Sardines
Hall of Fame
My kids have been playing ITF juniors and like their dad, are pretty particular about how things are done on their sticks. They proposed I front the money for a stringer, and they would pay back in stringing savings. My stringer charges $15 for non-gut and $20 for gut hybrid stringing labor plus string purchse. Tournament stringers charge $20-25 per job.
Long story short, they badgered my wife and I unrelentingly, so we tried the Gamma X-ELS from Amazon, but the footprint was big and wasn't very portable on planes. We finally decided on the Pro Stringer Platinum 2.0. for a little over $975. Off the bat, there was a problem with the installment payment website, where she'd inputted the CC info and it said the transaction didn't go through (I saw the screen) , so she did it again and it went through. She was a pro stringer owner!
I received an email from Jean Thirouin, director of Pro Stringer, regarding the transaction. Apparently she'd bought 2 machines! Jean was confirming if I wanted 2 machines! I immediately explained what happened. Since the payment website had charged my card twice for the initial payment, he offered to cancel the other order and delay the next instalment by a month. So score 1 for customer service by Pro Stringer.
The machine has an analog tension motor, and not digital, despite being electronic. There are no other functions like prestretch, knotting functions etc. But it is constant pull, which is a good thing. So it's not an advanced machine, but a basic electric stringer. It comes with 2 double flying clamps called claws, a multi function tool, power supply and an international adapter, along with the stringer box and the 2 point frame. This picture shows 3 L shape hex keys, but we did not get that. The adapter is also a generic travel adapter and NOT the Prostringer branded USB charger adapter. Of course, the girls did not do a check list and I only found out when I did research to write this review. Still, Jean has offered to send me the missing items.
The first string job took about 45 mins. The racquet bed played loose. Undeterred, they went on analysis on why. Seems the pro stringer method is to string the 2 center mains, and using double flying clamps to clamp down the 2nd and 3rd mins (in the center) then pull on the other center main. Adding a starter clamp and pin fixed it.
One of the biggest issues we ran into was stringing with natural gut. My youngest diligently cut the VS pack in half and prestretched using a luggage scale. However when she got to the 2nd main pull from the throat, it snapped under load! She made sure I was around for the 2nd attempt. Seems the ProStringer pulls the throat pull from the side beam just under the throat, and it stresses the gut from the grommet, under the the shaft and into the guide, lifting the racquet slightly (which is built into the frame design). Since the PS braces against the racquet, the tension on the shaft coming back up into the guide of the stringer snapped the gut! It's fine for poly/multis which are tougher, but for gut, the stress is sometimes too high. I let her try another set, a thicker 15L 1.35mm, and it snapped once but held on the 2nd time! Not a great ratio! I notified Jean about this and he sent me a Butt Cap Pull Adapter schematic, which I 3D printed and fixed the issue with natural gut, by pulling the string through the throat all the way to the butt cap.
Stringing the crosses is relatively the same except for the issue of the start again, since the dual flying clamp doesn't hold 1 string. So the top 2 strings are tensioned at different tensions and need to be pulled on to even out. So again, the setup needs a starter clamp. Another problem is the issue with some racquets with overcrowded grommets, like the Angell TC100 last cross, which needs an awl, which isn't included.
Overall, the Pro Stringer Platinum 2.0 is a portable, easy to set up basic electronic stringer, with minimal functions. At almost $1k, it's definitely on the expensive side for what you get, especially since there are essential tools like the starter clamp which aren't included. Alternatives my daughters looked at included Gamma XLS (returned) Pro's Pro Comet X and Penta 3600 with Wise 2086, TMS portable and a couple of others, but neither had the portability and ease of use of the PS2.0. There are also quirks like the very tiny tension scale, non-adjustability of the tensioning mechanism and also service issues since the unit is made in South Korea (depending on where you are). Still, once you buy the starter clamp and awl, it works well. My stringmeter, racquet tune and even ERT by my own pro stringer, shows even tension spread. The user just has to figure what tensions they are used to converted from a fixed clamp machine, which takes a few tries and made easier by a starting clamp and starting pin. My kids both now do the stringing in under 20 mins, and with restringing 2-3 racquets a week from training between them, they have saved over half the cost of the machine in 4 months. They did the measurements, so getting one extra stringing from each reel reduces waste!
*Update Dec 2023:
Since our purchase, there have been several upgrades released by Pro Stringer, namely the Claw 2.0 and the new mounting X 2/4/6 point, which is their answer to the (mythical) need of 6 pt mount system.
