Spinshot-Player Tennis Ball Machine (Best Seller Ball Machine in the World)

Well, I think it’s about time I take this covid19 lockdown period to write a review about the Spinshot Player (USD1,599.00) which I had delivered to Penang, Malaysia for USD366.43 in Shipping and Import Fees. The machine is all that the reviews here have made it out to be:- - Rugged - Almost never jams - High tolerance for debris - Can feed any balls (new or old) into the machine and it still works - Can deliver a good variety of different types of balls for a more complete overall practice - Fits, just barely, into the back of my Sedan C200 Merc Overall, you can’t go wrong with this machine and it’s really value for money. For buyers in Malaysia, please note that the company is unable to send the 12V 12Ah battery which powers the machine outside of the US. However, this is not a problem as you can purchase a 12V 12Ah battery on Shopee or Lazada for about RM100.00 (or USD24.00 approx). It’s quite a straightforward process to fix the battery into the machine. I bought the product from Amazon for USD1,965.43 (price of the machine plus shipping and import fees) which amounted to RM8,500.00 approx. which represented the largest purchase I had ever made online so I was a bit nervous about how it would all turn out. I made the purchase on 12th November 2019, and 3 days later, DHL had sent the machine to my nominated address in Penang, Malaysia, very securely and professionally packed. Now, here comes the fun part – you can imagine my excitement on receiving the machine so quickly. I installed the 12V 12Ah battery into the machine, took it down onto the court, filled the hopper with 70 new tennis balls, ran to the other side of the court to receive the balls, and lo and behold – the machine fired out JUST ONE ball… and the spinning wheel which feeds the balls from the hopper into the machine just stopped working. I tested the machine again and again over the following 3 days and only 1 ball would come out of the machine… and then I thought the machine was toast, me being in Malaysia and Spinshot being located all the way over in the US. I wrote to Kathy at Spinshot – vide the Amazon link, and she was most apologetic, and referred me to Jason in after sales service. There was NO such thing as being given the run around, and Jason immediately asked me to send to him videos on how the machine was not functioning, made a diagnosis of the problem, then informed me that it could be a control panel issue. He immediately sent out a new control panel together with detailed instructions for me to install into the machine, and further assured me that “I will make sure the machine is fixed for you. If the new control panel doesn’t do the job, I will replace the machine for you”. The new control panel arrived in 5 days, and after I had installed it, the machine works fine until today and I have had much satisfaction practicing on the courts with it. I guess what I am trying to say is that not only is the Spinshop Player a great value for money tennis ball machine, but more importantly, the employees of Spinshot – especially Kathy and Jason, were so responsible and helpful to me, as a customer, which made my purchase a most wonderful, reassuring and memorable experience. I’ve always believed that the way an employee reacts to a customer is a direct reflection of the values of the company, and I would have no hesitation in reassuring my friends and colleagues who are interested in purchasing a tennis ball machine that they would not be able to go wrong going with the Spinshot name. Hope you guys have fun out there on the courts.

Machine is great. I could practice almost all kind of shots. I use it for 1.5 hours before fun matches. I improved so much faster than when I didn’t have one. Customer service was even better. After 4 months of heavy uses, the machine kept moving right and left and never started feeding as usual. I was very depressed thinking about sending this heavy machine back to the manufacturer and not being able to self-practice for a while. Surprisingly when I called 1-800 number, customer service answered right away and asked me to send the video of how the machine shows a problem. After a couple of exchanges of emails, I could successfully fixed the problem as they instructed me to. What a wonderful customer service!!! They even reply emails when their time is after midnight. I’m very impressed by spinshot overall and I highly recommend because of the above reasons. Only turndown is that remote works only when WiFi works. I can’t get my phone connected to the machine 30% of chance depending on where I play at. Still I could use it manually no problem. Considering all of the factors above, I could rate it 5 stars!!! -Additional comments- After this comment was up, customer service contacted me to solve this WiFi situation. Now I don’t have any problem not connecting WiFi with my phone for remote control. After I year of use, my USTA rate went up to 4.5 from 3.5. Can’t think of not having this machine in my life anymore... I recently had a problem of not being able to push down the handle of the cart part all the way down. After contacting the customer service by texting, they sent me the parts right away. I really felt good that I chose to purchase this expensive machine from them. It’s really worth it!!! Now it’s the year of 2022. The warranty was supposed to be expired by now. I just wanted to order the replacement parts for worn tires, and missing bottom bases. Jason from the Spinshot, kindly prepared the shipment for free! They responded so quickly and acted to satisfy my needs, just as the same as when I purchased the machine in 2017. I’m very thankful for that and very happy about my purchase, again! They have a great customer service and I highly recommend to any tennis players to buy the spin shots.

