Sony Tennis Sensor Review

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

8 grams does make a difference to the balance of the racquet for sure. BUT remember that my two theoretically identical racquets were about that much apart straight from the factory. Balance it out with a little lead tape and you mostly back to the same balance point - but with a slightly heavier racquet.

I used a scale to balance both of my racquets so they are the same weight and same balance point. Used tape on the head and silicone in the handle. I'm used to the weight after a couple weeks now and hitting with more power because of it.

See I lucked out with my Wilson Pro Staff 90 frames. Not all of them were matched, so I found one in my stash that is significantly lighter and I dubbed it "Wilson Pro Staff Sensor".

For once, Wilson's s***ty quality control works out for me.

 

[v-verb]

See I lucked out with my Wilson Pro Staff 90 frames. Not all of them were matched, so I found one in my stash that is significantly lighter and I dubbed it "Wilson Pro Staff Sensor".

For once, Wilson's s***ty quality control works out for me.

Pretty clever actually!

 

[cknobman]

Only thing that is killing me is the cost.

At $99 I'd be in to try it.

$199 is more than the cost of a new racquet. Hard sell for me.

Maybe when these things go on clearance I'll give it a try.

 

[Surion]

What do you think about the ball speed measurements, are they reliable?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

What do you think about the ball speed measurements, are they reliable?

Thanks a lot.

Based on TW's review, it looks fairly accurate +/- a few MPH's. They have a Playsight court and they said the MPH's from the Sensor matches up to the Playsight's data.

But we may never know if it's accurate since Sony REFUSES to let us know how the Sensor is gathering the data.

 

[v-verb]

Based on TW's review, it looks fairly accurate +/- a few MPH's. They have a Playsight court and they said the MPH's from the Sensor matches up to the Playsight's data.

But we may never know if it's accurate since Sony REFUSES to let us know how the Sensor is gathering the data.

I have a Ball Coach radar gun and it's data backs up the Sony data for the serves. Quite accurate surprisingly

 

[Surion]

Thank you very much, but how accurately exactly?

Does it say like 90 or 110 mph for a 100 mph serve or more like 98/102?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Thank you very much, but how accurately exactly?

Does it say like 90 or 110 mph for a 100 mph serve or more like 98/102?

WTF is that, systolic/diastolic??? This s*** doesn't measure your blood pressure.

No it tells you a good solid number, like the radar guns you see in tournaments.

 

[Surion]

Wow, you are either a troll or just not reading quite well.

(100 +- 2) mph, obviously.


Oh, and you totally ignored my message to post useless stuff.
Good job.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Wow, you are either a troll or just not reading quite well.

(100 +- 2) mph, obviously.


Oh, and you totally ignored my message to post useless stuff.
Good job.

I'm impatient when people ask stupid things. Especially when the things asked were:

1) Addressed in a rather comprehensive review accessible on TW
2) Discussed and addressed in multiple threads, with multiple pages and a few people have already provided their experiences with the Sensor.
3) Presenting a stupid scenario. If my reading says 100mph, how the hell am I supposed to know if the serve was either 90 or 110? If I know what the sensor isn't telling me, why would I need the sensor in the first place?
4) You further questioned it after another poster in the same thread, it's even on the same page, have said that the readings are accurate.

Since your posts were primarily useless, you asked the accuracy question more than once after more than one poster have confirmed with you. I don't think my post was useless. If anything, it highlighted how irrelevant your stupid questions were simply because you were too lazy to do a little digging, or just spend 10 minutes to watch a review of a product you're interested in. So yes, I do think I've done a great job at pointing out how irrelevant your question was. Can I get a high five for giving you a taste of your own medicine?

Maybe you aren't reading quite well? I mean, two people on this page alone have already said it's accurate. Maybe the next time TT has an update, they can incorporate a highlighting feature specifically for you?

