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Good Bye Super Duper Hoops

August 13th, 2007

Well, it’s time to say good bye to Super Duper Hoops (superduperhoops.com). Archive.org has this site launching around July of 2002 (view 2002 version). Super Duper Hoops predates Dazadi (launched in 2004) which it now permanently 301 redirects to. In recent history we have seen the parent company of both give the younger sibling much more attention which is why we were not surprised to see this shift. It should also help them with big brother (Google) by eliminating the duplicate content shared between the two sites. The bond between these two sites has always been strong. You’ll even notice the in the DMOZ directory dazadi.com is listed with a title of Super Duper Sports Inc. (view) and the whois information on these domains is the same. Dazadi is a distributor of the following in-ground adjustable basketball goal equipment.

  • FT (Powerhouse)
  • Gared
  • Lifetime (Mammoth)
  • Porter
  • Reebok
  • Schutt
  • Spaldin
  • Wilson

For it’s sentimental value, here is Super Duper Hoops last seen by Archive.org on March 29, 2007

Super Duper Hoops

Goalsetter stops selling direct

July 30th, 2007

It looks like Goalsetter has pulled the plug on its online direct marketing and re-focus on their dealers.  goalsetterdirect.com and alias goalsetterbasketballgoals.com have removed “add to cart” buttons with “For Pricing Details Call …..”

UPDATE: Dana McFarland, the Online Sales Representative at Goalsetter Systems, Inc pointed out that this is no longer the case.

Goalsetter Champion Basketball Goal Downgraded?

July 30th, 2007

I’m getting conflicting information about the backboard size of the Goalsetter Signature Series Champion basketball goal. Their corporate web site found here states that the system has a 32″ x 48″ 3/8″ backboard while other places such as the corporate run direct site and product specification sheets state the backboard is 36″ x 48″ 3/8″. Is this an indicator of a specification change or is it a Goalsetter typo? I have an email in to corporate to see what the actual specifications are. I’ll update the post as soon as I hear anything.

UPDATE:  It looks like the Goalsetter Competition, Capitan, X660, X560 and x448  have also been changed.  60″ boards have been changed from a 42″ height to 38″ and 48″ boards have been changed from a height of 36″ to 32″.  I hope Goalsetter will explain why these changes have been made.  I would assume for cost cutting but I’ll wait for the official word from Goalsetter.

New Basketball Goals Receive First Team Honor Treatment

July 30th, 2007

By First Team Honors, we mean that a certain company has upgraded several of their basketball goal backboards to 54″ from 48″. They have updated the Sport, Champ, Legacy, Vector, Slam, Jam, Force and Attack to include a 54″ x 36″ backboards.  They come in tempered glass on the Legacy, Attack and Force systems with a 3/8 inch thickness while others are available in 1/2 inch acrylic (view backboard experiment). From what I can see, most distributors did not increase prices with the increase in backboard size. This probably means this First Team Honored basketball goal company did not pass price hikes along to their retailers. I would expect that they decided to increase the size of their backboards to compete with other First Team Honored basketball goal companies that also carry 54″ backboards instead of or in addition to their 48 inch backboards. The standard backboard sizes for residential First Team Honored basketball goals is 48″, 54″, 60″ and 72″ with 72″ being the standard gym and professional play size.  Some systems  On that note be careful on the thickness of these boards. Pro Dunk Hoops recently did an experiment to see how different materials and thicknesses compared.

Rainbow Play Systems To Build Dominator

May 21st, 2007

In a previous post I mentioned that the Dominator basketball goal was being taken down from their distributor’s web sites.  Today I found out why.  Doman Sports, maker of the Dominator basketball system, sold their patent on the Dominator to Rainbow Play Systems.  They have decided to start manufacturing their own basketball goal using the Dominator design.  No word on where the goal is being manufactured or how much the patent went for.  I assume Doman Sports will continue manufacturing.  The new goal is said to be available within the next two months at local Rainbow stores.  Doman Sports is currently selling what they have left in stock in-state (Utah) and then will become a Rainbow dealer themselves.  After that point, Rainbow will be the sole retailer of Dominator basketball goals (if that’s what they are going to call it).  I cannot find any press releases detailing the transaction and neither web site has news pertaining to the new situation.  I’ll post as soon as more becomes available.  Feel free to comment if you come across something more.

Gared Adds New Basketball Goals

May 21st, 2007

I just ran across some new Gared basketball goals.  I have detailed them below since they have not been added to the Basketball Guides yet.  These are quite different than their other line of equipment.  The rounded corners were their signature.  These systems look a lot like about 10 other basketball hoops out there.  They remind me of [removed by request] goals.  No word on pricing yet.  I believe they will be marketing these as better systems so expect to see the traditional Gared systems drop in price or these to be higher.

