Month: April 2021

If you’re looking for a top end tennis ball machine, the Spinshot Player will not disappoint.

The machine boasts tons of unique features, including a wide variety of spin shots and compatibility with your smartphone. Fully customizable, the Spinshot Player mimics the experience of playing with a pro level tennis athlete.

If you want to learn more about the Spinshot Player’s features, keep reading!

Technical Details

If you’re after an all-singing, all-dancing machine, look no further than the Spinshot Player.

The machine offers almost every type oscillation a real player can make, allowing you to enjoy a realistic experience.

The machine comes in two models:

• AC
• Battery powered

The battery and charger are included with the battery powered launcher, and a rechargeable power pack can be bought for the AC model for an additional charge.

One of the most innovative features of the Player is the ability to pair it with your smartphone. Replacing the traditional remote, your phone can be used to program your shots, speed, feed rate, angle, and height of the ball. Better still, this feature requires no additional charge.

The Spinshot Player offers custom programming, enabling you to feed in your customized drills.

With the battery connected, the machine weighs just 19kg. This low weight makes it easy to move the Player around the court.

The Spinshot Player has five key features that make it stand out. When using the machine, you can customize the speed of shots, the horizontal angle of shots, spin on the balls, shot height and feed interval. If you’re a beginner or intermediate tennis player, this is all you’ll need to improve your game.

When adjusted, the horizontal angle of shots can cover the full width of the court.

With a maximum speed of 68 mph, the speed range is comparable with more expensive machines.

The Player offers 9 different spin rates for topspins and backspins and a feed range broad enough to satisfy avid tennis players. While the ball capacity lags behind top-end models, the 120-ball hopper is more than enough to practice with.

Specification

• Ball Feed Speed: 18 to 68 mph
• Ball Feed Interval: 2 seconds to 10 seconds
• Ball Capacity: 120 balls
• Programmable Drills: 12 Drills of 6 shots
• Phone Compatibility: Android or iPhone
• Battery life: 2 – 3 hours
• Battery charging: 8 to 15 hours for a fully charged battery
• Weight: 19 kg
• Dimensions: Height: 50 cm Length: 50 cm Width: 35 cm

The Good

+ Oscillation

One of the best features of the Spinshot Player is the oscillation. Fully customizable, you can choose the settings that best suit your training requirements. For instance, if you need to practice more spin shots, program the machine from the control panel, your smartphone, or the remote and get ready for a challenge. With the Player, it’s also possible to control the intensity of the spin and enjoy other oscillations such as ‘all around the court’.

+ Preprogrammed Drills

The Spinshot Player boasts 12 pre-programmable drills. Each one of these can be adjusted, totally reprogrammed or used as is. One drill is made up of six ball shots. Every shot in the drill can be programmed to suit your preference. If you like, you can even repeat the same shot again and again. If you want the realistic experience of a tennis game, you can leave the drills as they are and simply adjust the settings of each shot.

+ Remote

The thing that sets the Spinshot Player apart is its smartphone compatibility. When used on your phone, the Spinshot App mirrors the control panel on the physical machine. All you need to connect the two is a WiFi connection. The app is simple to use and allows you to control the machine from anywhere on the court. Similar to a standard remote, the app allows you to adjust the settings or pause the feeder whenever you wish. For the most part, the app is pretty user-friendly. It’s not quite as simple as other iPhone Apps, but it’s definitely better than carrying a traditional remote.

+ Electronic Elevation Control

Traditionally, the elevation of a tennis ball machine is adjusted manually. The Spinshot Player, on the other hand, boasts electronic elevation control. Instead of adjusting the height with a manual knob, you can do so at the touch of a button on your smartphone or remote.

+ 2-Line Function

The new Spinshot Player comes with 2-Line function. With this feature, you can adjust the angle of the horizontal feed to become wider or narrower.

The Bad

– Doesn’t Comes with a Battery

There are 2 models of the Spinshot Player: one powered by a battery and one by AC. The AC version has the capability to run from a power pack, too. However, this model doesn’t come with a battery. This means that you’ll have to purchase a battery separately before using the machine. While this isn’t the end of the world, it’s slightly annoying when you’re spending a decent amout of money.

