Prince Neos 1000 or Alpha Apex 2
- Thread starter COPEY
- Start date
That's some awesome news right there. Glad we could be a help to you. And as far as advice in the future, you got it.
Enjoy the machine,
Zhou
g4driver
Legend
Guys thanks for making me feel like I made a good choice with your comments.
I know I would have been happy with a Revo 4000, Neos 1000, or a tabletop Gamma, but I think the roller casters on the Apex 2 was the deal sealer for me. I would have bought the Axis Pro if I could have put lockable casters on it and saved $300.
Unfortunately, I have two titanium screws (that look like giant wood screws) in my low back and simply can't move a 50+ pound stringer without a lot of pain and more risk to my back. I doubt anyone places as much priority on lockable wheels than someone who's had back issues. So if you're moving one around without wheels, take my advice: get some help if you can, and left with your legs. Don't blow out your back because your a manly man. It won't be worth it.
Copey, I asked Mark about the 2nd starting clamp, and he told me I didn't need one, but from what I can infer from comments from you, Jim E, tbuggle, and drakulie is that two is a nice option. Maybe I will order one with my next order of stuff from TW.
I know YULitle's made some comments about not liking the mounting of the Apex 2 compared to a Gamma 6004, but I also realize there are things about most stringers that you might like or not like. YuLitle videos are very nice, but I'm sure I will be asking for a lot of advice on here.
Copey, Mark did mention something about making a DVD showing how to string with a Revo 4000, and that he would include it. He told me the Apex 2 will have differences, but the video will certainly help. Call him and ask him for one. I mentioned I had been chatting with you, and your comments help me make the call to purchase from him.
Jim E and Drakulie, what you referring to when you comment that you have an "extra clamp with scrap string to use as a bridge"?
David123, not trying to push you, but just curious why you choose the Neos 1000 over the Apex 2 or Revo 4000? I know people may laugh at my reasoning, but the lockable wheels were a very big deal for me.
Thank again guys for all your feedback, and encouragement. You guys make tennis a better game. And I need a lift after I got bageled this afternoon, by my 4.5 friend. I need a counter to his back-hand drop slice to my backhand. This is his lethal shot in singles, couple with a booming forehand for a setup shot. I think he won 20+ points off this shot today alone.
I know I would have been happy with a Revo 4000, Neos 1000, or a tabletop Gamma, but I think the roller casters on the Apex 2 was the deal sealer for me. I would have bought the Axis Pro if I could have put lockable casters on it and saved $300.
Unfortunately, I have two titanium screws (that look like giant wood screws) in my low back and simply can't move a 50+ pound stringer without a lot of pain and more risk to my back. I doubt anyone places as much priority on lockable wheels than someone who's had back issues. So if you're moving one around without wheels, take my advice: get some help if you can, and left with your legs. Don't blow out your back because your a manly man. It won't be worth it.
Copey, I asked Mark about the 2nd starting clamp, and he told me I didn't need one, but from what I can infer from comments from you, Jim E, tbuggle, and drakulie is that two is a nice option. Maybe I will order one with my next order of stuff from TW.
I know YULitle's made some comments about not liking the mounting of the Apex 2 compared to a Gamma 6004, but I also realize there are things about most stringers that you might like or not like. YuLitle videos are very nice, but I'm sure I will be asking for a lot of advice on here.
Copey, Mark did mention something about making a DVD showing how to string with a Revo 4000, and that he would include it. He told me the Apex 2 will have differences, but the video will certainly help. Call him and ask him for one. I mentioned I had been chatting with you, and your comments help me make the call to purchase from him.
Jim E and Drakulie, what you referring to when you comment that you have an "extra clamp with scrap string to use as a bridge"?
David123, not trying to push you, but just curious why you choose the Neos 1000 over the Apex 2 or Revo 4000? I know people may laugh at my reasoning, but the lockable wheels were a very big deal for me.
Thank again guys for all your feedback, and encouragement. You guys make tennis a better game. And I need a lift after I got bageled this afternoon, by my 4.5 friend. I need a counter to his back-hand drop slice to my backhand. This is his lethal shot in singles, couple with a booming forehand for a setup shot. I think he won 20+ points off this shot today alone.
G4driver,
I'd like to congratulate you on your Apex 2 purchase. I hope you will enjoy it for a very long time!
There are many reasons why I chose the Neos 1000/1500 over the Apex 2. (I am not quite sure which one to purchase, and will probably just purchase the regular 1000). The first reason is because it's extremly popular among stringers today, and a great deal of shops keep as a back up machine. Its longevity is another reason. I was thinking about the Apex 2 but then i saw many people saying how their Neos 1000 is still functioning like new even after 10-15 years of usage. I haven't heard anything about the Apex 2 lasting a life time and being called a workhorse, even though it may still be.
