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  #1  
Old 01-05-2017, 06:22 PM
Bushleague Bushleague is online now
 
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Default Best brand of ice fishing tent?

This year I have a bunch of time off and a daughter that isn't in school yet and likes fishing. In order to maximise her fun, and make the most this rare opportunity to spend a winter fishing with my daughter, I bought a HT brand 6 man tent at xmas. We love the tent, but in 4 trips we've broken 2 zippers, it is obviously not going to last many seasons so I've decided to return it.

So what to get instead? It doesn't need to be that big of a tent, we could surely use a 4 man... but I want something that is more durable. Any suggestions? Thanks.
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Old 01-05-2017, 06:31 PM
Tfng Tfng is offline
 
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I really like my Otter pro. They're worth a look anyway.

https://www.otteroutdoors.com/produc...-ice-shelters/

Last edited by Tfng; 01-05-2017 at 06:38 PM.
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  #3  
Old 01-05-2017, 06:36 PM
Evan83 Evan83 is offline
 
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Eskimo. Had mine for 6 years and not even a rip in it.
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Old 01-05-2017, 06:51 PM
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neilsledder neilsledder is offline
 
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My Eskimo seams good. No broken zippers or rods. But the black stuff that keeps it dark seams to be wearing off.


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Old 01-05-2017, 07:02 PM
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One of the more interesting options when I was shopping around was a "Woods" brand tent. Anyone used one of these? I've never seen them before but the tent seemed pretty well built. In the end I figured that I'd never bought anything from HT that completely sucked... well, now I have!

I'll check out the Eskimo tents, my wife in particular was disappointed that I hadn't got one in the first place.
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  #6  
Old 01-05-2017, 07:32 PM
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Default Woods tents

Woods makes ice tents for one of the leading brands out there but forget which one
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Old 01-05-2017, 07:50 PM
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dutchpirate dutchpirate is offline
 
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We have the 6-man version of this one from Costco, very durable so far, great customer service when it shipped with a cracked pole, replacement couriered out immediately.
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Old 01-05-2017, 07:58 PM
kcward kcward is offline
 
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3rd season on our Eskimo 949i insulated. First year the poles were too long and bowed, called support and they sent me a new set that were about 1/2 inch shorter. Been perfect...nice thing with the insulated is the black doesn't peel off on the inside.

If I was buying another one, it would probably be the 6120 insulated...a little more room but a little pricey.

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/69756/...-fatfish-6120i

https://www.thefishinhole.com/index....P-UP/&se=28689

https://www.thefishinhole.com/index....TENT/&se=27212

Just a few links for you...good luck with your choices!
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  #9  
Old 01-05-2017, 08:09 PM
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Only complaint I have with Eskimo is the bag on my Quickfish 6i is too tight when the tent is cold. Insulated is great, but you should know that it gets stiff in really cold weather.

I have one from Costco also. An Outdoor Works Kingfisher 3. Good tent for a couple people.


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Old 01-05-2017, 08:17 PM
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I have an Eskimo. My buddy has a Costco. I'd say both are a huge gap in quality. But I'd say Clam or Otter have the best products.
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Old 01-05-2017, 08:21 PM
PerchBuster PerchBuster is offline
 
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I have a Woods Arctic 2 hub tent and it is very well made and easy to open/close. The poles are all exactly right length and zippers are good too. I am happy with it. Got it on clearance at Canadian Tire for $165, regular $299. I imagine the 4 man is even better.
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Old 01-05-2017, 08:39 PM
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My recommendation is Eskimo, as good a quality if not better then others and if you have any problems they have great customer service and warranty. I had troubles with my first 6i(poles too long maybe and had ripped through a couple of the retaining pockets), after seeing pics they sent me a whole new tent. They even threw in a free fuel tank grommet for my auger since I needed one of them too. Good luck getting service like that from some of these other companies.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SamSteele View Post
Only complaint I have with Eskimo is the bag on my Quickfish 6i is too tight when the tent is cold. Insulated is great, but you should know that it gets stiff in really cold weather.