I should add that this review is mainly based on my kids' experiences. In addition to the Platinum 2.0, you will need to buy these items:
1. The starting clamp/pin/string combo is a must to pull each string individually for good tension in the stringbed.
2. A measuring tape if you string from a reel. My daughters have figured out when you measure out 19.2 ft vs 19.7 ft, you can string 1 extra racquet.
3. A long awl, especially if your racquet has blocked cross holes! But NOT cabin luggage approved. (we no longer need an awl for our sticks!)
4. The Giant Claw 1.0. It really helps with adjusting to wider gaps, and pulls much less on string than the Stringway triple clamp. Claw 2.0 now is wide enough to handle 99% of all string gaps.
5. Long nose pliers. The included multi-tool plier has a blade which means you can't hand carry it as cabin. luggage. I purchased curved needle nose pliers which I find easier to use. Some airports will confiscate pliers so do not fly with them in cabin luggage.
Long story short, they badgered my wife and I unrelentingly, so we tried the Gamma X-ELS from Amazon, but the footprint was big and wasn't very portable on planes. We finally decided on the Pro Stringer Platinum 2.0. for a little over $975. Off the bat, there was a problem with the installment payment website, where she'd inputted the CC info and it said the transaction didn't go through (I saw the screen) , so she did it again and it went through. She was a pro stringer owner!
I received an email from Jean Thirouin, director of Pro Stringer, regarding the transaction. Apparently she'd bought 2 machines! Jean was confirming if I wanted 2 machines! I immediately explained what happened. Since the payment website had charged my card twice for the initial payment, he offered to cancel the other order and delay the next instalment by a month. So score 1 for customer service by Pro Stringer.
The machine has an analog tension motor, and not digital, despite being electronic. There are no other functions like prestretch, knotting functions etc. But it is constant pull, which is a good thing. So it's not an advanced machine, but a basic electric stringer. It comes with 2 double flying clamps called claws, a multi function tool, power supply and an international adapter, along with the stringer box and the 2 point frame. This picture shows 3 L shape hex keys, but we did not get that. The adapter is also a generic travel adapter and NOT the Prostringer branded USB charger adapter. Of course, the girls did not do a check list and I only found out when I did research to write this review. Still, Jean has offered to send me the missing items.
The first string job took about 45 mins. The racquet bed played loose. Undeterred, they went on analysis on why. Seems the pro stringer method is to string the 2 center mains, and using double flying clamps to clamp down the 2nd and 3rd mins (in the center) then pull on the other center main. Adding a starter clamp and pin fixed it.
One of the biggest issues we ran into was stringing with natural gut. My youngest diligently cut the VS pack in half and prestretched using a luggage scale. However when she got to the 2nd main pull from the throat, it snapped under load! She made sure I was around for the 2nd attempt. Seems the ProStringer pulls the throat pull from the side beam just under the throat, and it stresses the gut from the grommet, under the the shaft and into the guide, lifting the racquet slightly (which is built into the frame design). Since the PS braces against the racquet, the tension on the shaft coming back up into the guide of the stringer snapped the gut! It's fine for poly/multis which are tougher, but for gut, the stress is sometimes too high. I let her try another set, a thicker 15L 1.35mm, and it snapped once but held on the 2nd time! Not a great ratio! I notified Jean about this and he sent me a Butt Cap Pull Adapter schematic, which I 3D printed and fixed the issue with natural gut, by pulling the string through the throat all the way to the butt cap.
Stringing the crosses is relatively the same except for the issue of the start again, since the dual flying clamp doesn't hold 1 string. So the top 2 strings are tensioned at different tensions and need to be pulled on to even out. So again, the setup needs a starter clamp. Another problem is the issue with some racquets with overcrowded grommets, like the Angell TC100 last cross, which needs an awl, which isn't included.
Overall, the Pro Stringer Platinum 2.0 is a portable, easy to set up basic electronic stringer, with minimal functions. At almost $1k, it's definitely on the expensive side for what you get, especially since there are essential tools like the starter clamp which aren't included. Alternatives my daughters looked at included Gamma XLS (returned) Pro's Pro Comet X and Penta 3600 with Wise 2086, TMS portable and a couple of others, but neither had the portability and ease of use of the PS2.0. There are also quirks like the very tiny tension scale, non-adjustability of the tensioning mechanism and also service issues since the unit is made in South Korea (depending on where you are). Still, once you buy the starter clamp and awl, it works well. My stringmeter, racquet tune and even ERT by my own pro stringer, shows even tension spread. The user just has to figure what tensions they are used to converted from a fixed clamp machine, which takes a few tries and made easier by a starting clamp and starting pin. My kids both now do the stringing in under 20 mins, and with restringing 2-3 racquets a week from training between them, they have saved over half the cost of the machine in 4 months. They did the measurements, so getting one extra stringing from each reel reduces waste!
