8/07/2011

Lifetime 1529 Courtside Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 50-Inch Shatter Fusion Backboard Review

Lifetime 1529 Courtside Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 50-Inch Shatter Fusion Backboard
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

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Lifetime 1529 Portable Basketball Goal System features a large 50-inch Shatter Guard fusion backboard that is made of Makrolon polycarbonate, making it virtually unbreakable and many times stronger than acrylic. The black hammertone steel, three piece, three inch round quick-adjust pole system allows you to lower the rim height from eight to ten feet in six inch increments. Players of any age or skill can enjoy the game at their level. The orange Slam-It rim features double compression springs that provide spring-back action. This system is built for competitive play with welded-steel net hooks and an all-weather nylon net. And the 27-gallon portable base fills easily with water or sand to provide a stable foundation, and rolls easily on its own wheels to your desired location.
Portable basketball systems depend on a base filled with sand or water for stability. Although it will take up more space than an in-ground system, the portable base rolls on wheels, allowing players to position the basketball system in the desired location (and also allowing storage in a garage). Simply assemble, fill the base and play today. There is no fussing with concrete.
What's in the Box? 50-inch polycarbonate backboard with rim, 3.5-inch round pole, nylon basketball net, 27-gallon portable base
Manufacturer's Warranty Five-year limited warranty


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