As with the other IPONG models, the IPONG Topspin simply rests on the playing surface, so you can position it anywhere you like on the table, and reposition it very easily. In fact, being battery operated, it's even easier to move around, since you don't have to worry about making sure you have enough length of power cord.
Once again, I didn't notice any problems with the reliability of the IPONG Topspin robot, it worked flawlessly without any misfeeds or strange throwing angles. There was also no indication of the slight movement and rotation that occurred when I set the IPONG Original model I tested to full speed. And again, it possesses the same 1 year warranty that the other models have.
One other thing that I'll quickly mention is that I'm not sure about how long the batteries will last before needing replacing. I haven't seen any information on the subject anywhere, so your guess is as good as mine.
Conclusion
As you would expect from the cheapest model in the IPONG range of robots, some features have been sacrificed in order to bring the price down. But that does not mean that the IPONG Topspin is a cheap toy. Despite its limitations, it still does what it was designed to do very well, and the battery powered feature makes this model very appealing for anybody coaching in large playing halls far from any power points.The IPONG Topspin certainly could be used as a family recreational toy (and I'm sure it would do an admirable job), but its light weight, compact transport footprint, battery powered operation, and heavy topspin makes it a robot that could be very useful to a table tennis coach in the right circumstances. And the price isn't at all bad either!
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Reader Comments
Anonymous wrote:I've read with interest your latest series of articles reviewing the 3 iPong models. I just finished your iPong Topspin reviews and have a few comments to make:
- The reason why the Topspin model produces the most topspin is that it uses a fixed rubber block as an opposing force to the top wheel instead of a movable bottom wheel, as used in the Original and Pro models. With a fixed block, the top wheel is responsible for producing all the spin and the block has little effect on the amount of spin. With the two-wheel design, however, when the ball is pushed through the opening between the two wheels, the bottom wheel spins forward. This produces a counteracting force to the top wheel trying to spin the ball. In essence the forward spinning bottom wheel (even though it is not actively being spun with electricity) produces enough drag on the ball rotation to reduce the amount of topspin the robot is capable of producing.
- I think one major flaw you forgot to point out on this model is that the "wired remote" is actually only about 24 inches long--far too short to reach the other side of the table where the player is. As a result, there's always a few balls that get thrown out before you can make it around to the other side of the table after turning the robot on. And once on the player's side, you can't easily turn off ball delivery or change the speed/frequency without, again, running to the other side of the table and adjusting the control knob.
- As the batteries discharge or you get one or more batteries that have less charge than the others, the speed/frequency rate slows down, sometimes dramatically. And unless you take the batteries out before moving/storing the robot, there is a chance that the control knob could move slightly, activating the robot and running the batteries down.
