In 2006, Master Sports's highly successful portable ball machine, 'Little Prince' , produced for Prince Tennis Ball Machines became 'i SAM', but luckily for ball machine afficionados nothing was lost in the process - it's still essentially the same machine.

The i SAM is priced as if it's a beginner machine but it has enough performance to challenge all but the tennis elite. It's one of the lightest tennis machines at 29lbs (without the hopper), but can still deliver balls randomly to your forehand or backhand at up to 60mph + for nearly half an hour before reloading, if you so choose!

The control panel is simplicity itself, allowing you to at the twist of a dial, alter the ball delivery speed from 15mph to 60mph+, on a scale marked 1 - 10. The ball feed rate is similarly controlled on another dial - adjust to suit from a ball every 2 seconds up to every 7 seconds. There's another button to switch on the random oscillation when you feel like 'turning up the heat' to let your i SAM shoot balls to your forehand and backhand.

tennis machines

A feature I like in SAM portable ball machines is the option to choose your power source. If you know you're going to be traveling to court all the time, choose the battery option - it should give you at least two to three hours of court time - a pretty good workout for most of us!

If you've got your own court and power outlet, the AC option is your best bet for unlimited practice and tennis fun. If you intend to combine home and remote courts, SAM have even thought of this too, and for a little extra money will supply a converter so you can switch between the two and have all options covered.

SAM kindly throw in the smart battery charger for nothing, which will ensure the battery doesn't ever overcharge and maximize it's life. This is quite a nice feature for a ball machine in this price range.

Apart from the free smart battery charger and power source options, the i SAM tennis machine is exceptional in it's ball capacity, holding over 100 more balls than it's rivals.This will give you more time to practice your tennis strokes and get into the 'zone'.

For those working as much on their fitness and mobility as much as their tennis, this 250 ball hopper in conjunction with i SAM's oscillation facility should mean a great workout and very tired legs at the end of the day!

The i SAM is also noted for it's ease of use: not only the control panel, but setting up and packing up is simple and only takes minutes. This is important as it allows you to 'seize the moment' - when the weather's right or you just get a sudden urge to practice.

The i SAM now has a simple remote control feed on/off option. Some swear they're essential to get the most from their ball machines - others say they're an expensive unneccessary addition. They'll certainly make your life a little easier but the $140 price tag does seem a little high for the single function.

Though the i SAM tennis ball machine is one of the lightest on the market (especially the AC powered option at only 25lbs), it's not the easiest of lifts over any distance unless you're a powerfully built young man. The i SAM has a carrying strap but has no wheels to assist transportation, like it's competition.

Perhaps the best way to overcome this problem is to use a tennis cart or luggage cart - this will more than likely help with tennis balls and any other gear you normally bring to court.

Another small point to note is that the battery doesn't disconnect easily, so recharging requires that you take the machine to the power outlet.

tennis cart

The i SAM is one of the most popular ball machines and has alot going for it, particularly the price. It has become a best ever birthday present or Christmas present for many over the years - I know I'd have been very happy to receive one (I'm still waiting!)

Though simple to set up and get going, it has plenty of firepower and variation to vastly improve the tennis strokes of most. With the oscillation switch set to 'on', i SAM will work on your fitness and your tennis until you wished it's ball hopper didn't carry so many balls.

When you order your i SAM, you'll probably be suprised at how quickly your fully charged and ready-to-go machine arrives. In the unlikely event of your machine not functioning properly, i SAM comes complete with a one year warranty and the customer service team is very quick and eager to put things right.

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