FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Random Horizontal Oscillation?

This is a motorized movement allowing the machine to rotate back and forth horizontally, allowing the machine to throw balls to the forehand, backhand, and center positions in a random pattern. This is also commonly referred to as “sweep” amongst the tennis community.

What is Random Vertical Oscillation?

This is a motorized movement allowing the throwing mechanics to move up and down vertically, allowing the machine to throw balls at random depths within the court.

What is Triple-Oscillation?

This motorize movement reflects the machine’s ability to provide random horizontal oscillation and random vertical oscillation in combination or simultaneously. This allows the machine to throw balls randomly throughout the entire spectrum of the singles court, from left-to-right and short-to-deep in a random pattern.

What is 2-Line Oscillation?

This motorized movement is another form of horizontal oscillation, but non-random. The machine will oscillate back and forth horizontally, throwing one ball to the forehand side followed by one ball to the backhand side in alternation. This alternation of shots can be selected at different widths determining the amount of foot work necessary to return each alternating shot.

What is the Fully Random mode?

This mode of operation allows for all shot elements; ball location, ball speed, ball spin, and ball feed rate to be selected randomly by the computerized software within the machine. This is the ultimate form of player or match simulation as each ball being thrown by the machine will be to a different location, with different ball speeds, ball spins, and at a different feed rate as well.

What are Pre-Loaded Court Drills?

A court drill, also referred to as a sequential shot pattern, is a series of shots to a specific location with specific ball speeds and ball spin settings. These court drills are design to simulate either a specific style of player or to practice certain aspects of the game like court strategy and court placement.

What are Custom Court Drills?

This refers to machines that allow you to program and store in the machine, your own custom court drills or sequential shot patterns. You can select the specific ball location, ball speed, ball spin, and ball feed rate for each and every ball or shot within the Custom Court Drill created.

Can the machines throw volleys and lobs or only groundstrokes?

All model machines are equipped with an elevation or trajectory adjustment allowing the player or user to make adjustment to the height over the net they desire. All model machines will elevate up to a 50-60-degrees for dramatic overhead lobs.

I am thinking about buying an elite series machine. What are the differences, and do you have a tennis ball machine comparison chart?

View comparison chart

I am thinking about buying an elite grand machine what are the differences?

View comparison chart

What battery charger does the machines come with?

The elite freedom, elite liberty, elite one, elite two and elite three models all come with a basic charger. The elite grand four, elite grand five and elite grand five limited editions all come with a fast charger.
View our chargers selection

Does my machine come with a remote?

None of the models come with a Remote. Remotes however are available for purchase as an optional accessory. You do not need a remote to operate the machine.

What remote control is compatible with my machine?

• elite freedom – remotes are not compatible with this model
• elite liberty and elite one – are compatible with the elite remote
• elite two or elite three – are compatible with the elite remote or when purchased together they are compatible with the elite10 remote.
• grand four, grand five, grand five le and both phenom models – compatible with grand remote, remote for apple, remote for android

What does my machine come with?

Each elite and elite grand series machine comes with a grey ball hopper, battery charger and elevation guide. Included in the box will also be an owner’s manual and quick start guide.

Can the machine easily fit in my car or truck?

Our elite series and elite grand series machines are portable. They will fit in almost any trunk. Sports cars or smart cars are the only models we have seen with smaller trunks and the machine normally drives as a passenger instead of in the trunk.

How long does the machine run on a single battery charge?

Depending on the model machine and the size of its internal battery, you can expect the machine to run 3-6 hours depending on model and performance level settings.

How long does the battery last until it needs to be replaced?

In general, most players will experience about 3-4 years of battery life before replacement is necessary. Lobster Sports recommends the battery be fully recharged after each practice session. During the off-season or when the machine is not being used for an extended period of time, we recommend the battery be charged once a month to keep it fresh.

How long does it take to recharge the battery?

Depending on which size battery is in your machine, the amount of charge in the battery at the time of recharge, and which battery charger of ours you are using, you can expect anywhere from as quickly as 2-3 hours and as long as 16-18 hours. See battery charger page

What kind of tennis balls can I use with my Lobster?

The player can select any type of ITF approved tennis ball of choice. The machines are not designed to work with any specific type, brand or model tennis ball. However, pressureless, also referred to as permanent pressure, tennis balls are recommended. This is due to pressureless balls not utilizing internal air- pressure within the core of the ball to maintain its bound and playability, resulting in greater longevity and more consistent balls being used with the machine. For children, both orange and green dot balls can be used in the machines, but not red dot balls, as they are oversized and do not fit into the machines. See court equipment page

Can I trade in my old tennis ball machine?

Lobster Sports will take any brand or model tennis ball machine as trade-in, and you will receive a 20% discount off of the retail price of any new Lobster. The cost of shipping the machine to the Lobster factory is your responsibility. See upgrades and trade-ins page

Can I upgrade my machine to a model with more features?

Any elite one or elite two model machine can be upgraded to an elite two or elite three model. This requires the machine to be shipped to the factory for the upgrade. Any elite grand four or elite grand five can be upgraded to an elite grand five or elite grand five limited edition model. This upgrade can be done by the customer with the purchase and installation of the upgraded control panel assembly. See upgrades and trade-ins page

Does Lobster offer discounts to USPTA and PTR members?

Lobster offers a 15% discount off of the retail price of any Lobster tennis ball machine with a valid membership number from one of the two organizations.

I live outside the US, where can I purchase a Lobster tennis ball machine?

Lobster Sports has a complete network of international distributors and dealers in more than 40 foreign countries. All authorized distributors and dealers offer our complete product line, along with providing after sales support and product warranty service. If there is not an authorized dealer in your country, please contact Lobster Sports for more information. See our list of International Premier Dealers