  • GP10A72: Elite Pro I Adjustable Residential Basketball System with Acrylic Backboard
    • Backboard: 72 Inch
    • Backboard Material: Acrylic
    • Backboard Thickness: 3/8 Inch <- This is thin!
    • Height Adjustment: 7.5 - 10 Feet
    • Overhang: Unknown
    • Pole: 6 Inch
  • GP10G72: Elite Pro II Adjustable Residential Basketball System with Glass Backboard
    • Backboard: 72 Inch
    • Backboard Material: Tempered Glass
    • Backboard Thickness: 1/2 Inch
    • Height Adjustment: 7.5 - 10 Feet
    • Overhang: Unknown
    • Pole: 6 Inch
  • GP8A60: Ultra Champ I Adjustable Residential Basketball System with Acrylic Backboard
    • Backboard: 60 Inch
    • Backboard Material: Acrylic
    • Backboard Thickness: 3/8 Inch <- This is thin!
    • Height Adjustment: 7.5 - 10 Feet
    • Overhang: Unknown
    • Pole: 5 Inch
  • GP8G60: Ultra Champ II Adjustable Residential Basketball System with Glass Backboard
    • Backboard: 60 Inch
    • Backboard Material: Tempered Glass
    • Backboard Thickness: 3/8 Inch
    • Height Adjustment: 7.5 - 10 Feet
    • Overhang: Unknown
    • Pole: 5 Inch
  • GP5A48: Super Shot Adjustable Residential Basketball System with Acrylic Backboard
    • Backboard: 48 Inch
    • Backboard Material: Acrylic
    • Backboard Thickness: 3/8 Inch <- This is thin!
    • Height Adjustment: 7.5 - 10 Feet
    • Overhang: Unknown
    • Pole: 4 Inch

Basketball Hoop Warranty Guide Announcement

May 21st, 2007

I have begun the basketball goal warranty comparison over in the Basketball Guides.  It’s tougher than you might think to gather information about all of these warranties.  Many companies don’t keep their warranty online.  The last thing I want to do is read through more cryptic legal jargon.  I’m about half way through the list of about 20 different basketball hoop companies.  I started this little project after receiving an email explained in this post.  I thought it would be a very useful addition to our research center.  Let me know if you see any inaccuracies and I’ll be sure to update the document.  I’ll post again when all warranties have been compiled and I give out the coveted “Best Basketball Goal Warranty” award.

Barbarian Basketball Hoop Origins

May 21st, 2007

I have received some great emails from readers and from people looking through the basketball research center. I have summed up one reader’s comments below with added references for your convenience. The full email can be read below that.

This reader is trying to help clarify the origins of the Barbarian basketball goals. I brought this up in an earlier post and try to answer this question in the guides section. He says Brian, owner of basketballgoals.com and designer of the Barbarian basketball system contracts Hoosier Hoops to manufacture them. This reader also validates that tempered glass is the superior backboard material. Barbarian and other companies that only carry basketball systems with acrylic backboards make unsubstantiated claims against the quality of tempered glass.

Basketball Goals“Hello Ryan, I enjoyed some of your comments about these different brands. We have been in the business/industry for over 20 years. We for sure know the facts and products. I see you are a mouth piece for Pro Dunk, that’s cool they look like good sets. I thought you would like some help on who/what is a Barbarian hoop. www.basketballgoals.com Is an Internet only site [no store front] the owner Brian went to manufacture to manufacture to see who would build his idea for a new hoop? First team said no and rumor has it Hoosier hoops is making this. There is no such thing as a barbarian manufacturer. This is why you see it on www.basketballgoals Site and you do not see it on his competitors site’s. [they all know Barbarian is really basketball goals home brand] Who wants to sell a brand that your competitor makes [he of course has a better price than his dealers would have]. What’s amazing is that chain store’s web sites sell it? I am sure if they knew they were really buying it from one of there competitors they would not carry the Barbarian. Just thought I would give you the info for your records. That’s why you could not find the “barbarian manufacturing company” there is no such thing, there made for him by someone else. I also liked how you said that Barbarian Reps are saying Mammoth and [removed by request] use cheaper grade glass and you said that is not true. You are very smart, it is indeed not true. The only reason they say that is because its a fact glass is stronger than acrylic and plays better and since he does not use glass, he has to bad mouth glass and say things like glass breaks easier than acrylic [Yeah right!!!] Take care. I choose to stay unknown I am not trying to ruffle anybody’s feathers.”

– Anonymous Reader

Basketball Goal Warranties

May 21st, 2007

I received another great email from a Basketball Hoop Guide reader earlier this month. I’d like to share his email too. I have summarized his comments below. The full email is below that.
Goalsetter covers dunking and after being pressed about hanging on the rim will cover this as well. It looks like this reader found somebody to bend the rules because it is clearly disallowed in the warranty and warned against in the installation instructionsGoalsetter Warranty (found here)
NOT COVERED is damage caused by deliberate hanging, multiple player hanging, vandalism, non-basketball activities or any other activity that could be regarded as abusive”

Goalsetter Assembly Instructions (found here)
DO NOT HANG on the rim or any part of the goal system. This includes the backboard, support braces or net.”

