Silent Partner Pro Programmable Ball Machine Review

[rmoco]

OK, after buying a Silent Partner Pro Programmable and having used it for about 10 hours, here is my take. I'm a 3.5 player, and will use the machine to improve stroke mechanics and footwork, but not to get an aerobic workout.

The Short
For a light to medium ball machine user, I think most would be foolish to buy anything else in this feature range. It is well made, a GREAT value, and none of it's drawbacks are showstoppers.

The Long
I looked into the "top 4" (the apparent consensus). Priced comparably equipped:
1) Playmate Volley $1700
2) Tennis Tutor Plus Player $1925
3) Lobster Elite 3 $1900
4) Silent Partner Pro $1400

Eliminated:
1) Playmate Volley won't fit in the trunk of most cars; SUV or Minivans only. Also, it's short on controls. These were showstoppers for me. But it apparently performs flawlessly, is very rugged and has a 2 yr warranty.
2) Tennis Tutor Plus Player also won't fit in the trunk of many cars and has the curse of requiring you to pay about $500 extra for a Remote and Trickle Charger. Showstoppers. And the Player function is not only unnecessary to me, but according to other reviewers, does not live up to it's promise.
3) Lobster Elite 3 shares the curse of requiring you to pay about $500 extra for a Remote and Trickle Charger. Showstopper. And the Triple Oscillation too is unnecessary to me and also appears to fail to live up to it's marketing claim. Also, I've seen the unit, and the construction is not reassuring.

Why the Silent Partner nails it, for me:
Kudos to the Canadians for focusing on fundamentals while the Americans, again, get distracted with gimmicks and packaging. If you believe in "Lean" design (read: "muscle with low fat", not, "corner-cutting"), you cannot beat this machine. It offers everything I want STANDARD, for hundreds of dollars less than its competitors. I am using every feature on it, with nothing (major) missing.

Pros:
1) Well built. The guy who made the YouTube, "Why I'd never buy a Silent Partner / Velcro & Rivets" is a dork. First, the Velcro ball bin works very well and if the Velcro ever did wear out, replacement would be very easy. Second, Rivets are simply the most secure fastener; locknuts aren't as good. Granted, it would be nice to be able to access the guts, but this is exactly the type of machine that should never need maintenance (beyond cleaning).
2) Good Controls. They do exactly what you expect them to, and they are just the right set. Left / Right, Up / Down, Program / Random / Off, Speed, Feed, Spin. The remote controls are perfect, too; Feed On-Off and Sweep On-Off.

Cons:
1) Yes, the wheels. Putting tiny wheels on any piece of outdoor equipment is dumb. But for 2 minutes of transport inconvenience vs. hours of good ball pitching, this is an inconvenience only.
2) No elevation indicator. What the?? Leaving off something as simple as a pivoting arrow indicator was also dumb. Very annoying, but not a showstopper.
3) I wish it had an access panel to more easily clean out tennis ball fuzz and the accumulation of organic debris that inevitably clings to the balls and finds its way down into the machine. This could be done simply by cutting a hole in the side and covering it with a flex plate that requires no fasteners.

I won't go into a detailed description of how it throws the balls. It's just a ball pitcher after all, and it works! I need forehand and backhand with speed and spin variation, and I need lobs. I DON'T need a robotic tennis partner and I don't want to disrupt my learning curve for stroke mechanics and footwork by throwing in an irrelevant aerobic workout. Who runs while they lift weights?? I see the "Player" and "Triple Oscillation" features on other machines as gimmicks. Will Lobster follow the Gillette razor lead and offer "Quadruple Oscillation" next year?

Summary: This is one great machine at a very competitive price, and only dorks will find anything major to complain about.

 

[Il Mostro]

Was this one of the models on close out? SP dropped prices on several models since introducing the Scoop. Looks like they have some good deals.

 

[rmoco]

Price reduction

It was reduced $100; I was aware of the new Scoop, but not of any "closeout" status. Even without the price drop, I think the machine is still a much better value than the other 3. It would appear the Scoop Rival, at the same price, will address the few reservations I have with the Pro Programmable. I have to say I'm not a fan of the Lobster's construction and if the Scoop is similar, I'd still suggest people look at the Pro Programmable.

 

[mlktennis]

thanks for the review, how do you get to the fuzz build up internally? and if you can't, do you think it will cause a problem later on?

 

[rmoco]

Cleaning

Cleaning must be done by reaching through the opening where the balls come out. Adjusting the Elevation to "maximum" moves the pitching wheels away from the opening and provides the most clearance for your arm. A side access panel would be ideal, but anyone except a bodybuilder should be able to reach in through that front opening and get the job done. And of course, you only need to remove 80-90% of the debris; it doesn't have to be kept spotless.

 

[scotus]

OK, after buying a Silent Partner Pro Programmable and having used it for about 10 hours, here is my take. I'm a 3.5 player, and will use the machine to improve stroke mechanics and footwork, but not to get an aerobic workout.

The Short
For a light to medium ball machine user, I think most would be foolish to buy anything else in this feature range. It is well made, a GREAT value, and none of it's drawbacks are showstoppers.

