Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)In general, I'm a Jugs fan; this net was bought to serve as a backstop for a Jugs pitching machine. I have had a good experience with Jugs' smaller (& more popular) "instant backstop" net. Unlike that smaller net, however, this one is by no means "instant".
Basically, it requires assembling a series of metal/plastic rods & inserting them through the edges of the net to serve as a framework. Additionally, you then have to anchor the net very well for it to be stable. I used mine outdoors & ended up having to use large stakes; Jugs does provide suction cups for a similar purpose for indoor use. In any event, I subtract part of a star on this point, because from the advertisements on this backstop, you'd think it was more "pop-n-go" (like the smaller net) & it is not, by any means. Practically speaking, that meant I had to leave the net outside, or else all our practice time would have been spent re-assembling/de-assembling it.
Once the net was set up, it served our purposes fairly well. It is quite big & hence allowed a lot of flexibility for catcher's drills with my kids. The netting was sturdy, as it took machine-pitched baseballs without any noticeable damage. One annoying feature is that the netting hangs down in the way of the catcher & I had to use twine to tie it back in many places before we could use the entire space within the netting for practice.
My main problem with this backstop is durability; essentially, the backstop fell apart after <3 months continuous outdoor use (spring & summer weather). During a recent rainstorm, we noticed the backstop had fallen to the ground; two defects were noted. The supporting rods had broken in several places. Also, (& this is what really irritates me), there are several ~ 1" thick canvas straps used for anchoring this backstop; upon inspection, these straps (originally robust) had turned to the consistency of paper. For example, I could pull them apart at will anywhere using my bare hands. The combination of these 2 defects has rendered the backstop useless & costs this product >2 stars. Perhaps things would have been different if we hadn't left it outside; however (& as above) the backstop is deceptively marketed as being "instant" when it is not, so leaving it outdoors was my only realistic option if it were to be used regularly.
Since I don't plan to buy 2 or 3 of these per year, I'll end up buying another of the smaller Jugs backstops, which really are "instant". In theory, I should withhold business from Jugs for my experience above, but I do enjoy many of their other products.
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Jugs Instant BackstopProduct Description: The Jugs instant backstop comes with 4 suction cups with tethers for indoor setup.Hone your hitting or pitching skills in the comfort of your backyard with the Jugs instant backstop. An ideal accessory for aspiring ballplayers and coaches, the backstop measures 12 by 9 by 6 feet (W x H x D) when set up--small enough to fit in a yard, but big enough to catch both screaming line drives and errant fastballs. The backstop comes with four galvanized-steel threaded T-handle pegs, making it easy to anchor the net on grass or dirt fields. However, you can also use the backstop indoors thanks to the four suction cups and tethers, which adhere tightly to gym wood floors. And when it's time to pack up, the backstop folds down into a compact 52-inch circle. The backstop--which weighs just less than 14 pounds--comes with a heavy-duty nylon carrying bag and is backed by a one-year warranty.
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