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Fraiball erects vs old rtechs and canvas craft.

Roomylegend

By Roomylegend
in Ice Fishing

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Roomylegend Explorer

Roomylegend

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I have a red and black r tech and I want to get a new one. What is better the new r techs or the canvas craft. I am looking for durability. I have had to many problems with the old r tec and am wondering if there is any difference in the skins of canvas craft vs r tec( new ones). Or vs rtec ( red and black vs the new canvas craft. I am absolutely a mess over my old rtec and I want some peace of mind in what to do? Thx for any advice.

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Brad B Veteran

Brad B

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Canvas craft was the company that did the red and black r tec houses for frabill. the new r tecs are done by another company now for frabill but canvas craft still supplies the material for the houses since they hold exculsive rights to the material. the outer and inner layers are the same the only difference is that the insulation layer has changed to I believe a little thicker layer now. go to canvas crafts web site and go to the fish house section from there go to the page the talks about the norpac(r tec) fabric. it should explain the difference between the orginal norpak(r tec)and the newer verison.

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Roomylegend Explorer

Roomylegend

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Thank you!!

I think I am going to sell my frabil. And get a canvas craft. I talked to them today and they said they did not make the red r techs. Either way my r tec is to heavy for me and I like jhaving canvas craft in my own back yard.

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Ed Carlson Grand Master

Ed Carlson

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The new Frabill "Predator R-2 Tech" is a lot differential then the original version. Frame is 1.25" and modular to eliminate stress, and the canvas has been reinforced at all stress points including the draft shirt. If you have not looked closely at the new Predator R-2 Tech, I would first.

There are also 3 new models in the Frabill R-2 Tech line this season.

The "Guardian R-2 Tech", the "Pro R-2 Tech", and the "Commando R-2 Tech". If lighter is a plus for you, then there are lighter more compact options and versions in R-2 Tech insulated shelters.

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walleye44 Rising Star

walleye44

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Thank you!!

I think I am going to sell my frabil. And get a canvas craft. I talked to them today and they said they did not make the red r techs. Either way my r tec is to heavy for me and I like jhaving canvas craft in my own back yard.

You will not regret buying a Canvas house. I love mine... I like the fact that they are still made in the USA & not China also.

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Hookmaster Mentor

Hookmaster

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I bought a Canvas Craft insulated house at the ice fishing show. It is everything I imagined it would be. I went Canvas Craft because they are the only ones making the double flip and I am still using the Otter flip over I bought in 1995 before Otter and Canvas Craft split. Be sure and look at the weights of the insulated houses. The Frabill are much heavier.

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Roomylegend Explorer

Roomylegend

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I have seen the new frabill r techs and there very flashy! But I think canvas craft is a nicer house. And even though they have don't have the bells and whistles that frabill do they are in Minnesota and u should always buy local. At least I believe. I just need to get rid of my current rtec and that is not easy.

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AndRo Collaborator

AndRo

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I acutally purchased my Frabill through a guy who works at canvascraft. He ever said if I need anything for my shack to ask, and they sell everything parts wise (windows, poles, nuts, bolts, patches, reflectors). My skin is stamped Frabill and he said that they actually make them.

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Roomylegend Explorer

Roomylegend

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Huh well I'll have to stop by. And see if they have the supplies for frail still. Who did you talk to? How do u like ur retch is it the red and black one?

And is that fabric different from the ones they use on there new ones? I love my retch but they could have designed it better!!! Plus I can find repair stuff to match. But they are minor stuff so not the end of the world.

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AndRo Collaborator

AndRo

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Huh well I'll have to stop by. And see if they have the supplies for frail still. Who did you talk to? How do u like ur retch is it the red and black one?

And is that fabric different from the ones they use on there new ones? I love my retch but they could have designed it better!!! Plus I can find repair stuff to match. But they are minor stuff so not the end of the world.

I believe I spoke with Ben. Mine is the black variety. I have not got my hands on a new one, but mine was new last year, the 7080, and love it. I have never been worried about durability, seems to be top quality.

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Roomylegend Explorer

Roomylegend

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Well you are lucky then to enjoy ur rtec. I love the sled and seats but the skin in not top quality. The new ones are defiantly better. But I think canvas craft is not as fancy but more durable. Either way I need a change so when I'm fishing I can enjoy my ho use and not stress.

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aczr2k Proficient

aczr2k

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Reeds is fire saleing out there Predator R2tec houses for $799. I had heard through the grapevine that Frabill was redesigning them for next year. Ed do you know anything about this? The only thing I can see them changing is to cheapen them up by not using the norpac material and using some china made JUNK. Only to drop the price to be more competitive? A very poor decision if thats what they do. The R2tec is a premium house and I will gladly pay a premium price for it.

Once you fish out of a norpac portable house you will only fish out of a norpac portable house.

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Ed Carlson Grand Master

Ed Carlson

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No, diminishing the quality is not in the Frabill play book for the line...far from it.

If I were to bet, my money would be laid on new features and upgrades that respond to trends and customer feedback.

The Frabill Predator line and the R-2 Tech Predator has continued to prove to be a huge success.

Inventory blow out games are at the individual retailers whim, and hard to predict why. Primarily it's in reaction to inventory reduction. That may be the result of many influences and concerns, seasonal, financial, retail and warehouse floor space management...ect..ect.

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AndRo Collaborator

AndRo

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Probably has a lot to do with the accessories. They usually don't make a killing off of the big purchase, it is the accessories where they make bank. So sell a fish house cheap... now you need an auger, a fishing pole, all the upgrades.

Same thing for like best buy, there really isn't much of a markup on the computers/tv's. But they do make a killing on keyboards, cables, mice, speakers and other accessories.

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walleye44 Rising Star

walleye44

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Reeds is fire saleing out there Predator R2tec houses for $799. I had heard through the grapevine that Frabill was redesigning them for next year. Ed do you know anything about this? The only thing I can see them changing is to cheapen them up by not using the norpac material and using some china made JUNK. Only to drop the price to be more competitive? A very poor decision if thats what they do. The R2tec is a premium house and I will gladly pay a premium price for it.

Once you fish out of a norpac portable house you will only fish out of a norpac portable house.

"Once you fish out of a norpac portable house you will only fish out of a norpac portable house." True that dude!!!

When I was looking at houses, I asked Canvas Craft & they do not build the Frabill's anymore. They do supply the Norpac rough material, but it is all made in China.. frown

Just buy it directly from Canvas Craft then. Made in the USA & quality built houses. I stand by american made.. smile

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walleye44 Rising Star

walleye44

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Probably has a lot to do with the accessories. They usually don't make a killing off of the big purchase, it is the accessories where they make bank. So sell a fish house cheap... now you need an auger, a fishing pole, all the upgrades.

Same thing for like best buy, there really isn't much of a markup on the computers/tv's. But they do make a killing on keyboards, cables, mice, speakers and other accessories.

Yeah, you are right there.. That caddy otter makes looks nice, but for the price??

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walleye44 Rising Star

walleye44

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Huh well I'll have to stop by. And see if they have the supplies for frail still. Who did you talk to? How do u like ur retch is it the red and black one?

And is that fabric different from the ones they use on there new ones? I love my retch but they could have designed it better!!! Plus I can find repair stuff to match. But they are minor stuff so not the end of the world.

Talk with Ben at the Roger location. I am pretty sure they do not build the Frabills anymore..

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walleye44 Rising Star

walleye44

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Well you are lucky then to enjoy ur rtec. I love the sled and seats but the skin in not top quality. The new ones are defiantly better. But I think canvas craft is not as fancy but more durable. Either way I need a change so when I'm fishing I can enjoy my ho use and not stress.

By Fancy do you mean the color? It is an all Black Canvas.. I think it looks sharp & plus the sun heats it up too, since it is black.

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Ed Carlson Grand Master

Ed Carlson

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Norpac is licensed by 3-M to only a few manufactures for use, and Canvas Craft was the only manufacturer for the R2-Techs for Frabill since the lines inception. I do not believe that has changed.

If Canvas Craft is now subcontracting it out for Frabill to meet the demand, I'm not aware of that happening. I can find out quick enough if need be. To my understanding 3-M did not wish the Norpack products to be licensed for use in China and I don't believe that has changed.

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Roomylegend Explorer

Roomylegend

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Fancy by the color and gimmicks like rod holders and stuff. Everyone says canvas craft makes the rtechs It's so confusing lol. If you could find out that would be awesome. So I got rid of my rtech and next year it's canvas craft unless there is a better insulated house that is more durable?

They look all rite but I like to have crazy different stuff cuz of my personality lol. Would be nice to have there logo or stuff to. But shop knows! There simple and rugged I believe and that's in itself rare.

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