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HomeToys & HobbiesConstruction, Blocks & ModelsSpalding 68454 Portable Basketball System - 54" Glass Backboard |
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|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 38 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 found the following review helpful:
 Portable Basketball Systems Jul 10, 2009
By T. T. Dodge
I extensively researched all the available portable basketball systems. That included reading independent reviews and visiting Dicks and Sports Authority to see and test the various makes and models. Although, Spalding's "The Beast" was far and away the best portable unit that I examined, its cost is $250 more at Amazon. This unit was not difficult to assemble. My 13-year old son and I accomplished that task in about four hours (he is much more handy than I am). The unit is rock solid. The 54" glass backboard is the real advantage that this unit has over the competition. It is just like playing in the gym. There is no backboard movement on shots that hit high off the backboard. It is just like playing on an in-ground unit. I only wish that moving it was easier once assembled. The Spalding Beast allows you to lower a handle which lowers the wheels and easily move the unit wherever you wish. Moving this system once the reservoir is filled is not an easy task. But, for the money, you will be happy that you spent the extra two to three hundred dollars for a system so beefy and a big glass backboard.
18 of 19 found the following review helpful:
 Nice goal - confusing instructions Apr 30, 2010
By J. Huffman
I don't often review products simply due to time but I have to get the word out about this goal. First off, this is a great portable goal. It's well built, the frame is solid, backboard is solid, the base once filled with 500lbs of sand is solid. My kids love this goal. All around, its great and it would have received 5 stars had it not been for the installation instructions.
All that said, assembly went well at first. I had two other adults helping so it went fast at first. Be sure you follow the instructions precisely for pounding the 3 poles together. If you get it wrong, you are hosed. Now, there are two things in the instructions that everyone needs to know but of course Spalding doesn't tell you. First, the hardware spacers #30 that get assembled on Section A, step 11 are plastic spacers but they look nothing like the hardware identifier chart on the top of page 7.. The width is correct in the drawing but the circle circumference is WAY off. This slowed us down while we double and triple checked to make sure we had nothing else that matched that #30 spacer. The second and most frustrating part of assembly was Section B, Step #2. Parts 51 and 27 were NO WHERE to be found in the box. We spent the better part of an hour searching for these parts. We finally gave up and I resolved myself to having to call Spalding for replacement after the weekend. We continued our installation for the remaining sections which went smooth. When we finally stood the goal up, we noticed that the #51 spacers were already in the backboard covered by part 27 which turned out to be a foam pad. First of all, there is NOTHING in the drawing to indicate this is a foam pad (it looks like it should be metal from the drawing) and secondly, the drawing clearly shows that parts #51 and #27 need to be assembled into the backboard when in actuality, Spalding did it for you at the factory. I hope this saves someone out there time.
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Great portable system Dec 12, 2009
By G B
"Garrett"
Wow!! Surprised at how much we enjoy this portable basketball system. I read the reviews and most were positive but I was still suspect and was concerned about the assembly. Not only were the reviews that were favorable accurate but I assembled it with my 8 and 9 year old sons and it was easier than I thought and having their participation was a great father and sons experience. All of the parts were included. The labeling of bolts and screws might have been a little better but that maybe added five minutes to the work. The quality of the system for a portable is great. Much more stable than I thought it would be and the backboard is by far the best for a portable. If there were anything I would change to this product, it would be the hole for adding water or sand in the base. We chose sand as we live in a colder climate and feared freezing. There is only one hole which is very small and required a lot of effort to fill. This would have been much easier with water but since they provide sand as an option I would have thought they would have made the entry larger or added a second hole at a better location(the very end). Be warned that with the overall quality and glass backboard it is very heavy and does require two strong adults to move, but once in place it is very secure and stable. I strongly recommend this product and could not be happier.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Basketball hoop is amazing!!! Sep 03, 2010
By John
I am a kid writing this review and I am ten years old. I spent a LOT of time looking at basketball hoops online and finally found this one. When I got it I was really excited. I dont know what really good instructions would be but these instructions where definately not bad. The setup was easy and fun I did almost all of it with my dad but at the part when you are attaching the backboard to the pole you will need two adults. Other than that the setup was really easy. The backboard barely shakes at all it is just like playing in an indoor gym no joke. I like how the backboard is 54 inches long. The glass makes a big difference between stuff like acrylic, it has a great bounce off the backboard. The rim is also good quality. The only bad thing (which really doesn't matter) is that it takes kind of a while adjusting the hoop from 7.5 to 10 feet. This is also the best looking driveway basketball hoop I have ever seen and it the best quality basketball hoop I have ever played on. Don't listen to the negative comment, the backboard will not splinter or whatever. Seriosly, you should not even think about the 4 star reviews, think about th 5 star because this is just the best portable basketball hoop you will find and I know what I'm talking about because I LOVE basketball and I can tell what backboard is better and all that. If you are looking for a basketball hoop THEN GET THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! p.s my friend is so jealous, he comes up with excuses why not to LOOK at it.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
works well Apr 29, 2009
By Amazon addict
I purchased this system because it had a thicker pole compared to other portable systems. The system is well built but the backboard does shake a little when the ball hits it. I think the degree of shake is acceptable. I chose to fill mine with sand instead of mixing water and anti-freeze ( I live in the midwest). The front piece of flat triangle shaped plastic does rebound a lot of the shots.
My only complaint with the system (and why I didn't give it 5 stars) is with parts that were missing from the box. I was missing 4 white plastic spacers. Make sure to check all pieces before assembly. If you are missing anything call spalding directly for replacement. Don't waste your time with their website they don't get to your missing part request for several days. It took me a week to get the right parts sent to me.
See all 38 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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