The Long
I looked into the "top 4" (the apparent consensus). Priced comparably equipped:
1) Playmate Volley $1700
2) Tennis Tutor Plus Player $1925
3) Lobster Elite 3 $1900
4) Silent Partner Pro $1400

Eliminated:
1) Playmate Volley won't fit in the trunk of most cars; SUV or Minivans only. Also, it's short on controls. These were showstoppers for me. But it apparently performs flawlessly, is very rugged and has a 2 yr warranty.
2) Tennis Tutor Plus Player also won't fit in the trunk of many cars and has the curse of requiring you to pay about $500 extra for a Remote and Trickle Charger. Showstoppers. And the Player function is not only unnecessary to me, but according to other reviewers, does not live up to it's promise.
3) Lobster Elite 3 shares the curse of requiring you to pay about $500 extra for a Remote and Trickle Charger. Showstopper. And the Triple Oscillation too is unnecessary to me and also appears to fail to live up to it's marketing claim. Also, I've seen the unit, and the construction is not reassuring.

Why the Silent Partner nails it, for me:
Kudos to the Canadians for focusing on fundamentals while the Americans, again, get distracted with gimmicks and packaging. If you believe in "Lean" design (read: "muscle with low fat", not, "corner-cutting"), you cannot beat this machine. It offers everything I want STANDARD, for hundreds of dollars less than its competitors. I am using every feature on it, with nothing (major) missing.

Pros:
1) Well built. The guy who made the YouTube, "Why I'd never buy a Silent Partner / Velcro & Rivets" is a dork. First, the Velcro ball bin works very well and if the Velcro ever did wear out, replacement would be very easy. Second, Rivets are simply the most secure fastener; locknuts aren't as good. Granted, it would be nice to be able to access the guts, but this is exactly the type of machine that should never need maintenance (beyond cleaning).
2) Good Controls. They do exactly what you expect them to, and they are just the right set. Left / Right, Up / Down, Program / Random / Off, Speed, Feed, Spin. The remote controls are perfect, too; Feed On-Off and Sweep On-Off.

Cons:
1) Yes, the wheels. Putting tiny wheels on any piece of outdoor equipment is dumb. But for 2 minutes of transport inconvenience vs. hours of good ball pitching, this is an inconvenience only.
2) No elevation indicator. What the?? Leaving off something as simple as a pivoting arrow indicator was also dumb. Very annoying, but not a showstopper.
3) I wish it had an access panel to more easily clean out tennis ball fuzz and the accumulation of organic debris that inevitably clings to the balls and finds its way down into the machine. This could be done simply by cutting a hole in the side and covering it with a flex plate that requires no fasteners.

I won't go into a detailed description of how it throws the balls. It's just a ball pitcher after all, and it works! I need forehand and backhand with speed and spin variation, and I need lobs. I DON'T need a robotic tennis partner and I don't want to disrupt my learning curve for stroke mechanics and footwork by throwing in an irrelevant aerobic workout. Who runs while they lift weights?? I see the "Player" and "Triple Oscillation" features on other machines as gimmicks. Will Lobster follow the Gillette razor lead and offer "Quadruple Oscillation" next year?

Summary: This is one great machine at a very competitive price, and only dorks will find anything major to complain about.

Great review, but I got a little chuckle from your use of the word "showstopper".

You are probably not a native English speaker (although you have impeccable grammars), so it is perfectly understandable. But the word you are looking for is something like "deal breaker".

 

[rmoco]

Vocabulary

If you're used to "dealbreaker", great. I am, actually, a native English speaker, and the American Heritage dictionary defines "showstopper" as, "A particularly arresting (person or) thing, especially one that (draws attention away from others or) brings a course of action to a halt." I've heard the term used often by people purchasing higher-end software, with phrases like, "That functionality is weak, but not a showstopper". Maybe it's a regional thing. Anyway, I hope you're happy with whatever tennis ball machine you choose!

 

[jmjmkim]

Hey you guys. About how long do your "pressurless" balls last through these machines. The ball pressure is good, but I think the fuzz doesn't last too long, and some of the balls are beginning to have a strange trajectory.

 

[rmoco]

Felt Life

I'm using the Tretorn X's, and haven't had the machine and balls long enough to comment on felt longevity. But from the reviews I've read, it seems the Tretorns are the best of the pressureless. One thing I will say is, I'm surprised that for as much fuzz that gets generated, the balls still look and fire great, so far.

 

[scotus]

If you're used to "dealbreaker", great. I am, actually, a native English speaker, and the American Heritage dictionary defines "showstopper" as, "A particularly arresting (person or) thing, especially one that (draws attention away from others or) brings a course of action to a halt." I've heard the term used often by people purchasing higher-end software, with phrases like, "That functionality is weak, but not a showstopper". Maybe it's a regional thing. Anyway, I hope you're happy with whatever tennis ball machine you choose!

I wasn't aware of the usage of the term in the tech field.

The term "showstopper" has traditionally had a positive connotation to it. It does not mean that something is so bad that a good show has to come to a stop. The term came from instances where a performer in a show was so outstanding and drew so much applause that the show had to wait for the audience to settle down.