Got anymore dumba** questions? Or have we not been clear enough for you. Do you want to know the significant figures for the MPH readings? It goes up to 3 sig figs. And yes, if the screen says 70mph, it's probably 70mph. Just like how when your speedometer says 70mph, you're probably going at 70mph. Not 68/72.

Am I still a "troll" for providing you with such an elaborate answer? This is probably the 3rd time the MPH accuracy have been answered.

 

[Surion]

I actually watched Andy's review before posting here.
I also read the replies in this thread.

Both things were absolutely useless and NO answer for my question.

Andy said the measurements of the ball speed are not quite on point. Wow, that's totally useless.
Does it differ by 2 mph? 5? 15?

Same with the answer in this thread.

So just stop it already.

Oh, and to answer your stupid question.
Yes, you're still a troll.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I actually watched Andy's review before posting here.
I also read the replies in this thread.

Both things were absolutely useless and NO answer for my question.

Andy said the measurements of the ball speed are not quite on point. Wow, that's totally useless.
Does it differ by 2 mph? 5? 15?

Same with the answer in this thread.

So just stop it already.

Oh, and to answer your stupid question.
Yes, you're still a troll.

And what difference would that make if it differs by 2 or 5mph. If you're using it on one racquet, then all variables would be identical. It doesn't matter if it's off by 2 or 5mph, because it'll ALWAYS be off by 2 or 5mph then. You'll then get a trend on how you're doing.

Learn to interpret data genius. No one takes numbers as themselves. They know to navigate through them and observe the trend. But, since you're asking stupid questions, you probably wouldn't get that far. It'll even tell you you're hitting 40 forehand slices, and hitting 100 volleys because you're feeding the ball and stopping out balls with your racquet. I bet you'll believe that you hit 100 volleys in a match too, right?

So just stop already, read through all of these discussions before you write again. Keyword: read. And maybe do some analytical interpretation while you're at it, if you can.

 

[Surion]

I am a physicist, so don't even try to argue with me about numbers, accuracy or whatever.

I am interested in my ball speed, so it obviously matters, if it is 2, 5 or 10 mph off.

Simple.

Let's stop this mess.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I am a physicist, so don't even try to argue with me about numbers, accuracy or whatever.

I am interested in my ball speed, so it obviously matters, if it is 2, 5 or 10 mph off.

Simple.

Let's stop this mess.

Since you're a physicist, the fact that I even had to go there without you being self aware of the obvious flaw and workaround, that's just sad.

So if it's 2, 5, or 10 mph off everytime. Does it matter then?

Make sure you keep track of how many forehand slices you hit too. And let us know how fast they are each time.

 

[Surion]

Since the sensor won't just calculate an average speed, I don't care how many slices I hit.

I can track single shots, so that's no problem.

Furthermore, I can't remember having asked anything about forehand slices or feeding drills. Again, ****ing read!

Did you even watch Andy's review or are you just trying to show off?

Oh, you totally failed here.


What an idiot right there, unbelievable.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Since the sensor won't just calculate an average speed, I don't care how many slices I hit.

I can track single shots, so that's no problem.

Furthermore, I can't remember having asked anything about forehand slices or feeding drills. Again, ****ing read!

Did you even watch Andy's review or are you just trying to show off?

Oh, you totally failed here.


What an idiot right there, unbelievable.

All that and you still haven't answered my question: if the readings are consistently off, does it matter?

Again, ****ing read!

Man, if my PI was you and you're running my lab, no not even. If you're in my lab period, I would look for an excuse to get out of the lab. 1) I'll be bombarded by stupid questions. 2) I won't get any help because you refuse to answer other people's questions.

That's one sad lab, unbelievable.

 

[Federvich]

Regarding accuracy - I've checked the sensor data on serves against another science-based app called ServeSpeed. You take a video of your serve. Then enter in your height and the exact location of the landing spot of the serve to the half-frame of the video you just took. The app does a nice job of letting you zoom and get the precise time the serve landed. Then via physics it spits out the serve speed. The results from the sensor and the ServeSpeed app are the same within 0-2 mph. Pretty cool that the results are that close actually.

