Lobster Elite One Tennis Ball Machine belongs to cheaper models with a price tag of slightly over $1000. What do you get for this money? Can it satisfy also intermediate and advanced players? Read our review below to find out.
Pros:
+ Extraordinary long battery life
+ Lightweight for easy to transport, easy to store
+ Speed and Feed interval set in exact metrics (mph and seconds)
+ Electric elevation
+ Ball capacity 150 balls
+ Ability to set 4 different parameters of shots (topspin and backspin included)
+ Ideal for tennis clubs for several practices in a row
Cons:
– Longer recharging time and no overcharge protection
– No programmed drills available
– Remote control just for an additional fee
– Just one random horizontal oscillation program
CHECK PRICE OF LOBSTER SPORTS ELITE ONE ON AMAZON HERE or read the full review below.
Content:
Technical Specifications
Features
Available Drills
Remote Control
Battery life & Recharging
Construction
Pricing & Our Verdict
or check our guide to all the important features and parameters the best tennis ball machines should have.
Technical Specifications:
Ball Feed Speed: 10 to 80 mph (16 to 130 mph)
Ball Feed Interval: 2 seconds to 12 seconds
Ball Capacity: 150 balls
Programmable Drills: none
Phone Compatibility: none
Battery life: 4 – 8 hours
Battery charging: 12 to 16 hours for a fully charged battery
Weight: 42 lbs (19 kg)
Dimensions: Height: 21 in (53 cm) Length: 21 in (53 cm) Width: 14 in (35 cm)
Case Construction: Durable plastic body
Features
Lobster Elite One belongs to basic models intended for the repeated practice of shot swings. Feeder capacity of 150 balls gives any beginner or intermediate player enough space and time to practice his forehands and backhands again and again.
Lobster Elite One Control Panel
However, even this basic model has some interesting features that can satisfy also more advanced players and coaches.
It has electrical elevation in the range from 0 to 60 degrees (even more expensive models have a range 0 to 50 degrees). Elite One tennis ball machine has 4 different topspin and backspin (called underspin) levels available. The speed range is pretty wide from 10 to 80 mph and set up is very easy, with exact speed rates shown on a control panel.
Feed interval can be set between 2 and 12 seconds which is pretty much standard for all Lobster tennis ball machines.
In terms of oscillation, Lobster Elite One has just one possibility. Random corner-to-corner horizontal oscillation. That can be too little for better players, who want to simulate match exchanges.
Available Drills
Lobster Elite One tennis ball machines do not have any drill programs embedded. Advanced players usually need to practice shot sequences with different heights, directions, and speeds in one simulation. That is not possible with the Elite One. However, in this price category, you hardly find any other tennis ball machine with preloaded drills. You need to move to a higher category for this feature.
Looking for a more advanced model with preprogrammed drills and a remote control? Check our Spinshot Player tennis ball machine review.
Remote control
Unfortunately, the remote control is not part of the Lobster Elite One ball machine supply. You can order a two-button remote control for an additional fee of $99. The Elite remote has two buttons for turning on and off the ball feed and oscillation regime. It is a pretty simple solution and for adjusting the parameters of shots you need to use a control panel on the machine.
Check other reviews of the Lobster Elite One tennis ball machine on Amazon here.
Battery life & recharging
Battery life of 4 to 8 hours makes Lobster Elite One unique. Lobster Sports is known for batteries with good capacity, but in this price category, you hardly get this kind of court time. Well done from Lobster. I would like to see any beginner stay on the court for 8 long hours practising his swing 🙂 However, such a long time can be an advantage for any tennis club. This ball machine can serve for several practice sessions in a row without the need for recharging.
The recharging time is a little bit longer, but it can be understood for such a big 18-amp battery. What makes recharging more complicated is no overcharge protection. Recharge for 16 hours is one thing, remembering to switch off the recharger is the second thing.
There is a possibility to invest in a fast ($99) or premium charger ($149). It will shorten the recharging time to 8 or even 4 hours and has overcharge protection embedded. You should consider whether this small investment would make your life with Lobster Elite One more comfortable.
Construction
Lobster Elite One is made from durable plastic like other Lobster tennis ball machines. I was a little bit surprised by its weight. 42 pounds is a bit more than I was used to with a bit cheaper Elite Liberty model. Thanks to oversized wheels and plastic handle you will not feel any problems in moving Elite One on the court.
However, the problems may come when you need to transport this ball machine in the car. It can be too heavy and hard to grasp for one person, even well-built. I would not recommend trying it to less-built men or ladies. The oval form (even with a pretty small length, height, and width) is not an ideal shape for carrying.
On a positive note, the Lobster Sports system of folding the handle and inverting the feeder is perfect for storage. It really saves space and makes it much easier to find a place in a garage during the winter season break.
Lobster Elite One Pricing & Our Verdict
Lobster Elite One offer good value to price for any beginner or intermediate player who needs to practice shots regularly.
Remote control for an additional fee and only a random horizontal oscillation feature are the weaknesses of this tennis ball machine.
On the contrary, the price is just slightly north of $1000, The oversized ball feeder, extraordinarily long battery life, and wide speed interval are the biggest positives of the Elite One tennis ball machine.
CHECK PRICE OF LOBSTER SPORTS ELITE ONE ON AMAZON HERE
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