This review was updated on 9/2/2018 The app for this machine hasn't worked since I purchased it. Customer support has lied multiple times and said that 'nobody else is having problems with the app' and then walked back that claim on numerous occasions. You can simply read the reviews on Amazon to see that many people have issues with the app. If you have a machine that is primarily controlled by an app (you don't provide a remote control) then it is your job to ensure that the app works properly. Shockingly Spinshot doesn't believe that having a functioning app is their responsibility. Here is a cut at paste directly from a response I got from them when I asked if they were planning to fix the app... "First , all other phones have no such issue reported. Also verified on all brands and models over 8.0. Secondly, spinshot sports offer the app for free and guarantee all remote feature related. We are not obligated to resolve the phone related issues not about the app function." As I mentioned they themselves confirmed that the issues I was having with the app had been reported by numerous customers (but only after denying it initially), secondly you can simply look at the Amazon reviews to see that this is a bold faced lie. Shockingly bad customer service deserves to be called out unfortunately. Old Review Below I wanted to like this machine. I really wanted to like it! The concept of controlling the ball machine via your phone is a powerful one, but sadly at least in our case the execution was lacking. As we were coming up towards the end of the 30 day return period the app starting going from flaky (dropping all the time, requiring reconnection etc.) to downright unusable. I.e. We simply couldn't get it to connect to our machine. Initially I'll give Spinshot credit they did try hard to resolve the issue (sent replacement wireless module etc.) but sadly as the weeks wore on and none of these things resolved the problem the customer service responsiveness declined significantly. The service is based in China as I understand it, and despite multiple requests to have a live call to try to get the issues resolved there was always some excuse as to why that couldn't happen. Adding to this Spinshot outsources the app creation and maintenance to a 3rd party so that was a major inhibitor to getting this issue resolved. After something like 60+ emails back and forth it was clear this was going nowhere so we were forced to return the machine. Fortunately Amazon customer support (which is excellent in my experience) facilitated the return as we were struggling to get SpinShot to do so. I'd love to give this machine 5 stars, and in fact recommended it to a few people based on my early experience with the unit, but I can't in good conscience give it more than 2 stars given that it was basically non-functional due to app issues for quite a few weeks, and we never got the issues resolved. My warning to prospective buyers is that the app is flaky, and the service isn't US based so if you have issues you could be in for a rough ride. One additional note as this is a bit confusing in the listing, the machine does indeed come with a battery it's just that Amazon forces the vendor to ship the battery separately. Our battery came about 2 days after receiving the machine and took about 5 minutes to install into the unit. Overall an excellent machine and we are happy with the purchase.

Great!!! -Consistent ball flight -easy app to design patterns (best feature) -really love the ability to hit overheads -can achieve top spin, flat, slice anywhere on the court -solid construction I bought the player in June 2018 to help my girls develop their tennis game. I waited to review it until now to see how it held up. I am happy to say that it has been amazing. It’s ability to delivery a consistent ball flight as well as the ability to personalize patterns using the app has had a direct positive impact on their tennis game. It has also held up wonderfully with weekly use. I had a different ball machine which was ok (more mph) but couldn’t match the variation I can achieve with the player. The app works extremely well although it does take a little trial and error. The presets are helpful. Overall highly recommend it. Cons Not really cons at all but -Could be a little faster in the mphs, but if you are working on patterns of play or just need to hit thousands of balls for technique (which is what it takes to play at a high level) this does the job well -bigger wheels: I have to carry it over some grass and yard to the courts (not a huge deal since it’s pretty light)

