5 comments about Lifetime 1529 Courtside Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 50-Inch Shatter Fusion Backboard.

1. I bought this sytem couple of weeks ago. It looks cheap when it arrived, especially the plastic base. I re-enforced with some iron rod. Still, two weeks after its erection. it was blown down by a gust of wind. The base folded. I live in Philly, it is not a high wind area.
   My advise will be: Don't buy Lifetime. Period.
   Their product looks nice on Amazon. They are actually cheaply designed.
   They should first reenforce their base with better quality plastics. They also need to enforce the boards better and specify how much wind could it stand. If they tell me they system can not stand 50mph wind, I will never buy it.
   I was misled by hte reviews. I am wondering, how many people really bought the system and it is still standing?
   Worst of all, they don't cover it at all if it is action of Nature...
   
   
   My advise is don't buy, don't buy, don't buy... Double think it if you want buy something like this on-line.
   It could be worse, if the board fall to the other direction, it could have smashed my car.



2. This system is very sylish and easy to use (the height adjustment). It took some time to put together and at times the instructions took a second or third glance. Luckily some of the diagrams for the hardware is drawn in "atcual size" so it makes it easier to match up. I had all the tools required already in my toolbox. Being a portable, it is very sturdy when the weight is added. The backboard shake was more than I expected. It is, however, much better than the portable Huffy system that I previously owned (no height adjustment). The Huffy backboard was so dead you would almost have to throw the ball at the backboard to bank it in. This was better, but don't expect to hit a Tim Duncan style banker with ease. This isn't a big deal though as IT IS a portable. Another issue is that the top pole slides out after a brick is shot (when it goes hard off the front of the rim). The top pole slides up a little making the hoop lean forward. It cannot come off becasue of a screw, but because there is a slot instead of a hole there is some movement. This was after following intructions and pounding it in. It also only comes loose with those types of shots only and not when dunking at 8 feet. This could be just mine and I have to pull it down every once in a while -- its not that big of a deal to me but could be for others. I remember having simlar problems of pole movement with the Huffy too. Some of the poles arrived with minor scratches on it. You also need a lot of patience putting in sand instead of water. It may take a while, but it's the same with all portables if you want to fill it up completely. Other than that it plays really well for a recreational system. I gave it 5 stars based on a cost-benefit type theory. There are more expensive systems out there that probably have more solid backboards (I've seen some in the stores at more than double the price). Free shipping to Hawaii also sweetened the deal. It's perfect for shooting around or for a casual one-on-one or two-on-two game. It's one of the better "driveway" portables that I've played on. As a backyard or driveway hoop it is a winner. If you want to use it for a more uptempo or competitive game you should head to the park or gym that have solid backboards for your Duncan-like bankers and Kobe double clutch off-the-glass scoop shots.



3. This took about three hours for a reasonably competent male to put together. The instructions are better than many I have dealt with, but there are confusing parts. The hardest part was the spring mechanism. Unless you have good upper body strength it will take two people to assemble.
   
   The hoop is affordable at around 200 bucks and is generally sturdy. There is a bit of wobble. All in all, a good hoop for younger players. Changing heights is really easy. The backboard size is large for hoops in this price range.



4. I was concerned about quality because this was $50 cheaper than a similar basketball hoop by the same manufacturer at a local store. However, all the parts were first rate, assembly was pretty easy - took about 3 hours. It was good to have a helper as there was a constant switching of wrenches for each step, and getting some of the pieces together took some force - definitely a two person job! Easy to adjust the height. Free shipping was great - it came to my door rather than having to get it home from the store.



5. When you shoot a basketball at this unit, it has the sound of a high quality system that is well designed. It handles shots from every angle well and we are generally happy with this product. I do have some fair criticisms of Lifetime, but that did not keep me from giving this basketball hoop system a five star. It is really a very very good system and we would buy it again even with the assembly hiccups we had.
   
   We bought this at local toy store for about $[...] less (on sale and with a special 20% off coupon). The regular price there is 199.
   
   On this model you need to plan on about 3-4 hours of assembly time if you are not a real whiz at these sort of things. Some less apt individuals may not want to try this. Make sure you have two 3/4" wrenches, two 1/2" wrenches, and two of any other sizes required (I think we needed 9/16" for one step). I found it easier to use one wrench and the matching deep well socket (there was one piece that I could not get without a deep well socket-I didn't have the size socket in my tool kit-so I ran out to a local hardware store and picked up a 9 piece deep well socket set for $9.99). I needed the sockets anyhow, so I didn't mind. The instructions don't tell you that, but you do need double wrenches or the sockets and you do need at least one deep well socket to do this job, and the manual missed that as well. The instructions say you need two adults at the end, but my nine year old son was enough to help me lift it into place. It might be too hard for someone with less strength (I'm just average in lifting power).
   
   I had the feeling that the manual was generally well thought out and written by people who have seen almost every error you can imagine. Still I had trouble keeping on top of all the details in the manual and had some trouble visualizing the steps. As far as manuals go, it was better than most for these type of projects, and there is a pdf copy on their website that is very easy to find and download. Nice job Lifetime on the website design. I liked that a lot.
   
   It would be GREAT if Lifetime would offer video clips for each step on their website. Then you could put your laptop next to the assembly area and watch the clip for the step you are on until you really grasp it.
   