– Satisfactory User Manual

If you’re new to tennis ball machines, you may have a bit of trouble getting your launcher set up. As the user manual isn’t very helpful, it may be easier to watch a tutorial elsewhere.

– Unable to Set Speed During Drills

One downside to the Player is the inability to set the exact speed of the shots. When programming the machine, you’ll need to work out which number relates to which speed. In the future, it would be great to be able to set exact speeds via the phone app.

– Short Battery Life

Depending on the drills performed, the battery life of the Player is between 2 and 3 hours. As you can imagine, shorter feed interval and more speed result in lower battery life. While two hours may seem short, it’s probably the right amount of time for beginners and intermediate players. When you incorporate breaks for a drink and rest into the timing, the battery life should also satisfy more demanding players.

Unfortunately, the short battery life isn’t mirrored by a fast charge time. On average, the recharging takes between 8 and 15 hours. To make sure the machine is ready for your next session, remember to put it on charge as soon as you’ve finished playing. Providing that the machine is charging overnight, it should be ready to go by your next practice session.

Material & Construction

Unlike many portable ball machines, the Spinshot Player is built from aluminum.

Despite not having a plastic frame, the machine is lightweight and portable. The towing wheels make it easy to maneuver around the court, and the light weight of 19 kg makes for easy lifting in and out of the car.

While the metal frame can seem like a disadvantage at first, it’s actually much more practical than a plastic construction. The aluminum cage is powder-coated to prevent rust, keeping the machine in top condition for years to come.

Additionally, the sturdy frame is much more stable on the court and can withstand hits from the ball better than plastic.

The dimensions of the Player are 50cm x 50 cm x 35cm, allowing players of all sizes transport the machine to and from the court.

Overall Performance

Overall, the Spinshot Player has all the premium features you want in a tennis ball machine. With a good price tag you’re definitely getting your money’s worth with this very high qualty launcher.

Who Is It For?

With a wide variety of features and drills, the Spinshot Player is suitable for any tennis play who wants to improve their skills. With fully customizable settings, the machine can challenge even the most experienced athletes.

Verdict

Editors Rating: 

With tons of premium features, the Spinshot Player is probably one of the most reasonably priced launchers on the market. While it’s not the cheapest tennis ball machine out there, it still fits into the cheaper category.

The best thing about the machine is the variable oscillation.

With a top speed of 68 mph and 9 different spin rates for top spins and backspins, the Player can satisfy even the most avid tennis player.

The Spinshot Player is available in two different versions, one with a battery and one powered by AC. For the battery-powered machine, the battery is included in the initial cost; however, it will be packaged and sent separately.

The AC model doesn’t come with a battery, but a power module is available for an additional charge. The Spinshot app for your smartphone is totally free, so there will be no nasty surprises in that area.

When comparing the features of the Spinshot Player with similarly priced models, the Player is far superior to its competitors. With this in mind, the machine is a strong choice for any tennis player looking to up their game.

The Lobster Phenom 2 is one of the most advanced tennis ball machines on the market. Manufactured by Lobster, the machine is electrically powered and features everything that a tennis player needs to improve his game.

Complete with a durable design and a range of innovative features, the machine is fully programmable to suit players of all sorts. Better still, the machine comes at a very reasonable price.

If you want to know more about the Lobster Phenom 2 and its features, keep reading!

Technical Details

This machine can do almost everything. It features a 250-ball hopper, allowing you more time on the court before having to refill.

When it comes to ball speed, it fires them out at between 25 and 80 mph; this can be adjusted to suit your preference and training requirements.

The machine weighs 99 lbs, making it one of the heavier launchers on the market. With this in mind, it’s best suited to those with a private court or tennis club where they can leave the machine stationary.

If you’re looking for a portable machine to move back and forth, you’re probably better suited to something lighter.

The feed rate of the Phenom 2 varies between 2 and 9 seconds and can also be set to random intervals. When turned on, this feature shoots the balls out of the machine at random to keep you on your toes.

The Good

Below are some of Lobster Phenom 2’s key features.

+ Lexan Control Panel

An upgrade from the Phenom 1, the Phenom 2 comes with a new easy-to-use control panel. Known as the “Lexan” control panel, it features a touch screen instead of the previous knobs, dials, and switches.