Company Communication: <Updated 4/6/2016> Spinshot has strong local seller who responds quickly. Having issues with SpinshotSports UK and US mail addresses, however company is quickly responding through a different email address: warranty-service@hotmail.com. Recent questions about upgradability answered as unit can be updated through reprogramming package via an available USB port on mainboard. I am waiting on an upgrade sw package to allow random (horizontal only) mode. Hopefully spinshot can address email server issues. Putting stars back up to 4. Will update after upgrade is attempted. See below for original product review I wrote on machine. Product Review: <Original> Machine runs on a simple 12V sealed Lead Acid battery used in most scooters, motorcycles, cars, etc. It fits in a small opening in side of machine and must be kept charged to keep from being depleted and need reconditioning. The battery is 12AH or 12 amp hours and is good for really about 1-2 hours max. The machine has a basic rotating ball hopper, a set of wheels with a motor for each and then motors to move horizontal and vertical. This has then a control board and a wifi chip to allow com to the phone. With todays micros, you could build with an Arduino board, 4 port motor board, wifi board and a developer kit to create the app for your phone. All components look like they are ordered and then assembled so I assume all ball machines use similar feed mechanisms, rollers and motors. I think all told, about 300-500 worth of material plus time to engineer the mechanical parts, write a program and assemble. It will shoot balls with topspin, backspin, change elevation, etc. but you must be careful of programming as the motors free spin so to slow down to change from a fast topspin to a backspin requires a long delay to let motor slow down and reverse. Top speed on ball is not super fast, would need a radar gun or laser gun to measure but not that hard and you must use topspin to keep in court. If you shoot flat, you need to do it low for volley practice as it will not stay in court. I guess this is similar to all ball machines on market and since they are low volume, price will be high. $1500 for a machine with such little actual internal hardware??? Hard to swallow but once again, there is not a lot of competition. If you are looking for a machine to do as advertised, it will. If this is worth 1500 to you, then buy. If not, live with less and cut your price in half and lose some of the programming ability and such and look to competitors. Will this machine allow the micro to be reprogrammed via wifi for updates?? Maybe, no mention in the manual. I think I will modify and put a new battery cover plate with a pass-through connector to allow me to run batteries outside the unit. A simple battery box, an 18AH battery and some cable work and I am free from having to lug the heavy machine with the battery inside. A battery charger/reconditioner and I can keep the batteries fresh (See BatteryTender and other brands) and have many hours of play. First time out, my phone ended up flying out of my pocket so I would like for this price to still see a small remote that lets you start and stop current drill. Thus you could set phone down out of harms way once you reprogrammed new drill and use little 2 button remote to start/stop current drill. I would also think for 1500 you could have the a/c option included in the original build with a switch to run from a/c or battery so you don't have to buy both. Really? For 1500 you will ask another 100 for a power board? Look up single pole double throw DC switch on Amazon, not that expensive. A simple diode for reverse protection and whala, you have both. BTW - the battery ships separate. Spinshot rep in U.S. gets your order from Amazon and then orders battery separate. Only thing of concern is you do not get an email or such so you may get machine first with no ability to use. If you call rep, he will let you know shipping tracking number and such and is super nice. But once again, an email to let you know it is on its way so you don't have to call would have alleviated some worry. That's all for now, hope you enjoyed an unbiased review. Spinshot UK, if reading, please think about the upgrades I mentioned and bundling together a/c board with switch and also 2 button remote standard. Thanks for reading. Once again, you make the choice. Is it worth 1500 + 100 plus for a/c power option plus potential modification to get more battery life??? I will see as I live with it for the next xx years.

This machine was purchased after extensive review of just about every consumer level machine and this one clearly passed all tests. I have a family of 3 that I intend on teaching and coaching. The way I figured, a couple of months of lessons would more than pay for this thing, and I would get some good practice as well. What I was looking for was the following: Portability: Check. The machine is very small relative to what you get. The design is very good. Like others, I do wish the wheels were a little larger, but really a small thing relative to its benefits. it is light weight and would easily fit into pretty much any truck. A lot of checked luggage is larger. We have a large SUV, so certainly not an issue. Functionality: Check. I knew I wanted to be over with my family helping them with their strokes instead of messing with the machine to feed them. This helps me NOT have to hit balls to them and coach at the same time, rather work with them. I set the machine to go to each of their zones, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 and so on. I help one while the other two are hitting, prepping for the next shot. Flexibility: Check. At first, most machines would work fine, place a ball here, there and so on. Random placements of the balls, back and top spin and overhead and net shots are all doable. I have used the Apple Watch to trigger the machine to start and pause. A WONDERFUL feature to stop and coach if I see something that needs correction. So far, few cons. I do think the flaps that holds the balls in place will be an issue over time, but my solution to this is simply not load as many balls in the machine at one time. I have noticed, like others, that the left corner shot does come up short. Not sure what causes this, but the fix is easy, move the machine over two machine widths from center line and viola, works like a charm. So far, I am very pleased. It appears to be a very well engineered machine, not over engineered at all, just right. I will use this some more and report back if anything new arises. We will be using this about 3 times a week for 2 hours each time it is used. If you are vacillating between this and the Plus model, get this one. I left another review for another unit I had. It spoke to the customer service. Suffice it to say, I am MORE impressed by service than I am the product. I figure products can be had from a variety of suppliers, service on the other hand... That is what makes the difference, and SpinShot has A+ service.

