Tennis Tutor Player vs. Lobster Elite 3

Best High End Battery Powered Portable Tennis Ball Machine


  • Total voters
    34

tntmail

Rookie
Best High End Portable Tennis Ball Machine

I have a Lobster on the way so I'll be doing an A to B comparison with my 'player' over the next two weeks.

Tennis Tutor Player

vs.

Lobster Elite 3

One goes in my trunk, the other goes on sale, LOLs. Which will get voted off the Florida island?

Hoping others will use their experience or knowledge to vote as well.

Sorry about the title added the poll afterward and can't change thread name.
 
Last edited:

esmits77

New User
Elite 3 vs Player

I have been fortunate enough to use both of these ball machines without spending a dime. I think they are both solid machines with lots of positives, but if I were writing the check I would opt for a lower model without the Player Mode or Triple oscillation.
With the Elite 3's horizontal oscillation turned on it's just like your typical portable ball machine, shooting balls back and forth across the court (random oscillation) or performing a forehand/backhand drill (two-line oscillation). You can then turn on the vertical oscillation which moves the elevation up and down a small amount at a constant rate. So now your machine is not only throwing side to side but changing the depth of shots as well (triple oscillation). In theory it's a great idea, in practice I found it disappointing. To be challenged I had to have the ball speed turned towards the max with moderate topspin. When I set the machine up to throw the first shot to just clear the net, a lot of the balls after that would go out of bounds as the elevation increased. The owner's manual even address this in a roundabout way stating to leave the machine set at 60 mph with an 8 second feed rate for optimal results. With the machine set a 60 mph it feels like it's much closer to 50 mph which is too slow.
The Tutor Player Model is different in that it is supposed to simulate a player, either beginner, intermediate or advanced. It does this by changing the side to side position as well as the depth of shots but it goes about it differently than Lobster. When you turn the Player Model on it does not vertically oscillate constantly like the Lobster, nor does it oscillate side to side constantly. After a ball is fired the machine makes a minor adjustment of the oscillation. Sometimes it's just side to side, sometime it's the depth, sometimes it both. With the machine on advanced I found it disappointing as well. Lots of topspin, barely any change in depth and less side to side movement as the Lobster.
Again if I were writing the check I would opt for either the Elite 1 or Tutor Plus and save $500.
 

GNIHT

New User
Any more opinions?

I'm anxiously waiting to hear more about how you guys feel about the Elite 3 versus the TT Player versus the Playmate.

Which of these machines has the best carousel: TT Player, Elite 3, or Playmate? I HATE it when the machine misfeeds and I'm standing there waiting for the ball and nothing happens.

I would also like a machine that gives me random depth changes, but reliability comes first (never misoscillates or misfeeds). Any thoughts?
 

esmits77

New User
GNHIT,

None of the newer ball machines that I have used in the past year have any issues with feeding the balls correctly. This includes the Elite 3, Tutor player model and SAM P4. Sure you might get one or two dead spots every couple hundred balls but nothing like older ball machines. I haven't used the Playmate but I'm sure they don't any problems feeding the ball either. As far as variable depth, read my post above. It sounds like a good idea but in practice it is disappointing. One sure fire way to get variable depth is to use a mix of brand new and older balls. New balls carry much further so you'll get the variable depth and save $500.
 

GNIHT

New User
I think you're right about mixing flat balls with new Tretorns. I've experienced significant changes in depth doing that.

One question though: Does the Elite 3 perform well -- depth wise -- at lower speeds (say 30-40MPH)? I'm wondering if the depth function is useful for a beginer (you said it wasn't too hot above 60 MPH).

Also, why is the Playmate slightly more expensive when it offers neither depth (Elite 3) or "player mode" (TT Player)?
 

esmits77

New User
I didn't use the Elite 3 at low speeds, so I really can't answer your question. If I had a beginner working on a ball machine I would have the oscillation off and let them work on their stroke instead of chasing balls all over the court and possibly developing bad habits. But that's just my opinion.
The Playmate machines have a history of excellent reliability which probably leads to the higher price.
 

tntmail

Rookie
GNHIT,

None of the newer ball machines that I have used in the past year have any issues with feeding the balls correctly.