The menu is a digital LCD, allowing you to scroll through all the options before selecting your preferred settings.

At first glance, the control panel may look a little complicated; however, this isn’t the case. After the first use, you’ll see that it’s extremely user-friendly and can be operated by players of all ages.

+ 20-Function Remote Control

The Phenom 2 can be controlled with a wireless remote. This is an optional feature and can be purchased separately for those that are interested.

The remote has 20-function control and allows you to adjust the settings from anywhere on the court. This is ideal for players who don’t want to be traveling to and from the control panel to adjust the settings.

+ 3 Pre-programmed Drills

Like many of the other Lobster machines, including the Lobster Elite 2 Portable Tennis Ball Machine and the Lobster Elite 1 Portable Tennis Ball Machine, the Phenom 2 comes with three pre-programmed six shot drills.

These simulate popular styles like the power baseliner, grinder, and all-courter, allowing you to perfect some of the trickier shots as you train. You can also customize the drills to adapt the trajectory, speed, and spin to make sure it suits your requirements.

Below, we explore the preprogrammed drills in more detail:

• Grinder Drill: The grinder drill is a six ball drill that incorporates a high level of spin. This drill includes high and moderate spin shots to challenge you both physically and mentally.
• Power Baseliner Drill: The Power Baseliner Drill is another six ball drill that uses the full court. Unlike the Grinder drill, the Baseliner includes more speed and less spin. This gives you a taste of how it feels to play an explosive style and helps to improve both your pace and aggression. This drill is ideal for those looking to improve their attacking style.
• All-Courter Drill: The final preprogrammed drill is the All-Courter. This is basically a combination of the Grinder and the Power Baseliner, providing a varied range of shots with random spin and speed. This is ideal for players looking to improve their general tennis skills.

+ 3-Line Function

In addition to the drills, the Phenom 2 features 3-Line function. Interestingly, this is one of the most advanced 3-line functions found in modern tennis ball machines.

The feature also includes 3 positional settings, allowing you to adapt the machine to fire narrow, medium and wide shots. This allows you to improve both your forehand and backhand strokes in a single training session. Many players enjoy using this as a way to warm up before a match.

The Bad

Here are some drawbacks of the Lobster Phenom 2.

– Remote Control Is Purchased Separately

As mentioned previously, the wireless remote is optional and must be purchased separately. If you want to upgrade to the remote-control package, you’ll have to fork out some extra cash. For the most part, the remote works well; however, it requires a feed light indicator which is a disappointment.

Material & Construction

The Lobster Phenom 2 has hard-wearing plastic construction. The durable material won’t damage easily and will protect the machine from the harshness of any environment.

As the Phenom is a stationary machine, many people leave it out on the court in between sessions. The durable construction will protect the machine, even without the use of a cover.

However, if you plan to leave the launcher out all year round, it’s probably best to pick up a waterproof cover, just for peace of mind.

Overall Performance

You certainly get your money’s worth with the Lobster Phenom 2. With features similar to those on more expensive machines, the Phenom is great value for money.

Who Is It For?

This tennis ball machine is best suited to intermediate and advanced level tennis players with basic tennis skills. While anyone can use the machine, the features are a little more advanced than you’ll need if you’re just starting out.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a feature-rich, stationery tennis ball machine, the Lobster Phenom 2 will not disappoint. With durable design and several innovative features, the launcher will certainly improve your tennis skills if used regularly.

Our Rating: 

If you’re looking for a tennis ball machine for beginners, the Lobster Elite Liberty is a great option. Currently, the machine is one of the best-selling ball launchers in the world and can be purchased for a pretty reasonable price.

Our rating: 

Like all Lobster tennis ball machines, the Lobster Elite Liberty has a durable but ergonomic design. This means that the launcher is lightweight for easy transport but still hard-wearing enough to withstand knocks and scrapes. If you want to hear more about this machine and its features, keep reading!

Technical Details

The Lobster Elite Liberty tennis ball machine weighs just 36 pounds, making it one of the lightest ball machines on the market. The light weight makes it portable and easy to maneuver around the court without hurting your back. It should also be easy enough to lift in and out of your trunk.

