Basketball Hoop Review

Specifications

• Backboard: 52 inch Makrolon polycarbonate
• Pole: 3.5 inch round Black hammertone steel
• Rim: Solid steel
• Height: 7.5 to 10 feet
• Weight: 105 pounds
• Base capacity: 35 gallons
• Model number: 1558

Pros

• Price
• Light
• 52 inch backboard
• Easy to adjust the height
• Base with wheels
• Solid backboard
• Rim with double compression springs
• 5 year warranty

Cons

• Cannot withstand strong winds
• Difficult to assemble
• Thin pole
• Stability
• Backboard shakes
• Hard to move with base filled

Review

The Lifetime 1558 XL Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with Clear 52 Inch Square Shatter Guard Backboard made of Makrolon polycarbonate. The base has wheels for mobility. It includes a Slam-It rim made of solid steel. The rim feature double compression springs with the all-weather nylon net attached to it. The pole is made of black hammertone steel.

This portable basketball system is light. It weighs 105 pounds without the base filled. Its height can easily be adjusted using the Power Lift. Even kids can adjust it, press the Power Lift and push to the desired height.

All types of weather

The Lifetime 1558 XL is a solid portable basketball system. It is built to withstand all types of weather.

However, due to the fact that it is light, very strong winds can knock it down. It is a bit heavier with the 30 gallon base filled, but it is still not as stable as in-ground systems or other portable systems. There are some people who choose to cement it permanently to the ground.

Assembling the system

Setting it up can be challenging. The instruction manual contains all the information needed to put it together. Ideally, there should be enough room to assemble it. In addition, it is best to have more than one person doing it.

Tools to be used consist of a drill, crescent wrench, ratchet set and screwdrivers. It can take a few hours to assemble.

The base can be filled with 30 gallons of water with anti-freeze or sand. Most prefer to use dry sand with it. Using damp sand can clump and it will take much longer to fill it up.

Before filling the base, make sure the portable basketball system is in its desired location. It is a lot more difficult to move it with the base filled. Furthermore, moving it filled up risks the base. It can get holes and leak.

Durability and stability

The Lifetime 1558 XL is durable even if it is not the most stable. The backboard tends to shake a bit, but that is not big problem. The poles are thin, but they hold well.

This product does come with a 5 year warranty in case something happens. However, this warranty does not cover damage caused by strong winds.

Bottom line: The Lifetime 1558 XL is affordable, solid and easy to use. It can be difficult to assemble and it is not the most stable, but it comes with a 5 year warranty.