Upgrade with a Wise or Save Up for Star 5?

[joletzring]

Currently I own a Prince NEOS 1000. The machine is good but I would like to have an electronic machine with constant pull technology.

Should I upgrade the NEOS and buy a Wise? Or should I wait a couple of years and save enough money to get a Star 5? Is the Star 5 worth the extra $1500?

 

[Spatula]

How many people/customers are you stringing for? How many frames per week?

For me personally I would have to justify the increased cost in terms of how soon I would be able to recoup the money spent. For 500 on the WISE you could potentally recoup that very quickly versus 1500, much longer.

Interesting situation though..

 

[joletzring]

# of frames

I probably will be doing about 20 frames per week. In light of that, what do you think?

 

[cpmoran]

20 frames, thats about what I do. I sold my gamma 6004 and bought the Star 5. Its strange using a different machine at first, but I would do it over again for sure. I must say that I dont feed my family with the money from stringing (either do you with 20 per week). The money is mostly spent on tennis stuff..

 

[joletzring]

...

No, I do feed my family on 20 frames per week, they just don't eat a lot. Bread and water only. He, he.

 

[cpmoran]

If you plan on stringing for a long time, then to me its a no brainer GO FOR IT. Plus you can show it off to your clients.

 

[VGP]

$500 or $5000......

hmmm......

 

[joletzring]

no

It's not $5,000 for a Star 5. It's $3,000.

 

[VGP]

ok, but still.

 

[joletzring]

I know, it is a lot more money than the Neos plus the Wise. That is why I asked the question of whether it is worth it. But I know what you are saying. At first glance, the 3,000 for the Star 5 sounds ridiculous. But if I am going to be stringing for years to come, perhaps it is worth it to bite the bullet in the next year or so and upgrade to the Star 5. I don't know.

Which brings me to another question...why does TW use the Neos 1000 as their exclusive machine? With all of the options TW would have, I am just curious why they wouldn't opt for a Star 5 or other similar type machine.

 

[iplaybetter]

the neos is a great work horse, and easier to buy a fleet of
i would go for the star five, or any other top of the line cp machine, they are soo much nicer to work on, and are impesive to your customers

 

[VGP]

Finding a good stringer and staying with a good stringer for most avid players is based on consistency and word of mouth.

We here all know how good a Prince Neos is, but as iplaybetter mentioned, a Babolat Star 5 just looks impressive. People might go to tournaments and check out the stringers' area and see a lineup of nice electronic CP machines and if their stringer uses one like it, they might be willing to come back, or come back more often.

It depends on your clientele. Although, I've seen advertisements for the Wise 2086 on TTC. People might get familiar with that and think that's ok too.

For me, it's not the machine, it's the stringer. If I get a good string job, I'll come back, if not, I won't.

Now, if I hate my own string jobs, then where does that leave me?

 

[tennisfreak15347]

I would go with the five star; it will be well worth it in the long run.

 

[wally]

I have a Neos 1000 with a Wise tension head and absolutely love it.

There are a couple of advantages.

1.) if something goes wrong wth the Wise I just take it of put on the crank and I'm back in business.

2.) if the power goes out & I've got a stack of frames to do I can still get some work done.

3.) The Wise + the foot pedal has lowered my stringing time.

The Neos is an absolute tank with one of the quickest mounting systems.
They take a lot of abuse and are idiot proof (thats why you see them in pro shops)

I've had 0 problems with my Wise. My volume varies, but during the spring & summer I easily approach 15-20 per week. The Wise has more than paid for itself.
If I'm one day independently wealthy I might take a look at the Bab or the new Wilson stringer but right now the WISE + the NEOS meets my needs.

 

[Il Mostro]

Do both. I say go for the Wise now and sell the Neos+Wise when you are ready for an upgrade. This combination should hold value well. Of course I would prefer the Star 5, but there is something to be said for instant gratification.

 

[zidane339]

Star 5, definitely. A lot nicer to work on. Plus you'll make up the money in a couple of weeks

 

[ichibanosaru]

Good Call

I have a Neos 1000 with a Wise tension head and absolutely love it.

There are a couple of advantages.

1.) if something goes wrong wth the Wise I just take it of put on the crank and I'm back in business.

2.) if the power goes out & I've got a stack of frames to do I can still get some work done.

3.) The Wise + the foot pedal has lowered my stringing time.

