Frabill Ambush Series Shanties

[FK fishing]

I heard Frabill's new Ambush Series shanties have side doors to eliminate the need to cross over your electronics when exiting the shanty. Thoughts on this concept?

[LMITOUT]

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3118466/I_like_it#Post3118466

I like the side door idea but don't care for that style of camouflage. We're not duck or turkey hunting out of ice shelters, last I checked.

[Scott O.]

The camo on these new shelters is Fishouflage, and specifically the walleye pattern. If you haven't heard of it, it isn't your normal camo. And no, it doesn't camouflage you from fish cuz that would be silly. It's more of a statement item that says "I'm a fisherman". The patterns currently available on fishouflage.com are actually quite neat and the clothing line is very well made. I have ordered and used the walleye pattern in several different items and they are quite nice and make for great conversation pieces. I would encourage you to check out the site.

[FK fishing]

The fishouflage pattern is very cool, and I also heard they made the front more vertical to increase the headroom/space inside. Can't wait to see one in person!!

[silverbulletguy]

I'm still curious to see how the tubes are designed out to make it work to put a door on the sides.

[LMITOUT]

I'm aware of what Fishouflage is. Fish or not, the color just doesn't fit an ice fishing application, IMO. It just looks goofy on the ice.

[silverbulletguy]

Does the Otter camo "fit" better? Or does that look "goofy" too?

It is obviously a marketing choice to differentiate their product from the others.

[LMITOUT]

I have the Otter in blue ice camo and yes, it does "fit" better as it doesn't look like a duck blind sitting on the ice.

[picksbigwagon]

Are the ambush thermal fully thermal or just the top? The pictures look like just a thermal top and plain sides.....making me leans towards an otter

[LMITOUT]

The Ambush line has three models and one of them is thermal. The product guide doesn't say which panel(s) are insulated on the thermal model.

[silverbulletguy]

And here I thought it looked like a duck blind until I saw the trademark Frabill yellow and black. What was I thinking?

[aczr2k]

I was interested in these until I seen they were smaller than the predator houses. Now I think I will keep what I have.

[Muskiemanzan13]

I'm a fan of the side door idea. Just the camo drives me away.

[mrpike1973]

i,m a fisherman not a hunter if anything turns me away its camo

[toughguy]

You guys sound like a bunch of women talking about shoes. Function takes priority of looks any day for me.

[SalmonSlayer]

You guys sound like a bunch of women talking about shoes. Function takes priority of looks any day for me.

If I'm spending $800 why can't I have both?

[Fred_Bear]

Everyone is so concerned with appearance, but no one mentions the different structural pole design that will be required for these houses. There is obviously a pole missing where the side doors are. This is definitely different than other traditional flip overs and I could see it making the set up process take longer. I really want to see a picture of the inside of these shelters so I can wrap my head around how this new pole design functions.

[CaptainMusky]

I guess the way I would envision that pole system working is a extendable pole along the bottom, like today. Then a "U" shaped pole from the top pole forward which is supported by the bottom pole with two extension poles.

I havent seen the system, but by the pictures I would think that would be about how they would do it.

[toughguy]

Good point. I didn't notice the missing pole/post.

[toughguy]

here is another pic with more camo on the front Doesn't give any more clues about the poles but there's something there holding the top up. My guess is there are other supports that will need to be locked in like you have on most flip overs that run along the roof. Might not be as quick/easy to move around??? Maybe there is a post on a hinge that swings into place? The site I found this on says they will come in 3 sizes

There's more info on page 6 of this link.

http://www.planomolding.com/catalogs/2013-Frabill-Ice.pdf

The largest side step model is smaller than an otter lodge. That's a concern for me. I like the size of the lodge.

[FK fishing]

Good question on the bracing! I will inquire and report back what I find out.

[FK fishing]

Here is what they say:

There is a U frame that is connected to the rest of the shack that folds up, then one extra adjustable brace to put up to secure. Set up takes 30 seconds once you hit your spot. Videos are currently being made.

Quick set-up sounds good!! Can't wait to see one in person!

[silverbulletguy]

I'm still curious to see how the tubes are designed out to make it work to put a door on the sides.

Ya I wondered this too.

[CaptainMusky]

Here is what they say:

There is a U frame that is connected to the rest of the shack that folds up, then one extra adjustable brace to put up to secure. Set up takes 30 seconds once you hit your spot. Videos are currently being made.

Quick set-up sounds good!! Can't wait to see one in person!

that's exactly how I thought they would do it. I like the side doors. If they build a better sled like otter I would buy one because this will be more convenient. But I need a asked that can take a beating and I just haven't seen that from frabill up to otter standards anyway.