But in the tech world, this term is being used in a totally negative sense, as in a "deal breaker."

 

[Bud]

Was this one of the models on close out? SP dropped prices on several models since introducing the Scoop. Looks like they have some good deals.

The Scoop looks like a lobster clone :-|

 

[Il Mostro]

The Scoop looks like a lobster clone :-|

Exactly, but with more features and a higher price -- a clone with a higher price. The wheels & handle on this design appear to have been better thought out in terms of portability, though. How many guys here have asked about building something to move their machines from car to court? I've done so with TT and have to believe it is the worst, although it would probably work well for midgets.

 

[charliefedererer]

Exactly, but with more features and a higher price -- a clone with a higher price. The wheels & handle on this design appear to have been better thought out in terms of portability, though. How many guys here have asked about building something to move their machines from car to court? I've done so with TT and have to believe it is the worst, although it would probably work well for midgets.

I bought the following two shelf tray to move my Silent Partner Lite from the parking lot to the tennis court. The Lite itself could be moved easily enough, but I think I get the ball coming from a more realistic angle, both on practicing volleys and groundstrokes. The cart gets the machine higher than the net, so it can be pointed down to practice service returns.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959238000P?keyword=serving+tray

 

[Bud]

Exactly, but with more features and a higher price -- a clone with a higher price. The wheels & handle on this design appear to have been better thought out in terms of portability, though. How many guys here have asked about building something to move their machines from car to court? I've done so with TT and have to believe it is the worst, although it would probably work well for midgets.

I have a SP Star and they should have installed better wheels on it. The minimum quality should be like those on rollerblades. The junk they currently put on their machines are just that.

 

[rmoco]

Wheel Quality

Saying the wheels are junk is like saying a Honda Accord is crummy; if you want the Accura, then go ahead and pay for it. This Ball Machine is the Accord. I agree that "Rollerblade" wheels would be a step up, but I strongly disagree that the wheels provided are "junk". Skate wheels are terrific for luggage, which must be capable of rolling a thousand feet or more daily, while bouncing up and down airport curbs. But a Tennis Ball Machine need only roll a few hundred feet between your car and the court, on the few days per week you use the Machine. And the type of casters provided here are rated for at least 50 lb. per caster, so they are well able to bear the load reliably. Again, I think the wheels should have been a larger diameter (larger than Skate wheels, too) for rolling through gravel or grass, but they are well able to handle normal use over paved surfaces. And if a wheel were to break, replacement would be fairly simple (bolts/locknuts).

 

[mlktennis]

for the sp owners out there, now that you see the build quality, do you think the 1 yr warranty enough or pony up a few bucks for the extra yr warranty?

 

[beernutz]

I wasn't aware of the usage of the term in the tech field.

The term "showstopper" has traditionally had a positive connotation to it. It does not mean that something is so bad that a good show has to come to a stop. The term came from instances where a performer in a show was so outstanding and drew so much applause that the show had to wait for the audience to settle down.

But in the tech world, this term is being used in a totally negative sense, as in a "deal breaker."

Interesting and I agree the differences in usage of those terms must be regional. FWIW, I've been in the tech field in the Southeast US for over 15 years and in that time I've always heard show stopper used with a positive connotation whereas deal breaker has always been used with a negative one.

 

[jmjmkim]

Man, I may be a real "Chon-Nom" on saying this, but buying a ball machine was the best thing in tennis for me, next to buying a racket. I bought the silent partner lite, installed the extra battery as suggested in another thread, and me and me kids havin a good time on Fridays. We reserve the court for 2 hours, and the kids get to hit like 300 to 500 balls each. I am sure they will get a lot more from a ball machine in a month, than me tryin to play with them for a year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAP5oENVS4I

I am sure all the makes of ball machines are equally good or better than the SP, but so far, I am real happy and pleased with my purchase. It was money well spent on my kids, and me. Now the trick is to get my wife to join us . . .

PS: "Chon-Nom" is a korean slang to call a "Naive country farm boy who gets a cultural shock when coming to visit the city"

 

[charliefedererer]

Man, I may be a real "Chon-Nom" on saying this, but buying a ball machine was the best thing in tennis for me, next to buying a racket. I bought the silent partner lite, installed the extra battery as suggested in another thread, and me and me kids havin a good time on Fridays. We reserve the court for 2 hours, and the kids get to hit like 300 to 500 balls each. I am sure they will get a lot more from a ball machine in a month, than me tryin to play with them for a year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAP5oENVS4I

I am sure all the makes of ball machines are equally good or better than the SP, but so far, I am real happy and pleased with my purchase. It was money well spent on my kids, and me. Now the trick is to get my wife to join us . . .

PS: "Chon-Nom" is a korean slang to call a "Naive country farm boy who gets a cultural shock when coming to visit the city"

Great to hear you and your kids are enjoying it so much.

 

[Bill Gillette]

Yes, but what about repair?

I run a repair company and I prefer the models that break most often. Comments? We are a showstopper in a field that fixes deal breakers.