String Meter

[guitarman]

Does anybody have any experience with this product called string meter?
It is supposed to be able to tell you the tension that is currently in your racket. I am wondering how it works and how accurate it is. Is there a similar product in the market? :confused:

Here is the url: http://www.stringmeter.com/index.html

Comments anybody? Thanks.

[Jens]

I don't have any experience with the Stringmeter, but the special thing about it is that you can use it to measure the tension in one string, not the whole string bed. This way you can use it also during the stringing process. There are no similar products, but of course there are other devices that measure the tension of the strings in your racquet (e.g. ERT 700 or Babolat RDC). However, these devices all measure the tension in the whole string bed, which is more useful in my opinion, since the characteristics of the racquet are determined by the whole string bed. It would be quite a hard work to measure this using the Stringmeter...

[Hedges]

Just read the Stringmeter FAQ. It appears to be useful only for measuring changes in string tension. It does not accurately tell you the tension (e.g. 53 lbs) of your stringbed.

They recommend using it to measure the tension after stringing, and then measure again after playing to see how much it's changed. They claim that delta is accurate.

That's my interpretation of the info on the stringmeter web site. Here's the FAQ: http://www.stringmeter.com/faq.html

-Hedges

[Jens]

Well as far as I understand it the Stringmeter DOES measure the actual tension. They just say you shouldn't expect the values to be anything near the stringing tension since so much tension is lost after stringing.

[Hedges]

Ran across a couple other threads discussing the StringMeter's uses, accuracy, etc:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/viewtopic.php?t=10814&highlight=stringmeter

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/viewtopic.php?t=2702&highlight=stringmeter

Probably worth reading before making the purchase.

-H

[Jay Cee]

@ guitarman,

It's a great little instrument when used to compare tensions and tension losses on the strings in a racquet. Different types of strings (polys, monos, nylons, gut etc.) can lead to different results due to the variations of stiffness of each type of string. The Stringmeter has the adjustment for the different gauges, this needs to be respected.

I have been using Stringmeters over many years, and personally would not be without one, they are really very helpfull when you need to show a player that his strings have lost quite a lot of tension and need to be changed, even if they still appear to be in good shape. ;)

You need to lubrify the "V" groove between the center piece and the read-out dial (use teflon spray or a drop of oil), if this doesn't turn smoothly then the tension data will be very irregular and incorrect, especially at lower tensions. This is a real problem with a new Stringmeter. :o

I have found that the tensions are quite accurately measured and if a stringer feels that the results are well under what he actually strung at, then he could also question his accuracy as a stringer rather than blame the Stringmeter as being unreliable. :p

I think that although it seems expensive, it is very usefull as long as it is used intelligently to compare the tensions from one string to another and measure relative losses of tension in the same racquet. Also you can learn a lot about the ways strings react in a racquet, and also see just how much tension you lose on the last strings before the knots or in the crosses. This demonstration is sometimes quite worrying, but it can help you to become a better stringer.

Go for it.
:cool:

[kwick]

I fully support JayCee's input but just wanted to add my bit :

It works by positioning 2 pins either side of a string and twisting it against a coiled spring until you deflect the string being measured by a pre-defined amount. The tension is read off against a scale depending on the amount off effort you have to impart into the coiled spring to achieve the required deflection.

So, as JayCee said, the stiffness of the string can create different readings. An extreme example would be to measure a nail under no tension at all and the measured tension would go off the scale. Silly example but if you measure a soft synthetic or a stiff poly put in with the same stringing tension, you will see different results. The stiff Poly will read higher.

Also, if you're measuring a main, the tension of the crosses can affect your reading for the same reason - They change the ease at which the string being measured is deflected. Likewise, the frame pattern density can affect the readings - Open frame pattern can read lower than a dense pattern for the same string installed at the same tension.

Finally, the edge tie-off strings will always show lower tensions even if you have achieved a good tie-off with zero tension loss. Again, it's because the string being measured is not boxed in both sides so deflects more easily when measured in this way.

