Quick Review of the Laserfibre MS200 ECO

[eagle]

Hi,

Just wanted to report back that I've purchased an MS200 ECO. Thanks to all who've given me sage advice here in narrowing my choices and eventually leading to the purchase of the Laserfibre.

I've strung one of my racquets with it and everything turned out very well.

It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete the job. Stringing the mains was straightforward. Doing the crosses is a little more complicated and took a little longer.

With my inexperience, I had to make sure that I start the weave correctly (over or under) with respect to the previous cross. It's also a good thing I made it a practice to check each cross after each weave since I jumped over two mains on two occassions. If I hadn't checked, I would have had to start all over again.

So far, I'm very happy with the purchase and thanks to the experts here who've helped me along.

I've put together a quickie website providing my impressions of the ECO including pictures. You're welcome to check it out at http://www.keohi.com/tennis/laserfibre

Thanks,
eagle

[ggtennis]

Eagle,

Great idea posting photos and a review. On the photos with the throat supports you labeled the second set of throat supports as head supports. You may want to correct this. I also noticed that you sort of wrapped the string around the base of your tensioning unit and then pulled it around the other side. Why did you do this? You only need to pull it straight through...no need to loop around...this will save you some time on your next string job.

Congratulations on your purchase...I enjoyed your site and the racquet image with the Superblend strings is awesome! Hope you enjoy your Laserfibre as much as I enjoy mine.

[eagle]

Thanks ggtennis.

I've made the correction and added a note about your tip. I'm still learning and will continue to do so.

r,
eagle

[Double-fault]

Eagle.
Great site, great detail and review.
Thanks for sharing.
(I got my MS200TT on the waiting list :D )

[Jay Cee]

Hi Eagle,

I'm very impressed with your site. Very Pro, very interesting, I'm really pleased for you. Great going mate. :)

Would you mind if I use some of your pictures to help me illustrate the correct way to tension the string by looping it around the tension head?

Quote :
I also noticed that you sort of wrapped the string around the base of your tensioning unit and then pulled it around the other side. Why did you do this? You only need to pull it straight through...no need to loop around...this will save you some time on your next string job.
Unquote.

Some stringers get it right as of their first string job where as others don't seem to get the hang of it. Don't worry about it, to take such a short cut will not save you any time and it won't improve the quality of your stringing. :(

Our mate "ggtennis" could well have been positively inspired by your explanations, instead of informing you that you are wasting your time, but there again that may be too much to expect. He also has some difficulties in grasping the interest in stringing higher tensions in the crosses, or increasing tensions before tying off the knots, so it's possible that changing the tension also leads to lost time in doing the string job, but he's happy with his ways of stringing and I have no problems with that. :)

However, as you are new to this art, keep on the right tracks and you will be fine. As you have taken 80 minutes for your first string job (absolutely normal, in fact in doing by yourself I find that quite remarkable) you will learn how to save time after about 5 or 10 string jobs. As of the moment you no longer have to think for a couple of minutes each time that you do something, you will be able to string slowly and methodically in about half that time. To get faster than that it is only practice, lots of it. To string in less than 30 minutes you will need have strung a few hundred racquets, at least. Time is no where near as important as stringing well. ;)

The real pleasure comes from accomplishing a goos string job, whether it takes 30 minutes or 1 hour is of no importance. Just do it the way it should be done and you will make constant progress.
:cool:

[ggtennis]

Jay Cee,

I apologize to Eagle if he took my post incorrectly. I thought his site was awesome and was simply pointing out to him a way he might save time. No criticism was intended and I was definitely not telling him he was wasting his time. Was simply trying to assist. Perhaps there is a language barrier causing you to miss the point?

As for your comment about pulling the string around the tension jaw, you need to know that it is clearly an unnecessary step. Your comment of it being a "short-cut" is completely inaccurate. (You can call Tim Sullivan at Laserfibre to verify if you wish!) A "short-cut" implies taking a step that could negatively impact the quality of the string job in the interest of speed...something I would never do nor advocate to anyone else. Quality matters above all else. The step I mention will save time, but you are correct in that it will not improve the quality.

As for your snide attacks on me. Fine. They are also inaccurate and after reading a few of your posts it is easy to see you have quite the ego. I am not going to waste my time on this board arguing with you, but I will correct you when you are incorrect and that in itself may keep me plenty busy.

I wasn't arguing with you on the cross string tension issue in another post, just pointing out there are multiple ways that are appropriate. You can be stubborn and do it your way all the time while I'll simply do whatever it takes to please my customers with a world class string job everytime. Bygones!

[eagle]

Thanks guys. I should have a bit more info and supporting photos. Didn't get a chance to get them all since I only had a few hours to quickly put the site together. I will likely post reviews of other tennis items as I get and use them.

Since I'm a novice in the art of stringing, I appreciate all inputs. I try to absorb as much as I can, try them out if I can, and use the ones that suit my needs.

Thanks again and hope you don't mind if I come back to ask more questions. :)

r,
eagle

[Jay Cee]

Hey JB,

I found another one, things may well become more lively around here for a couple of days, Kwick was too clever for me, but this time I've got a chance to look good. Hey man, give me a hand when I need it, OK?
Isn't it great, GG shows himself as being shot down in flames, somebody had a shot at him before I got the chance. :D

@ ggtennis,

Quote :
Perhaps there is a language barrier causing you to miss the point?
Unquote.

