Lobster Elite One Portable Ball Machine w/ Remote
Overview
This item is drop shipped, meaning it ships directly from the manufacturer, and cannot be shipped outside of the contiguous U.S. Order status and tracking information on drop shipped items will be provided separately from other items stocked in our warehouse. Due to the manufacturer's order processing time, this item will take a minimum of 10 business days to ship from its warehouse. For information on returning drop shipped items, please see the Returns Info Page.
Designed for maximum durability, the battery-operated Elite One offers an unparalleled 4-8 hours of court time. Its ergonomic design allows for easy transport with a full hopper. The Elite's 80 mph ground strokes, full corner-to-corner random oscillation, sky-high lobs, and heavy spin will take your game to new levels. Comes with a two year warranty. For continuous play without the need to recharge, purchase the Lobster Premium Fast Charger . The fast charger allows the machine to operate while charging so your play time will not be interrupted by a depleted battery. This optional feature can be used on any of the Elite Series models and can be purchased at anytime. It also comes with a remote control!
- Oscillation: Random horizontal
- Speed: 10-80 mph
- Ball capacity: 150
- Feed rate: 2-10 sec.
- Power: Battery
- Battery Life: 4-8 hrs.
- Elevation: Electronic 0-60 deg.
- Weight: 42 lbs.
- Spin: Topspin, backspin
- Additional options to consider: Fast charger for quicker battery charge. Remote (remote must be ordered with machine. Current owners can ship their machine to lobster to have remote function installed).
Notes:
- No C.O.D payments for this item.
- Price includes UPS Ground shipping.
- All court equipment, Stringing Machines, Ball Machines are drop shipped directly from the manufacturer and can ONLY be returned to the manufacturer for warranties, refunds or exchanges.
- All court equipment, Stringing Machines, Ball Machines must be returned within 30 days of the original purchase. Returns outside of 30 days will not be accepted.
- Court equipment, Stringing Machines, Ball Machines needing to be returned for any reason will require a Return Authorization (RA) issued by Tennis Warehouse.
- Manufacturer warranties will vary. Please view product details for warranty information.
- Returned product can be subject to a restocking fee plus shipping costs both ways.
- Return shipping costs will be paid for by the customer, as pre-paid return shipping labels are not available for drop shipped items.
- Refunds will take 1-3 weeks, which allows time to verify condition of product returned.
Drop Ship Returns:
- Any drop shipped item (shipped directly from manufacturer) must be returned to the manufacturer within 30 days of the original invoice date.
- You must request a Return Authorization (RA) from Tennis Warehouse. Please email machines@tennis-warehouse.com with your return request.
- Any restocking fees and return shipping costs will be paid for by the customer.
- Return shipping labels are not provided for drop shipped items.
- Drop shipped items being returned must be unused and in their original packaging.
For more information see Returns info page
Previous Feedback
Comments: Avoid this machine at all costs! It worked for a few sessions then the battery would die after about 100 balls, which of course is worthless. Lobster sent a new plug, but it didn't help. Sent new battery which they charged me full price of around $80- even though it is supposed to be a two year warranty. Two subsequent mailing of parts for the battery and it still can't be installed. Waiting on number three coming in the mail. At this point I think I'd get more satisfaction setting it on fire.
From: Steve, FL , 12/27/21
Comments: I bought this machine three years ago, so this review applied specifically to that model. But it does not appear much has changed. I did purchase the remote. For context, I am in my 50s and have been playing for only 5 years. When purchased I was a 3.0 player working to become a 3.5. Pros: the Lobster is a solid machine and the "guts" (motor, etc.) are top notch and I've never had any problems. This alone makes it worth the price. I used the machine regularly (3 or 4 times a week, May-Oct) for the last two and a half years. My workouts tend to be 1-2 hours and I typically leave the machine running the whole time. The "toss" provides the right amount of variation in where the ball lands. The topspin option works well and can spin the ball so it has a nasty kick when it hits. The speed is more than enough for a player at my level. The machine is easy to wheel around and get on and off the court. I use public courts that have narrow gates (to keep bikes out) and never had a problem getting it on the court. But it is heavy -- most ladies will have problems getting it in and out of the car without help. Cons: a lot of this is nitpicking, but what the heck. The remote does not work reliably from the far baseline, which is my biggest beef. I pretty much have to walk up to the net to stop the feed. Yes, I changed the battery in the remote multiple times. I don't know that I'd buy the remote again, especially given how (overly) expensive it is. The handle is flimsy and it's very hard to press the release buttons to get it to fold. A better option would have been the telescoping handles you find on most suit cases. The battery died after 2.5 years, which is what prompted this review. A replacement was only $40 with shipping, so not a big deal. The Lobster seriously needs a feed on light. LEDs are cheap and it's very difficult to tell if the feed is running if you are not close to the machine. I did not find the "lob" feature useful as the feed is too fast, even at the slowest speed. I did not find the "baseline oscillation" feature useful as the balls are fired randomly all over the place, so it's hard to work on anything. The adjustment knobs are kind of loose, so it's easy to accidentally bump and change them. The jack where you plug in the charger eventually worked loose and I lost the screw so I had to Jerry rig it back on.
From:David, 7/16
Comments: Part 2 (from my comments below): Resolution of Lobster issues I had -- The old battery was kept on the Elite Premium Charger as recommended in the instructions for the Lobster. It went dead in about a year. Upon removal, I found it swollen and warped. Installed a new battery and it works again, but now I am afraid to leave it on charge with the Premium Charger per instructions. I charge it, watch it and take it off just like with the standard charger. So far it works.
From:James, 11/13
Comments: Used my Lobster that I bought from Tennis Warehouse moderately a couple times per month for about 1 year. The machine now shuts down after about 5 balls. Opened it up after talking to their warranty department and it looks very cheaply made. I also purchased the Premium Charger for an extra $100. No abuse at all, and they tell me the battery has a 6 month warranty. Lobster's warranty department informed me that I probably need a battery, it costs $97 for battery and shipping. I can only hope this solves the problem, but as is, I have a $1,200 useless ball machine. If this doesn't work, I can send the machine back to California for over $60 more. I am not happy with the product and wish I had saved the money and bought something else. These machines are not built to work life long.
From:James, 9/13
Comments: I am an advanced player (5.5) who bought an Elite Model 1 in late 2005. I have hit an average of 3,000 balls per week for 9 to 10 months per year for the last 5 years with very few problems. In fact, the only issue I have is a quirky horizontal switch on the control panel that can be easily fixed, and is more about convenience than performance. This machine is so rock solid and such a reliable performer that I would not even consider another brand machine, and I've demoed a dozen other brands. My Lobster is the perfect portable backboard and drill master. Kudos to Lobster.
From:Beau, Harpers Ferry, WV, USA, 01/11
Comments: You did not mention the dc voltage of the said ball machine.
From:Danny, State of Qatar. 8/08
(Danny, You can ask for standard US voltage or the 240V version and Lobster will set it up. The machine is 13VDC 1000 mA. -- TW)