Need ball machine because nobody is available

[raiden031]

Ok everyone either 1) is on 5 league teams 2) only wants to play matches or 3) only wants to play on days I'm not available, so I'm having a hard time finding practice this time of year and therefore I am going crazy and need to resort to a ball machine to keep my sanity. I need help on finding a ball machine that is right for me. Here is what I'm looking for:

- Cheapest ball machine that I can get that is reliable
- Must be portable/battery powered
- I do not care about any features such as spin and oscillators. I just want something that works and feeds me balls.

What type of price range am I looking at and what models would you recommend?

 

[simi]

Ok everyone either 1) is on 5 league teams 2) only wants to play matches or 3) only wants to play on days I'm not available, so I'm having a hard time finding practice this time of year and therefore I am going crazy and need to resort to a ball machine to keep my sanity. I need help on finding a ball machine that is right for me. Here is what I'm looking for:

- Cheapest ball machine that I can get that is reliable
- Must be portable/battery powered
- I do not care about any features such as spin and oscillators. I just want something that works and feeds me balls.

What type of price range am I looking at and what models would you recommend?

What is your ability level? That really determines what you should get.

Consider http://www.sportstutor.com/

If you just need basic, and not very fast speed, the Tennis Tutor ProLite Basic is pretty inexpensive (for a ball machine). If 60mph is fast enough, might be a good machine for you.

Next step up is the Tennis Tutor. That will take you up to 85mph, but also is a lot more expensive. I have the Wilson machine and am very happy with it. Only goes up to 75mph, and I have it at max pretty much all the time, unless I set it up for lobs where I might slow it down a bit (so the ball stays in the court without going a mile into the sky). I got the Wilson because it has topspin and underspin. Use that feature pretty much all the time.

One thing you might consider is getting one of the demo machines. My Wilson machine was a demo, but it looked pretty much brand new, inside and out. They spiff them up really nice and you can save a few clams too. Same warranty as all their other machines.

I agree with you about the oscillator. Not all that much useful, unless you want to run around and sweat a bunch. Problem is that you can watch the machine and gauge where the ball will go, and start in that direction. Doesn't help reaction time at all. I never use mine. Just the ProLite Basic is available without an oscillator, all the others have 'em.

Good luck.

 

[Bolivian10s]

What is your ability level? That really determines what you should get.

Consider http://www.sportstutor.com/

If you just need basic, and not very fast speed, the Tennis Tutor ProLite Basic is pretty inexpensive (for a ball machine). If 60mph is fast enough, might be a good machine for you.

Next step up is the Tennis Tutor. That will take you up to 85mph, but also is a lot more expensive. I have the Wilson machine and am very happy with it. Only goes up to 75mph, and I have it at max pretty much all the time, unless I set it up for lobs where I might slow it down a bit (so the ball stays in the court without going a mile into the sky). I got the Wilson because it has topspin and underspin. Use that feature pretty much all the time.

One thing you might consider is getting one of the demo machines. My Wilson machine was a demo, but it looked pretty much brand new, inside and out. They spiff them up really nice and you can save a few clams too. Same warranty as all their other machines.

I agree with you about the oscillator. Not all that much useful, unless you want to run around and sweat a bunch. Problem is that you can watch the machine and gauge where the ball will go, and start in that direction. Doesn't help reaction time at all. I never use mine. Just the ProLite Basic is available without an oscillator, all the others have 'em.

Good luck.

I couldn't agree more 100% with SIMI, definitely consider the Tennis Tutor Demos if you want to save some $$$$
All the Tennis Tutors are easy to use, durable and very reliable nad been around for over 20 years.

 

[mark rodgers]

Try the USTA dot com's "Find a Partner" utility. Maybe you can find a new partner that way.

 

[raiden031]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to buy the Tennis Tutor ProLite basic because it seems to fit my needs most in price and portability. Now I have someone to hit with me at 6 in the morning when courts are empty, although he's not the most outgoing hitting partner.

 

[raiden031]

Try the USTA dot com's "Find a Partner" utility. Maybe you can find a new partner that way.

Actually I have alot of email addresses of local players, the problem is that 1) everyone wants to play during peak hours when all the courts are in use for leagues or tennis lessons or whatever. I like to play at 6-6:30am or 4:30pm when courts are not busy, but the few guys who are willing to play during those times are now playing on multiple league teams so they can't play those times anymore like they could during the winter.

 

[jgn1013]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to buy the Tennis Tutor ProLite basic because it seems to fit my needs most in price and portability. Now I have someone to hit with me at 6 in the morning when courts are empty, although he's not the most outgoing hitting partner.

I purchased this machine (demo version w. smart charger) last year form sports tutor, it's been great! Never had a problem. Used it religiously last year to groove my strokes. FYI if you happend to break the "white" ball holder wings, just call sports and they will send you a new set free of charge.

 

[Bolivian10s]

Great Choice!

Thanks for the advice. I decided to buy the Tennis Tutor ProLite basic because it seems to fit my needs most in price and portability. Now I have someone to hit with me at 6 in the morning when courts are empty, although he's not the most outgoing hitting partner.

GOOD FOR YOU!!

This machine is the most simplest, user friendly, least expensive, lightest, get the job done machine out there. You'll be very satisfied as I always have been for over 10 years.

 

[simi]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to buy the Tennis Tutor ProLite basic because it seems to fit my needs most in price and portability. Now I have someone to hit with me at 6 in the morning when courts are empty, although he's not the most outgoing hitting partner.

Congrats. Give an update and your impressions after you've used it a few times.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Actually I have alot of email addresses of local players, the problem is that 1) everyone wants to play during peak hours when all the courts are in use for leagues or tennis lessons or whatever. I like to play at 6-6:30am or 4:30pm when courts are not busy, but the few guys who are willing to play during those times are now playing on multiple league teams so they can't play those times anymore like they could during the winter.

I share your pain. A lot of guys will even say "sure, just hit" - 25 minutes in they're bugging you to play. Pain in the...

I purchased this machine (demo version w. smart charger) last year form sports tutor, it's been great! Never had a problem. Used it religiously last year to groove my strokes. FYI if you happend to break the "white" ball holder wings, just call sports and they will send you a new set free of charge.

I have the basic iSam - got it off eee bbb aaa yyy cheap. Ok but not great - oscillation feature is useless and jams on occasion - also seems to stop if too many balls are in the hopper - even though it's less than the max.

I'll be interested to hear your impressions of this machine.



http://www.angrybackhand.com

 

[itsstephenyo]

I have a Tennis Tutor Plus, I think. It does exactly what I want it to: feed me balls so I can work on my strokes. Awesome investment. If it weren't for the ball machine, my dad and I would have absolutely no idea how to hit tennis balls.

 

[Loco4Tennis]

i got my sam-p1 ball machine from here www tennis ball machine com
good machine with all the standard bell and wizzles, but the best feature, its a tank!

 

[Lendl and Federer Fan]

I have a Tennis Tutor Plus, I think. It does exactly what I want it to: feed me balls so I can work on my strokes. Awesome investment. If it weren't for the ball machine, my dad and I would have absolutely no idea how to hit tennis balls.

Did you get the one with player mode?