iPong Original Table Tennis Trainer Robot

Background: I play regularly at my local table tennis club. I wouldn't call myself a great player, but I'm no slouch. I wanted this thing in order to: 1. Get some exercise. 2. Tinker and tune my strokes. I also understood the limitations of a machine like this. It cannot shoot a ball with low velocity and high spin. You can choose high speed and high spin, or low on both settings categories. I think some people don't understand this before they purchase one of these. Performance: At this point I have now had this thing launch a few thousand balls at me. The iPong Original has performed very well. I mainly use Gambler Gold balls, but I have some others mixed in. The settings for increasing or decreasing the interval between shots allows anything between a very slow pace to frantic. The spin adjustments work well. If you want a slow shot with no spin, you turn both the topspin and backspin down low. If you want fast and topspin, turn the topspin way up and the backspin way down. I have only had it jam once. I gave it a shake and it hasn't happened since. I've noticed if balls are different enough, they will come out differently, and why wouldn't they?? This actually gives you a bit of unpredictability to play with. But I would really suggest using the same kind of ball if you want consistency, and again, I'd suggest the Gambler Gold balls. Extra thoughts: Use some creativity with this and you can avoid the need to buy a more expensive robot! If you want to practice smashing, this thing doesn't produce a slow lob no matter how how you set it on the table by itself, but you can still make it happen! I set a box on the table close to the net and then set the iPong on the box. Then I put paper back books under it to tilt it up at an angle, and finally I turn it on with slow, no-spin. And I smash away. It's really not hard and it's my favorite way to use this! But if you think this is too much hassle, you'll need to buy something far more expensive. Fast topspin is what this machine can do best. It's a great way to practice counter-looping. If you want a slow shot with heavy backspin, such as from a serve, this might not be able to produce that. Though I've been thinking of ways I could position it on the floor and tilt it up... Haven't tried it yet. I use the iPong net to collect the balls. You really need this or else you'll spend all day looking for the balls, or worse - stepping on them. I like switching between forehand and backhand on alternating shots. I enjoy seeing how many aggressive shots I can land consecutively. This has improved my basic strokes. I've been able to unlearn some bad habits. My backhand attack has improved noticeably in club play. It's a good basic robot. Don't expect a $700 robot! Add in some creativity and you'll really enjoy this.