zppeterson

MBAP- how did you attach those lights to your poles?

I have the LX-7 and really like it. A lot of changeable features on it to customize the view to the style of fishing you are doing. My cousin, who I fish with most of the time, has the FLX28. Through watching him use it while we have been fishing, it looks like a really nice piece of equipment. Although I would give a slight edge to the LX-7 (maybe I'm biased). Bottom line, go to a place that has both. Spend some time studying them over in the store and check out all of their features and decide which is best for you. If you can find someone that already has one or both of the units that you are interested in that you could fish with for a half day and see how they work on the ice would be a definite bonus as well.

What size did you get? I have the XT650 Lodge. Auger and pack shovel go in the sled behind the seat. Small plastic tote with misc stuff (gas cans, auger blades, extra battery, rope, ice cleats, propane bottles, etc) goes under the seat, big buddy lays down under the seat, a 5 gallon bucket laid down somewhere in the middle. Flasher usually rides in the truck or is tucked in a safe spot in the middle of all the stuff listed above.

I have last years XT650 lodge. I don't think you'll be disappointed in having the thermal top. Great house for the money. I also have a big buddy and rarely take it off low. The one time I did turn it up last year was -15 with a wind. The bench is comfortable but there are times I do wish I had the individual seats. It will definitely be better and much warmer than your pop up.

I've never had an issue with my big buddy laying in the sled of my Otter Lodge (something will break the next time I go to use it now that I say that) I usually have it surrounded by other stuff i have stored in there so it doesn't bounce around too much.

Not to muddy the waters, but I bought an Otter XT650 lodge last year. I bought it because it was a great price (not from a retailer) and new in the box. Having been the first and only Otter I have ever fished out of, I am very impressed. Definitely like the bench seat option, and fished in plenty of below zero days and was comfortable in a sweat shirt with the heater going. All boils down to personal preference and what will work for you. Let us know what you end up with.

1- Buy the house you want. Whether that means full insulated, thermal top, or not insulated at all. Make sure you have what you think will meet your needs now, and for however long you intend to have the house. 2- Doesn't matter what the weight of the house is by itself, they're all heavy once you load them up with gear (augers, flashers, heaters, propane, ect.) 3- Build yourself a smitty sled for pulling around your new heavy ice house. Makes things loads easier, and you are much more apt to be willing to move to try new spots if things are easier to transport.

I know a guy last year that picked one up for $525

Something that rattles/makes noise and glows if fishing is slow

I run 50:1 in mine and haven't had any issues

After seeing this thread a few weeks ago I found a set of skis and built a smitty sled for my new Otter Lodge XT650..... What a difference!

Another option if for some reason contacting Clam doens't work out, would be to add Reflectix to your current skin. Did this to the roof and back in my old portable and it made a big difference in heat retention and stopped any condensation from forming on the ceiling. All told I think I had maybe $50 into it.

I lucked out a few years ago. Clam was discontinuing the small LED pods and going to the bigger set ups that they have now. I ordered 4 sets of the lights from their HSOforum for $4/set. The work great and provide enough light that a headlamp isn't needed anymore. Just have them hung on the front, center, and rear poles of the portable. I don't have any pictures but will try to get some if you interested in seeing the set up. To clarify, I have them wired back to a switch box and have 2 control switches. One switch controls only the rear set of lights for digging through the tub for rods/bait/jigs/ect. and the other switch controls the 2 sets on the center bar and the one set on the front bar. They run off a 12 volt battery which is more than enough juice for a full weekend of fishing.

I picked up 2 Shimano Siennas this year, and I'll be back for more. For the $30 price point these reels are hard to beat. I went from using store bought combos thinking the reels that came with them were good enough, to thinking I need to update almost all of my rods and reels now.

From what I have heard, Otter will not be selling just the skin of the new shelters, at least for now. Demand has been high enough for the full shelter kits that they are using all in stock skins for that purpose. why not sell your current shelter and upgrade? Any used otter is pulling a premium in the used market so it would probably cost you about the same to upgrade as it would to just buy the new skin.