Tennis Tutor Plus with Player Mode insight?

[bloozman]

Can anyone comment on whether the Player Mode is really a feature that one should have on this machine?

I am thinking of buying a barely used Tennis Tutor Plus which will be about half the price of a brand new Tennis Tutor Plus with Player Mode, which allegedly simulates a player on the other side of the net.

Does anyone have any experience with the difference in capabilities between these two machines and can comment on whether the Player Mode feature is really worth shelling out some serious dough for?

I am a 4.0 - 4.5 level player. I guess I could consider using it as an adjunct to teach tennis, as well. Any thoughts?

Thanks, bloozman

 

[flamekid992000]

I don;t think its worth it, there is a video on youtube that shows the guy playing against the machine. The machine even talks and tell the score outloud. Very annoying.

 

[Venetian]

Definitely sounds like it's worth it. I'm sure you can turn the sound off if the machines voice is really annoying enough to make you not want to use it.

 

[dcottrill]

I don;t think its worth it, there is a video on youtube that shows the guy playing against the machine. The machine even talks and tell the score outloud. Very annoying.

I think the machine that calls the score is "Boomer", not the TT Plus Player.

I have a ball machine (not a TT), and I think it is great for grooving your groundstrokes, practicing volleys, etc. I think it was worth every penny I paid for it. But no way does it (or any other ball machine) simulate a real partner. IMHO the half price machine is the way to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7mAY9cwfBA

 

[czech09]

I'd say if you're getting the Tennis Tutor Plus at 1/2 the price go for that. I have the Model 2 (the basic one) and I'm happy with it so far. It's very good for practicing volleys and groundstrokes. I'm not sure of the player mode but I doubt it's anywhere near being worth the $700 or whatever the 1/2 price comes out to.

 

[bloozman]

Yeah, I think FlameKid is wrong about this machine having a voice. I also don't understand how a ball machine could know the score. How does it know whether your return shot was in our out?

I was leaning towards the used machine, but I spoke with a tennis pro/instructor near me who has five Tennis Tutors, including the plus model and also the plus model with player mode, and he says that it is the greatest ball machine he has ever seen. He claims it really does simulate a player. He also claims that the remote works better on this particular model. He says it varies depth and spin as well as location.

I think I am going to fork over the extra $700. If anyone has experience with both of these models and can compare and contrast them for me, then I would still be interested in hearing that experienced input. Saving me $700 would be most appreciated. I will try to log back in at some point and provide my own feedback. I have played with several types of ball machines on occasion, over time, even some very sophisticated ones. I have never owned such a sophisticated one, though.

 

[czech09]

Yeah, I think FlameKid is wrong about this machine having a voice. I also don't understand how a ball machine could know the score. How does it know whether your return shot was in our out?

I was leaning towards the used machine, but I spoke with a tennis pro/instructor near me who has five Tennis Tutors, including the plus model and also the plus model with player mode, and he says that it is the greatest ball machine he has ever seen. He claims it really does simulate a player. He also claims that the remote works better on this particular model. He says it varies depth and spin as well as location.

I think I am going to fork over the extra $700. If anyone has experience with both of these models and can compare and contrast them for me, then I would still be interested in hearing that experienced input. Saving me $700 would be most appreciated. I will try to log back in at some point and provide my own feedback. I have played with several types of ball machines on occasion, over time, even some very sophisticated ones. I have never owned such a sophisticated one, though.

There's a machine called "Boomer" out there. It's supposed to replace a real player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p06CuY6jDEg

It useless laser/radar technology I believe to check whether the ball is in or out. It's about $14,500 new so for that price it better do that and more.

 

[ksqwqb]

Bloozman,

Did you end up getting the Player Plus model, and if so how did it work out for you? Give us an update if possible, thanks.

 

[tntmail]

Player Mode Tennis Tutor

I have the player and it's got some great features. I had a lower end model I sold on ****.
I bought a demo. Even with the below I would do it again.

My thoughts.

1. Remote, worth every penny, Controls Oscillation and ball delivery
2. Control panel
set MPH exactly - ok
Electronic height adjustment - great feature worth it
Player mode
Beginner - scale of 1-10, I give it a 6. Does not change depth often enough
Intermediate - Hard delivery at 47mph a lot of deep balls, ok but my friends don't deliver that deep all the time
Advanced Mode - Incredible top spin on most shots
* All of the above is adjustable so much so I've started to keep a note page to get set up more quickly.
3. Random Mode Awesome for a workout
4. 2 Line Narrow and Wide, worth it if you like a quick warm up and 2 line wide if you use with a friend
5. Concave wheels on this one so seems to handle ball better
6. Delivery carousel ok I give it a 6 as it often does not receive the next ball and ends up empty even with the hopper full. Creates a cavity about once a full a load.
7. Weight at 52 is a little heavy after a long work out. Always lift with non hitting hand after a workout.
8. Wheels useless for anything but on court. too small for bumps and handle is too short. I use a flat folding dolly to move around