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: 