He believes the hinged mounting on the Goalsetter basketball goal system and internal crank are attractive features of the system. He notes that the offset extension arm is polarizing because of it’s aesthetic attributes. He also notes it is the most expensive system out there.

He goes on to mention several different brands and warranties associated with them. For those of you who are very concerned about the warranty attached to your new basketball goal, this is the post for you.
Basketball Goal Guides
This post has inspired me to write up a comparison chart of the different warranties offered by different companies. I believe many of our readers will find it usefull. Look for a post announcing this addition to the basketball guide section soon.

“Your profile on goalsetter is not accurate. Goalsetter absolutely covers dunking on its goal systems. It does not cover hanging. However, when I contacted its support center, the person I spoke to said they would definitely cover hanging under the warranty — they just won’t cover egregious abuse (e.g., six people hanging on the rim, trying to break it). http://www.goalsettersystems.com/warranty/WarrantyStatemnt-102006.pdf

Frankly, I think Goalsetter is the most intriguing goal out there, with the patented internal crank system and hinged mounting system (which “seems” better than the j-bolt system used by others). The style of the offset goal is polarizing — I like it, but my wife hates the look and would never let me buy one. But that is somewhat moot, as it’s just about the most expensive system out there.

Anyway, love your site. I love the transparent approach to your products and competition. I’ve researched the premium goal market for at least three years now and will finally be purchasing this spring. Goalsetter, [removed by request], Doman, Barbarian, etc. I keep active data on them, regarding price and materials. I’ve found your site to be very good at representing pros and cons. Keep up the good work.

Also, keep highlighting the durability. Isn’t that the reason to spend $1,000 - $2,500 on a residential hoop. You’ve got the pretenders like [removed by request] which clearly markets a system at the dunking customer with the caveat of “no dunking.” Total sham of a system. Ironically, I expect that [removed by request] is the most successful system, because it has a contract with Dick’s and others, which includes in-store display. I’ve not seen any other brand of premium goal displayed in a common store.

Then, there are those like Gared who only offer a 4-year warranty on its goals (less on the rim and such) and don’t even specify what that warranty covers. Then, some are spotty by either offering long durations with spurious coverage terms (Wilson — lifetime, no dunking?) or good coverage and low durations (Porter — dunking and hanging covered, but only for 1 year). [Manufacturer Removed] and Goalsetter are proud of their lifetime, dunking included warranties, but back away when you bring up hanging. Sure, Goalsetter stepped up to the plate when I pressed them on the issue, but it remains specifically uncovered in the official warranty statement.

In fact, that’s one thing I’d challenge Pro Dunk on. You state a 10 year warranty on dunking and hanging. Doman, Barbarian and First Team are a few that offer lifetime warranties, inclusive of dunking and hanging. Do you really expect to see warranty claims on goals 10+ years old? I’m guessing you won’t, or at least very few. So, what is the true financial cost of offering the Lifetime warranty and having one more advantage in the market place? In fact, a casual glance would seem to indicate that you are using First Team’s goal design, but offering it at a much cheaper price. Why would First Team have a better warranty?

Anyway, keep up the good work. Will be waiting for the ground to thaw around here and then it’s time for a goal!”
–Andy Young

Barbarian Raider Basketball Hoops

May 21st, 2007

Surfing around, I found a few retailers joining BasketballGoals in carrying the Barbarian Raider basketball goals including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dunham’s Sports.  I’m fuzzy on who actually manufactures these basketball systems but i will assume (for now) that Barbarian is the manufacturer.  Since the Barbarian Raider line is not included in the Basketball Research Center yet, I have included the specs below.  I believe this is a lower quality line compared to the traditional Barbarian basketball goals.
Raider 54

  • 54″ x 40″ x 1/2″ acrylic backboard
  • 6″ x 6″
  • 3.5′ overhang
  • Adjustable from 6.5′ - 10′

Raider 60

  • 60″ x 40″ x 1/2″ acrylic backboard
  • 6″ x 6″
  • 3.5′ overhang
  • Adjustable from 6.5′ - 10′

Raider 72

  • 72″ x 42″ x 1/2″ acrylic backboard
  • 6″x 6″
  • 3.5′ overhang
  • Adjustable from 6.5′ - 10′

In my opinion, it looks like Barbarian cut some corners on these systems to get the price down.  The short overhang and lack of tempered glass backboard makes me leery.  If you have any comments or experience with these systems, please leave a comment here until we get these products up on the Basketball Reviews section on the Basketball Research Center.