Combine my results with those of TW and a few others here on this forum and I'd say the thing is pretty accurate.

 

[v-verb]

Thank you very much, but how accurately exactly?

Does it say like 90 or 110 mph for a 100 mph serve or more like 98/102?

I would say with 2-3 mph of each other. No I don't have screenshots or anything like that

 

[v-verb]

Cool, my forehand average is 48 mph, fastest 84 mph.

Serve avg 65, best 94. Want to crack 100 in the next 2 weeks

 

[Federvich]

Cool, my forehand average is 48 mph, fastest 84 mph.

Serve avg 65, best 94. Want to crack 100 in the next 2 weeks

I can't get higher than 75 mph on my forehand, even though I know I was cracking it last night harder than ever. I also want to go over 100 mph on my serve --- I know, I know it's placement not speed, but that does not stop me from wanting to serve over 100, ha.

 

[NiteHawk]

The sensor could read your racquet swing speed, but ball speed has to be estimated. If you have two identical racquets, one strung with gut in low 40's, the other strung with poly in high 70's; that will makes a significant different in ball speed. It's not like there is a string setup setting in the app to compensate all those variables.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Cool, my forehand average is 48 mph, fastest 84 mph.

Serve avg 65, best 94. Want to crack 100 in the next 2 weeks

I can't get higher than 75 mph on my forehand, even though I know I was cracking it last night harder than ever. I also want to go over 100 mph on my serve --- I know, I know it's placement not speed, but that does not stop me from wanting to serve over 100, ha.

It clocked one of my "forehand slices" at 60mph (I'm sure it was a feed, or a stretch forehand squash stab). And it made me feel like this:

 

[Federvich]

Better link for screen shot above.

 

[Federvich]

The sensor could read your racquet swing speed, but ball speed has to be estimated. If you have two identical racquets, one strung with gut in low 40's, the other strung with poly in high 70's; that will makes a significant different in ball speed. It's not like there is a string setup setting in the app to compensate all those variables.

Agree with this. But correlating other methods it appears to be pretty close still. But totally agree that the racquet speed is the more accurate measure of improvement ( or lack thereof).

 

[happyloman]

I am a physicist, so don't even try to argue with me about numbers, accuracy or whatever.

I am interested in my ball speed, so it obviously matters, if it is 2, 5 or 10 mph off.

Simple.

Let's stop this mess.

Surion,

I believe this thing is quite accurate for serve speed , based on my using the "frame-counting" technique.

By "Accurate", I mean 1% to 3%.

I've let people try it at the courts and the sensor's numbers all match with expectations.

 

[happyloman]

Better link for screen shot above.

I cracked 105 on a very hot day (90 degrees F)... usually max out at 100

 

[Federvich]

I cracked 105 on a very hot day (90 degrees F)... usually max out at 100

It is interesting that the sensor algorithm added 15mph to your swing speed to get ball speed for that shot. (Nice btw). The difference between my swing and shot speeds are usually less than that. What type of racquet are you using?

 

[v-verb]

I can't get higher than 75 mph on my forehand, even though I know I was cracking it last night harder than ever. I also want to go over 100 mph on my serve --- I know, I know it's placement not speed, but that does not stop me from wanting to serve over 100, ha.

You'll get there just try to relax and have a loose arm. Seems counter intuitive but it works

 

[v-verb]

It clocked one of my "forehand slices" at 60mph (I'm sure it was a feed, or a stretch forehand squash stab). And it made me feel like this:

Yeah Baby!!!!! NICE!

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Yeah Baby!!!!! NICE!

Now, if only I can hit a 60mph backhand slice, you know, the ones that I mean to hit? Now that'll be nice!

 

[happyloman]

It is interesting that the sensor algorithm added 15mph to your swing speed to get ball speed for that shot. (Nice btw). The difference between my swing and shot speeds are usually less than that. What type of racquet are you using?

the 91 swing speed max does not correspond to the 105 ball speed max.

the deltas between the two usually range between 2 and 10 for me.