   On the customer service, I have to give any company that sells recreational products or things that men generally assemble at home when they are not at work (evenings), a C at best if they are only open during banking hours. Lifetime's customer service is open LESS than my local bank! They close at 5pm MST. So I was unable to reach them when I had a question. Fortunately I figured out the issue on my own. But they get a C minus for not being available when most of their customers are likely to be assembling these units. What are they thinking about? Only their staff?
   
   The net is shorter than most nets and so they want you to order nets from them. I'm not sure that is necessary. The original net seems to be of a high quality. My sons initial reaction was that his new basketball hoop was better than all his friends. He was very excited to have this, and honestly I really loved the feel of this unit. It feels like a very high quality piece and we only paid $[...] total for the whole thing!
   
   One of the pics in the manual shows a foam wrap around the lower pole, but that did not come with the unit. Neither did a sticker to show raising and lowering of the height.
   
   We give this unit a five star. I believe it will last for many years based on the quality of materials. It has a five year warranty and I would guess that I won't have any parts break in five years. This seems like a great deal to me.
   
   The quality on the pieces (nuts/bolts) is high enough that everything fits together as they say in the manual. The materials and backboard are of a high quality and the entire assembly is slick in my opinion. We are very happy with this unit.
   
   One addendum to this review. We recently had a 60 mph windstorm knock this unit over onto our driveway. It was not damaged by the slamming onto our concrete drive and was easy to return to it's correct position. However, you might lay this on its side when storms come.
   
   With lots of wind in Illinois, we found that to keep this from tipping over you must fill the base with water & put two 70 pound bags of sand on the base. Then you have enough weight on it to hold it up in just about any storm.

1 comments about Lifetime 71553 Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 48-Inch Backboard.

1. We needed a portable hoop, but didn't want anything flimsy. We decided to "upgrade" to this hoop and boy are we happy with it. The assembly was not quick, but it was very straight-forward and the directions were excellent. The assembled hoop is very sturdy and has gotten nearly constant play. It is a kid magnet. We couldn't be more pleased with this hoop and would recommend it to anyone, regardless of their level of play.

2 comments about Lifetime 71526 Competition Square Shatter Guard Basketball 54-Inch Backboard and Slam-It Pro Rim.

1. Decided to purchase this product vs. Spaulding replacement backboards because this was the only 54 inch one(not costing $$)I could find that did not state for use with square pole only (I have an adjustable Huffy round pole system and did not want to dig out and replace all. Verdict: This appears to be a good replacement for the smaller Huffy backboard that came as part of the existing system. It was difficult to line everything on the new one perfectly, and it was slow removing the existing rusted bolts I had to remove first from my existing system. But new one looks an plays fine, and my son is glad I didn't get a smaller 48". We like the metal welded steel net hooks on the rim, my old rim had plastic net hooks that were always pulling free. It looks a bit thin, but then look at the price. To top this off, I got quickly from Amazon (even with super saver shipping, delivered via fed-x to my home on a Saturday, can't beat that).



2. Good backboard. Has some flex in the framing - but beefier ones cost three times as much. I would recommend.

1 comments about Spalding 88354 In-Ground Basketball System with 48-Inch PolyCarbonate Backboard.

1. Very nice. Easy to adjust up and down. It did take a bit longer to put it together and in the ground than I would have thought. Over all a great buy.

No comments about Spalding In-Ground Basketball System with 54-inch Aluminum Framed Glass Backboard.

No comments about Lifetime 71522 Competition XL Portable Basketball System with 54-Inch Shatter Guard Backboard.

No comments about Huffy 65304 Portable Basketball System with 44-Inch Eco-Composite Backboard.

No comments about Huffy Sports 80250R Titanium Backboard.

No comments about Spalding 68448 Portable Basketball System with 54-Inch Acrylic Backboard.

5 comments about Spalding 88307H In-Ground Basketball System with 52-Inch Polycarbonate Backboard.

1. A lot of parts, but instructions are excellent. Filling pipe with cement fully assembled was extremely difficult - maybe my mix wasn't thin enough - had to use copper pipe to force cement down. Be prepared with helper and have patience. Putting pipe in took four guys and if you don't get pipe in EXACTLY straight, edge will catch on plastic insert and it will not go in (and will dig into plastic sleeve). I have installed a fixed pipe board before with larger diamter and if I had it to do over, I would buy that one - it was A LOT easier to fill and mount and given the weight of the filled pipe, I won't ever remove this one from the ground :-)!



2. I did much research, and decided on this in-ground hoop combo. I liked the width of the backboard for the price. I have 3 young sons, and bought this for them to grow up with. We have already had 300$ of enjoyment out of the hoop in the two weeks I have had it up. It did take 3 days before we could play on it (1 day for base, 1 day for pole, 1 day for both to dry). No regrets a great purchase!!!



3. Bought this item for my sons birthday, had it up 2 days and the lever that raises it up and down broke. every time he would shoot it would fall straight down. Called the company and they were really nice and replaced the piece. So if you play alot of basketball be weary of this goal not really very sturdy.



4. I am very pleased with this basketball system. It is very well built and was easy to assemble. The directions are well written and minimal tools are required. I was impressed at how easy it is to adjust the hoop to different heights with hardly any effort. I would definitely recommend this basketball system to others. Great product!



5. Hoop was just what I thought it couldbe , my only complaint was the instructions were not too clear. Otherwise it is up and working fine.