F.A.Q.

What is THE TOP HOPPER?

When you see the brand, The Top Hopper, you know it is the best product on the market today.  The Top Hopper manufactures and sells the BEST vertical jump measuring device.  The company has designed a backpack specifically for an athlete and also sells t-shirts with creative messages for the athletes and their family. 

Why is it called The TOP HOPPER?

Named after the highest jumping mammal in the world.....the red kangaroo, with a vertical "hop" as high as 9'8".  

 

Why is The Top Hopper the Best?

The most important characteristics of any vertical jump measuring device are accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility.  This cannot be achieved with telescopic mounts or stands.  The Top Hopper was designed with this in mind.  The telescopic measuring device and rigid mounting system delivers accurate, repeatable, and reproducible measurements.

Why is measuring an athlete’s vertical jump important?

The vertical jump test is the most widely used and the most important assessment of lower body power and explosiveness.  The height of an athlete’s vertical jump is synonymous to their athleticism.  Athletes, trainers, coaches and recruiters know how important the ability to jump high is.  This is why athletes spend a lot of time trying to maximize the height of their vertical jump.  The Top Hopper is designed specifically for progressively and repetitively challenging an athlete’s ability to maximize his/hers vertical jump and fast twitch muscle capabilities. Athletes purchase a variety of equipment and hire personal trainers to help them increase the height of the vertical jump.  So, each athlete needs a measuring device to accurately measure the height of their vertical jump…….The Top Hopper!!! 

Why is the height of an athlete’s vertical jump important?

It is simple.  If an athlete can jump high, then they are athletic.  If the athlete is a “Top Hopper” then they are very athletic and will most likely excel at their sport.  Athletes are always looking for ways to gain a competitive advantage and boost their athletic performance.  Every athlete would like to know the height of their vertical jump.  Their goal from there is to increase the height of their vertical jump through precise training and exercise.  The Top Hopper is the best device to measure and track improvements.

What is the difference between the Vertec and your product?

The Vertec and the TH500 are both mechanical testers.  They both move up and down and have plastic indicators the athletes hit.  There are several differences between the products. 

1. Accuracy - The fundamental design flaw with the Vertec is the telescopic pole.  Having a telescopic pole as your mounting system leads to inaccurate measurements as the pole is extended.  The higher the measuring device is raised the more the pole leans causing the plastic indicators to not be level with the ground any longer.  This results in inaccurate measurements.                                                                                                                               The untreated pole is also prone to corrosion, which makes it very difficult to raise and lower.  The constant moving between the poles results in durability issues.  The TH500 uses rigid mounting systems that simply hold the measuring device.  This enables very accurate measurements.  The measuring device is comprised of aluminum extrusions and plastic guides specifically designed for this application for durability.
2. Durability and Robustness - The Vertec only measures in 1/2" increments and has very thin plastic indicators that the athlete hits when they jump.  The TH500 measures in half inch increments, but our plastic has an engineered shape to reduce breakage and is 3/8" tall.  So, it is much more durable and robust.  Also, our best seller is the TH1000, which measures in one inch increments.  The benefit of this is the plastic is 5/8" tall making it very difficult to damage.  The Vertec is painted red and the moving steel parts do not have a protective coating.  So, corrosion is a major concern.  Our steel mounting systems are all power coated and our measuring device is comprised of aluminum, plastic and stainless steel hardware.
3. Mounting Systems - The Vertec is available with a floor stand or wall mount.  The floor stand is comprised of a telescopic square tube, a counterweight, two leveling feet, and is painted red.  The wall mount is a very heavy mount with one swivel joint and is also painted red.  Our TH500 and TH1000 can be mounted anywhere, but we sell 4 different mounting options.  All of our mounts are steel that are powder coated.  Our floor stand is thick square tubing that bolts together to make a rigid structure.  It has a built in counterweight, wheels and 3 leveling feet so you can level in all directions.  Our wall mount swivels at 3 locations allowing the TH500 and TH1000 to lay flat against the wall and fit inside a protective cover when not in use.  There is also a basketball rim mount and an extender.
4. Ease of Use - The Vertec is raised and lowered by moving the pole up and down.  The operator then turns a wingnut/bolt to hold it in place.  This all takes place at chest height.  The TH500 or TH1000 glides up and down using a separate pole, which threads into the bottom of the assembly when the operator is ready to use it.  There are 3 positions and it automatically locks into place, which reduces operator error and simplifies the operation,
5. Storage Location - The Vertec must be stored and mounted around chest height.  This is to allow the operator to operate it.  Unfortunately, when not in use the product is often damaged.  The TH500 and TH1000 is stored 10 feet off the ground.  There is also a protective cage for the wall mount system and a storage case for the measuring device.
6. Math - The Vertec has etched lines and numbers on their telescopic pole.  The operator takes that number and then adds that number to the number of plastic indicators moved to get both the standing reach and jump height.  The TH500 and TH1000 have numbers on each indicator that represents the distance from the ground.  When calculating the vertical jump height, simply subtract the standing reach number from the jump height number.
7. Customized Colors - Vertec only offers their standard color.  The Top Hopper stocks several colors and also allows customers to have custom colors.

What is the difference between the Jump Mats and The Top Hopper?

Jump mats can only measure a sargent vertical jump (no running jumps).  Jump mats measure air time, which is the time the athletes feet leave the mat until they return.  Then it computes a vertical jump height based on your weight and ground forces.  The main attraction to mats is because they are lightweight and portable.  Our trainers hate them because athletes distort there body so their feet delay hitting the mat when they land from jumping.  This leads to an inaccurate higher vertical jump.  Simply put....athletes know how to cheat using jump mats.  The Top Hopper vertical jump systems is very accurate, which is why combines everywhere are switching to it.  The only way to cheat the measurement is to not reach as high as you can when getting your standing reach height. 

Also, most athletes jump higher when their is a target above them. 

The costs are very similar.

What is the difference between the Force Plates / Force Decks and The Top Hopper?

Force plates can cost $3,000 - $5,000 for the plates.  You also need to pay $2,000 - $5,000 annually for the software and data.  Force Plates can only measure a sargent vertical jump (no running jumps).  However, they provide you much more data than just vertical jump height.  The vertical jump calculation uses data collected during the jump to calculate jump height.  There are two heavy plates used, one for each foot.  Since they are raised off the ground, most trainers pay for the mat that goes around them so athletes don't injure themselves when they land.  Our trainers think every trainer and coach should have force plates because they can be used to optimize the athlete's jump height.  They feel force plates and The Top Hopper make a great combination.  Since force plates calculations for vertical jump height is always lower than actuals, a TH500 will give the trainer all the data they need.  The Top Hopper vertical jump systems are very accurate, which is why combines use it and not force plates.  

Also, most athletes jump higher when their is a target above them.

Force Plates are very expensive and may not be worth buying.