I was using a yonex si

 

[bertrevert]

I'm considering this and have a compatible frame.

But can you users say what you are getting out of this device.

From the review, and it may be too early to tell, because precisely the thing I think I can see anyone getting out of it is comparative and progressive data. THat is over time it will prove its worth.

Looking at what you find out about your game I initially felt unsure that it was interesting or relevant or something you can utilise. It seemed to just satisfy some interesting questions only but not actually lead to better tennis. I mean to know you hit a BH slice at so-n-so rpm is interesting but what can you actually do with that...

Thinking further I suppose that the real interesting facts develop over time?

It may also be relevant to note diminishing performance say with age, or off-season etc. But I wonder - how are these stats feeding into your game...?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I'm considering this and have a compatible frame.

But can you users say what you are getting out of this device.

From the review, and it may be too early to tell, because precisely the thing I think I can see anyone getting out of it is comparative and progressive data. THat is over time it will prove its worth.

Looking at what you find out about your game I initially felt unsure that it was interesting or relevant or something you can utilise. It seemed to just satisfy some interesting questions only but not actually lead to better tennis. I mean to know you hit a BH slice at so-n-so rpm is interesting but what can you actually do with that...

Thinking further I suppose that the real interesting facts develop over time?

It may also be relevant to note diminishing performance say with age, or off-season etc. But I wonder - how are these stats feeding into your game...?

I think every (honest) tennis player has an idea how fast and spinny their shots are. Although I will say that it's nice to see a number behind the suspicion.

Also, it helps to serve as an objective gauge for your game. You may rely on your opponents/buddies to give you feedback on your game. But sometimes, they may not even know what they're talking about. The sensor provides an objective feedback. It's going to tell you something about your shots, whether you like it or not.

Lastly, I love how the analysis is more holistic, but you can also dive deep if you want. You don't win matches with peaks and valleys, you win with your average best. This sensor allows you to track your average improvements or digressions.

My only REAL complain is that, you can't just slap this onto other racquets. Because I want to see how my average is compared to my hitting partners. Thus far, it's worth every penny.

 

[bertrevert]

I think every (honest) tennis player has an idea how fast and spinny their shots are. Although I will say that it's nice to see a number behind the suspicion.

My only REAL complain is that, you can't just slap this onto other racquets. Because I want to see how my average is compared to my hitting partners. Thus far, it's worth every penny.

Yeah i agree you roughly know whether you are a high-spin player or not, comparatively to others, and we all guestimate our serve speeds.

Well it would be interesting for two comparisons which you say are perhaps not possible (but may become so later).

Comparison across frames would be real interesting, and may really aid the demo process.

And comparison to other people again not possible if they don't have compatible racquets.

Since you perhaps have regular hitting partners have you been able to track how your performance gets better/worse against the players better/worse than you? When presumably using the same stick? I reckon that would be interesting to see how you might get more/less spin against an easier/harder player.

Also I suppose with the video feature switched on can you track performance for a whole set (or does video size and hard drive size prohibit that).

tx for feedback!

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Yeah i agree you roughly know whether you are a high-spin player or not, comparatively to others, and we all guestimate our serve speeds.

Well it would be interesting for two comparisons which you say are perhaps not possible (but may become so later).

Comparison across frames would be real interesting, and may really aid the demo process.

And comparison to other people again not possible if they don't have compatible racquets.

Since you perhaps have regular hitting partners have you been able to track how your performance gets better/worse against the players better/worse than you? When presumably using the same stick? I reckon that would be interesting to see how you might get more/less spin against an easier/harder player.

Also I suppose with the video feature switched on can you track performance for a whole set (or does video size and hard drive size prohibit that).

tx for feedback!

