POP UP-Pop open fish houses like Clam and Eskimo etc. are

[laker1]

they durable. It seems they are to good to be true. Just pull a cord on each side and they open. Light weight,some only 15 pounds. Poles breaking or any other problems? Pro's and Con's on these houses and vs getting the sled portables?

[Esox_Magnum]

Good in calm weather, buddy lost his in the wind the other day. Roomy and light, and affordable. Not for everyone but alot of guys like them. You'll still need a sled to haul you eqipment though. I prefer a flip over, all my gears always in the shack, no chance of forgetting something.

[simple1]

I love my pop up A LOT. But I do not think there is such as thing as the all around tent. When it's very cold and windy, the tent is hard to keep wrm and you should get in the habit of getting a steak in the ice before you pop it up. They are well built and they fill a need in my opinion. As said earlier, until you can drive on the ice you will need a small sled for gear. With all this said I just started saving up my money for an insulated Canvas Craft double that will fill a late season tent need. Pop ups are well built but all tens have their prime uses. Pop up tents re light and cheap, pull overs are heavier and more expensive, but can be quicker to move around once on the ice.

Simple1

[ditchpickle6996]

my qf3 is great in the wind once you get used to it and learn the tricks. no sled here just strap it on the atv. would never go back.

[tonkapat]

Good in calm weather, buddy lost his in the wind the other day.

I prefer the hub style houses when theres a lot of wind. The fabric is under tension so it doesn't flap around non stop like tub style flip over houses. As long as you can put an ice screw in the ice your house will never blow away. If you will need to pull a house by hand a hub shack is the only way to go.

[lispeej]

I have the Eskimo qf4 and qf6. I really like them both. But was thinking of trying something new this year. Still contiplating though.

Pros: They both can fit in the back of my SUV. And I don't need a pickup truck. Easy to set up/tear down. Both fairly light. Excellent head room. Spacious. You get to choose what kind of seats you want.

Cons: You'd have to pull a sled also for all your gear. Not many other cons I can think of.

[simple1]

I also think you have to look hard at all the tents before making your decision. Most large stores have several set up for you to walk in. Some questions to ask yourself are how many people do you fish with now, how many do you plan to fish with in 3-5 years ie. do you have younger kids that will fish when older, do you move around a lot on the ice, and finally are the perceived benefits of the shack worth the cost. Answering those questions will also help you decide. But more importantly I would go to a store and get a feel for the possibilities and look at the weight of units and envision how you would use each one.

[lispeej]

I also think you have to look hard at all the tents before making your decision. Most large stores have several set up for you to walk in. Some questions to ask yourself are how many people do you fish with now, how many do you plan to fish with in 3-5 years ie. do you have younger kids that will fish when older, do you move around a lot on the ice, and finally are the perceived benefits of the shack worth the cost. Answering those questions will also help you decide. But more importantly I would go to a store and get a feel for the possibilities and look at the weight of units and envision how you would use each one.

Well said.

[skee0025]

The good thing about the pop ups is that they can be used year round unlike a traditional flip over. Try using your filp over for deer hunting. I've used mine for that purpose several times. They make great portable tents!

[servocam]

I have read a few people having issues - breaking poles, ripping zippers, tearing canvas..etc, however, everyone the manufactures replaced. Not trying to scare you away - as you find posts, you will find some negatives about some.

I wanted a flip over, but it was not going to fit in my vehicle. I decided and purchased the Clam Command Post (6x12) pop-up and this will be my 3rd year using it. I have been very happy with it. I have had a few issues, but nothing devastating (seam unthread on bottom - fix myself, nut coming off, fix myself, rust on some hardware - fix myself).

One thing I learned to make set up easier is to anchor one side first, especially if any wind (had it blow over once during set-up).

Pros: light weight, fits in small vehicle, good range of sizes / spacious.

Cons: difficult set up in wind, not well suited for ice trolling (quick moves), not built on to the sled.

[Hammy]

I snapped a couple poles while taking down during a windy day n a QF3. the store i purchased it from gave me 2 poles and it took me about 5 minutes to swap out the broken poles with the new. I'm better at set up and take down now and haven't had an issue.

the only thing that would have me consider a flip over down the road was the point earlier about having everything in the sled always ready to go.

[TruthWalleyes]

I have a QF3. Like it a lot.

They are very roomy.

I've been in too many broken sled flip overs to ever purchase one. Frozen poles, bent poles, etc.

Plus, a flip over sled is built tougher to support the frame...more weight. By putting all your gear into a sled, including an auger and hub house, i'm quite portable and lighter. I just pull the sled out of my SUV and am good to go!

Generally my QF3 can be set up in under 5 minutes, and thats if i take the time to scoop the ice clean and pack around the flaps.

Packing snow on the hub house flaps will keep it in place in up to 20mph wind. After that, use an anchor or two in the base, and anchor a rope tied to the windy wall to prevent the wall from being collapsed from the wind pressure.

I'll never look back at purchasing my QF3.

Zippers are GREAT too!

[laker1]

Clam vs Eskimo as far as quality and material?

[Gunflint Guy]

never buy a blue house. ever.

[laker1]

I think Eskimo has a little heavier zipper?

[tonkapat]

never buy a blue house. ever.

couldn't agree more.

[mww24]

I'm going on my second year with my clam base camp thermal. I have had no problems and I have fished with it in some windy conditions. Its never collaped or blown away. I broke one piece but thats because I pulled way to hard and fast on the top. It was 100% my fault. I bought it for using when my fiance wants to come with me and the boy. Now i have a 2nd child coming so I'm glad i bought it for that. I have a chevy trailblazer so it's nice that a 4 person house can fit in the little storage area. I also have a one man flip over for when i go alone. They both have there place and you need to figure out what kind of fishing you do most of the time. Ideally I would have my one man and then a large double flip over canvas craft thermal for the 4 of us. But i would need a truck or a trailer to pull it.

[laker1]

Shappell pop ups?

[mww24]

Haven't heard much about shappel's myself.

[scott b]

I have the Shappell 4000. It's a suit case style that has skis that pop up. The other models do not. Two bucket holders so you gear is held. 6ft 4-6"? Two guys with gear comfortably. Four guys no gear comfortably. CARPETED OFF THE ICE FLOOR. Opposing holes, for six eight inch holes in shallow water, Four holes in deep water. Did I mention that it is carpeted to keep the cold out? This is my second one in 14 years and I will never change shacks until I get a permy. The new style lets you take out the windows to double as a hunting blind.

A pull over is for running and gunning. I use this as home base when I'm hole hopping.

I cant believe that every time I go out, I am the only one with this house of a portable. I bought it at the farm store so you guys have had to see them.

For $280 (4 years ago) it is hands down the best money I've ever spent.

Awesome shack!

[laker1]

QF3 eskimo are nice,but does the 80 inch height make it a little hard to hold down in the wind?

The Shappell popups seem to be made of a heavier material than other popups.They do cost more,but their may be a reason for that,better quality?

[laker1]

Sounds like various models have pole breakage. You think they could solve that. Are they cutting corners.

[mnmuskie]

Check out Glens army navy. There own brand. Had for a year like alot. Right now they have 6x12 for $150 and 6x6 for $100.