Hub style shelters

[kensom]

I am considering a hub style shelter to add to my arsenal of ice gear. Any feedback from users regarding pros and cons of hub vs flip-over type shelters? I am thinking of setting up a larger hub type shelter over a sled for additional headroom vs a flip over. How easy/difficult is it to set up, relocate, and take down hub shelters?

[shizzy]

this has been covered a few times (seach button)

I have a hub and like it, however I would also love to have a sled type as well. each has its pluses and minuses.

[skee0025]

I'll take my hub over other styles anyday. I can fit everything shelter and all into the trunk of my car...cant do that with a flip over. There is also more room in a hub for the buck. I took a friend fishing last year and she liked my hub more than her friends flip over(she was next to us on the lake)

[Chode2235]

I had an old HT hub, which are not nearly as nice as the newer hubs and sold it for an otter flip over. The hubs are great lightweight shelters that pack nicely into my car, and when you can set them up when there isnt any wind.

They can be a pain to deal with in the wind.

[PTocko]

I purchased an Eskimo Quick Fish 3 last year - nice house. My "go to" house is my clam scout but wanted something a little bigger as my 4 year old is getting into fishing. Pretty easy to set-up / take down. Make sure you anchor at least one corner if there is any wind (before setting it up). Lots of room and they are a good value. Easy to put in the car as they pack small. Cons - they are not as portable as a flip over. They are larger so need a larger heater (big buddy minimum IMO) and because they are tall the heat rises - fan is a must (again IMO). Need to factor costs of a sled and chairs as you will need something to pull it out onto the lake with and something to sit in. Putting away when really cold can be a race against frozen fingers. In they end, they have their place on the ice. I can tell you that I picked eskimo over clam (and I am a diehard clam guy) for a couple of reasons. 1) The eskimo's had velcroed in windows which makes them very easy to replace if they crack (mine never did but its easy to swap out if they do). 2) The ice screws seemed better. I sold my hub style and purchased a new clam trap nanook thermal - bigger than my scout but (hopefully) just as easy to set-up and take down. Hope this helps. Paul

[rusty rapala]

I bought an Otter swivel seat for my Otter sled and plan to purchase a Clam base camp (thermal) to put over it. I also purchased some 2'x2' rubber squares that snap together to cover some or most of the floor for added warmth with my buddy heater. I went with this setup as I have a car and have limited options.

[NCLaker]

IMO it some key factors really depends on what type of ice fisherman you are and what you have to transport and store your stuff.

If you are a serious run & gun, & spend a lot of time on the ice - quality flip over is the way to go. Moving from spot to spot is a snap because you keep nearly everything in your sled and so to pack up all you do is flip it back over and your are ready to go. Also typically have much more durable/sturdy construction & materials. Typically more comfortable and warm. A lot more flexibility to modify and add options & accessories. Some drawbacks are that they are much heavier so harder to get in & out of vehicle and pull by hand across snow, very bulky so need a lot room in your vehicle or trailer or haul, and to store.

Hubs are great because it fold up to almost nothing and are very light. So if you have to walk to your fish spots or only have a vehicle that doesn't have a big cargo area - you can still transport a good sized fish house in a hub style. Even the 6 man versions are pretty light and fold up to a small package. They also don't require much space to store. Compared to most flipovers of equivelent size, they are less expensive. These are really the key reasons to go with a hub - great option for those that only get out a few times a season.