Pros
Inexpensive, reputable brand, 5-year warranty, easy to move, perfect for young children, height adjustment
Cons
Small backboard, not sturdy, questionable durability, no overhang, adjustment mechanism
Overall Rating
The 1269 is the entry level portable system by Lifetime. It has a 44-inch acrylic backboard and a 27 gallon base that can be filled with water or sand. The height adjusts from 7.5 – 10 feet in 6-inch increments using a telescoping design. It has a classic style rim and a 3-section pole that is 2.75-inches round. The latter is powder coated for protection, and the graphics on the backboard are U-V protected. Lifetime backs the 1269 with a 5-year limited warranty.
What To Like
- Inexpensive. The best feature of any entry-level basketball hoop is the price. Systems can cost thousands on the high end. Priced around $155, you won’t have to break the bank. As long as it’s not abused, it should last for as long as you need it do.
- 5-year warranty. A warranty on an inexpensive hoop is important because it’s naturally not made with parts as strong as more expensive models. The backboard in particular will be more susceptible to cracking or breaking. With a 5-year warranty, you are protected just in case.
- Reputable brand. Lifetime has been around since 1986, and they produce a long line of basketball hoops. They sell products that can be trusted.
- Easy to move. It weighs less than 60 pounds, so kids can move it themselves without much trouble.
- Perfect for young children. Kids under the age of 10 don’t need a $1000 basketball hoop. It’s perfect for just shooting around and enjoying the outdoors. This hoop isn’t built for rough play, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s not anything fancy, but that’s what makes it appealing.
- Height adjustment. Not all hoops in this class can adjust, so this is a plus. Children can really benefit from this because it takes awhile before they can realistically begin making shots on a 10 foot hoop. This is particularly ideal for families with children of varying ages.
What Not To Like
- Small backboard. A 44″ backboard is one of the smaller ones that you’ll find for an outdoor hoop. It makes it harder to shoot bank shots, plus it doesn’t give as much of a target.
- Not sturdy. The hoop will shake quite a bit while shooting on it. It’s not cemented in-ground, the backboard is small and lightweight, and the 3-section pole isn’t sturdy. The ball naturally won’t bounce as well off the backboard.
- Durability. I have no reason to believe that this hoop won’t last for at least 5 years as long as it’s not abused. But it’s naturally more susceptible to breaking down, particularly the backboard, because the material isn’t as strong.
- No overhang. This refers to the space between the pole and the backboard. Since the backboard is directly attached to the pole, there is no space for playing under the backboard.
- Adjustment mechanism. It’s a bit inconvenient, as you really have to tilt the hoop over to do it. You pull a pin out, make the adjustment, the insert the pin back in. Most hoops allow you to adjust it while upright.
Reviews from Around the Web
Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘Economical, relatively simple to put together, and pretty sturdy’: See Review Here
Amazon.com: 4 Stars – ‘Love the Hoop – Height not as easy to adjust as you would thinking’: See Review Here
Amazon.com: 3 Stars – ‘Tedious Height adjust system’: See Review Here
Summary
The Lifetime 1269 is ideal for families who don’t want to invest a lot of money into a hoop for their children. It’s very basic, and functions as it should. The height adjustment is beneficial, and it’s made by a good brand. It’s not as sturdy or durable as some more expensive models, but that’s why it costs less. Overall, it’s a well made hoop, just don’t expect it to last forever.
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