Lifetime 1558 XL Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with Clear 52-Inch Square Shatter Guard Backboard Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is an excellent Basketball goal, at a very fair price. Once completed, you have an attractive basketball goal that looks like it means business...and it does. The goal's design is fairly heavy duty, and holds up well to fully grown people hanging briefly from the rim, along with the other expected abuses a hoops goal goes through. It adjusts easily, and is well-balanced, so that two people can relocate the goal without trouble. Filled with 407 pounds of sand (use DRY sand to speed this cumbersome process), the thing stays put once positioned, also. All-in-all, the finished product is very satisfactory, and I expect it to provide many years of healthy fun for my family.
Now for the headaches: Amazon says the goal will be shipped in its original packaging. The packaging is simply not up to the job, and my friendly Fed-Ex delivery person said that items of this size and weight that aren't given extra packaging rarely make it to their destination intact. In my case, the box had split open, and spilled several of the pipes comprising the pole, along with several of the hardware packets. (I notice from the other reviews that missing hardware is a frequesnt complaint.) Luckilly, my Fedex guy was able to gather the spilled parts, and nothing was lost or damaged. While Lifetime offers a toll-free number to obtain missing parts, it would be frustrating to have to wait for an essential part once assembly had commenced.
The other headache was the assembly instructions. Clarity was sacrificed in order to make the instructions as short as possible. Many steps could have been broken down into several sections, and illustrated in more detail. There was no complete parts list, and some of the pictures of parts were inaccurate or mislabled. There also seemed to be no order to the way the hardware was packaged. I consider myself very handy, but I was frustrated with these instructions, and ended up improvising a lot of the assembly. Consider the assembly a MAJOR PROJECT with poor instructions from Lifetime.
In the end, I am quite pleased with my new basketball goal and would reccommend it to others as long as one is aware of the potential headaches associated with shipping and assembly. The price is right, the free shipping very convenient, and the finished product looks GREAT, and plays well.
6-23-2010:
Two years later, and the system is still in excellent shape. It's been played hard, been exposed to extremes in temperature and weather for two years, and hasn't deteriorated in any noticeable way. I'd say this makes it an even better buy.

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Hone your jumpshot in your spare moments or perform a backyard dunking drill with this Lifetime Shatter Guard XL portable basketball system. Unlike in-ground basketball hoops--which are typically anchored in concrete--this portable system rolls on wheels, letting you position the basket support in any desired location, from the back patio to the middle of the cul-de-sac. All you have to do is fill the heavy-duty 35-gallon base with water or sand and play.
The basketball system comes with a 52-inch-square Shatter Guard backboard made of Makrolon polycarbonate, which is virtually unbreakable and several times stronger than acrylic. When combined with the heavy-duty steel frame and the sturdy steel Y-extension arms, the basketball goal looks and plays just like pro-style glass, with superior rebound effects and terrific stability. The system also includes a three-piece, 3.5-inch round pole with Lifetime's patented pneumatic Power Lift mechanism. To change the pole's height--it adjusts from 7.5 to 10 feet in infinite increments--simply activate the Power Lift with one hand and push it to the correct height. And Lifetime knows that dunking and above-the-rim play are a huge part of modern basketball, which is why the basketball goal includes a Slam-It rim. The solid-steel rim features double-compression springs that give way during dunks to protect the player, then spring back once released.
Other features include welded-steel net hooks with an all-weather nylon net; fade-resistant graphics that are screen-printed with UV-protected inks for superior color endurance; and a five-year warranty that covers everything on the system.
Amazon.com Basketball System Buying Guide With the high-quality construction of many portable basketball systems, turning your driveway into a basketball court can be as simple as hooking up your garden hose. But while a portable system may ultimately be your best choice, there are reasons you may want to consider an in-ground or wall-mount system before you decide.
In-Ground Systems In-ground systems are permanently cemented into the ground--either via a bolt mounting kit or directly into the ground--and are generally more rigid and take up less space than portables. In-ground systems often require that you hire a professional to complete the task, but when the cement dries you'll have a hoop that can take punishing dunks with ease.
Many in-ground systems are height-adjustable, include removable post features that let you take the system down for off-season storage, and feature heavy-duty breakaway rims. You'll also want to research the adjustable mechanisms on the systems, as there are several types to choose from. Some feature a counter-balance spring that lets you perform easy, one-hand adjustments while others may feature a sturdy, pneumatic system.
Wall-Mount Systems Wall-mount systems can be mounted to the side of a house, a tall retaining wall, or a garage. Generally sturdier than portables, wall-mounts have the added advantage of optimizing your existing ground space for the court, as you won't need to dedicate any space to the base or pole. Not all systems include the necessary hardware, so make certain you add a mounting kit to your list.
Portable Systems Portable systems require minimal installation and offer ultimate convenience. These systems generally feature a base that can be filled with sand or water to stabilize them and include wheels for portability. Although they are not as sturdy as in-ground or wall-mounted hoops, portables are simple to set up and can often be folded for convenient storage.
Backboard Considerations Regardless of which system you choose, you'll want to brush up on Backboards 101. Most residential systems feature backboards made of acrylic, fiberglass, graphite, or various other composite materials. While clear acrylic gives the professional look and feel of glass, it is not as rigid as fiberglass or graphite. Some systems may offer steel or aluminum backboards, which are virtually vandal resistant, but don't offer the true rebounding action.
The regulation size of an NBA backboard is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. Most portable hoops are 42 or 44 inches wide and 36 inches tall. In-ground systems tend to be a bit larger, with 54-inch and 60-inch widths being the most popular. While rectangular shaped backboards provide more bank shot opportunities, they are generally more expensive than the streamlined fan-shaped board.

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