*Update Dec 2023:
Since our purchase, there have been several upgrades released by Pro Stringer, namely the Claw 2.0 and the new mounting X 2/4/6 point, which is their answer to the (mythical) need of 6 pt mount system.
Pros | Cons |
| Responsive customer service since purchase | Tension choice needs to be adjusted vs conventional stringing machines. I choose 2lbs more, my kids 1lbs more. |
| The stringing methodology has quite a bit of flexibility because the stringer can be moved around. | Pulling mains from the throat side requires pulling from the side shaft of the racquet, which is ineloquent and sometimes snaps fragile natural gut. The butt pull adapter is available as a 3D printout from Pro Stringer. |
| Very compact and light. With all the extra gear, still weighs less than 9.5 lbs in a small package! Perfect for the traveling player! | Needs starter clamp and pin/string BADLY for both mains and crosses for even, accurate stringing. |
| Uses less string being so close to the frame. Calculations show one extra stringing from a 660 feet reel, depending on racquet. | Threading the crosses across the stringbed is blocked by the shallow racquet mount. It is especially difficult with the final few crosses. |
| Simply to use with easy setup with a small footprint. | Tension motor is not adjustable. The solution is to shift the tension scale sticker to adjust to the tension changes. |
| Allows you to sit to string. This is especially nice for doing the crosses. | The scale indicator is TINY! Made for good eyes only! |
| Claws (V1 and esp V2) are excellent, especially in grip and adjustability. V2 adds the dial like the Stringway, but much more secure and less likely to move. Chrome plating of 2.0+ helps with esthetic oxidation of aluminum material | Claw clamps have thick teeth so difficult to lock near the frame sometimes in the upper and lower hoop, when stringing crosses. *V2 are longer and heavier. |
| Giant Claw works very well with wider gapped string patterns without pulling on strings. A must buy if your stick has very open string pattern. * Claw 2.0 alleviates this problem generally, but are 40g heavier and longer. | Giant Claw (Flying clamp) is sold separately (but worth it for open string patterns). *Edit, Claw 2.0 is 21mm wide so will work for all by the biggest gapped string patterns |
| New X2, 4, 6 point mounting system removes one of the marketing issues of being 2 pt mount system, and also fixes the limited space between the stringbed and mount issue of the original mount. | The racquet mount gap is pretty shallow so stringing the last few crosses is more difficult. It's workable doing crosses but the gap is only a little over 1cm (⅓") so threading crosses in general isn't as easy and quick as a normal mount. |
| Stringing crosses with string patterns like Yonex 2 pcs, if using the 3 cross as tie off, means the top 2 string tensions differ more than convention locked clamp machines. | |
| Multifunction tool is not cabin luggage approved, due to blade. | |
| Limited tension range (40-70lbs/17-33kg) and lacks more precise increments like a digitally controlled tension head. | |
| X2-6 pt mounts are significantly heavier (from 0.5-1kg depending model) than the old mounting system, making it a heavier machine to travel with in cabin luggage. It is also an expensive upgrade. |
I should add that this review is mainly based on my kids' experiences. In addition to the Platinum 2.0, you will need to buy these items:
1. The starting clamp/pin/string combo is a must to pull each string individually for good tension in the stringbed.
2. A measuring tape if you string from a reel. My daughters have figured out when you measure out 19.2 ft vs 19.7 ft, you can string 1 extra racquet.
3. A long awl, especially if your racquet has blocked cross holes! But NOT cabin luggage approved. (we no longer need an awl for our sticks!)
4. The Giant Claw 1.0. It really helps with adjusting to wider gaps, and pulls much less on string than the Stringway triple clamp. Claw 2.0 now is wide enough to handle 99% of all string gaps.
5. Long nose pliers. The included multi-tool plier has a blade which means you can't hand carry it as cabin. luggage. I purchased curved needle nose pliers which I find easier to use. Some airports will confiscate pliers so do not fly with them in cabin luggage.
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