In addition, there has to be a reason why there have been more rackets strung on the Neos 1000 than any other machine in the world. I actaully emailed a guy who still owns the Neos 1000 to this day after around 15 years of hardcore racket stringing. He strung for many top pros including Robin Soderling. He specifically said to me that when he strung Soderling's racket, Soderling couldn't feel the difference between his racket being strung on the Neos 1000, and if his racket was strung on a top end machine.
The popularity of the Neos 1000 is just too big to just pass by on and purchase something different. There have been many arguments about the mounting system, but again, i've heard from countless amount of people tha that have been using the Neos for years and counting, and haven't broke one racket. The mounting on the Neos is not like the mounting on the X-2. It's more sophisticated even though it's still a 2pt mount. In addition rackets are built to make sure they can take the stress of 2 pt machines, otherwise they wouldn't be manufactured. You can talk to a lot of people including bud who will tell you that he thinks that 2pt mount is better for a racket.
No blocked grommets is another thing about the Neos that's quite splendid. The wheels don't really matter much to me, but that changes from case to case. The clamps of the Neos are also really well done.
In summary, so many people have strung on the Neos 1000 and have been satisfied with the results they can achieve with the machine. The only question i have in my mind is whether to purchase the Neos 1000, or the 1500. I have quite mixed opinions on both. Some people telling me to go for the 1500, as its newer and has swivel clamps. (but i will not be doing any fan patterns, and newer does not mean matter by any means)
I believe that whatever machine i choose to go with, i'll be more than happy with. This is because I won't know what I will be missing with the other machine. So many people have been happy with the Neos 1000, that if i purchase it I just can't go wrong, even if in my case, the Neos 1500 is better. However, since the Neos 1500 is fairly new and have not been reviewed by many people, I can't exactly say the same thing. Newer does not mean better. Just my opinion.
Now let me ask you. Why did you pick the Apex 2 over the Neos 1000? Is it just because of the wheels?
David
irish-phil
Rookie
g4driver
Legend
David123, your reasoning is sound.
My reasoning for the Apex 2 over a Gamma 6004, and Neos came down to a few things: 1) the lockable casters (wheels) due to my back surgery (although most advise against them for obvious reasons), 2) finally my choice came down to the positive comments about the Apex 2 and Alpha. The 6 pt vs 2 pt didn't factor into my decision.
I'm a complete novice, so any stringer for me would be better than what I have. I would have been happy with a Neos 1000, Axis Pro, or a Revo 4000. The Neos is solid and weighs in a 125 lbs if my memory serves me well. The weight, coupled with the lack of air conditioned storage in my garage means I have to keep the stringer in the house. Everything in my garage rusts. I'm too close to the ocean, and all of my shovels, rakes, racks, pressure washer, lawnmover, and kayaks have various amounts of rust somewhere.
You're 18, I'm 43. My other half is ok with the stringer, but not in our bedroom, and I'm not letting my stringer sit in the garage and rust. That's not a option. So I had to compromise, and get something that I can roll into a closet when not in use. The thought of picking up a Neos or Axis Pro puts my back and my profession at risk. I can't work with a hurt back, so the Apex is a solution for me. If the Neos had lockable casters it would have been a contender, so the decision to put casters on the Apex to increase the height above 45" resulted in a solution to a problem that had never been brought up. Thank to the tall guy who asked how to raise the Apex up a few inches more. The casters were a solution for him, but they turned out to be a major factor for me.
Here's a story I love to share:
My parent's bought me a sleeping bag in 1976 when I was 10 years old and needed one for camping with the Boy Scouts. The bag was made by a relatively small company that had been around for ten years, but as a 10 year old with no internet in 1976, neither me nor my parents had ever heard of the company. My parent's looked at the quality of construction, and the dealer's advice and made a choice. I still use that same sleeping bag today, and it's been all over Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Far East. The bag was made by a very small company called The North Face. My bag is 33 years old today, and still works like a champ.
Alpha will most likely never be as large as The North Face, but they have all the qualities of a company that like: friendly, courteous, helpful with quality products. Compare my phone call with Mark today with my call to Prince today. I called Prince today and left a message for them asking about boomerangs. Never heard back from them even though I have six of their sticks in my closet, and have purchased a lot of their racquets over over the years.
Bigger isn't always better. It's just different. Alpha is a small company that isn't perfect, but you can reach them and they get back to you, and take inputs from their customers. They will make mistakes and they will learn from them. For now, they made something that works for me. In 16 months, I should recoup my money from the string with 5 string jobs a month.
My reasoning for the Apex 2 over a Gamma 6004, and Neos came down to a few things: 1) the lockable casters (wheels) due to my back surgery (although most advise against them for obvious reasons), 2) finally my choice came down to the positive comments about the Apex 2 and Alpha. The 6 pt vs 2 pt didn't factor into my decision.
