Top 5 Tennis Ball Machines

1	Lobster Sports Elite Freedom Battery Powered Tennis Ball Machine
	BEWARE OF ADVERTISED SPECS, THEY ARE NOT ACCURATE (READ BELOW) Misleading manufacturer web page as well (around november 2007): - claims 10-70mph, the machine is MARKED WITH and allows fixed steps of 30,40,50 and 60mph only - claims a 50 degree elevation, but the MARKING shows 0-40 degrees with the knob allowing fixed steps of about 10 degrees from around 0 degrees to 30 degrees. - the nice looking chrome plated removable handle replaced with a flimsy looking fold able aluminum handle, which I care about because the fold able handle still sticks out and makes it harder to fit in the boot - an email to the company replied with: “I can tell you with complete certainty that when having the machine set at the 60 MPH position the actual ball speed will reach 70 MPH” and “it is correct that the Elite Freedom can through balls up to an elevation of 50 degrees”. Yeah right!! At $800, I do not expect this from any company for any product. What I like about the machine: - Well built and is pretty decent for even the intermediate player. - oscillation works well What I do not like about the machine: - Funny shape, too bulky to fit in my 95 civic boot. - difficult to adjust the machine to throw to a particular spot, especially for overheads, because of the discrete steps for all controls - considering all this, it is expensive at $800, the price I paid for it - the fold able aluminum handle seems to be too flimsy compared to the fairly heavy and solid machine it is connected to, I feel it will bend eventually - the wheels are probably a couple of millimeters from the body and scrape against the body - strains the back to lift it because the molded handles are close to ground level under the machine Recommended: No Bottom Line: I would recommend spending a couple more hundred dollars to get a machine with a higher max speed and spin capability and avoid this machine
2	Tennis Battery Twist Ball Machine – Battery Powered Model
	I have purchased 2 of these units. Both worked great for about 1 year of using 20 minutes every other day. But both broke at about the same time. The spring mechanism of both units snapped at its connection point. Great idea, poor construction.
3	Master I-SAM Model 1 Court Equipment Ball Throwing Machines
	I bought the I-SAM machine from Amazon.com in June 2010. I received everything in order. The machine was ready to go right out of the box. I usually use it for about one hour and so far I couldn’t see any sign of the battery dying, it could probably go for another hour. The machine controls are pretty good, located on the side of it so that they don’t get hit by the returning balls. It has plenty of power and speed, I’m only using the speed setting at five (out of ten). The oscillation also works. It is pretty light, I can carry it under one arm and the bucket of balls and the racquet in the other arm. One thing I don’t like about it is that sometimes when it feeds I have to wait too long for the balls to shoot, is not feeding consistently all the times. It could be because I only use about 50 balls in the hopper. The hopper could easily take 200. I think that they could improve the feeding mechanism. Other than that, it is a pretty good machine.
4	Tennis Tutor Pro Lite AC-powered Tennis Ball Machine
	The Tennis Tutor® ProLite™ AC-powered tennis ball machine is a great training tool for beginners and pros alike. You can adjust the speed, trajectory and feed for a well-rounded practice. Ball speed is variable from a gentle toss that’s ideal for kids just beginning tennis, to hard-hitting groundstrokes that will challenge even top amateur players.
5	Wilson Ball Hopper Pickup 75
	Bought tennis hopper, one week after use the welds on the arms broke on one side, now it is useless. Weak link is the welds.