Instantaneous comparison is not impossible, but difficult:
1) Majority of the racquet people using right now are not latest refresh. So chances are, they not compatible straight out of factory.
2) Making your racquet compatible does not apply to ALL older racquets.
3) If you can make your racquet compatible. It can be excruciatingly painful to remove factory buttcap and staple the Sony Sensor compatible buttcap on.

I haven't had a chance for a second session with my practice partner. But that is indeed what I plan to do, see how I'm progressing/digressing against him.

 

[Federvich]

I'm considering this and have a compatible frame.

But can you users say what you are getting out of this device.

From the review, and it may be too early to tell, because precisely the thing I think I can see anyone getting out of it is comparative and progressive data. THat is over time it will prove its worth.

Looking at what you find out about your game I initially felt unsure that it was interesting or relevant or something you can utilise. It seemed to just satisfy some interesting questions only but not actually lead to better tennis. I mean to know you hit a BH slice at so-n-so rpm is interesting but what can you actually do with that...

Thinking further I suppose that the real interesting facts develop over time?

It may also be relevant to note diminishing performance say with age, or off-season etc. But I wonder - how are these stats feeding into your game...?

I agree with Say's post above, and offer these other comments:
- I take a lot of speed off my second serve. I know it’s a lot, but I did not realize how much. With the sensor I can see the peaks and valleys of my serving (First then second, up, down, over and over). My goal is to only take about 20% off my second, and I’m now using the data to see that.
- Watching my serve with the live data video feature helped me see what parts of my movement are producing more speed and spin. For example, I noticed that on slower serves I was not jumping in the air as much. So, I now remind myself to jump a little bit in the air for more spin and power. It’s obvious, but I did not realize I was not jumping occasionally.
- It also shows that I practice a lot more aggressively than when I’m playing a match. This is something I need to remember when playing… is to go for my shots (like Stan in the French final).

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

- It also shows that I practice a lot more aggressively than when I’m playing a match. This is something I need to remember when playing… is to go for my shots (like Stan in the French final).

That's what I wanted to look for too. So I split up the session between straight rally practice (forehand to forehand, backhand to backhand etc.), and then a practice match. I wanted to see if my shots are different now that points are on the line, and hitting out/into the net has consequence.

I'm glad there was negligible between my practice shots and match shots.

 

[Federvich]

Here is my unauthorized playtest, or review.

Tennis experience/background: High School tennis, then on and off for years. I’ve played a lot in the last five years, and now am a 4.0-4.5 player.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I’m mostly a baseliner. I hit good groundstrokes, but am getting better at the net. As I get older, I’ll be coming to the net more.

Current racquet/string: Wilson Juice 100S, Poly hybrids of different flavors.

How many hours did you play with the Sony Sensor? I’ve done 16 sessions with the sensor, with about 1.5 – 2.0 hours for each session.

Was the device easy to attach to the racquet? I had 2014 Juice racquets, so I replaced the butt caps. That is a little work, but not anything people should be afraid of. After the butt caps were replaced, the attachment is super easy. I did order a second ring from Sony so that switching the sensor between racquets.

Given its location on the racquet, was the sensor a hindrance? My hand hangs of the racquet a little bit. So I could feel the sensor, but it did not create an issue for me.

How easy was it to upload and view the data on the app? Uploads have been super easy and the Bluetooth connection has been rock solid. I like the server backup feature, which means you can have both an IPhone and iPad with the data available. The video does not transfer via the server, but the data does. What that means is that if you use the live video mode on your iPhone, it won’t show up on your iPad. But the shot data will sync between both devices.

What did you like about the app? The app is pretty good. Nice data presentation. I’d like a way to export video easily. It is possible if you hook up your iPhone to your MAC and then ‘record’ the screen. It’s a little clumsy, but works in a pinch.

What did you dislike about the app? See above.

Was there anything you thought was missing? 3D swing motion would be great.

How did you use the data you received from the app? I use it for trends. I’m really trying to improve my second serve, and the graphs really show how much I’m taking off my second. I now thing about that before serving. I also learned that I practice a lot more aggressively than I play. There are a couple of other details in the posts above.

