BabolatElastocross String Saver Locks

Babolat elastocross v Gamma tournacrossI've mainly used elastocross, but tried tournacross when the local shop was out of elasto and the tourna seemed cheaper online. I am an all-court player, struggling with consistency, who hits with moderately heavy topspin and uses 17 gauge multifilament string. I'd say that elasto doubles my string life. I haven't used tourna long enough to know how well it works, long-term, but I can tell that it is also extending string life.The two brands seem to use different methods to prolong string life. Elasto locks your strings in place so they don't move and don't rub. Less rubbing = longer string life. Tourna lets the strings glide more easily with less friction. Less friction = longer string life.Because of how elastocross works, inserting them tightens your strings a lot. I only use these on the sweet spot of my racket - 7 strings across by 8 strings high, and I needed to drop my stringing pressure by several lbs. When I used tourna, my strings were too loose. I'm sure tourna adds some tightness to the strings - it simply must - but significantly less than elasto. BOTTOMLINE: if you want to try one without adjusting your stringing tightness, you're better off with tournaInstalling is easier with elasto. The pieces separate during insertion more easily. Tourna is more likely to bend upon insertion, although once you get the hang of it, it was not a big problem. After inserting a unit, it is common for an extra unit or two to be left on the racket. It's easy to remove with your fingers, but then theyre not usable. I was also unable to use the last two of each stream of tourna units, so there is more waste.Tourna eliminates friction by "hugging" the strings. This means that if you insert it unevenly, which is very easy to do, some of the plastic will extend above your strings. Looking at mine, I'd say 30% are uneven. What's more, with my thinner 17-gauge strings, the plastic extends beyond the string, even when done perfectly. I know that textured strings are said to increase spin, and maybe these have that effect, but I think it has to be better for the strings to touch the ball. Elasto does not have this problem, as they sit between and behind the strings.My conclusion: if you use std 16-gauge string and don't want to adjust your stringing tightness, give tourna a try. All others should get their racket strung looser and try elasto.

I decided to string with gut -- more expensive but supposedly more playable. So I also tried string savers to extend the life of the gut strings. Have been playing with it 4 times a week for 6 weeks and see absolutely no wear on the gut. So the savers are apparently working very well. BTW, the savers were surprisingly easy/quick to install, and there are enough for 2 stringings if you install a pattern of 8 rows by 8 rows in the middle of the racket face.

Tried Tour** brand that are more plastic. They grab and stick more. These allow slide, but don’t wear our the strings. Most likely due to them being made out of Teflon. I have it starting from the 4th mains from top and going down gradually in a triangle pattern a little over midway of the racquet. They wok well without influencing the strings characteristics. I’ve easily doubled the time used per stringing. Weiss Ultra Cable in main, Babolat Origin in cross.

I added them in the “Federer” pattern, and they definitely extended my strings’ life. One particular string was snapping first over and over, and you can tell in the pictures how, after adding the savers, the ones immediately above and below look now significantly more worn out. Because I skipped one crossing string, you can compare the three (four if you want to look up). I was amazed. They work exceptionally well.

I've used these string savers for the past 4 years and nothing extends the life of my strings than these. I'm a player who uses heavy topspin and I'm a frequent string breaker. When I started using string savers I found that I can add an additional 12-15 hours of playing time nearly doubling the life of my strings. The savers are small and easy to insert using the tool provided and also reduce the amount of string movement that occurs as a result of hitting with excessive topspin. I've tried other brands that were a little cheaper, but they don't nearly perform as well as the Babolat brand.

After getting used to installing and removing the string savers, it works fine. However, the applicator is plastic and is easily broken (see photos). Haven’t found a more study applicator, so you have to buy another full unit. Need a sturdier applicator!!

I use this product on Synthetic gut strings cause the problem with synthetic gut is that it moves so much more than poly. This product does help with the life of the strings and the main advantage is that you don't always have to keep straightening your strings after every shot.

I got these for my husband, an avid tennis player. He said they worked great and he would definitely get them again.