Pros:
- Commercial-Quality Construction: The Gold Standard Games Tournament Pro Air Hockey Table is built with professional-style low-profile, high-density aluminum rails, ensuring maximum bounce and bankability. The commercial-quality cabinet and leg construction are designed for heavy use, making it durable for years.
- Championship-Level Air Flow: The table features a commercial blower that provides championship-level airflow to the playfield, ensuring a consistent and fast-paced game.
- Wear-Resistant Laminate Top: The wear-resistant laminate playing surface is designed for competitive play, offering durability and longevity to the table.
- Versatile Options: Customers have the flexibility to choose from different table lengths (7′ or 8′) and scoring options (Manual, Electronic Side, or Electronic Overhead Scoring). Additionally, they can opt for Coin Operated, Free Play, or Dollar Bill Acceptor models.
- Tournament Sanctioned: The Tournament Pro is fully sanctioned for tournament play by the U.S. Air-Hockey Association, indicating its suitability for competitive play at a professional level.
- Complete Package: The table comes with essential accessories, including (2) pucks, (2) mallets, warranty registration, and assembly instructions.
- Unique Features in Overhead Scoring Version: The overhead scoring version includes a player-selectable push button for choosing between white overhead light or black light, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay. The puck also glows brightly under black light.
- Options for Manual and Electronic Scoring: Customers can choose between manual scoring with an abacus or electronic scoring, allowing them to select the scoring system that suits their preferences.
Cons:
- High Price: With a starting price of $4,199.00, the Gold Standard Games Tournament Pro Air Hockey Table may be considered expensive for some customers, especially those looking for a more budget-friendly option.
- Weight and Size: The table’s substantial weight (412 lbs. for the 8-foot version) and dimensions may pose challenges during assembly and relocation, especially in smaller spaces.
- Limited Warranty: The table comes with a 1-year limited warranty, which might be perceived as relatively short considering the investment and potential wear and tear during heavy use.
- Scoring Unit Location: In the side scoring and manual scoring versions, the scoring units are mounted on the side of the table, which may be less visually appealing than the overhead scoring version.
- Coin-Operated Models May Not Be Suitable for Home Use: The Coin-Op models may not be suitable for home use, limiting the options for customers who prefer a coin-operated system.
I am a passionate air hockey enthusiast, and I have been playing this game for a very long time. I recently bought the Tournament Pro Air Hockey Table, and I can say it was a good choice. This air hockey table has proven to be a delightful addition to my game room, and I want to share my experience with you. Here’s a comprehensive Tournament Choice Air Hockey Table Review.
What I did when your package was delivered
I ordered this table online, and this was the first time I ordered an air hockey table from Amazon. So, I was a little worried about the quality, but I was super excited at the same time. When my parcel was delivered, I first checked it and inspected it for any signs of damage. I did make sure that there were all the essential components of the table in the box. Then, I read all the assembly instructions given in the table manual carefully. I followed the step-by-step guide to assemble the table. After assembling, I checked that all the things were functioning properly. I kept the manual for any future problems.
Smooth Playing Surface
I know the smooth surface is one of the most crucial parts of air hockey tables. We know the smoothness of the air hockey table highly affects the speed of the gliding puck and the accuracy of the game. Uneven surfaces are a common problem we face. However, I was amazed to see the quality of the surface and its smoothness. It is made of high-quality, and high-density material. These materials reduce friction and make the surface even. The puck glides smoothly on this surface, and I can fully enjoy the game with my friends. This feature improves my experience.
The surface of this air hockey table is also laminated, which will increase the durability of the table. It protects from scratches and any physical damage to the table. It ensures that the table remains in optimal condition for a long time. The surface can be cleaned and maintained easily. Now, I don’t need to worry about spills and stains, and this is the best thing for me. This feature makes cleaning easy, and the table remains in good condition with minimum effort.
Manual Scoring
The tournament air hockey table has a manual score tracker on each side of the table. It eliminates the electronic components and makes it more durable. There are sets of beads on both sides of the table, and we have to slide them manually. There are different colors of beads available, but I always choose red and black. You can choose any color to give it a personalized touch. This scoring system is user-friendly and best for people like me who love traditional tables. It is also a very simple system, and people of any age can understand it easily. Even a ten-year-old can play with me without putting effort into understanding its scoring system because of its simplicity. In this way, I can play this game with my family members and friends of different age categories.
Sideway Scoring Placement
The scoring system is placed on the side, which makes it more accessible, and the player can quickly record the score without interrupting the game. I love this feature because some tables have an overhead scoring system, so children find it hard to slide the beads. This is a simple and traditional scoring system. This system does not include any LEDs or advanced systems.
Tournament Air Hockey Table Manual
I also loved the detailed manual of the table. The table manual provides all the essential requirements for the air hockey table. It provides step-by-step guidance for the assembly of this table. I assembled the table on my own with the help of this manual. We all know proper assembly is important for the stability and functionality of the table. The manual also provides essential guidelines to use it correctly. It also contains proper safety instructions and precautions to prevent injuries. It also provides solutions to the common problems faced by the players. In this way, we can solve the problem without getting professional assistance. It also explains the specific conditions that are necessary to maintain the warranty’s validity. It also provides contact information for customer support. It also provides the complete details of the games and rules. These instructions will help the players, who are playing the game for the first time, understand the rules and enjoy the game.
Size of the Table
The size of the table is very reasonable, and the height is also good. From young Kids to adults, anyone can play the game and enjoy themselves.
Less Technological Features
Talking about myself, I am not that interested in the modern technological features of the tables. I loved this table, even though it lacks the modern technological features that are found in other modern tables. For those who want modern technology like LED lighting and digital score displays, this table is not a good choice. Some users may find this table less versatile.
Traditional Scoring System
It does not have an advanced digital scoring system, and I have to manually slide the beads to count their scores. It is the traditional scoring system, and I love this nostalgic feel, but some of my friends find it boring and less convenient than the digital electronic system. So, the choice of the scoring system depends from person to person.
Simple Structure
It has a very simple look. It does not have any special technological features that make it look fascinating. People who prefer a modern look, do not like its simple structure. But we can also add some decorations to it. I have also added little things to make it fascinating.
Limited Sound System
It does not have that special sound system that produces different dynamic sounds during the game to make it more exciting and enjoyable. This is the drawback of this table. It does not have those speakers that are integrated into tables to produce sounds.
Huge Weight and Less Portable
This table is huge and has a large weight. This large weight makes it less portable. I cannot move it from one point to another easily. Whenever I want to do this, I need assistance. This is also one of its drawbacks.
Conclusion
In short, the tournament pro air hockey table is a high-quality table that provides different features, including a simple sideway scoring system, a smooth laminated surface, and much more. I loved this table, and it is also a good choice for anyone who wants to spend money on buying a good table.