With a large ball hopper on top, the Lobster Elite Liberty tennis ball machine has a ball capacity up to 150 balls. This allows you to train for a decent amount of time before needing to refill. Many of the Liberty’s settings can be adjusted, including the ball speed and feed rate.

Depending on your preference, the ball speed can be set between 20 and 80 mph while the feed rate can be programmed between 2 and 10 seconds.

This tennis ball machine is battery powered with a backup time of up to 4 hours; while this is lower than some portable tennis ball machines, it’s still long enough to enjoy a full practice session or two without recharging the battery.

You can also program the elevation, oscillation, topspin, and backspin to suit your training requirements. With the random oscillation setting, the Liberty can provide a challenging practice session for players of all sorts.

The Good

The Lobster Elite Liberty tennis ball machine has some pros and some cons. Here are some of our favorite features:

+ Random Oscillation

The Lobster Elite Liberty boasts random oscillation. Enabled with a push of the button, the machine can be set to feed the balls randomly from side to side. This allows the ball to feed smoothly into both corners of the court to provide a challenging play session.

While you cannot control have far left or right the ball should go, the random oscillation gets you moving around the court just like you would in a real game. If you want to adjust how far left and right the ball lands, you can do this by bringing the launcher closer to the net.

+ Portable and Easy to Store

Weighing just 36 pounds, the Elite Liberty is one of the lightest tennis ball machines on the market. The light weight makes the machine portable and easy to move around the court.

The dimensions of the launcher are 21x14x21, making the machine compact enough to be stored in the trunk of your car or neatly in your home. As the machine is heavier when the hopper is full, we recommend emptying it at the end of your session – just make sure you’ve got somewhere to store your balls!

If you want to make the Liberty even more compact, you can turn the hopper upside down on top of the machine.

+ Adjustable Spin and Speed

Just like the Lobster Sports Elite Grand Five Ball Machine and the Lobster Elite Freedom, the Elite Liberty has adjustable spin and speed. Both of these can be set via the user-friendly control panel. Impressively, both the topspin and backspin can be altered between -4 and +4 and any number in between.

There’s also the option to add flat feeds into your game to make things even more interesting. The speed can be set as high as 80 mph or as low as 20. If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting at the lowest speed and working your way up. This way, you won’t end up training at a speed you’re uncomfortable with. Advanced players may prefer to start somewhere between 40 and 60mph and work their way up to the top speed.

+ Adjustable Feed Rate

The Lobster Elite Liberty has a feed rate between 2 and 12 seconds. Depending on your training requirements, you can set the launcher to feed the ball as fast as 2 seconds or as slow as 12.

If you want to work on your volleys, the 2-second feed rate will be your best bet. The elevation of the Liberty can also be adjusted; the elevation control is located on the side of the machine and can be set between 0 and 50 degrees.

The Bad

Here are some of the Elite Liberty’s drawbacks.

– The Handle is Not Sturdy

Like other launchers in the Elite series, the handle on the Liberty isn’t very sturdy. It feels as though it could break if you tug the machine with too much force, so it’s worth handling it with care on the court and during transportation.

– Backup

The Liberty has a backup time of 4 hours. While you can still enjoy a decent training session, this is much lower than similar models on the market. One way around this is purchasing an additional battery and alternating between the two. That way, you’ll never be caught out in the middle of a session.

Material & Construction

The Lobster Elite Liberty is made from hard-wearing plastic. This makes the machine light in weight but also durable enough to withstand general wear and tear. All manufacturing defects are backed by a 2-year warranty, which is also a bonus.

Overall Performance

Overall, the Lobster Elite Liberty is a great tennis ball machine with a reasonable price tag good speed and ball capacity and is easy to use. In our opinion, it has all the features needed to improve your tennis skills.

Who Is It For?

The machine’s features are tailored towards beginners and intermediate players. However, the adjustable settings also make it suitable for more advanced players looking for a basic launcher.

Verdict

If you want to take your tennis game to the next level, the Lobster Elite Liberty will help you get there. If you’re a beginner or intermediate level player looking to polish your skills, the Elite Liberty will not disappoint.

Our rating: