Playcraft Easton 8 ft. Air Hockey Table

Comments about Playcraft Easton 8 ft. Air Hockey Table:

The product looks exactly like the online pictures. It is heavy, which I take as a good thing. The look is clean and sharp.

Unfortunately, the product description is just plain wrong on key points that affect value.

Website says: "powered by twin heavy duty air fan motors."
Reality: there is only ONE air fan motor. This is a big change in the value proposition. I would not have purchased this if I had known this one fact. And this led me to start checking other issues in the product description.

The website says: "more than 3,700 air holes."
Reality: there are exactly 3,538 air holes. Not a major value issue but why over-promise by advertising a larger number?

The website says: "two foldaway cup holders..."
Reality: there are no cup holders on this product, foldaway or otherwise.

The website says: "10, 20 or 30 minute period choices."
Reality: the choices are 5, 10 and 15 minute periods. Frankly, who cares. But I'm starting to question everything.

The website says: 49" wide.
Reality: exactly 48" wide. When you subtract the 4" borders, that leaves a playing surface exactly 40"x88". This table does not feel as wide as a large table should. It is too narrow for the length and makes the angles weird during play. When I selected this table, the fact that the stated width was larger than a standard 48" sheet of plywood was a signal that the manufacturer was using better materials than off-the-shelf pieces. I was wrong. That's exactly what appears to have been used.

The website says: "solid pedestal legs."
Reality: The legs are wood frames, covered in laminate.

One big issue with the table that affects value: the bumpers are vertical with no lip at the top to keep the puck on the table. Better quality tables have this feature. The pucks fly off this table at an alarming rate.

The electronic scoring system has some bugs. Sometimes it counts by two and sometimes it misses a count. A power off/on seems to resolve the issue when it happens but it is annoying.

The puck return box is small and an adult hand will find it difficult to retrieve the puck without getting pinched and scraped.

I really wanted to like this table. I can't explain the disconnect with the description.

Service and delivery comments:

The good news: Delivery in the northeast was extremely fast. Like 3 days after placing the order. And it's a good thing as noted below.

The bad news: The box was completely demolished upon arrival. I mean 2ft pieces hanging off, 8in holes punched through the middle so you can see the product. I had to refuse delivery and the delivery guy said he would have done the same. Fortunately, the Hayneedle customer service people were great and, given the quick shipping, I had a new box in better shape within a week.

Comments about Playcraft Easton 8 ft. Air Hockey Table:

Bought this as a family gift. We did our research and looked for one that is made of quality material and is durable but does not cost $4k. The box it came in was worn on the outside but was very well packaged. As expected, it was a bit of a challenge to get down to the basement because of its size and weight. It was well worth it! Both the adults and kids played it for hours on the first day. The puck glides smoothly and is lots of fun play! Love it!