I have one from Costco also. An Outdoor Works Kingfisher 3. Good tent for a couple people.


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I find my 6i to be fairly easy to fit back in the bag. You should try getting a frozen 6120i back in the bag if you think the 6i is bad lol.
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Old 01-05-2017, 08:41 PM
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Haha. I usually end up giving it a bear hug and having the boy work the bag down. Was going to make a couple straps with a loop on one end and Velcro on the other to cinch it down. I can get it in, just need four hands.

SS


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  #14  
Old 01-05-2017, 08:53 PM
Avidhuntr Avidhuntr is offline
 
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I've had eskimo and otter. otter definitely has my vote hands down better quality
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Old 01-05-2017, 09:01 PM
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I have the Eskimo Lodge a four man, tent with 8 x 8 ft plastic floor... folds to a 8 x 4 ft sled. I have had it about 10 years, no problems at all, and has been used in some ugly southern Alberta winds. I made screw in tie downs out of 9 inch lag bolts... work good. Tent is in as good a shape as when I bought it with medium use.
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Old 01-05-2017, 09:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Avidhuntr View Post
I've had eskimo and otter. otter definitely has my vote hands down better quality
Otter tents look good, especially their flip style units but they get pretty pricey and aren't even available here. I think Bass pro sells some but none up here in Edmonton area.
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  #17  
Old 01-05-2017, 09:54 PM
Kokaneeranger Kokaneeranger is offline
 
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I've had a Otter 2-man flip over for the last 7 years and haven't had ANY major issues! I've had a large Eskimo FatFish for the last 4 years and have been disappointed . The Eskimo failed/ripped in 2 spots - where a top wall corner meets a roof corner. Eskimo customer service is second to none as they simply asked for a dated reciept, pictures of the rip and my address. Sent me a new one with zero hassle, i paid the shipping. I received the new one in 2014 and the exact same thing has happened again, waiting to here from them as i just sent pictures to them on Tuesday. I haven't had any dealings with Otter so i can't comment, No news is good news right?
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  #18  
Old 01-05-2017, 10:01 PM
huntsfurfish huntsfurfish is offline
 
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I have Clam and Eskimo, but dont think you could go wrong with these or an otter.
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  #19  
Old 01-05-2017, 10:11 PM
Tfng Tfng is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RavYak View Post
Otter tents look good, especially their flip style units but they get pretty pricey and aren't even available here. I think Bass pro sells some but none up here in Edmonton area.
I had a really hard time sourcing the otter pro series until I found this guy. He didn't have a website at the time I bought mine 5 or 6 years ago.

They're expensive for sure.

http://riversideoutdoors.ca/index.ph...&path=60_63_65
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  #20  
Old 01-05-2017, 09:00 PM
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LutherDLG LutherDLG is offline
 
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[QUOTE=SamSteele;3435187]Haha. I usually end up giving it a bear hug and having the boy work the bag down. Was going to make a couple straps with a loop on one end and Velcro on the other to cinch it down. I can get it in, just need four hands.

SS

This is really funny to read because I bought an Eskimo 949i this year and I look like a complete clown trying to bear hug it and wrestle into the bag when I'm alone. That's been my only issue though. Great quality tent, great layout and don't regret going insulated - would definitely recommend it.

Also recently used a buddy's Clam - bigfoot 2000 or something? Hard to compare because it's a few years older and not insulated, but I felt it wasn't quite the same quality level. Seemed like a good tent though. I really liked that the anchors were just hex head bolts instead of the ones with the hand loop so you can fire them in with a drill.
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Old 01-06-2017, 11:47 AM
kcward kcward is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SamSteele View Post
Haha. I usually end up giving it a bear hug and having the boy work the bag down. Was going to make a couple straps with a loop on one end and Velcro on the other to cinch it down. I can get it in, just need four hands.

