily want a perfect ball coming at you. you want to adjust to the randomness and practice returning a good shot regardless of what's thrown at you.
Prestigiouscontrol
Rookie
I use whatever ball my match-ups and leagues use since I want to simulate match conditions as best as I can.
The maximum settings with dead balls can take my head off, I'm gonna play it safe with the Tretorns lolSet the tretorn balls with maximum setting and it will be like crazy heavy and hard ball... you may not be able to handle it
I thought about this, but it doesn't solve the felt problem. My understanding is higher end balls also have more durable felt.
ryohazuki222
Professional
Ya- bounce on both my trinitis ans triniti pros when used with a ball machine is basically infinite.
I only change because they eventually start balding, but the bounce is still more than acceptable.
Honestly, I’d say I’m being a little spoiled about when I replace them with new, but I like the look of fresh triniti pros because psychologically it’s refreshing.
Besides. I also like selling them when there’s still a little life yet on the used tennis ball market.
So I read some people were having issues with elevator for their machine and I seem to have run into an issue as well but couldn't find whether or not anyone else has had this issue with their machine by searching the thread.
Mine currently will not work at all for drills when the machine is normally sitting on the ground ...however, when I turn the machine upside down and manually adjust the elevator, it will move just fine. Furthermore, if I actually start a drill (and gently lift the machine up off the ground), the elevator will actually work, so by gently lifting and starting the drill, it will work, but obviously this is not practical.
the plastic washer that is at the base of the elevator nut was cracked, so not sure if replacing it will fix the issue or not.
has anyone else run into this issue? I was planning on contacting support for more help as well. will keep the thread updated if they send me a response.
Mine currently will not work at all for drills when the machine is normally sitting on the ground ...however, when I turn the machine upside down and manually adjust the elevator, it will move just fine. Furthermore, if I actually start a drill (and gently lift the machine up off the ground), the elevator will actually work, so by gently lifting and starting the drill, it will work, but obviously this is not practical.
the plastic washer that is at the base of the elevator nut was cracked, so not sure if replacing it will fix the issue or not.
has anyone else run into this issue? I was planning on contacting support for more help as well. will keep the thread updated if they send me a response.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Had another go with the new proton. I was able to tinker with it to where it was spitting pretty hard and low, bouncing in the service box to simulate a serve.
I LOVE THIS MACHINE AND I HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED THE APP YET !
When is Hydrogen going to come up with some swag like stickers, vibrazorbs, hats, tshirts, etc.?
I LOVE THIS MACHINE AND I HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED THE APP YET !
When is Hydrogen going to come up with some swag like stickers, vibrazorbs, hats, tshirts, etc.?
FrankyRelax
Semi-Pro
What settings you use to simulate the serve?
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
static position right at base line
very low angle
high-ish speed
highish topspin
very low angle
high-ish speed
highish topspin
VacationTennis
Semi-Pro
I'm looking for a used one if anyone is letting go of theirs.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Why low angle ? wouldn't High angle simulate the serve better ?
ryohazuki222
Professional
I assumed he was elevating the machine. I don’t know how else you do serve practice without physically lifting up the machine.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
yeah, putting the machine on a pedestal would be better, but I am at public courts with little or no ability to set up such a thing.
It best replicates a skidding low serve, not a kicker.
If I raised the elevation at all, the ball goes long, the topspin helps bring it down inside the service line at a decent spin level.
It best replicates a skidding low serve, not a kicker.
If I raised the elevation at all, the ball goes long, the topspin helps bring it down inside the service line at a decent spin level.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
i think the machine has the capability, it just needs a platform that can be raised up. Modified version of something like this that can be setup with stability
eagle
Hall of Fame
My settings for lobs are 37 mph, 1000 rpm topspin, 3.5s interval.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Every inch of additional height would help,i think the machine has the capability, it just needs a platform that can be raised up. Modified version of something like this that can be setup with stability
mr_starface
New User
Does anyone use an Android Watch with the Proton App? Be better than carrying around the phone but not sure if compatible
The Proton is a brutally honest yardstick for basic tennis skills. I pulled out the Proton for practice after being able to play only sporadically the last few months due to travel, and found that I'm now struggling with my old programs. I can hit slow balls just fine but any sort of pace/spin/direction and I'm unable to track and catch up with the ball. Man ...
To add insult to injury the Proton hasn't been cleaned for a while and I guess a ball sensor was blocked - after 20 minutes the machine did a "mag dump" and launched the rest of the hopper at me rapid-fire.
Last note - the included battery charger might actually be better quality than an OEM Ryobi charger? I misplaced the Proton charger and the Ryobi charger I'm using instead apparently emits EMI that blocks wireless garage door openers.
