Klippermate vs. SP Swing vs. X-2

WhiteSox05CA

Hall of Fame
So I have decided to begin with an entry level stringer. What would you guys recomend from these three? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Klippermate
Silent Partner Swing
Gamma X-2

Also I plan to upgrade to better flying clamps, (maybe stringway flying clamps? Are they good?) would that make much of a difference?

Thanks.
 

barry

Hall of Fame
So I have decided to begin with an entry level stringer. What would you guys recomend from these three? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Klippermate
Silent Partner Swing
Gamma X-2

Also I plan to upgrade to better flying clamps, (maybe stringway flying clamps? Are they good?) would that make much of a difference?

Thanks.

By the time you buy the stringway floating clamps and one of the machines you listed, you would be better off purchasing a different machine. For $50 more, you could get a fixed clamp machine with a 6 point mounting system. Two come to mind!

http://www.eagnas.com/chaln1.html#pioneerdc or http://www.alphatennis.com/pioneerdc.html

Both have better features for the same money. Sometimes the cheapest things you buy are the most expensive.

Just my view.
 

WhiteSox05CA

Hall of Fame
By the time you buy the stringway floating clamps and one of the machines you listed, you would be better off purchasing a different machine. For $50 more, you could get a fixed clamp machine with a 6 point mounting system. Two come to mind!

http://www.eagnas.com/chaln1.html#pioneerdc or http://www.alphatennis.com/pioneerdc.html

Both have better features for the same money. Sometimes the cheapest things you buy are the most expensive.

Just my view.

I've always been told to stay away from Eagnas. How much are the Stringway clamps?
 
I would seriously recommend going with the fixed clamp Alpha machine. Excellent quality and support.

If not, try to purchase an entry level with a clutch system (like the Swing), it'll just make the dropweight faster.
 

WhiteSox05CA

Hall of Fame
I would seriously recommend going with the fixed clamp Alpha machine. Excellent quality and support.

If not, try to purchase an entry level with a clutch system (like the Swing), it'll just make the dropweight faster.

The only thing is that fixed clamp machine start at around $400. So if I want to get a good one that's like $500 plus shipping.

Unless I could get a good used one.
 

meh

Semi-Pro
The Eagnas Challenger I is $300, and, feature-wise, is the best dropweight stringer out there (not including the unorthodox Laserfibre stringers). Otherwise, try the Alpha String Pal, which is another budget $130 stringer. It's advantage over the other three you listed is its linear gripper. And don't bother upgrading your flying clamps for the sake of upgrading; flying clamps are flying clamps, and will turn out an inferior job, regardless.
 

WhiteSox05CA

Hall of Fame
The Eagnas Challenger I is $300, and, feature-wise, is the best dropweight stringer out there (not including the unorthodox Laserfibre stringers). Otherwise, try the Alpha String Pal, which is another budget $130 stringer. It's advantage over the other three you listed is its linear gripper. And don't bother upgrading your flying clamps for the sake of upgrading; flying clamps are flying clamps, and will turn out an inferior job, regardless.

Yeah I understand that.

I think I am just going to go for a better machine, but used.
What's the advantage of a linear gripper? Is it only good to not hurt natural gut? What's the "clutch?" Are linear grippers all clutch?

I'm also in high school, so I can't really afford the $600 Revo 4000.
 
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dancraig

Hall of Fame
Yeah I understand that.

I think I am just going to go for a better machine, but used.
What's the advantage of a linear gripper? Is it only good to not hurt natural gut? What's the "clutch?" Are linear grippers all clutch?

I'm also in high school, so I can't really afford the $600 Revo 4000.

I think the linear gripper is a little easier to use and easier on the string. Some polys can be tedious on a rotational gripper.
The "clutch or ratchet" allows you to raise the arm, to get the arm to rest horizontal, without removing or adjusting the string in the gripper.

I think all linear grippers I have seen had a clutch or ratchet.
 

barry

Hall of Fame
Yeah I understand that.

I think I am just going to go for a better machine, but used.
What's the advantage of a linear gripper? Is it only good to not hurt natural gut? What's the "clutch?" Are linear grippers all clutch?

I'm also in high school, so I can't really afford the $600 Revo 4000.

I can only say I have had excellent luck on my 2 Eagnas machines. The challenger I is an excellent machine. Clamps are better than Alpha or Gamma's. They are 3 point diamond dusted instead of the older 5 point models. I have never worried about whose name is on a machine, but more about features I need to string.

For me, the clutch is important and makes stringing on a drop weight easier. Here is how a clutch works.
http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen1/chgrip.html#RATCHOP

Yes I have used the Challenger so feel qualified to comment on the machine. In fact there is one for sale in the for sale section on this board. You might ask the owner to comment.
 
