Big Buddy vs Regular Heater

[Dykhuizen45]

I have the insulated Otter Lodge fish house and need to buy a heater. Is the buddy heater enough to warm it up on very cold days or should I go with the Big Buddy? Worried about the bigger sizer of the heater if I don't need it. Space is always a concern. Thanks.

[CaptainMusky]

Personally I would get the big buddy even though it may not be necessary much of the time. I hate getting cold and the buddy would probably be working overtime on the coldest days but fine on warmer days.

[Archerysniper]

I would rather be able to turn it down or run it on pilot with the big buddy than the buddy not getting warm enough.

[dan z]

If space is aloud go with the big buddy. I have a otter t600 cabin and have a big buddy and its more than enough heat. If you get caught in really cold weather the extra heat will be nice. I have mine joined up to a 20# cylinder.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I would rather be able to turn it down or run it on pilot with the big buddy than the buddy not getting warm enough.

What he said.

I also have an Otter Lodge and I use the big buddy. It's not always cranked up on high but on the minus 0 days it's nice to have the extra schmaz available to keep me toasty.

[Queenswake]

I would try to get both if you can swing it. You are looking at $200 to buy both. Nice to have options depending on that day's weather.

[aanderud]

I'd get the big buddy. I got one a couple years back and I've been loving it. (Actually had to eat some crow because I was railing on the buddy heaters for a few years after a bad experience with one up on URL back in '08 or so). You can always turn it down, versus having a smaller unit running on high and still having freezing in your holes on those really cold days.

When I got it, I wasn't keen on using D cells to power the fan, so I got a 6 volt rechargeable battery that was made for trail cams and whatnot to power the fan (I stick the battery in one of the sides that would be for a 1 pound propane tank, since I use the 20 pound tank). To be honest I've only used the fan once I think, sort of as a test to see what it does for you. It makes a HUGE difference in heating capacity, LOL. I think it'll have to be 20 degrees below zero to really need it in the insulated otter lodge. Or, it may help dry out my 5 year old's gloves faster when he gets them wet

[gonehunting]

+1 on big buddy. I have an insulated Otter Lodge. It's nice to have the extra heat when you need it as everyone has said.

[OnIce]

With an insulated house, the regular buddy should be enough. I have both the regular and the big buddy, and 80% of the time I use the regular, and this is with an non-insulated 2-3 man house.

If money isn't an issue, and you have the space, go ahead with the big buddy, it isn't that much bigger, but the regular will probably meet your needs, unless you are out in sub-zero weather a lot.

[swmndeerhunter]

I was actually in Menards the other day and noticed they came out with another model that is in between the buddy and big buddy heater. Its camo, in between sizes and still allows for 2- 1LB cylinders and had the handle of the smaller version. Don't know about if it has a fan or not though like the big buddy. Believe the heater was 6,000 and 12,000 BTU's, which is right in between the 4&9 for the buddy and 4,9,18 of the big buddy. I have the big buddy now, but if I needed to get a new one, I'd get this one for sure given I very rarely ever use the big buddy on high.

Just looked online and its called the "Portable Hunting Buddy by Mr. Heater"

[JoeMX1825]

I agree that if your house is insulated a regular buddy will be fine...I have a XT900 Cabin and rarely have my buddy heater highler than low (I keep all the vents open because it gets so hot inside)

The size difference between a Buddy & Big Buddy is quite a bit...less size = more room for gear and less weight...

[holmsvc]

I have a newer insulated Otter Lodge and use a big buddy. It only takes a couple minutes even when it is really cold to get the house warm and then I turn it down. I like being able to get the house warm quickly.

[Iceboy]

I've had both, and really prefer the Big Buddy! It's nice to be able to blast the heat for a few minutes when you first get the shack setup or when you get back in after doing tipup stuff, yet you can still run it as low as the buddy for just a little extra space.

[Rugbyguy]

When I got it, I wasn't keen on using D cells to power the fan, so I got a 6 volt rechargeable battery that was made for trail cams and whatnot to power the fan (I stick the battery in one of the sides that would be for a 1 pound propane tank, since I use the 20 pound tank). To be honest I've only used the fan once I think, sort of as a test to see what it does for you. It makes a HUGE difference in heating capacity, LOL. I think it'll have to be 20 degrees below zero to really need it in the insulated otter lodge. Or, it may help dry out my 5 year old's gloves faster when he gets them wet

How did you rig the 6 volt battery in place of the D cells?

[Rick G]

There is a small 6v plug in on the back of the Big Buddy. I too have a pack instead of the d cell batteries. I used a chunk of Velcro to mount a battery pack from a cordless landline phone to the bottom of the Big Buddy. I get 3-4 days of use from a 1200 mAh pack.

[EBass]

If you just want to heat the ice house - Big Buddy. If you want to use it in your boat as well - Mr. Heater. A little bit of wind knocks the pilot light out on the Big Buddy. That being said I have the Big Buddy and had it for years.

[Dykhuizen45]

Thanks for all the helpful responses. I went to Scheels and bought the Reconditioned Big Buddy for $99 and I did look at the new one at Mills Fleet Farm. It doesn't have a fan.

[d beyer]

Also the new hunting buddy only runs off 1 tank. The other side is for extra tank storage. They have a video for it on Amazon.

[gonehunting]

Too bad I didn't mention this earlier. You can buy the new(non-conditioned} ones for $99 on sale at Menards, Fleetfarm, or L&M Fleet come ice season. I believe I may have even gotten mine for $90. You should still have a warranty on yours anyway so should be good to go. You won't regret the big buddy.

[cavalierowner]

I have an insulated 4 x 8 suitcase style CanvasCraft that I heat with my regular Buddy heater. The coldest I have fished was about -10 with probably a 10 mph wind. I just about froze to death setting it up! It took about 10 to 15 minutes to warm it up, then I went to low and left it there. I fished in shirtsleeves the whole time and had the door zipper open about 6" or so. It was fine. BUT, I used to have an uninsulated 6 x 8 suitcase style and the regular Buddy was NOT fine! That said, if you have the room for a Big Buddy and the little extra cost isn't a big deal, that's what I would go with. You never know when you might need that extra heat.

[Dahitman44]

No question on the Big Buddy. Bigger is Better when we are talking heat in -10 with 30 mph wind.