To add insult to injury the Proton hasn't been cleaned for a while and I guess a ball sensor was blocked - after 20 minutes the machine did a "mag dump" and launched the rest of the hopper at me rapid-fire.
Last note - the included battery charger might actually be better quality than an OEM Ryobi charger? I misplaced the Proton charger and the Ryobi charger I'm using instead apparently emits EMI that blocks wireless garage door openers.
JEDI MASTER
Professional
i have the OEM Ryobi fast charger.. haven't had any issues with my garage door opener..
TagUrIt
Hall of Fame
Blog — Hydrogen Sports
www.hydrogensports.com
Helpful how to videos here.
eagle
Hall of Fame
I've been happy using my phone to operate the unit but I finally got a chance to use an Apple watch with it.
Here's what I experienced.
- Connected the watch to Proton via BT; iPhone was not connected to the unit
- Once connected, I was able to select and run one of the programs.
All good for a few hoppers but the watch eventually lost connection. Once that happened, I couldn't reconnect to the unit. I had to cycle the phone off and on to reconnect.
Any tips to make the watch work better with the machine?
Here's what I experienced.
- Connected the watch to Proton via BT; iPhone was not connected to the unit
- Once connected, I was able to select and run one of the programs.
All good for a few hoppers but the watch eventually lost connection. Once that happened, I couldn't reconnect to the unit. I had to cycle the phone off and on to reconnect.
Any tips to make the watch work better with the machine?
So I am not sure if this is unique, but I am finding this ball machine to be nothing but problems.
- It pauses or stops multiple times during a single program. I would say at least 4-5 times during a 100 ball routine it will pause to think for a few seconds - could be 10, 20, 30.. unknown. Sometimes it will just stop and sometimes it will continue.
- The ball stirrer constantly gets caught on top of the balls, causing jams. Could be one of the reasons for issue #1. I am using brand new balls..
- The drift is atrocious. I calibrate it at the start of each program, and after about 40 balls it will drift halfway over to one side and be shooting balls out in the doubles alley.
- I tried to open the bottom panel to check the belts, but couldn't because one of the screws is completely stuck and won't come out - seems to be a manufacturing defect.
Basically it is barely usable. I have owned it for 10 days and starting to regret the purchase.
- It pauses or stops multiple times during a single program. I would say at least 4-5 times during a 100 ball routine it will pause to think for a few seconds - could be 10, 20, 30.. unknown. Sometimes it will just stop and sometimes it will continue.
- The ball stirrer constantly gets caught on top of the balls, causing jams. Could be one of the reasons for issue #1. I am using brand new balls..
- The drift is atrocious. I calibrate it at the start of each program, and after about 40 balls it will drift halfway over to one side and be shooting balls out in the doubles alley.
- I tried to open the bottom panel to check the belts, but couldn't because one of the screws is completely stuck and won't come out - seems to be a manufacturing defect.
Basically it is barely usable. I have owned it for 10 days and starting to regret the purchase.
JEDI MASTER
Professional
- the pause and stops might be due to a dirty optical sensor in the feed hole... accumulated ball fuzz.
i use this Ryobi blower: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...V9e7jBx2xswa_EAQYAyABEgL91vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I have been blowing it out with a Ryobi blower after every session.
ryohazuki222
Professional
Curious… how old is your machine? Do you have the new stirring peg or one of the old ones?
I just bought it. So maybe 10 days.
Today it no longer works at all. The motor is struggling to turn and cycle the balls. Nothing comes out.
I am guessing maybe motor has been the problem from the start - the reason for the intermittent stops. I would really like to ship it back, but Hydrogen customer service seems to limit responses to one email per 24 hours.
Got it squared away with Hydrogen for a return/replacement.. I am a little hesitant though, because of all the issues I had with the first machine.
The part that goes over your shoulder is but as far as i can tell the part that hugs the top of the machine isnt
JEDI MASTER
Professional
Couldnt even get it to fit once lol
I second this. Really had to stretch it the first time or two but now it's settled and easy to attach and detach.
NattyGut
Rookie
…it's tight at first.. after you do it several times..it'll eventually stretch and fit.
I reached out to them and they actually said they had an issue and shipped a few shorter ones lol
Had to reinstall the screws holding the feeder motor like others have. Using debug mode was useful to rotate the inner carousel to get better access to the screws, but beware of your fingers.
www.hydrogensports.com
Screw locations in green (4 total, 2 more on opposite side)
Loose screws (left) recovered from inside Proton (found the 4th later)
Wider shot of the naked Proton
Debug Mode — Hydrogen Sports
www.hydrogensports.com
Screw locations in green (4 total, 2 more on opposite side)
Loose screws (left) recovered from inside Proton (found the 4th later)
Wider shot of the naked Proton
