SW ML 100 T92 vs. Neos 1000

[serve/and/volley]

I'm saving up for a solid stringer for personal stringing. I'm 5.0+ and generally string my racquets with synthetic gut at over 60+ lbs. I want to experiment with polyester, but from my experience, the tension loss is pretty fast, and I don't want to pay good money for string labor when the string tension loss is so great.

I've narrowed my choices to:

the String Way ML 100 T92 is roughly $900, (for some reason, TW censors S-t-r-i-n-g-w-a-y)

and the

Prince/Ektelon Neos 1000 is roughly $1100.

Which one should I buy and why?

 

[chrisplchs]

String Way all the way.

I like the Neos also so you really can't go wrong with either.

I like the constant pull of the String way. Also, you can lower your costs to get the T98 which is still a nice clamping system. Also, fan patterns are easier with the String way and a String way is easier to travel with than the Neos

Neos is good as it is a stand up and is prove to last forever

Also the ********* seems to keep value better

 

[theace21]

How about the Alpha Apex 2? I have the Eketlon Model H, is is the previous model of the Neos. If I was to replace it, I would get look at the Gamma 6004 and the Alpha Apex. The Neos is a great machine, and I have been happy with mine for over 20 years...but I probably would seriously look at the 6004 or the Apex 2.

Get a stand alone machine. Easy to push into a corner, and I took mine on the road for many a years. Easy to take apart and move. Just check calibration.

 

[serve/and/volley]

Thanks for the info. Any particular stringing details that I should be concerned? For example, what replacement parts do I have to buy? Is there good customer support? How often do I have to replace parts? And how much space to each take up, i.e. where can I comfortably store the respective machines? You mentioned the Neos would last forever. How about the SW?

 

[chrisplchs]

With Alpha/String way... customer support is top notch, best in industry. Pretty much any of those machines will last a long time but that the Neos has been around much longer so it has been proven to last a long time.

You might never have to replace parts unless you string 5k racquets which you might eventually ahve to replace the clamps

 

[MAX PLY]

Assuming storage is not a problem, you might want to consider the ML 120 as it is an upright machine (like the Neos) as opposed to the 100. Believe me, you will prefer an upright to a table top stringing machine. Then, the prices are about the same.

I am a Neos guy personally (disclaimer) and if I were buying a new machine I would probably buy another Neos. But I would look at the Gammas suggested above before makeing a final decision. What I like about the Neos is the convenience, the speed (I don't think you will find a faster machine) and the durability. Check out other threads and I think you will find a consensus that it is built like a tank. The two point mounting is efficient and effective. I have not used the ML 100 or 120 but both are drop weight and constant pull--the Neos is a lock out. I think the difference is ultimately a matter of personal preference--any practical differences between the two mechanisms are sometimes overstated and in all events can be compensated. Keep any machine you purchase clean and properly calibrated and you will be fine. Good luck.

 

[theace21]

Thanks for the info. Any particular stringing details that I should be concerned? For example, what replacement parts do I have to buy? Is there good customer support? How often do I have to replace parts? And how much space to each take up, i.e. where can I comfortably store the respective machines? You mentioned the Neos would last forever. How about the SW?

Both have great customer support. I would just guess with the number of Neos/Ektelon machines parts would be available for a long time. Not much you have to replace, keep clean and adjust clamps and clamping system periodically and you should be good to go. I added a Wise 3 years ago, but it is a good practice to routinely set up a calibration schedule. I checked mine every month, some check ever 20-30 rackets or anytime you move the machine you should check the tension.

Floor space - you can easily move into a closet or a small 3x3 corner will be enough room...

Only problem with the Neos, is if you string fan pattern rackets you will need to purchase floating clamps. That is why I stated I might lean with the Alpha or Gamma. But then again, I have had great success with this machine for 20 years, and before that I had a Model D Ektelon, that is still be used today. When they say the last forever, they are not kidding. Good luck making your decision...

 

[iplaybetter]

i would go for the neos, that thing is a flippin tank, fan paterns actualyr are not an issue on th neos

 

[MAX PLY]

I should have mentioned the fan pattern issue--or really non-issue (the flying clamp solution works just fine). If you are stringing only for yourself and don't play with a fan pattern racquet it is really a non-issue.

 

[iplaybetter]

i did a fan on it the other day and was not empeaded by the fixed clamps

 

[theace21]

i did a fan on it the other day and was not empeaded by the fixed clamps

Must be the racket...I do a couple of fan rackets every month, and I need floating clamps.

 

[kmartin]

i did a fan on it the other day and was not empeaded by the fixed clamps

So do you use floating clamps on fan patterns with the Neos?

 

[iplaybetter]

So do you use floating clamps on fan patterns with the Neos?

i did not, if i owned the machine i would buy some though

 

[furyballs]

The Neos comes shipped with floating clamps.

 

[diredesire]

i did a fan on it the other day and was not empeaded by the fixed clamps

It's not whether or not the clamps are going to 'impede' you, it's whether or not tension is going to be accurate. The fixed 90 degree angle glide bars of the NEOS are NOT suited for fan patterns, period. If you have an aggressive fan, such as a prince ring, or other granny stick, the clamps will be clamping vertically, and then when you tension it, you're going to have a
\
.|
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shape in your string. I think it's pretty obvious whether or not the tension will be accurate after popping the clamp.

So do you use floating clamps on fan patterns with the Neos?

Yes, the floating (plastic, but sturdy) clamps that come with the NEOS are fan shaped (i.e. angled)

Thanks for the info. Any particular stringing details that I should be concerned? For example, what replacement parts do I have to buy? Is there good customer support? How often do I have to replace parts? And how much space to each take up, i.e. where can I comfortably store the respective machines? You mentioned the Neos would last forever. How about the SW?

Replacement parts are really not a huge concern with the NEOS. You may need some more clamps in the future, but as long as you maintain your machine, that is probably not going to be a big worry. I think everything else is pretty rock solid on the NEOS. The SW is a solid machine, and I don't really see it having a shorter useful life. It's also very solid. You may need to make a few clamp adjustments, as the system(s) are slightly more complex than the NEOS glide bars, but it should last you a very, very long time.

Get a stand alone machine. Easy to push into a corner, and I took mine on the road for many a years. Easy to take apart and move. Just check calibration.

I agree with this statement. If you have the space, and don't need to travel with your machine, a stand is a good way to go. I have the LF model of the ML100 (MS200TT), and I've worked extensively with a NEOS (a couple of DI tennis seasons for 2 teams, and a pretty big tournament with them).
I don't have a favorite, but I think the NEOS would be the more convenient machine to work with. If I were looking at speed (which CAN be a concern), I'd work with the NEOS, you can also upgrade to constant pull with a WISE head down the road. The ML100 is a great machine, I love mine, but I find the pumping of the weight tedious, and the clamps don't glide as smoothly as the NEOS, although I don't really like the NEOS clamps either (having to switch between mains and crosses, etc). Each machine has it's drawbacks.

String Way all the way.

I like the Neos also so you really can't go wrong with either.

I like the constant pull of the String way. Also, you can lower your costs to get the T98 which is still a nice clamping system. Also, fan patterns are easier with the String way and a String way is easier to travel with than the Neos

Neos is good as it is a stand up and is prove to last forever

Also the ********* seems to keep value better

chrisplchs makes excellent points, but just keep in mind that a stand can be a major benefit, and the ********* can get tedious to work with. This is a bit of an exaggeration, though, as the String way really IS a pleasure to work with (engineered very well), but I've got a bum shoulder, so pumping a weight really takes its toll on me. Take that for what it's worth.