SS


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Yes, they can be a bugger to fit. I had 4 extra straps made up at our local upholstery shop with loops so I can pull them real tight. I also use extra straps on the outside of the bag so that the handles don't rip when carrying it. So far she's like brand new after 3 years.
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  #22  
Old 01-06-2017, 12:22 PM
Bushleague Bushleague is online now
 
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Just traded the HT in for an Eskimo Quickfish 3i. Once again, I looked at the Woods tent long and hard, but after the "I told you so" my wife gave me over the HT I figured I'd better get an Eskimo.

I think this tent will work great for what I need this year, just fishing with my daughter. When the whole family comes fishing, I'm hoping my wife and two daughters can fish in it half comfortably, I'd rather be outside and moving around anyways.
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  #23  
Old 01-06-2017, 10:25 AM
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SamSteele SamSteele is offline
 
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Just set my Eskimo 6i up in the garage to air out after a trip (thread reminded me!) and had a pole snap when popping out a side. It's a year old and has seen limited use. I'll see how Eskimo responds to my request for a new one I guess.




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Old 01-06-2017, 10:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SamSteele View Post
Just set my Eskimo 6i up in the garage to air out after a trip (thread reminded me!) and had a pole snap when popping out a side. It's a year old and has seen limited use. I'll see how Eskimo responds to my request for a new one I guess.
If you are out of warranty and shipping is too much(the poles actually are only 3.99 on their website) then you can try checking with some of the local stores like fishin hole. I believe they keep some old poles around in case someone breaks them.
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Old 01-06-2017, 10:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RavYak View Post
If you are out of warranty and shipping is too much(the poles actually are only 3.99 on their website) then you can try checking with some of the local stores like fishin hole. I believe they keep some old poles around in case someone breaks them.


Thanks RavYak. I was going to do exactly that. $4/rod but I expect shipping would be $12.95 USD or so...


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Old 02-05-2017, 11:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RavYak View Post
If you are out of warranty and shipping is too much(the poles actually are only 3.99 on their website) then you can try checking with some of the local stores like fishin hole. I believe they keep some old poles around in case someone breaks them.
I purchased the eskimo fatfish 9416... went through 4 of them in a 2 week period, all sorts of issues but finally got one that was virtually perfect....The fishing hole ( calgary ) was great I just took the tent back and swapped it for a new one each time.... Terry said they take them apart and keep the hubs and poles for parts for customers.... so they should have a crap load!!!! lol
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Old 01-06-2017, 11:31 AM
Stubb Stubb is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SamSteele View Post
Just set my Eskimo 6i up in the garage to air out after a trip (thread reminded me!) and had a pole snap when popping out a side. It's a year old and has seen limited use. I'll see how Eskimo responds to my request for a new one I guess.




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I'd be interested how you make out with Eskimo. I'm having a hard time getting a hold of anyone. You hear so much about their customer service but I've experienced nothing good so far.
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Old 01-07-2017, 05:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stubb View Post
I'd be interested how you make out with Eskimo. I'm having a hard time getting a hold of anyone. You hear so much about their customer service but I've experienced nothing good so far.

So I haven't heard back from Eskimo yet, but I contacted them yesterday and don't really expect a response over the weekend. The good news is that I took my broken pole to The Fishin Hole and asked them if they had another one like it. They gave me a longer one and I cut it down to the right length. I asked how much for the replacement and they told me "no charge". Awesome!

SS


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  #29  
Old 01-07-2017, 06:34 PM
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anyone have or use the Frabill Trekker Max flip over? Hard finding any reviews on this one.
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  #30  
Old 01-10-2017, 04:25 PM
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Default Attention Clam Owners

Where do I purchase an insulated Clam Flip tent. The only one I can find anywhere is the Nanook. I was hoping to buy a heavier insulated model. 900-1800 denier. Any suggestions would help.

Thanks
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