Wow, your lucky, I have used and owned 2 different Tutors in the past year one lower end and the Player and both hang on feed at least once every load.

The carasell has a spring with a piece of fiberglass protecting the slot just above where the balls go down. Eithe another ball gets hung against the guard or the load is too heavy so the carsell quits spinning. I use up to the max loading 145 balls each session. My one session with the E3 so far was worse but the unit I just received came with a board problem Lobster is addressing with a new board.
So no review yet.

By the way I've used the Player since August and have been on it about
60 or more times so I have a pretty good feel for it.
 

esmits77

New User
Perhaps my luck had to do with using around 70 balls rather than a full hopper. Sounds like you have had bad luck with both Tutor and Lobster. Keep this board updated on your new elite 3.
 

tntmail

Rookie
You nailed it

Perhaps my luck had to do with using around 70 balls rather than a full hopper. Sounds like you have had bad luck with both Tutor and Lobster. Keep this board updated on your new elite 3.

I did a 1/2 load last night and it worked fine even without the new board in yet.
 

mrw

Semi-Pro
I hit with a few and bought a SP Pro.
imo, it's the best value for the $.
1st season of ownership concluded and it's bullet proof so far.
 

tntmail

Rookie
Tennis Tutor Player vs. Lobster Elite 3 Summary

Here's a summary. I've owned the Player with remote for about 6 moths and the Elite 3 with remote for about 1 month.

Tennis Tutor Player vs. Lobster Elite 3 Summary
Here's a summary. I've owned the Player with remote for about 6 months and the Elite 3 with remote for about 1 month.

Form Factor: Hands down the Lobster blows the Player away. I was doing to much to accommodate the form factor issues of the Tutor Player elaborated on below whereas the Lobster is a pleasure to move and place..
1. It's smaller
having a molded case to match the unit. The player is a square fiberglass
box.
2. The wheels on the E3 work on all surfaces, the Player's wheels are a joke. I talked to the co. about this and they said use a dolly which I was already doing.
3. Lifting: The player is easier to lift with a handle on the top and I could lift with one hand into my SUV. The E3 is smaller and has molded hand grabs on the bottom. While sufficient, I found I had to bear hug it to get to the
molded handles and was worried I might pull a muscle. However, its ok.
4. Handle: The Player's pull handle is too short and I am 5'10. I have to bend down to pull it and watch my feet don't hit the box. E3's handle is plenty long and folds over for storage in a trunk quite easily.
5. Control Panel: Equal weights on this. I found both to be equally easy to use. The Players may be a little higher up so less bending but the E3's is angled upward so they equal out.

Operation and Delivery of Balls
1. Both machines are easy to operate with a little practice.
2. Height adjustment: I found the E3's degrees feedback arm easier to adjust as I can remember what works for different setups. The players digital readout LED is ok too, however the height is adjusted between LED changes and I found, I needed many times to set the height between LED moves.
3. Remote Control: Both work fine. The Player's seems to have a little more distance but today on the E3 it was flawless. I just have not had the E3 long enough to know for sure. One difference is the Player gives audio feedback which I like and hate at the same time due to its volume. I found myself concerned it was disturbing adjoining courts a few times. However, being sure "fire" is turned off can be handy when one is tired and need to stop for second.
4. Player Mode vs. the Lobster's Side to Side and Front to Back random oscillation:
I only found the Player mode unique in beginner mode placing balls at various places and paces. However it lacked depth changes of any significance. Intermediate and Advanced are just harder and more topspin shots at the baseline. While fun once in a while, this feature is not really useful to my my training.
E3's advanced mode of depth and width random. While somewhat predictable, I am finding the depth changes significant. From 1 foot from the baseline to 1 foot inside the service line. I was moving my butt to get some of those balls which is exactly what I wanted. My goal is to try to simulate real play as much as possible.
5. Two Line Narrow/ Wide: Here both are fine and I give the Player the edge for smoothness of the transition, but I give the E3 the edge for accuracy. E3 consistently puts the ball where I want it whereas the Player has a tendency to fly some balls.
6. Feed: The Player has a problem with the spring and the fiberglass wafer hanging the feed once per load. Now that I have the E3 completely operational, I find it working 150 ball loads with no problems at all. The upper hopper may come off the pop on tabs if not pushed down completely.