The Neos is an absolute tank with one of the quickest mounting systems.
They take a lot of abuse and are idiot proof (thats why you see them in pro shops)

I've had 0 problems with my Wise. My volume varies, but during the spring & summer I easily approach 15-20 per week. The Wise has more than paid for itself.
If I'm one day independently wealthy I might take a look at the Bab or the new Wilson stringer but right now the WISE + the NEOS meets my needs.

I agree with you on all points mentioned. However, if one has LOTS of extra cash laying around, why not go for the Star 5? :?

 

[superstition]

I know what you really want.

 

[Richie Rich]

main factor is how many wise units will you go through in the lifetime of the star 5? i know many people like wise units and they do serve a great purpose. but the jury is still out if they will last 5 + years.

however, if you get an alpha you can always go back to the crank if the wise needs replacing. like wally mentioned

20 racquets per week and assume you make $10 each for labor. $200 per week. over the year (50 weeks) that's 10K. either machine will pay for itself in no time.

 

[b0oMeR]

I know what you really want.

yeah because that is soooo much better than a star 5 :twisted:

 

[YULitle]

Perhaps the OP might be the only one who doesn't know what my vote is for, so...

Star 5

 

[LPShanet]

Do both. I say go for the Wise now and sell the Neos+Wise when you are ready for an upgrade. This combination should hold value well. Of course I would prefer the Star 5, but there is something to be said for instant gratification.

You beat me to the punch. There really isn't much reason not to, as it won't take THAT much longer to save $3000 than it would $2500 (if you put the $500 for the Wise towards the Star 5). So why not treat yourself to the Wise now, and then upgrade a few months later than you would have?

 

[BOSSMANBUDDYLEE]

I agree with LPShanet. As a professional stringer, I have used both the Neos + Wise and since upgraded to a Prince 5000 (which is about the same cost as the Star 5).

As my racquet count reached 1000 per year, the neos simply could not keep up. Also, the Prince 5000 looks more professional when I string at tournaments. Some players feel more confident leaving me their frames with the Prince 5000 rather than the Neos + Wise.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

I heard the design for the Star 5 table brake isn't very good. Can anyone elaborate?

M

 

[joletzring]

don't understand...

what do you mean when you say that the Neos couldn't keep up with 1000 frames a year? Do you mean it just wasn't quick enough? It confused me because I thought the Neos was arguably faster than an electronic machine.

 

[brownbearfalling]

Wally: in the case that the power does go out, are you really going to be stringing racquets? I can't imagine how hard it is going to be to string a racquet in dim lighting.

Anyway. i vote for the star 5. In the case that you want to go back to the Neo's and wise head, you can sell your star 5 and buy the cheaper combo.

 

[YULitle]

I heard the design for the Star 5 table brake isn't very good. Can anyone elaborate?

M

It's a knob underneath the table and tucked away in the bowels of the casing. The knob design is bad enough, but because it's tucked into the plastic casing it's really get a good handle on it to turn it sufficiently.

This is the Star 5's Achilles heel, IMO.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

It's a knob underneath the table and tucked away in the bowels of the casing. The knob design is bad enough, but because it's tucked into the plastic casing it's really get a good handle on it to turn it sufficiently.

This is the Star 5's Achilles heel, IMO.

It's not one that you pull to lock?

 

[ssjkyle31]

I think looks are everything. If i go in a pro shop and see some stringing on the NEOS, I would think this shop is behind in the times. I see a Babolat 5 star or even a Technifibre machine, Wow they mean business. It will make professional statement/impression, but I know that does not always mean I will get a quality string job.

This will be great at your shop
If you are a home stringer, it does not matter. Who's going to see your machine?

 

[YULitle]

It's not one that you pull to lock?

Nope. Turn knob.

 

[ssjkyle31]

I know, it is a lot more money than the Neos plus the Wise. That is why I asked the question of whether it is worth it. But I know what you are saying. At first glance, the 3,000 for the Star 5 sounds ridiculous. But if I am going to be stringing for years to come, perhaps it is worth it to bite the bullet in the next year or so and upgrade to the Star 5. I don't know.

Which brings me to another question...why does TW use the Neos 1000 as their exclusive machine? With all of the options TW would have, I am just curious why they wouldn't opt for a Star 5 or other similar type machine.

Because the NEOs does not need electrical power. Run fifteen Babolat 5 star 8 hours a day. I would think their electrical bill will be pretty high especially in California and they would have to charge more for stringing.

 

[psp2]

It's a knob underneath the table and tucked away in the bowels of the casing. The knob design is bad enough, but because it's tucked into the plastic casing it's really get a good handle on it to turn it sufficiently.

