Laser Fibre ECO with Flying Clamps or Fixed Clamps?

[Columbus OH - Fairfax VA]

Please help me to decide my first stringing machine. I have never used a stringing machine before. After researching this board and Joe’s strings board, it seems like many people really like Laser Fibre. However, it is kind of expensive. I am toward the ECO model, which is $399 with flying clamps and $599 with fixed clamps (Double Actions).

I know that fixed clamps will be more efficient than flying clamps. And, I heard that the flying clamps on ECO are one of the best among flying clamps. I am not sure whether I should pay additional $200 for the fixed clamps.

Here is some background information about myself. I am a 27 year-old 3.5-4.0 topspin baseline player, who play single about 6 to 8 hours a week, and broken about 10 sets of strings last year, mostly Prince Synthetic Guts. Currently, I use Head TI Radical OS strung around 64 pounds and Prince Rebel strung around 60 pounds.

I may restring my racquets a little more often, if I have my own machine, and may string a few racquets for my friends. I probably will string 2 to 3 racquets a month, which is not that much.

Should I pay additional $200 for the fixed clamps?

Thanks!

 

[LMW]

I started stringing with an ATS SuperStringer II and eventually upgraded to the Laserfibre ECO with fixed clamps. If you can afford to, purchase the ECO with fixed clamps. There really is no comparison to the convenience of the fixed clamps verses the flying clamps. By the way, the Laserfibre machine is outstanding; you will not be sorry!

 

[Simbah2004]

I had the same issue and my profile is somehow similar to yours... However, I won't be stringing for other people. I use Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex 17 and need to change strings at least twice per week. I e-mailed Tim at Laserfibre and told him which racquets I use. Apparently, some racquets may require "improvisation" in order to work with flying clamps, but not mine. Portability is a big issue for me, as I travel a lot. If you want to string for yourself and others and can spare the $200 I think you should go with fixed clamps. With flying clamps, good skill and a "safe" frame you can have consistent results. However, if you end up getting lots of requests from other players, the $200 difference will be financially easily justifiable. Hope this helps.

 

[mr. stevo]

i would go with the fixed clamps, but i rather upgrade a bit and get the TT model, i had a long talk with tim from laserfibre and i eventually decided to get the ms200tt over the eco with fixed clamps. Once your friends or other people know you have a machine they WILL come to you for string jobs. just my 2 cents.

 

[Matt Choi]

I recommend that if you are going to get the Eco with fixed clamp, you upgrade its mounting system. I strung my Prestige on a recently purchased ECO with fixed clamp , and the racquet looks squatty at the top. I immediately cut it out, and had it strung on my partners TT. It looks fine now. Mounting system on the ECO is weak.

 

[byteme45]

I started with a flying clamp machine because I didn't want to part with the extra dough for a fixed maching. I didn't know how often I'd string, if I'd like it, that sort of thing.

The flying clamp machine was fine for about the first 10 racquets or so. Then they got to be a pain in the a.. They are harder to use, not as accurate, and for me they didn't hold the string nearly as well as fixed. After about 8 months I got to the point where I didn't like stringing because of it. So, I sold it and bought a fixed machine. What a world of difference. Had I not been cheap I'd have started with a fixed machine for sure. Just my $.02.

 

[Simbah2004]

Byteme, what machine did you get, the Laserfibre with flying clamps?

 

[byteme45]

I started with a Silent Partner eStringer w/ 6 point mounting system, sold that on **** and then bought an Alpha Revo 4000. Great machine that Alpha!

 

[Simbah2004]

Thanks, but I still have not heard from actual Laserfibre Eco with flying clamps owners... I would like to know what they think, pros and cons.