SP Smart vs. Lobster V LE

[S_Campbell10]

Posted earlier asking about the Silent Partner Smart (Top of the Line Version) versus other ball machines. Well, I think I have narrowed my choice down to the SP Smart (AC/DC) or the Lobster V LE. So, if anyone is interested in leaving feedback on either machine, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

 

[beernutz]

I have no experience with either machine although I have owned a SP Star for 2.5 years which I'm happy with.

That said, it looks like there is a reasonably large price difference of around $500 between the SP and the Lobster when compared apples to apples, meaning a remote is purchased for the Lobster as it is is standard for the SP. It seems crazy to me that at their base price of $2499 Lobster wants another $300 for a remote. Some people apparently don't mind not having a remote but I am definitely not one of them and mine is only a two button type.

 

[S_Campbell10]

Yeah, I agree that the additional charge for the remote is lame, but I'm willing to spend the extra $ for the lobster if it is indeed better than the Silent Partner.

 

[dak95_00]

If you've read posts on here about SP's customer service, you know you can't go wrong with their machines. I've owned a couple Tennis Tutor ball machines and now an SP Star and I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between the mechanics of either machine.

Ball machines aren't rockets. They merely throw balls. Without going to both websites and reading the specifics, I'd say go with the SP if they supposedly do the same. That is, if both machines are supposed to randomly oscillate and throw short and deep balls, save your money and buy an SP. Their customer service is too good!

Like I've said in other posts, a ball machine is a great tool but how much are you really going to use it? Do you really think a ball machine on a random setting will fool you? It's not like it is capable of swinging across its body and outside to in or opposite. The machine will point in a direction and shoot. Their is simply no surprise in where the ball is going! Even the spin isn't that fantastic of an option unless you know a certain type of ball is giving you problems and you want to work on that shot and that shot only. Otherwise, find a friend who'll hit with you and drill.

I have to admit that I like the idea of a random ball machine like the Smart or the Player or the Elite V but when it really comes down to hitting with my machine, I like working on forehands or backhands or volleys or overheads or forehands and backhands but never really care to work on all of them at the same time at a practice session. I like to go from one exercise and then to the other.

I'd save my money and get a machine with just the simple stuff; spin, REMOTE CONTROL (very useful), maybe a 2 line feature (never had this but like the idea of forehand/backhand), and a 4-6 hour battery. I'd then use the rest of the money I saved to purchase lessons from a decent coach who could give me specific things to work on and then go to my ball machine to repeat the exercises I was taught and look for the same results.

That's my dollar! (Worth more than 2 cents)

 

[dak95_00]

Just read your original post. I saw where you place RANDOM as a must have. I have never used this feature but I really can't see it being that great.

I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here but I just can't fathom the idea of a machine pulling off a complete random shot and fooling the person on the other side. It sounds like a great feature on paper but I'd stick with a cheaper machine, buy lessons, drill with the cheaper machine, and find friends to play against who'll push you to play better.

If you are worried that you aren't good enough to play against better players or they might get bored playing against you, do what a friend of mine does. He always supplies a new can of tennis balls with every better player he plays against or hits with. He also invites us to play at his tennis club and picks up the guest fee. It might not sound like much but I really like to play against a guy who'll supply balls and invite me to private courts just to be his hitting partner and maybe go a couple of sets. Really, the new balls are probably enough since I'm a member of "the cheap players club."

 

[S_Campbell10]

My main use for a ball machine is to be able to go out and hit, say 50 forehands to a specific part of the court, then hit 50 backhands in the same manner. I plan to use the ball machine along with hitting with a pro, which will allow me to practice any specific things we go over in a lesson. I'm a 4.0 level player, and have taken sets off of 4.5 guys, but never beaten them. I'm hoping that a ball machine will add consistency to my groundstrokes. In my opinion, a ball machine can be real helpful if you really use your time with it to actually work on your strokes rather than just randomly hitting the ball back. I like the random idea just for the workout part and to practice things such as putting away a short ball. Finally, at least for me, when I try to just go "hit" with friends, we end up playing, and not really working on developing shots. I have heard good things about silent partner's customer service, and that is very important as well. Thanks for your input, I really do appreciate it.