Video

Unfortunately, I sold it a few months ago.

Gotcha. Did you like this machine? Looking at this and a Dunlop 2.0. Wondering if the France mfg. is that much better than an ExThree.

@@ChrisC-mq6js I did like the machine. But honestly, between it, the Babolat Star 5 and the Wilson Baiardo…I liked the Star 5 the most. I think the Ergo One is overpriced new, but if you can get a good price on a used one, it’s a solid machine.

Nice. Ok. What would you say is a solid price for one that has 500 rackets on it? TF ergo … And how is the TF support towards it.

@@ChrisC-mq6js tough question! Really depends on what it’s worth to you. I wouldn’t hesitate to pay in the $3,000 range. As for customer support, I’ve found them responsive to emails, but they’re in France so that’s something to consider.

Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately I haven’t played with any of those other strings so I can’t compare. I strung a racket for someone with grapplesnake, but that’s the extent of my experience with it. The spin potential of this string is very high. Overall playability I would place somewhere below average.

@@trentcasto6473 That is what I have heard, as well. You might want to check out TOROLINE TORO TORO as it has excellent spin potential and playability is much better than WC Ultra Cable IMO.

Thanks for watching and commenting! I think the setup and tension you were using before would be a great place to start and I would use the same tension. If she isn’t liking the feel of that, then start tweaking…and I’d probably start by taking both tensions down a couple of pounds rather than up. Hope that helps, would love to hear how it goes for her!

Thank you so much! I would provide updates when they become available.@@trentcasto6473

My pleasure!

Thank you! I’m not sure the clamp base can be exchanged for another type of clamp base; I’ve never seen it done. Good luck!

@@trentcasto6473 thansks. I checked the other video, whereYou disassembled the star5 and understood more.

No idea. I recommend calling JC at Tennis Machines or calling Wilson directly.

No, you cannot, as I understand it, the machine automatically adjusts it’s pulling speed based on the type of string it senses.

I'm not sure, I hadn't heard that!

Whoa, that’s interesting. I’m not near my machine at the moment to check, but I’m almost certain mine does not do that either.

I would say it’s middle of the road. Longer than Luxilon ALU Power, not as long as Babolat RPM Blast.

Thanks for comment! That might be the case regarding the previous owner. Glad your machine is still going strong! The more I use my Star 5, the more I love it!

Great! There’s not a whole lot of them out there :) glad it was helpful

I have only used it once and it was a pretty beat up machine. I didn’t love it, but everyone says it’s the gold standard and they’re probably right. I don’t need the height adjustment or tilt that the Baiardo offers, so the price premium for those features isn’t worth it to me. Nevertheless, if I found a good used one at the right price, I’d probably take advantage of the opportunity.

@@ripitracketstringing Thanks for the insight. How much is the Star 5? I can't find one anywhere. Is it cheaper than the Baiardo?

They are not selling new ones anymore. The best you can hope for is to find a used one. Depending on the condition, they probably go for $1,500-2,500 at this point. Unfortunately, they are no longer making replacement parts so purchasing one could be a bit of a gamble. I suspect those with technical and machine type skills could probably keep one running for many years to come. I hope to have mine for a long time because I love it! Keep an eye out on EBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Good luck!

Thanks again for the info.

Thanks, will do!

Unfortunately, I do not believe it can be purchased anymore. If it can be, I would start by reaching out to Josh at Babolat by emailing jnewton [at] Babolat.com

Thanks for the comment Andrew, glad it was helpful!

Congratulations on the new racket! I would say if you are a beginner playing recreationally that you should go with any standard synthetic gut 16g string strung midway of the recommended range. It will be sufficient performance, safe for your arm, and economical. Happy playing!

@@ripitracketstringing Thanks. I have play with default string from reseller about 2,5 months and then i get wrist injury bcos of playing tennis. Now, my wrist injury + my technique getting better. I try to install dampener on the string-bed. But i feel my string bed get so crisp....such as high tension string for Control-racquet type. I though ti s6 is more power with less control. So i must restring it with soft poly around 50 lbs. Is it good ?

@@ondybandung6096 If you're having arm pain, you could drop the tension or play with a softer string. You could also string with a hybrid setup and use a soft multifilament in the crosses or the mains (for an even softer feel). Good luck!

I would say 50lbs is a good place to start since you are already accustomed to that tension. Then you can get a clear comparison to how it plays compared to your usual string. The next time you string with it, you can adjust higher or lower depending on how it plays. Good luck!

