GAMMA Progression II Tennis Stringing Machines, Progression ELS, Progression 200, 360 Degree Rotation, Tabletop Stringers, Durable Contruction, Badminton, Squash, Racquetball, Stringing Tools Included

I bought this machine two years ago and it has easily paid for itself. While looking for a new stringer to do my racket, I did some research on stringing machines and decided to go ahead and order this machine. Boy am I glad I did that. Before, I would wait until the string broke before taking it in to a stringer. Now I just restring every month and I buy strings in reels to save money. I also started to use hybrid stringing patterns that I find are the best for my game. OK enough of the background, here is the review. The Gamma stringing machine is quite easy to use. The drop weight mechanism is the best to maintain an accurate tension as opposed to spring mechanisms which always need recalibration. That being said, I measured the tension with a gauge and found that the scale is lower than actual tension by 1.5 lbs. So, the machine is always higher by 1.5 lbs than the weight scale. This is actually OK since adding 1.5 lbs of tension helps as poly strings will stretch and loosen by about 2 lbs. Or you can just subtract 1.5 lbs from the setting. Another advantage of drop weight is that it is a constant pulling device as opposed to a lock-out machine that will stop pulling after reaching a set tension. This can help when you release a clamp and the tension in the string might drop. The drop in tension can be compensated by readjusting the ratcheting mechanism without having to retension the whole string. In a lock-out machine there really is no way to know that tension has changed. A false concern of a drop weight machine is that you have to be precisely level with the weight arm to get the right tension. The truth is that you can off by as much as 5 degrees and still be within your target weight. Or approximately plus minus 2 inches at the end of the arm from level. The disadvantage is that it takes more time than spring type of machines. After a few stringing jobs, I can string a racket in slightly less than 1 hour. While, I have seen youtube videos of fastest times with spring machines at 35 mins. Since, I'm only stringing for myself and friends, this amount of time difference is not enough for me to spend 5 times more for a spring machine.

last year I played a lot of tennis, and first time realizing that stringing skill is very necessary. I broke my racket string 3times within a few month, and getting them stringed from someone else is so inconvenient and costly. Finally I decide to get one of this to string myself. This product is accurate to what is described online, simple to assemble, I strung three rackets so far, all of them performed well. As far as the cost, to me it’s definitely worth it, especially with three strings included for me to practice my stringing skill. And this machine is more than enough for beginners, no need to spend more. If you are playing a lot of tennis, consider buying one!

A good equipment for stringing that is easy to use and quick to learn for new users as well. Have to initially remember to position the racket and the 4 side holders well secured else might cause issues. Stable and strong in its structure. Would recommend to only use it when mounted on a proper stand. The lock knob for the turn table is in an odd position and have to bend to properly see or hold it to turn and lock the table when needed. You only need it intermittently so not a show-stopper. Have successfully now done 5+ rackets in 4 weeks time since I bought. Love it!!

It works perfectly and accurately. It is very easy to use and it is very durable and long lasting. It mounts the racket perfectly it great for all the tennis rackets I string. It is a good price for its high quality.

Depending on how much you play, how particular you are about strings and tensions, how much you like to experiment with strings & tension, if you string for others, and your age/how likely you think you'll continue to play in the future, learning how to string and buying a stringer can be an incredibly good idea and actually cost effective in the long run. This is my 2nd, first one was a Progression II 602 with floating clamps that I used for about 20 years and it's still going strong with the guy I sold it to. But going from a drop weight with floating clamps to this is like from riding a bike to driving a car. The bases slide around well after adjustment and the clamps have held every string so far with no slipping that I've noticed, even when I thought the pressure might have been too low. With some practice you can operate the clamp totally with your left hand - sliding, lifting it and squeezing the lever, while keeping your right hand near the tensioner and string. I've been able to string much faster with it, but also at a very consistent quality which makes me more likely to offer to string for other people. The buttons have a super heavy duty feel & action and you can tell the build quality is very high. It's heavy and fairly large, so you either need a good table that ideally isn't much wider than the machine, or one of the stands. Mine is on a small table elevated by 2x4s, which are on thin non-slip pads, and I put velcro tape on the wood and the bottom of the machine's feet so it won't move like some tabletop machines will if you pull a cross too hard. Combined with its weight, this gives a ton of stability. If you're thinking you'll move it around, take it out and put it away every time you need to string, you should reconsider. I did that with the 602 and thought I maybe could with this, and because of its weight and size that's out of the question - you'll want to have a pretty much permanent place for it ready before you buy. One downside I could see at least for some people is the rotational gripper. The string goes about 3/4 around a wheel and then through a channel in the middle of it before tensioning. Since I was used to it from my previous machine, it's not a problem but if you're really trying for speed or are used to other string gripping mechanisms, it might seem like an extra motion. In the end it's really a minor thing, many other of Gamma's machines have it and with repetition it becomes easier to use. Also the, I guess "audible feedback" is pretty bold, and as far as I know you can't turn it off. It beeps once when you pull tension and then twice after the tension is reached (indicating you can take the clamp off etc.) Search around for videos if you want to see/hear it in action and decide how much of a problem that would be. Overall if you think you're in need of a stringer and fortunate enough to be able to possibly afford one in this price range, this machine is really worth looking into.

This machine is really simple and super. Made my work easier. Easy to fit anywhere . I highly recommend this machine

I'm a club tennis player at the 4.0 level and my wife and son also play a lot of tennis (all 3 of us play competitive league matches in our area). Having my own home tennis stringing machine was something I always thought of getting, so that I could tinker with different strings. This drop weight machine is very easy to setup and use. There's lot of great online videos showing you how to proper use this type of machine to string a racquet. The 6 point turning tabletop is highly recommended to avoid distortion to the head, which can happen on a 2 point mount system. The drop weight mechanism is quite accurate when I used a tension gauge to test it for calibration. Key to getting the right tension is to be patient and don't force down the drop weight as you could overly stretch out and damage the string. The turn knob mechanism does cause a slight kink in the string especially stiffer poly strings, so if that bothers you then you may need to look elsewhere for a constant pull or electronic pull machine, which is much pricier. For me I didn't notice any change in the playability of the strings in anyway. The 2 included floating clamps work ok to keep string tension, but I do add 10% tension before tieoff. I also use a separate starting clamp for both my mains and crosses to ensure better tension maintenance. The other included tools are useful, especially the awl which is handy when you already have one string thru a grommet and need to feed in a second string to tie it off. Overall a great beginner's home stringing machine (too heavy to move around) for the recreational and club player.

It looks like a returned or used product and I found a HUGE crack on the metal part of the stand bottom when I flipped it over. I am returning it.

For this low price quite satisfactory.

I should’ve went for the crank mechanism instead…… the drop weight system, is far from accurate for tensioning….besides that I’m enjoying it….

Very good quality machine for personal home stringing use set tension & push a button easy.