This is my 4th tennis ball machine I have owned. I currently have a Lobster Grand IV (over 1+ year) and SpinShot Player (six months). Either machine is such an improvement over my 2nd ball machine (from Lobster), which I had last 15+ years until its pneumatic compressor gave out. (Some Kudo's for Lobster, as good as their advertisement) I love my SpinShot and Lobster Grand IV, using them almost 4 times a week, each time shooting over 200+ balls, primarily for my daily exercise as my doctor ordered. My primary job is located in Far East, but my home being in the SF bay area. When I am in Far East, I use my Spin-Shot, while at home depending on my Lobster. Both machines delivered on their promises, performance and reliability. I love both of them. Many of my friends have asked me to compare the two. It is very difficult in my opinion to compare the two machines, both being superb machines, with a Lobster Grand IV being about $300+ more expensive than a SpinShot Player. The SpinShot player gives programmability, more control on each shot, and remote control through Iphone or Android phone. (I have only an Android phone, while the rest of my family on ardent Iphone users.) One thing I have noticed is that the highest ball speed in the SpinShot looks a little bit slower than that of the Lobster. For my level (3.5 to 4.0, depending on what day it is), it does not make much difference at all, but if someone is a 5.0 or better player, it could. If one sets a SpinShot at a feed rate of 2 seconds (its fastest feed rate) and use it for 200+ balls, then, the battery seems to become low (or discharged substantially). There is such a drastic decrease in the ball speed. In my opinion, this has more to do with the battery provided (12 Ah, 12 V) in a SpinShot being on a weaker side. (Lober Grand IV, 18Ah, 12 V). I have ordered an external battery extension option from a SpinShot, which I hope will solve this problem. As I told my tennis partners, I love both of these machines and in terms of reliability and showing up on time on the court, they are far more reliable than my tennis partners....

Dislikes: You have to take the wheel off each and every time to get the battery out to recharge. CORRECTION: I AM WRITING THIS UPDATE BECAUSE THIS COMPANY WHO SELLS THIS HAS DONE NOTHING BUT BUG ME ABOUT THIS. YOU CAN CHARGE WITHOUT TAKING THE BATTERY OUT BY PLUGGING IT IN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE UNIT YOU WILL EVENTUALLY LEARN. IT ISN"T THAT OBVIOUS WHEN YOU SET IT UP AND ARE USING WRENCHES TO GET THE BATTERY IN THE THING OR PULLING WIRES OUT OF THE THING TO CONNECT TO THE BATTERY BEFORE YOU PUT IT IN THE UNIT BEHIND THE WHEEL THE INITIAL TIME. IT IS ONE OF THOSE GIGANTIC BATTERIES. BUT . . . IF YOU EVER WANT TO REMOVE THE BATTERY YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. SO THE NEXT SENTENCE YOU READ STILL APPLIES. Really dumb design. Only Android and iPhone phone app. No Windows phone or other supported apps. Very inconvenient for me. No website even where you can log in set up and download to your machine. Takes quite a while to program this thing for your own situation--court etc. The first time out I did really nothing but play around with the settings while sitting next to on the court. It was throwing them widely around. Some wouldn't even get over the net. I kept repositioning (and still no luck). Yes I had some new and some relatively new balls but even that is a minus in my opinion. Who wants to play with old balls all the time to prevent "ink" build up? Just silly. There should be a way to delay the start of the drill so you can get to the other end of the court. Again not all of us have Apple watches and phones or Google garbage (or want them). Likes: Light weight Extended handle to tilt back and roll on the wheels. It rolled fairly well for me on uneven /unpaved ground too that I had to traverse to get to the court from my car. Quick charging Like that a light on the charger changes colors to let you know when it was charged Long lasting battery Handles a lot of balls. I bought "a case" of balls and that was not enough. I had to go back and buy 3 more so I could fill it up and make the most of my time with it. Otherwise I just spent time collecting and refilling the balls. There are lots of ways to set up your drills--from long to short throws, left to right throws to practice forehand or backhand, high lobs verses low barely clearing the net throws, fast/slow throws, etc. I just need to experience them more to comment on how good they are if equally.