As you are new here, as you haven't read all my postings yet, just to enlighten your days, I'm an Australian living in Paris, even if my education was a bit basic, and I'm a little rusty in my spelling, the capacity to understand is more or less intact. So you can go for it without any complexes, no unfair advantages for you on that one. :)

GG you're a genious my friend, best stringer in the States, so let's have some real fun, let's see if you've also got something hidden deeply in your head.

Quote
As for your snide attacks on me. Fine. They are also inaccurate and after reading a few of your posts it is easy to see you have quite the ego. I am not going to waste my time on this board arguing with you, but I will correct you when you are incorrect and that in itself may keep me plenty busy.
Unquote

"Snide attacks" no way, but the truth doesn't always make you happy does it? It's a pity that you didn't read all my posts, I read all yours and didn't learn a damn thing, except you just think that you know what you're talking about. As for EGO, I'm reassured to read that you do "a world class string job everytime". One of the qualities of a Pro Stringer is that he never stops learning, I wonder if you can be open enough to try something different, to form your own opinion and to defend it, rather than try to justify youself with a back up from the most highly estimed Tim Sullivan. The difference between Tim and yourself, is that if he makes an opinion on what I suggest, (you are more than welcome to do so Tim) he will take the time to verify before saying whether he agrees or not. As for you GG, if only you did that, there would be nothing left to bitch about, neither from you, nor from me. I might even get into a discussion with you on your proportional stringing ideas. :cool:

Quote :
As for your comment about pulling the string around the tension jaw, you need to know that it is clearly an unnecessary step.
Unquote.

One of the amazing qualities of Stringway (Laserfibre) Machines, is that the clamps and the jaws on the tension head, do not suffer from any string slipping, even when they are not tightly clamped (but they need to be cleaned regularly, otherwise it can happen). They are probably the most efficient and the most string friendly machines available. When I have insufficient string to "wrap around the head" I also put it in straight, with only half the jaw being utilised, it works fine, just another proof of the large margin for error that is built into these machines. If however you want to use the machine exactly as it was concieved to be used, you will follow the instructions written and illustrated by Eagle, that way the tension will be distributed evenly onto twice the string suface in the jaws, and the risk of slipping and eventually damaging the string will be virtually illiminated.. ;)

Quote :
I am not going to waste my time on this board arguing with you, but I will correct you when you are incorrect and that in itself may keep me plenty busy.
Unquote.

And you talk about my EGO, you pretentious bastard. :o

Quote :
You can be stubborn and do it your way all the time . . . .
Unquote.

Let me return you the compliment "You can be stubborn and do it your way all the time . . . . :(

Looking forwards to your replies my friend.

Cheers.
:cool:

Hey JB, "I'm back" (hey man, it's almost Xmas, don't forget the "J bags". :D

[Jens]

@eagle
Thanks for the great extensive review!
Could you post a short review here on Stringforum too and include a link to your site?

@others
please be nice to each other

[eagle]

Hi Joe,

Yes, will do.

Will try to do same with the Laserfibre Kryptonite.

Jaycee, forgot to add in my last reply that ... yes, please feel free to reference the site.

r,
eagle

[Mongolmike]

Very nice site Eagle... very well done. I like the way you labeled all the parts and processes. I'm glad you are pleased with the purchase. I'm in a similiar situation as you, I like to change strings often (as opposed to breaking them often), and am only stringing for self and family. No aspirations of being a pro stringer here either.

It does sound like you've got a good product, its just too bad you ran into some troubles with parts and directions. As a newbie, that would be really frustrating and is something the company should address. Its different if a person has experience with other stringers, but for a newbie... how the heck you supposed to know?

I went with a Klippermate drop weight system, and I'm glad I did. Like yours, the string clamping system is "gravity" driven... very simple. The clamping system is very solid, and best of all, the assembly was very easy, simple and straightforward, and the manual for operation is excellant. Written directions and pictures, for both one piece and two piece... it is definately written with a new stringer like myself in mine. No follow-up calls to the manufactor, or referencing a string site required. Plus, all the parts came with it as advertized, and it sounds like Klipper included more tools too. Plus, it only cost $129 or $149... can't recall. For my uses, it's perfect.

But it looks like you also got a solid system. Ain't it fun to string your own! It might be a thrill to get positive feedback from customers, or it might be a real ego boost to have top notch pros-semi pros as clients, but I get excited when I order and recieve a new string I haven't tried yet, and I set the time aside to string (I take my time and it takes me just about an hour to complete) and then I rush out to the court to hit some to evaluate.... I love new strings, new string jobs.... I really don't have to worry about breaking strings anymore, cuz I don't play them long enough to get notched or frayed!

[eagle]

Hi mongolmike,

Ever since I moved up to hybrids this past summer, the frequency of string breakage has decreased. It takes about 6-7 sessions for strings to break now. No, I'm not a power player although I do hit with pace and lots of tospin. I guess I just hit the ball in such a way that the crosses wear out fast. I could only wish I'm better than the way I play now.

Jaycee and ggtennis,

As a greenie, the stringing instruction in the manual was confusing to me. But now that I know how to string with it, the manual now actually makes sense! :) It certainly could have been written better.

Anyway, I just looked at the manual again. It talks about two options for clamping the string: single or double (loop method). So, both of you guys are correct and I appreciate your help.

I tried the double the last time. I'll try the single the next time.

Thanks,
eagle

[eagle]

Hi,

I've added a few more items to the site. Hope you find them useful.

http://www.keohi.com/tennis

r,
eagle

[Jaypro]

Good to see JayCee is making new friends as always!

[Jay Cee]

Hey JB,
Thanks for the post card. ;)
I miss you too. :D
Cheers mate,
:cool: