Neos 1500 mini review

[flydog21]

I have not seen any postings from anyone who actually owns the new Prince Neos 1500, so I guess I will be the first reviewer here. I have owned a Neos 1000, a Revo 4000, an Eagnas Hyper 320 (which I reviewed a while ago) and now the 1500.

Purchased from TW, it arrived in 9 days on the west coast. It is packaged very well in two boxes, one for the stand and one for everything else. Lots of molded styro to keep everything in its place. Assembly took about 30 minutes.

This is a beautiful machine. The fit and finish is excellent, with some fine machining on the turntable for the supports. The stand height adjustment range is very good, and tall stringers will likely find it comfortable.

Interesting how the support posts lock down. They are super easy to adjust and don’t fully snug up until the racquet is in place. Mounting the racquet is just crazy fast and easy. The clamp bases are installed on the table as shipped, and are adjusted nicely. The clamps work well with little pressure and are easy to adjust. Kind of funny, but the clamps stand out as the only “rough” finished parts on the entire machine. There is very little drawback on the clamps as the head is release. Like the Neos 1000, clamp access to the stringbed is excellent.

The tension measured about 2.5 pounds high on my digital scale which was pretty accurate the last time I checked it. This may change some as the machine breaks in. The table brake is a very easy to use gear system, but is a little sloppy when engaged. The best brake on any of the four machines I have owned is the screw brake on the Eagnas.

Overall, a really nice machine. I would purchase again with no reservation. Glad to answer any questions, but I don’t log in to the forum real often so please be patient. I’ll check more often over the next few days.

 

[william7gr]

Seems like an awesome machine. Any change you could post some pictures of it?

 

[flydog21]

Try to post some pics. I am not very good at this, so here goes:

Post adjustment:

Brake:

Clamp:

Hope this works

 

[decades]

I heard it's lighter than the neos 1000. How are the ergonomics? is the tensioner improved at all?

 

[flydog21]

Well, I see the images did not embed, but at least the link works. I can never figure out which code to copy from photobucket.

 

[drakulie]

Thanks for reviewing the machine. Looks just awesome. I love how open the mounting table looks. One of the things I miss most about stringing on the Neos is the 2 point mount, and how open everything is under the frame. This looks like it blows the 1000 away.

Are you planning on putting a wise tension head on it??


Congrats on the purchase. Enjoy, and happy stringing.

 

[flydog21]

Hey Decade. I don't think it is lighter. If it is, it's not by too much. I was concerned when I read that it was light, thinking that it might be too light. UPS listed the stand at 22 pounds and the assembly at 59 pounds. Subtract the packaging it is around 65 pounds or so.

The tensioner is exactly the same as the 1000. Egonomically, I like how the table is offset from the stand center. It seems better balanced.

 

[flydog21]

Drakulie, thanks for the note. I too loved the open table and mounting of the 1000 and it was why I chose this one. Re the Wise, I am tempted and probably will. But I have always enjoyed the feel of the string tension under my hand when pulling. I guess I could have both and switch back and forth.

 

[decades]

thanks. congrats on pulling the trigger on a very coveted machine.

 

[themitchmann]

I'm looking to buy a 1500 within the next couple of weeks, and I was thinking...

Apparently, the clamps are the same as the ones on the 5000 (and 6000, I think), but the clamp bases are different. Has anyone tried to replace the bases from the 1500 with replacement bases from a 5000?

 

[steve728]

flydog21 --- you are my hero. I've been thinking about upgrading to this stringer for a while now and have been waiting for someone to post a review about it. And with pics! Awesome. Congrats. I now plan on getting this as well (and with a Wise).

One question --- do the base clamps "click" into place when you lock it? Or do you have to "tighten" with a bit of pressure?

 

[MAX PLY]

Flydog21:

Thanks for the review. I, like Steve 728, would like to hear what you felt about the clamps and the speed/ease with which they work. First time in a long time I have looked at my Neos 1000 and thought about an upgrade. Continued good luck with your stringing.

 

[flydog21]

Hey guys.

Great question about the clamps, because the short description provided by Prince is a bit ambiguous. I actually expected the clamps to be the click-to-lock style but they are not. I re-read all the Prince stringer descriptions and can see they do not specifically say "click' in the text. However, they are fantastic clamps and bases. The pressure needed seems low, but that could be just better mechanical leverage. Since I am old, and most of the guys I string for are old, I do a ton of nat gut. The clamps appear to be gentle on the gut so I am happy. The base locks and unlocks very easily.

Now I am really thinking about a Wise head.

-flydog

 

[jim e]

Now I am really thinking about a Wise head.
-flydog

Now thats thinking wisely!!

 

[flydog21]

Just for fun, here is something ya don't see every day. My fancy-schmancy brand new Neos 1500 with a super good condition Prince Woodie mounted up. Too cool!

 

[drakulie]

Machine is looking so sweet! Thanks for updating all about the clamps.

 

[Cfidave]

If you add the Wise, will you lose the 360 degree rotation? IMO, one of the nice things about the 1500 over the 1000 is that added feature.

 

[flydog21]

Hey Cfi,

Actually, I never minded the lack of rotation on my 1000. In fact, being the klutz I am, I am constantly finding myself part way into a string job with 20 feet of string wrapped around the stand four times. That never happened on the 1000. Some of us need protection from ourselves. If I get the Wise, I would just have to worry about whipping the table around too fast and knocking the Wise right off the arm! I am a piece of work I tell ya.

-flydog

 

[MAX PLY]

flydog21,

The Prince Woodie is a nice touch. I very nice hitting frame and attractive as well. One of the many mid- and over-sized woods I tried when I made the switch from a standard wood frame to the more modern frames in the early 80s.

 

[radigan]

Nice review on the Neos. I love the prince woodie you have mounted. My local club put on a wood only tournament last summer where I used my woodie (insert any jokes here) and it was a success. It took a while to get used to hitting with wood again but was fun and nostalgic at the same time.

Congrats on the new stringer.

 

[iplaybetter]

i like the look of those clamps, do they have a roller (eg the old slim clamps for the 3000)
Looks liek they cleaned up the stocks a tad from the old 3000, 4000, and 5000
but otherwise it looks the same
congrats

 

[themitchmann]

I'm looking to buy a 1500 within the next couple of weeks, and I was thinking...

Apparently, the clamps are the same as the ones on the 5000 (and 6000, I think), but the clamp bases are different. Has anyone tried to replace the bases from the 1500 with replacement bases from a 5000?

Any thoughts on this??? I just ordered my machine this afternoon.

 

[flydog21]

I am not familiar with the clamps on the 3000, but I do not see anything in the clamps that looks like a roller. They are a simple cam action with a pinned movable jaw. Similar to other double action clamps I have used. Also have no experience with the base parts on the higher end mechines.

 

[Lokius]

I recently purchased a Neos-1500 and I love it. I will be posting up a review in the next couple of days. Very happy with the machine so far!!

Fitz

 

[themitchmann]

Just got my machine yesterday. A little different than my Ektelon, but I'm getting used to it. The tension head is pulling a little tight (6-7lbs over reference).

 

[1540tennis]

Thanks for the review! This looks like a great update to one of the real classic stringers!

 

[Lakers4Life]

Nice review! I agree the screw brake on Eagnas is a much better. But for ease of use the Prince brake is just as good.

I have a Prince 5000/6000 table without the turntable (long story) and have been looking for a turntable assembly to mount on it. If I can get the assembly only I'd go for that.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

How does the Prince brake work?

 

[Lakers4Life]

There is a gear like cog with slots. Then a collar with a handle on one end and a pin on the other side pointing in. You pull the handle/knob outwards and the pin inserts into a slot thus keeping the table from turning. To release, you just push the handle/knob back in.

 

[David123]

What is your opinion on the Revo 4000, and the prince Neos 1000. Which one would you rather string rackets with and why? Pros/cons to each? I've been looking for someone who has used both So your opinion would be highly appreciated I plan on getting a used Neos for around $600.

 

[flydog21]

Between the Revo and the Neos 1000, I preferred the Neos. While both are excellent machines, the Neos was easier to mount the racquet, better for my posture with the height adjustable stand, and there were never any blocked holes with the excellent mounting system. I do few fan shaped racquets, and when I did only the outer mains needed the flying clamps. The glide bars were fast and sooooo easy. Both are fine machines and will give consistent results.

 

[David123]

Ok thanks for this comment. Do you think Neos 1000 and 1500 are really that much different? Thinking of a neos 1000, but i don't know. I don't think my budget fits for the 1500. Since i may be getting the neos 1000 for 800, adding 500$ more is just too much id rather buy a wise. Your opinion? If i don't do any fan patterns, then i don't need the swivel clamps do i? So i am good with the neos 1000?

 

[flydog21]

Addressed this question in your thread with pics of the 1000.