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max

Legend
Be careful with how you read responses to your inquiry. Fact of the matter is that the entry-level machines you mention each has a certain weakness: none is particularly better than the other. I have a Klippermate and like it, a lot, since it opens up the whole world of stringing to me; for the same reason, I'd like the other models you mention. Hate the awkward, slow Gamma clamps. But if I had the Gamma, I'd complain about the K-mate's string holder. So it's a wash.
 

WhiteSox05CA

Hall of Fame
I can only say I have had excellent luck on my 2 Eagnas machines. The challenger I is an excellent machine. Clamps are better than Alpha or Gamma's. They are 3 point diamond dusted instead of the older 5 point models. I have never worried about whose name is on a machine, but more about features I need to string.

For me, the clutch is important and makes stringing on a drop weight easier. Here is how a clutch works.
http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen1/chgrip.html#RATCHOP

Yes I have used the Challenger so feel qualified to comment on the machine. In fact there is one for sale in the for sale section on this board. You might ask the owner to comment.

Thanks a lot. I really value valid and experienced responses on these boards. I think I would definately want a clutch on my drop-weight machines. So not all linear grippers are clutch right? That's good to hear that some people support Eagnas. I was looking at the Challenger I, and the Flex 740.

Can I ask you what the main difference is between these three Eagnas machines?
Challenger I
Combo 710
Flex 740
Hawk 80

They all seem very similar. I'm liking the Challenger I on paper a lot.
 
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barry

Hall of Fame
Thanks a lot. I really value valid and experienced responses on these boards. I think I would definately want a clutch on my drop-weight machines. So not all linear grippers are clutch right? That's good to hear that some people support Eagnas. I was looking at the Challenger I, and the Flex 740.

Can I ask you what the main difference is between these three Eagnas machines?
Challenger I
Combo 710
Flex 740
Hawk 80

They all seem very similar. I'm liking the Challenger I on paper a lot.

Any of the machines will serve your purpose, but don't care for the Hawk 80 six point system, in that the pieces are plastic. The linear gripper for me is a step up from Rotational. I never liked wrapping string around a small hub, and stringing gut, it is easier to kink. Also I have no use for a Diablo (http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=115294&highlight=diablo) , but that is my personal preference.

The Challenger I has spring assisted base clamps which are easier to use and a nice 6 point mounting system.
The Flex 740 has cone lock base clamps. You need 1 /2 turn to lock them. I have them and they work well, but take a little more time than the spring assisted.
Hawk 80 has the older style 6 point mounting system. I like the Challenger I better
Combo 710 is an older design of the Challenger. It is solid and has the spring assisted clamps, plus a six point mounting system. It does not have the http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen1/chgrip.html but looks like this http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen/griprach.html
 

WhiteSox05CA

Hall of Fame
Any of the machines will serve your purpose, but don't care for the Hawk 80 six point system, in that the pieces are plastic. The linear gripper for me is a step up from Rotational. I never liked wrapping string around a small hub, and stringing gut, it is easier to kink. Also I have no use for a Diablo (http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=115294&highlight=diablo) , but that is my personal preference.

The Challenger I has spring assisted base clamps which are easier to use and a nice 6 point mounting system.
The Flex 740 has cone lock base clamps. You need 1 /2 turn to lock them. I have them and they work well, but take a little more time than the spring assisted.
Hawk 80 has the older style 6 point mounting system. I like the Challenger I better
Combo 710 is an older design of the Challenger. It is solid and has the spring assisted clamps, plus a six point mounting system. It does not have the http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen1/chgrip.html but looks like this http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen/griprach.html

Wow. Thanks a lot man. I think that I'll check out the Challenger I then.
 

WhiteSox05CA

Hall of Fame
I can only say I have had excellent luck on my 2 Eagnas machines. The challenger I is an excellent machine. Clamps are better than Alpha or Gamma's. They are 3 point diamond dusted instead of the older 5 point models. I have never worried about whose name is on a machine, but more about features I need to string.

For me, the clutch is important and makes stringing on a drop weight easier. Here is how a clutch works.
http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen1/chgrip.html#RATCHOP

Yes I have used the Challenger so feel qualified to comment on the machine. In fact there is one for sale in the for sale section on this board. You might ask the owner to comment.

Can you compare the Eagnas Challenger I and the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus?
 

barry

Hall of Fame
Can you compare the Eagnas Challenger I and the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus?

Only thing I could recommend is 2 posters on this site have the Challenger I. Antonio and Kevo. You might contact them and ask their opinion of the machine.

There are plenty of reviews on the Pioneer DC and you could also contact them.

Otherwise, talk with different players who own machines in your area, and ask if you can test drive them. Most owners are glad to help. I found it very informative and learned more than reading posts off this site.

Either machine will serve you well.
 
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