Warranty: Player 1 year, Lobster 2 years.
Support: Both very helpful and live person on the phone.

Battery: I have not run the Lobster down all the way yet but it boast a longer life batter of 6-8 hours vs. the Players 4-6. I have found I am leaving the Lobster on the entire workout where I was turning off the Player regularly to conserve battery life.
Quality: The Player has been almost flawless in workmanship except the battery died after a few months of heavy use. The Lobster is fine now but came to me with a connection problem on the ball wheel that Lobster help me fix. Its 100% now. The Lobster seems to make a little more operational noise with the wheels spinning.

Finally hands down the Lobster has better ball delivery and seems to hit the mark consistently. The player seems to deliver a little higher bounce more readily though both will probably deliver the same height with some adjusting.

In the end the Player get's voted off the island and will go on sale.
 
Last edited:

esmits77

New User
While somewhat predictable, I am finding the depth changes significant. From 1 foot from the baseline to 1 foot inside the service line. I was moving my butt to get some of those balls which is exactly what I wanted. My goal is to try to simulate real play as much as possible.

What ball speeds were you using to see 15+ ft of difference in the depth of the shots? At higher speeds I couldn't really tell much of a difference when I used the Elite 3.
 

tntmail

Rookie
Ball Speed

What ball speeds were you using to see 15+ ft of difference in the depth of the shots? At higher speeds I couldn't really tell much of a difference when I used the Elite 3.
Still tuning the Lobster, but I think at that time around 60
 
Here's a summary. I've owned the Player with remote for about 6 moths and the Elite 3 with remote for about 1 month.

Tennis Tutor Player vs. Lobster Elite 3 Summary
Here's a summary. I've owned the Player with remote for about 6 months and the Elite 3 with remote for about 1 month.

Form Factor: Hands down the Lobster blows the Player away. I was doing to much to accommodate the form factor issues of the Tutor Player elaborated on below whereas the Lobster is a pleasure to move and place..
1. It's smaller
having a molded case to match the unit. The player is a square fiberglass
box.
2. The wheels on the E3 work on all surfaces, the Player's wheels are a joke. I talked to the co. about this and they said use a dolly which I was already doing.
3. Lifting: The player is easier to lift with a handle on the top and I could lift with one hand into my SUV. The E3 is smaller and has molded hand grabs on the bottom. While sufficient, I found I had to bear hug it to get to the
molded handles and was worried I might pull a muscle. However, its ok.
4. Handle: The Player's pull handle is too short and I am 5'10. I have to bend down to pull it and watch my feet don't hit the box. E3's handle is plenty long and folds over for storage in a trunk quite easily.
5. Control Panel: Equal weights on this. I found both to be equally easy to use. The Players may be a little higher up so less bending but the E3's is angled upward so they equal out.

Operation and Delivery of Balls
1. Both machines are easy to operate with a little practice.
2. Height adjustment: I found the E3's degrees feedback arm easier to adjust as I can remember what works for different setups. The players digital readout LED is ok too, however the height is adjusted between LED changes and I found, I needed many times to set the height between LED moves.
3. Remote Control: Both work fine. The Player's seems to have a little more distance but today on the E3 it was flawless. I just have not had the E3 long enough to know for sure. One difference is the Player gives audio feedback which I like and hate at the same time due to its volume. I found myself concerned it was disturbing adjoining courts a few times. However, being sure "fire" is turned off can be handy when one is tired and need to stop for second.
4. Player Mode vs. the Lobster's Side to Side and Front to Back random oscillation:
I only found the Player mode unique in beginner mode placing balls at various places and paces. However it lacked depth changes of any significance. Intermediate and Advanced are just harder and more topspin shots at the baseline. While fun once in a while, this feature is not really useful to my my training.
E3's advanced mode of depth and width random. While somewhat predictable, I am finding the depth changes significant. From 1 foot from the baseline to 1 foot inside the service line. I was moving my butt to get some of those balls which is exactly what I wanted. My goal is to try to simulate real play as much as possible.
5. Two Line Narrow/ Wide: Here both are fine and I give the Player the edge for smoothness of the transition, but I give the E3 the edge for accuracy. E3 consistently puts the ball where I want it whereas the Player has a tendency to fly some balls.
6. Feed: The Player has a problem with the spring and the fiberglass wafer hanging the feed once per load. Now that I have the E3 completely operational, I find it working 150 ball loads with no problems at all. The upper hopper may come off the pop on tabs if not pushed down completely.