To summarise, for me it's greatest use is to check for changes over time rather than measure absolute tensions. You establish your control and compare the variations over time. It gives a reasonable indication of absolute tension but will never replace regular machine calibration, well maintained equipment (clean clamps etc..) and good stringing techniques - although, it can show up bad examples of all of these........ ;)

regards,

kwick

[Mongolmike]

I fully support JayCee's input but just wanted to add my bit :


So, as JayCee said, the stiffness of the string can create different readings. An extreme example would be to measure a nail



[QUOTE]

You string racquets with nails??? First off, they must be really, really long nails, and I bet they like last FOREVER! So I suppose that is a good stringing investment... once you have your racquet strung with nails... that's it. Forever. No more string jobs required. Can you only string with nails on wooden racquets? Using nail strings must be better for power I'd think... can you get much spin off them? How's the "feel"? I imagine they don't move much either. By the way, the $64,000 question... how do you tie them off? Do any pros use nail strings, and it seems as tho these type of strings would add a bit of weight, making the racquet more headheavy, no? :p

[QUOTE]<pre></pre>

So much for me bringing anything worthwhile to this thread....lol....

[Jay Cee]

Hey Mike,

Take it easy man, the nail is a rather radical example, Kwick was trying to make his point and you really picked it up. He also had some very pertinent remarks which are not only interesting but also perfectly correct. ;)

For your info, there is a wooden racquet full of nails on exhibition in the Tenniseum at Roland Garros in Paris, it was used by Mansour Bahrami when he was a kid, the nails were meant to hold the racquet together, not to replace the strings. :o

Maybe Kwick just got too close to the frame when he wanted to measure the tension, but I think that the nail would be under lots of tension that's why the readout would be off the scale, nothing to do with stiffness. :D

Cheers mate,
:cool:

[Mongolmike]

Hey Mike,

Take it easy man, the nail is a rather radical example, Kwick was trying to make his point :cool:

Ummmm.... yes, I understand it was an example, a radical point. Thus my use of a "smiley" depicting a "razzing" in my silly reply. No offense meant to either you Jay Cee or Kwick... it was a JOKE people....

[kwick]

You dish it, you have to be prepared to take it - right :)
Excellent MongolMike.
later,
kwick

[Jay Cee]

Good thinking KW, that way we can all take a big one,
bottoms up
:cool:

[M0rgan77]

Just letting you know if you want to claculate the tension on the whole string bed using the string meter you measure the tension on each individual string thean add them up. Next divide the nuber by the total number of strings in the racquet. This will give you the averadge tension. For example say I have a racquet with four strings. I measure the tension on the two mains and i get 54 and 59. On the two crosses i get 55 and 57. I add the numbers up giving me a total of 225. I then divide 225 by 4 giving me 56.25 being the averedge tension on the string bed.

M0rgan

[Jay Cee]

@ M0rgan77

Only in theory my friend.

If you have a string meter in your hot little hands, and if you measure the tension in the crosses, there is no way the you will find 55 and 57 lbs. I would be very surprised if you have more than 35-40 lbs on average for the crosses. Thats absolutely normal, but unfortunately very few stringers and almost no players realise this. It's one of the curious facts in stringing that very few stringers are interested in understanding. :(

It is almost impossible to calculate the real tension on the stringbed using a string meter. It was not conceived to do that, it is used to measure the tension on individual strings, so that you can compare variations in tensions from one string to another. It is great for monitoring relative tension losses and variations. Don't try to justify another application, it would be more good luck than good management to use your method to give the overall string tension, but you could always try to explain it to your friends, they don't know anything about it anyway, just don't get too carried away with trying to go into details on the whys and the wherefores. It could become a bit messy. :o

Cheers,
:cool:

[M0rgan77]

I know you wouldn't find a racquet with crosses that tight. But you also wouldn't find a racquet with four strings. Unless.....

[Jay Cee]

@ M0rgan77

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :p

JC :cool: