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Buddy or Big Buddy for Quickfish 6?

sigosaur

By sigosaur
in Ice Fishing

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sigosaur Enthusiast

sigosaur

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I can get the Buddy for about half the price of the Big Buddy.

Just got the Eskimo today ... gonna get an auger, probably a Mako, by Sunday ... not looking forward to spending more than I need to.

From what I've found so far, it sounds like the regular Buddy can keep the Eskimo warm (I plan to get a few squares of that foam-rubber garage flooring). What I'm mostly concerned about at this point is quality. Is the Big Buddy simply bigger ... or is it somehow more reliable?

Thanks!

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merkman Grand Master

merkman

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If you can in any way, I would go with the big buddy.

You have the same heat settings as the Buddy with an extra high setting on the big buddy, the propane quick disconnect fitting is already installed, there is a fan and you know you will have enough heat for this house, colder days in this house, future houses, and where ever else you may find yourself using a portable heater.

If you don't want to buy another one in the future, go with the big buddy.

If you can't go for the extra coin then get the buddy.

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bobbymalone Grand Master

bobbymalone

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I run a regular buddy in my QF6 and get by alright. Especially if there are some warm bodies and a couple lanterns going in there after dark to keep the temp up.

If price and portability aren't as big a factor, go with the Big Buddy. It'll keep you warmer.

I don't think one is more reliable than other.

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RIPN LIPS

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the big buddy for sure the fan is great and you never know when your going to want the extra heat. n....... tool has them for 109.99 only 20 buck more than the little one. watch for sales i got mine last year at the store with a internet coupon for 89.99.

i used it in my 26' camper this deer season when the jenny died and it heated up really fast and the low o2 sensor is a plus

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sigosaur Enthusiast

sigosaur

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the big buddy for sure the fan is great and you never know when your going to want the extra heat. n....... tool has them for 109.99 only 20 buck more than the little one. watch for sales i got mine last year at the store with a internet coupon for 89.99.

i used it in my 26' camper this deer season when the jenny died and it heated up really fast and the low o2 sensor is a plus

Just got off the phone with the Forest Lk location, they got 'em $99 right now ... gonna stop on the way home.

Thanks!!!

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sigosaur Enthusiast

sigosaur

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Sounds like your getting rigged up with some great value items to get fully outfitted for the season. You'll be really glad you went with the Big Buddy.

Ya ... been toying with the idea for a few years ... rented a deal on Red Lake, January ... holes dried up ... drove all that way to catch one fish ... thankfully, it was in the slot, and enough to make us wanna do it again ... but much closer to home.

I've looked at shaks over the years ... they always seemed so small ... even for just one guy. This QuickFish kinda took me by surprise. When I saw it last week, for the first time, I didn't even give it much thought ... figured it was just some new gimmick. Then I went back yesterday over lunch, took a closer look ... thing is HUGE! Asked about taking it down ... one of the kids working, stepped right over, and took it down, without even rushing at all, in about 45 seconds ... back up again, almost as quick ... for $270, I bought it right then!

May as well get a decent heater 'n auger for it, eh?

As luck would have it, I actually bought a huge Otter sled years ago (we duck hunted with a canoe, and towed this behind loaded up with gear ... actually worked a lot better than you'd think ... set it on top of the bog, then we could actually get more than 3ft from each other) ... ain't been duck hunting in a few years ... but I still got the sled. I figure, if I can't drive up to the holes, I can pull everything in the sled.

This'll be nice to get the boy, and maybe even his sister(s) outta the house a few times.

For what we paid at Red Lake, I figure the whole setup'll be paid off by the end of next season.

Really appreciate the good advice, here! Never occurred to me Cabela's might be 50% too high. $80 vs. $100 is no contest!

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NCLaker Veteran

NCLaker

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Great job on taking advantage of all the deals! Sounds like someone get A LOT of early Xmas gifts grin

If you don't already have one, I would put a flasher high on your list of next big ticket items to get, then a hand held GPS+Lakes chip. Both will make a big difference with finding & catching more fish wink

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sigosaur Enthusiast

sigosaur

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If you don't already have one, I would put a flasher high on your list of next big ticket items to get, then a hand held GPS+Lakes chip. Both will make a big difference with finding & catching more fish wink

Appreciate the help!