Warranty: Player 1 year, Lobster 2 years.
Support: Both very helpful and live person on the phone.

Battery: I have not run the Lobster down all the way yet but it boast a longer life batter of 6-8 hours vs. the Players 4-6. I have found I am leaving the Lobster on the entire workout where I was turning off the Player regularly to conserve battery life.
Quality: The Player has been almost flawless in workmanship except the battery died after a few months of heavy use. The Lobster is fine now but came to me with a connection problem on the ball wheel that Lobster help me fix. Its 100% now. The Lobster seems to make a little more operational noise with the wheels spinning.

Finally hands down the Lobster has better ball delivery and seems to hit the mark consistently. The player seems to deliver a little higher bounce more readily though both will probably deliver the same height with some adjusting.

In the end the Player get's voted off the island and will go on sale.
nice review but IMO it seems you are going to vote off the elite3 off the Island one more time after you try playmate Volley:)
 

esmits77

New User
I noticed that Lobster has a new machine out, the Elite IV. I would be interested in seeing a review of that. I was set on buying the new Star from Silent Partner but would be interested in hearing from anybody with the Elite IV.
 

tntmail

Rookie
E4 in 2 weeks

I noticed that Lobster has a new machine out, the Elite IV. I would be interested in seeing a review of that. I was set on buying the new Star from Silent Partner but would be interested in hearing from anybody with the Elite IV.

Will have the E4 in two weeks
 
you did not listen, oh well, let us know how it plays, I am giving back my free $1200 TUTOR ( will not take it for free) to its owner and will be getting my playmate portable next week
 

Coaching

Rookie
Does anyone had experience with playmate volley I'm looking for a very dependable one (are they?). Can they be hauled easily?
 

koala

New User
I have a Silent Partner Pro with the programmable option. I love it.

Spent months determining the perfect machine. Waste of time, since they all bascially do the same thing. Get any one you can get in your budget.

You should spend more time on how to transport it and the other tons of stuff you need to get to the court. Value for the SP is super. I needed support once, and they simply shipped me what I needed no questions asked in a couple days.

Like other machines (except the Playmate), wheels are way way too small; you may need what I have, which is a Wonder Wheeler Beach trolley (great investment for other than your ball machine); like others, speed of throw is not really an issue you should waste time on, it's way too fast and comes from way too low on most of them; and big disappointment on all of the machines is that they can only realistically throw an offensive killer lob that is hard to return, not a defensive lob, so just put a canoe foam block under front wheels;

Oscillation is nice if you can afford it, but the vertical and depth oscillation on the new machines like the TT Player and Elite 3 is costly (as others have said, just mix in some old balls, and you get that feature).

Remote seems like a great feature, but in reality, I use it only once in a great while now. So nix that if it is out of your budget.

SP fits nicely in all trunks; irrespective of what machine you choose, and I am repeating myself, you will need to haul lots of balls, a hopper or tube, and other stuff to the court, so you need a big wheeled device to get it all there easily ( I have a Wonder Wheeler and a Magna Cart, so wheels are not really an issue in our choice of ball machine since all but the Playmate have the same problem).

Simpy put, all these machines are great for practicing and grooving and even exercise.

The real issue is picking up the balls -- gets old fast. Put more thought into that (decide who will be with you, and whether you should buy metal hoppers, tubes, or have the luxury of using a real ball mower (indoor club has one, and it makes using a ball machine a true pleasure since the ball mowers pick em up in lightening speed).

That's my 2 cents. Don't get hung up like I did on all the details. They all work well from my limited use of Playmate and my SP.

If you cannot easily get it out of you car and onto the court with all the other stuff you will need, you will end up not using it.

Personally, I love the SP, but if money were not an issue, I would get the Playmate new Volley, since with it maybe you would not need an extra hand truck trolley. Happy hunting!
 
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