Overall, I’m happy with the purchase.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Phone screen off = "Live" session off?

^^

Were you able to turn off the screen on your phone but still have the session going? I'm on Android, and if I turn off the screen, the "live" session will end.

It's only "live" when the screen stays on for me. And I'm sorry, that's just going to kill my phone battery.

 

[Federvich]

^^



Were you able to turn off the screen on your phone but still have the session going? I'm on Android, and if I turn off the screen, the "live" session will end.



It's only "live" when the screen stays on for me. And I'm sorry, that's just going to kill my phone battery.

I was able to have it on then off then on again in live mode. One thing I found useful was to attach my phone to the handle of a ball hopper and have it right there as I was practicing serves. I have a flexible (Joby) tripod for my iPhone and with that and on the hopper right next to me I can see instant feedback as to what my swing speed and spin are. Cool.

 

[prosealster]

Does the sensor work for left handers, and can one make 2 profiles or installed on 2 seperate devices so that one sensor can be used for both me and my hitting partner if we switch rackets back n forth?

 

[Federvich]

I switched racquets today and started using a Blade 98 compared to my normal racquet which is a Juice 100S. The app lets you switch racquets. Check out the difference in my serve with a different racquet. The Blade is more head heavy which would seem to lead to more ball speed, which the app does show, but it also shows that my swing speed was higher also, which is a little surprising. Once I get used to the HH Blade, I think I'll be hitting better. Thoughts?

My groundstrokes were not as good thought, since I was more tentative there with the new stick.

BALL SPEED HERE -


RACQUET HEAD SPEED HERE -
[=http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/federvich/media/2FE67B73-214C-464C-B7F0-49798F3AF002_zpszxtfquvm.png.html]

[/URL]

 

[Federvich]

Does the sensor work for left handers, and can one make 2 profiles or installed on 2 seperate devices so that one sensor can be used for both me and my hitting partner if we switch rackets back n forth?

Hmmm. I don think it can do that.

 

[Greg G]

Does the sensor work for left handers, and can one make 2 profiles or installed on 2 seperate devices so that one sensor can be used for both me and my hitting partner if we switch rackets back n forth?

Yes when you set up it asks if your right or left handed. I suppose you could use it on separate devices, just need to set up separate accounts.

I would love a "guest mode" where you see live data but it's not recorded, so if someone wants to try it for a few minutes it doesn't screw up your data (or make you a selfish person if you decide not to lend it!)

 

[prosealster]

Yes when you set up it asks if your right or left handed. I suppose you could use it on separate devices, just need to set up separate accounts.

I would love a "guest mode" where you see live data but it's not recorded, so if someone wants to try it for a few minutes it doesn't screw up your data (or make you a selfish person if you decide not to lend it!)

Thanks heaps for the reply.. Yeah agree guest mode would be awesome, that's essentially what I was after

 

[prosealster]

Hmmm. I don think it can do that.

Thanks mate, I'm just trying to talk myself into buying one of those

 

[Federvich]

Yes when you set up it asks if your right or left handed. I suppose you could use it on separate devices, just need to set up separate accounts.

I would love a "guest mode" where you see live data but it's not recorded, so if someone wants to try it for a few minutes it doesn't screw up your data (or make you a selfish person if you decide not to lend it!)

I have not seen an option to delete data. Has anyone else? That would be a nice feature for a couple reasons. And it would be a solution to the guest issue.

 

[Greg G]

I believe there is an option to delete the entire day... Long press on the date and the option comes out.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Clearing the Sensor and exporting video?

Two questions:

1) How do we clear data stored in the Sensor itself? Especially once it's been transferred to the phone.

2) How do we export the video + data panel from the app? The only exportable video is the raw video itself, and it doesn't include the data.

 

[Federvich]

I believe there is an option to delete the entire day... Long press on the date and the option comes out.

Cool, thanks. Did now know about that/those options.