Otter XT900 Versus XT1200

[gonehunting]

Is the Otter XT1200 warmer than the XT900? Does it have more insulation or is it just a heavier outer fabric? I have the XT900 and found a great deal on the XT1200. Is it worth the hassle to upgrade?

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

I'd bet not but it all depends on how high you have the heat. What's the price difference??? I had the "old green" Otter Lodge and it was warm but then again it depended on how high the heat was set. I have yet to find a shelter that you could heat with a lantern, like some guys will say they do, unless it is really warm outside. I'd buy a XT900 in a heart beat if it had the bucket seats, was the Cabin and was in very good condition. The new heavier fabrics must be warmer but along with that comes weight and I already carry a heater that I am forced to hand pull my sled onto the ice.

[JoeMX1825]

I too have a XT900, I also thought about upgrading, but decided not to because you're really not gaining anything but spending more $$ and the time and hassle it can take putting the house together. I use a small Buddy heater and have to keep it on low otherwise it gets too hot, another issue with the heavier fabric is that it won't be as plyable (sp) as the XT900 fabric, so folding it inside your framing when heading home can take more effort. I'll only think about upgrading my XT900 when Otter comes out with an insulated side door version like Frabil has, that would be sweet..

[JSK76]

I had the xt950 in the Lodge and this summer I bought a new truck with a 5.5' box so I decided to sell my Lodge and go with a xt1200 Cabin so I can shut my tailgate. I've only used it twice and one thing I noticed is, to me the 1200 cover doesn't seem too fit as nice as the 900 did. I have the velco straps as loose as I can get the, so loose in fact I've had one come on done when setting it up because the tent was so tight. Getting the upper wind poles in the roof is almost impossible it's so tight, it feels like something's going to rip. This had been the issue with two tent covers, first one was sent back do to a window flap only being sewn 1/4 way across (Otter had new on on my door step in 24 hours!). My old xt900 fit like a glove and the xt1200 fits like it needs 1" or more material in all directions. It's possible it may stretch in time. As an owner of both now, as long as you don't mind the ice camo and you already own a xt900 I don't see any benefit to upgrade just for 300 more denier. The xt1200 is a great looking house and the materials seem top notch it just seems like the thicker material doesn't want to stretch and was more noticeable on the lake at 5 above then in the garage at 55.

[DTro]

I've found Otter skins to be a krap shoot. Some fit perfect and others are tighter than a drum.

The standby excuse is "oh it will stretch out eventually". Sometimes yes, sometimes no

I did not have that on my T600, the skirt sat above the ground it was so tight and never stretched out.

Its not necessarily always the thicker material that makes it tight, rather maybe too big of an allowable tolerance from house to house or skin to skin.

[d beyer]

I'm glad I am not the only one who noticed how tight the fabric is on an Otter xt1200. I just put mine together Wednesday and the back 2/3rds is tight as can be. I left it up yesterday but I still can't get the 2nd wind pole from the back to fit. Also noticed a spot about 4inches that the seam stitching is not stitched right. I will be contacting Otter today. Hope I have as good of luck with the CS as others have.

[JSK76]

Beyer, that's the same wind pole I'm having trouble with, looks like I need to cut about 2" off the pole to fit.

[JoeMX1825]

I would hold off cutting anything, the fabric WILL STRETCH, just set it up in your garage and leave it that way for a few weeks...the cold weather is not ideal for this though...

[BartmanMN]

To bad it isn't like buying a kid a bike at Target where you grab the one from the show floor and they build a new one. Nice and pre-stretched for you. Seems like it would be really hard on all the stiching when it needs to stretch out that much.

[Iceboy]

I'd be really happy with tight fabric myself. My Guide loves to flap in the breeze, which is kinda irritating.

[gonehunting]

Thanks for all the replies. Going to hold on to the xt900 for now.

[d beyer]

Contacted CS today and it looks like I have to fill out the warranty claim form. Which means I have to take pics and scan and send copy of my receipt in. Hopefully they stand behind it as I have not even had it on the ice yet. Guess we will see how it goes.

[d beyer]

Filled out warranty claim form yesterday. Had to work 11-7 last night. Had a voicemail from 830 this morning that my new skin is already being sent. They having a carrier pick up the old one. How is that for great CS?! Guess I may be fishing by Thursday after all.