@@ripitracketstringing thanks!

Yeah, it’s been a while since I played with a Pure Aero but that’s probably pretty accurate. :)

Same price :)

the last i checked the extreme mp is more expensive in Singapore than the pure aero ( comparing the lastest extreme mp and aero)!

@@chewkenghong Prices are all over the place! ✌️

Recommended tension range is 52-62lbs. Personally, I prefer stringing around 48 and that's what I've done with this racket. I don't think brand of string makes a difference. I would recommend your favorite poly string. I've been playing with Yonex Poly Tour Spin in it and like it pretty well. I'll string it with Babolat RPM Blast next as that's my current favorite. Thanks for commenting!

Hey John, thanks for commenting. I use the last three versions of the Blade (version 8, 7, and countervail). And as much as I love them, I have switched to the Extreme auxetic MP. I'm keeping my Blades though in case I change my mind! :)

@@ripitracketstringing :wow: everyone loves the Extreme MP…. I’m going to test drive the Blade V8 16x19.. Maybe I should try the Extreme MP, too. I am a senior 4.0 player, one -hander, hit some spin but’s lots of flat drives and slices with backhand.. touch shots, too… From your perspective, which of the two racquets best fits my profile. Many Thanks.. Ciao, John

It’s certainly worth trying both, but I have found it easier to hit flatter shots with the Extreme MP than with my Blade. That’s not what I was going for, but it’s been my experience. Having said that, I loved my Blade v.8 and wasn’t planning to change. I would say you can get what you’re looking for out of either racket, but the Extreme may give a little more help. Let me know what you think after you try them.

@@ripitracketstringing :Do you use the 18x20 Blade?

@@johnnacke2017 No, 16x19.

They use Razor Code in white I thought? The strings aren't all that different as far as I can tell though. Medvedev uses a special version of Razor Code though that has special additives suited for his game. Someone who strings for him showed them to me once, makes sense he has his own version!

Iga uses Razor Code white. Medvedev used to use Razor Code, now uses Razor Soft.

Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you mean. Can you give me a time stamp that shows what you’re talking about?

@@ripitracketstringing From 5:55 to 5:57 when you remove the 2nd clamp you can see that it has a visible screw on the dial that you rotate to open and close the teeth of the clamp.

Oh, I see what you’re saying. I did not remove anything on those clamp dials, they came that way. Sorry I can’t be of more help on yours.

Thank you for the thorough video. I will be replacing mine soon as the pads are crumbling apart. This video helps a ton!

Awesome! Glad we could help and hope you are successful bringing that Star 5 back to life!

Yes, very easy to adjust the knot tension and it will stay in the memory until you change it again.

@@ripitracketstringing Thanks

Thanks for watching!

I’m glad to know it’s not just my machine. It’s not a big deal, but I just keep an eye on it when doing multiple rackets.

@@ripitracketstringing do you have any idea to fix it??

@@sssdd6058 Unfortunately I don’t. And it’s not enough of a bother to even mess with it. It’s a very minor inconvenience.

I have a star 5..#875 ..so years..tough to do a review on an early 2000 to a still in production machine..newer machines may have more bells and whistles but not many of those makes me a faster stringer. Have used my star 5 in pro room.

@@nicholasl9119 agreed. I think it is what makes the Star 5 so amazing, that after all these years, I still prefer it to a much newer machine.

I was using a set that I cut in half, so approximately 20 feet.

Yeah. Sorry about that.

Sure Alex, we’ll make it work! Thanks for subscribing!

Thanks! You’re in the drawing! 😁

Thanks Justin! That's pretty quick for not doing it regularly. You're in the drawing for the Yonex EZONE 98!

@@ripitracketstringing I usually play basketball regularly so that certainly helps!

@@bsujp419 Definitely! Are you also a tennis player?

@@ripitracketstringing yes definitely. Tennis just has been a bit more on the back burner after kids. We have a 4, 6, and 7 year old so it’s tough to do much these days.

@@bsujp419 I hear you. Sounds like they’re getting close to the age where they can get out there and start playing with you though. Family tennis is a ton of fun!

Thanks for entering! That's pretty fast! 😃

You’re entered in the drawing! 🥳

I called them, specifically Josh Newton who is based in the US. Very helpful. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the comment. The pads came directly from Babolat. Josh is the US rep I talked to and he was very helpful. Happy stringing!