I'm a complete novice, so any stringer for me would be better than what I have. I would have been happy with a Neos 1000, Axis Pro, or a Revo 4000. The Neos is solid and weighs in a 125 lbs if my memory serves me well. The weight, coupled with the lack of air conditioned storage in my garage means I have to keep the stringer in the house. Everything in my garage rusts. I'm too close to the ocean, and all of my shovels, rakes, racks, pressure washer, lawnmover, and kayaks have various amounts of rust somewhere.
You're 18, I'm 43. My other half is ok with the stringer, but not in our bedroom, and I'm not letting my stringer sit in the garage and rust. That's not a option. So I had to compromise, and get something that I can roll into a closet when not in use. The thought of picking up a Neos or Axis Pro puts my back and my profession at risk. I can't work with a hurt back, so the Apex is a solution for me. If the Neos had lockable casters it would have been a contender, so the decision to put casters on the Apex to increase the height above 45" resulted in a solution to a problem that had never been brought up. Thank to the tall guy who asked how to raise the Apex up a few inches more. The casters were a solution for him, but they turned out to be a major factor for me.
Here's a story I love to share:
My parent's bought me a sleeping bag in 1976 when I was 10 years old and needed one for camping with the Boy Scouts. The bag was made by a relatively small company that had been around for ten years, but as a 10 year old with no internet in 1976, neither me nor my parents had ever heard of the company. My parent's looked at the quality of construction, and the dealer's advice and made a choice. I still use that same sleeping bag today, and it's been all over Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Far East. The bag was made by a very small company called The North Face. My bag is 33 years old today, and still works like a champ.
Alpha will most likely never be as large as The North Face, but they have all the qualities of a company that like: friendly, courteous, helpful with quality products. Compare my phone call with Mark today with my call to Prince today. I called Prince today and left a message for them asking about boomerangs. Never heard back from them even though I have six of their sticks in my closet, and have purchased a lot of their racquets over over the years.
Bigger isn't always better. It's just different. Alpha is a small company that isn't perfect, but you can reach them and they get back to you, and take inputs from their customers. They will make mistakes and they will learn from them. For now, they made something that works for me. In 16 months, I should recoup my money from the string with 5 string jobs a month.
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dancraig
Hall of Fame
Last edited:
COPEY
Hall of Fame
Just so no one gets the wrong idea, I've yet to string a racquet where the supports on the mounting arms block a grommet. I don't think it's possible actually. You may have to go just to the left or right to insert/retrieve a string as it enters/exits the grommet, but by no means should you ever have a blocked grommet due to the design of the Apex 2.
Driver, Mark is right - you don't need a 2nd clamp, and I didn't mean to suggest that anyone does. Heck, you don't even need one. Having one is a convenience, two is a luxury.
Rex
Rookie
Very well put g4driver. With regards to the boomerang tool for the rackets, give them a call at this number: 1-800-2-TENNIS and I think I went for the sales department. Some guy from the sales department directed my call to another department that took care of it for me. I was able to get them to ship me a few boomerangs for different O3 sticks at no charge. I just had to tell them which O3 rackets I had.
g4driver
Legend
Thanks Rex,
I will try Prince again tomorrow. I probably left a message on a voicemail of someone on vacation.
Did you get your Revo yet? Mark mentioned a DVD with instructions, but it sounds like you are a very experienced stringer, so I'm not sure if it will help you as much as it will help me.
I will try Prince again tomorrow. I probably left a message on a voicemail of someone on vacation.
Did you get your Revo yet? Mark mentioned a DVD with instructions, but it sounds like you are a very experienced stringer, so I'm not sure if it will help you as much as it will help me.
COPEY
Hall of Fame
I meant there would be nothing in your way
Understood. I just wanted to make sure someone reading this thread for the first time, being new to stringing/stringers, wouldn't misinterpret that portion of your post and think that the Alpha Apex had a flawed design.
Great story, driver...a very nice comparison to the kind of company Alpha is and the type of customer service Mark provides.
Rex
Rookie
Best of luck trying to get some boomerang tools. Unfortunately I have not gotten my machine yet.
It's on back order and it should ship this Wednesday. It will be here in good time too since I have about 5 rackets to string. That's going to save me $100 already. 
g4driver
Legend
Rex,
Just got the Alpha this afternoon. I will get some pics posts later tonight after I get it upstairs.
You were right about many things...including the trainwreck of threads starting by one user.
Speaking of trainwrecks, have you ever seen this website:
http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/
Just got the Alpha this afternoon. I will get some pics posts later tonight after I get it upstairs.
You were right about many things...including the trainwreck of threads starting by one user.
Speaking of trainwrecks, have you ever seen this website:
http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/
Rex
Rookie
I am very jealous right now. My stringer shipped yesterday and UPS said it will be here on Monday (crossing fingers for Friday).
Happy stringing!! Throw up some pics when you get a chance. Let me know if you have any questions about stringing at all.
Nice find on the website. =)
