Lifetime 71523 Competition XL Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 54-Inch Clear Shatter Guard Backboard

by Lifetime

Product Features

• 54 x 33 x 1.5-inch square shatter guard backboard offers superior strength
• Features three-piece 3.5-inch round poles with power lift height adjustment
• Orange slam-it pro rim features an arena style wraparound brace
• Rigid rectangular extension arms increase the playing area beneath the basket
• Five-year warranty

Product Description

Product Description

The Lifetime 71523 Portable Basketball Goal System features a clear 54 inch square Shatter Guard backboard system made of Makrolon polycarbonate, which is virtually unbreakable and many times stronger than acrylic. The gray hammertone steel, three piece, 3.5-inch round pole with Power Lift height mechanism offers instant and effortless height adjustment from 7.5 feet to 10 feet with infinite increments. The orange Slam-It Pro rim features double compression springs that provides spring-back action, and an arena-style wraparound brace with a 0.625-inch ring of solid steel and rigid rectangular extension arms offers more play space under the basket. This system also includes a spring cover, bellows, blow molded frame pad and a black pole pad. The extra large portable base with 35-gallon capacity fills with water or sand to provide a stable foundation that rolls easily on its own wheels.

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?
54-inch polycarbonate backboard with rim, 3.5-inch round pole, nylon basketball net, 35-gallon portable base, wraparound brace, spring cover, bellows, frame pad, pole pad

Manufacturer's Warranty
Five-year limited warranty

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 break-away 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, since you won't take any space up with 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.

Product Description

Lifetime Competition XL Base, Clear 54" Square Shatter Guard¿ Backboard system making broken backboards a thing of the past, made of Makrolon polycarbonate, making it virtually unbreakable and many times stronger than acrylic. Gray hammertone 3pc, 3.5" Round steel poles with Power Lift height mechanism that offers instant and effortless height adjustment from 7.5 to 10 feet with infinite increments. Our Orange Slam-It Pro® Rim features double compression springs providing spring-back action, and an arena-style wraparound brace, supporting a 5/8-inch ring of solid steel, and rigid rectangular extension arms for more play space under the basket. This system also includes a Spring Cover, Bellows, blow molded frame pad, and a black Pole Pad. XL Portable base with 35gallon capacity fills with water or sand providing a stable foundation and rolls easily on wheels. 5 year warranty that covers everything on the system. Lifetime Customer Care @ 1-800-225-3865.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 118.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000G64I1K
• Item model number: 71523
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,497 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #17 in Toys & Games > Sports & Outdoor Play > Sports > Basketball > Backboards
  • #49 in Sports & Outdoors > Team Sports > Basketball > Backboards > Portable Boards

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars LifeTime 71523 Basketball System-54"Backboard, May 8, 2008

By 

R. Surgent (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lifetime 71523 Competition XL Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 54-Inch Clear Shatter Guard Backboard (Sports)

This is a great product, and as usual, Amazon shipped it direct with lightning speed right to my door. It was the best value, as we comparison shopped, did not need to pay for delivery or taxes, and knew if we were not happy, we could return the system with no problem. I must add that Amazon states that you need professional installation. They are 100% correct. Other sport stores told us that it would be simple to install, with very little effort, and I did make the mistake of believing those salepeople. It took us hours and hours with the help of many people to finally get it right, since the directions are not very accurate. We had to keep on taking steps backwards and repeating and correcting. It was a nightmare. We should have heeded the warning of Amazon to get professional installation. Unless you are extremely mechanical and have a second and third person to help you, do get someone experienced to assemble this item.
Now that it is up and functional, we absolutely love it. It is very attractive looking, sturdy, and portable. Again, great product!!

1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, April 30, 2011

By 

bball mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lifetime 71523 Competition XL Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 54-Inch Clear Shatter Guard Backboard (Sports)

I read all of the reviews and picked this product very carefully. My neighbor and I spent hours over a period of evenings putting it together.

Went to fill it with water (fortunately not sand), and ended up with a lovely fountain. There were two holes in the base, clearly leftover from the manufacturing process. I've invested my money, time and muscle in a new basketball hoop and have nothing to show for it. Lifetime has offered to replace the base. So my only options at this point ALL involve having to assemble another basketball hoop.

This was all after having to wait on delivery of a missing part already.

I bought the product because of such wonderful reviews of Lifetime. Don't be fooled as I was.

4.0 out of 5 stars good quality product - only drawback is directions, February 2, 2011

By 

Richard Schevis (Miami Lakes, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lifetime 71523 Competition XL Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 54-Inch Clear Shatter Guard Backboard (Sports)

This backboard is of really good quality. It does take a while to put it together, but that's not really a drawback, just a practical reality. It takes two people to assemble, and we spent about six hours on the project. The packaging is good in that each set of parts are divided into separate bags that you open for each assembly step. The downside of the directions is that they aren't as clear as they should be, and there are no quality pictures. I say this because we got it about half assembled and then realized that we has a huge component wrong. We looked back and there was nothing in the earlier directions that would have alerted us to this issue, you really only find out until like five steps later if you happened to get it right, or not. Other than this issue, it's a great product.