This is the Star 5's Achilles heel, IMO.

How often do you really need to use the brake?

 

[wally]

Wally: in the case that the power does go out, are you really going to be stringing racquets? I can't imagine how hard it is going to be to string a racquet in dim lighting.

Anyway. i vote for the star 5. In the case that you want to go back to the Neo's and wise head, you can sell your star 5 and buy the cheaper combo.

If the power's out and the sun is shining I can still string with the crank. I get pretty good sunlight in my stringing room.

At night or during a storm I usually find other things to do when the power is out .....

 

[davidahenry]

If you are a home stringer, it does not matter. Who's going to see your machine?

Most of the time, I deliver sticks to my customers at my club and sometimes deliver them to their homes. Some, however, come to my house for drop-off/pick-up, and when they do, they see my machine. Also, I am in the process of developing a web site for my home stringing business and definitely plan to showcase my machine with some pics. (Besides high-quality and ease of use, the "wow" factor was one reason I purchased my machine.)

The OP has a nice little site, and I think having pics of a Star 5 would be more impressive to customers and prospective customers than his Neos.

i would go for the star five, or any other top of the line cp machine, they are soo much nicer to work on, and are impesive to your customers

I agree with iplay. A high-end machine does not always equal a high-quality stringjob, but it does provide a perception that you are serious about stringing and adds that "wow" factor. As long as you can back it up with a quality stringjob, it will benefit you.

Plus... OP, you are in Atlanta, right? You have to compete with John at Guts and Glory. I know he runs a very hiqh-quality business and is very serious about it. Any additional "wow" factor that you can have can only help (assuming the financials of getting a Star 5 work out for you.)

Which brings me to another question...why does TW use the Neos 1000 as their exclusive machine? With all of the options TW would have, I am just curious why they wouldn't opt for a Star 5 or other similar type machine.

the neos is a great work horse, and easier to buy a fleet of

Again, I agree with iplay. I live about 30 minutes away from one of TW's biggest competitors, and they have a room full of manual crank machines where high school kids churn out stringjob after stringjob. It seems to be the industry standard.

If the power's out and the sun is shining I can still string with the crank. I get pretty good sunlight in my stringing room.

At night or during a storm I usually find other things to do when the power is out .....

I've never really understood the whole "when the power goes out" argument in favor of a non-electric machine. I live in suburban Dayton, OH, and my power goes out about once or twice a year. And when it does, it is usually only out for a few minutes. I'll take an electronic CP machine and take my chances with the power.

Take care.

DH

 

[joletzring]

Hey

Hey David,

I appreciate your thoughts. I made this post quite a long time ago--I am surprised it is still getting comments.

I do agree that upgrading to a Star 5 would be worthwhile. I am in the planning stages of doing so.

As for John at G&G, I don't actually compete with him. He is in Suwanee, which is pretty far outside of my service area which is the Perimeter area: dunwoody, sandy springs, norcross, etc. Atlanta is a big tennis market.

You are correct though--he runs a very high quality shop and he happens to be a super great guy. If someone calls me from his area, I always refer them to John. Likewise, if someone calls him from my area, I know he does the same.

Anyway...I am definitely planning to pursue a Star 5, it will just take a little time.

 

[davidahenry]

^^^ Sounds like you and John have a great working relationship. Very cool. I've purchased some string from him in the past and am actually getting ready to send two sticks to him to have the grip reduced. His price is much better than **** and RacquetMaxx, and like you said, he seems like a super-nice guy.

Glad to hear you are in the process of getting a Star 5. I'm sure you'll love it. I got an outstanding deal on my SAM Pro-Master (from a fellow board member). It is the same machine used by the Wilson Stringing Team at the 2006 and 2007 U.S. Open. The original owner only strung about 30 sticks on it, so it is like new. I love it.

Are you dead-set on getting a Star 5? Until I found my good deal, I was seriously looking at the Silent Partner Opus. You may want to check it out - if you haven't already.

Take care.

DH

 

[joletzring]

machine info

David,

I'm not necessarily dead set on the Star 5. I just like what I have read about it. I am also going to look at the new Wilson machine as well as the new Prince 6000. I'll check out the Silent Partner machine you mentioned. We'll see...I am looking forward to the upgrade. I enjoy the Neos don't get me wrong, but I think a constant pull machine will be a joy to transition into.

Glad you have gotten stuff from John and know him too--he runs a great shop.

Take care-

-Jonathan

 

[ssjkyle31]

This is also a nice machine very stream line.

It not electric but it has less parts to go wrong