The impact damper reduces the vibration amplitude of a mechanical system through momentum transfer by impact and conversion of mechanical energy into heat. The fundamental configuration consists of a single mass particle moving in a container fixed to the primary single‐degree‐of‐freedom vibrating system which is driven by a simple harmonic force. A number of years ago, the author developed the (basic) solution for the steady‐state two‐impact/cycle symmetric motion for the fundamental configuration. More recently, S. F. Masri has published in this journal some interesting extensions of the basic solution for the fundamental configuration, as well as studies of other configurations, Using his results it is shown herein that the basic solution for the fundamental configuration is, in general, the only combination of practical interest.