I had to look-up "flasher" ... I guess, for the little bit I've talked about 'em, I've always just referred to 'em as Vexilars ... presuming I've got the lingo right? The few times I've used 'em, I've found 'em to be one of the most frustrating pieces of equipment ever devised. It's one thing to not catch fish ... but to know, without a doubt, they're down there staring at my hook ... if it were my own, I'd've just thrown it down the hole.

I've got GPS on my iPhone. Not sure how useful it might be on the ice. I also have a Rhino that's a few years old. Just haven't felt a need to use such a thing for fishing or hunting. I've brought the Rhino along ... just didn't use it. Then again, I've never been so portable, ice fishing, before. Couldn't do much about it, if we weren't catching anything. Might be worth bringing along, now.

I'm not quite sure what an "ice chip" is ... but I think I'll wait to see how the Rhino does, as is, first.

I think I've spent enough money ... this year! eek

Wife and kids have no clue ... Christmas morning, Santa's gonna set up the QuickFish next to the tree! cool

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NCLaker Veteran

NCLaker

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Originally Posted By: NCLaker
If you don't already have one, I would put a flasher high on your list of next big ticket items to get, then a hand held GPS+Lakes chip. Both will make a big difference with finding & catching more fish wink

Appreciate the help!

I had to look-up "flasher" ... I guess, for the little bit I've talked about 'em, I've always just referred to 'em as Vexilars ... presuming I've got the lingo right? The few times I've used 'em, I've found 'em to be one of the most frustrating pieces of equipment ever devised. It's one thing to not catch fish ... but to know, without a doubt, they're down there staring at my hook ... if it were my own, I'd've just thrown it down the hole.

I've got GPS on my iPhone. Not sure how useful it might be on the ice. I also have a Rhino that's a few years old. Just haven't felt a need to use such a thing for fishing or hunting. I've brought the Rhino along ... just didn't use it. Then again, I've never been so portable, ice fishing, before. Couldn't do much about it, if we weren't catching anything. Might be worth bringing along, now.

I'm not quite sure what an "ice chip" is ... but I think I'll wait to see how the Rhino does, as is, first.

I think I've spent enough money ... this year! eek

Wife and kids have no clue ... Christmas morning, Santa's gonna set up the QuickFish next to the tree! cool

You are ahead of a lot of us if you have enough self control to know when you've spent enough on ice fishing stuff this early in the season whistle

Nice thing about the quickfish hub style shacks it that the kids can use them year round: really cool indoor fort to play in, and a floorless tent for outdoor sleepovers/camping in the summer.

As for the Flasher/Vexilar & GPS, you really need to get out with someone that knows how to use these items for ice fishing success - then you'll really get an appreciation for how much they help you find and catch more fish. I would not go out fishing without them.

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sigosaur Enthusiast

sigosaur

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As for the Flasher/Vexilar & GPS, you really need to get out with someone that knows how to use these items for ice fishing success - then you'll really get an appreciation for how much they help you find and catch more fish. I would not go out fishing without them.

Ya ... I saw the guy on TV ... working the lure ... based on what the vexilar was showing. I have little doubt it's infinitely more fun to know what you're doing, and catch more fish.

Unfortunately, some of my fondest memories are of fishing with Grandad ... needless to say, we had no such devices. We caught more fish than God! Those days are gone, of course ... in too many ways.

If we can get thru this season, who knows, we may get one, next year. I'm not opposed to new technology ... just learning how to use it, properly. frown

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sigosaur Enthusiast

sigosaur

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sigo, download the navionics iphone lakemap application, very useful for ice fishing - shows the contours identical the the navionics "ice chip." I think it's less than $5.

The kids are going to have a blast in the new fort.

Thanks for the tip ... I'll check it out!

I have little doubt the kids will love it! grin

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