New Otter 1200 Thermal Review

[Northlander]

Well I figured I would wait until I got some real winter weather before doing a review on my new Otter 1200 Thermal Ice House.

The last few times out fishing its been -11 and -18 and before that I had -22. Setting up and taking down were chilly to say the least but once in the Otter and getting the Little Buddy heater going I was toasty warm.

Best part was no dripping from the ceiling and no wind flap of the canvas. My windows of course did frost up but I had no issues with any cracking or anything even when scraping the frost off in that -22. I did have a little frost on the back canvas seems but I think that may have been taken care of with a bigger heater like my Big Buddy. Next time out I will try that. Also I am going to do a temp check and see what the temp is inside the house verses outside with varying heaters used. I was going to do it last time out but forgot my thermometer.

After having 3 thermal houses I will not go back to a non thermal again. I highly suggest if your in the market for a new Thermal Ice House you check out the Otter line of flip overs.

[picksbigwagon]

Our coldest day out in our 1200 was -5 dropping to -11 right before christmas, had the buddy heater ( not a big one) on low the entire time. I love how easy it is to set up and if the sun is out, it stays warm inside without a heater. Only issue i have had is my fault, I installed one of the pushbutton poles with the pushbutton towards the canvas. Easily fixed but I will not fox it until spring.

My goal is to figure out a way to put the heater in the sled somehow without setting everything and everyone on fire.....I can do it fishing solo in the cabin, but with two people I am not sure it is possible

[Northlander]

Thats a tuff one in a Cabin man. At least with 2 people. Try a computer fan to push that warm air back towards the back window. Thats my next step. Ill just run it off the same battery that does my LED lights.

[LundExplorer]

Where can one buy just the top and pole set? I want to upgrade my lodge with an old top and round pole set. Cabelas sells only the full package.

[picksbigwagon]

sell the old lodge and buy a new package that has the seats....it is worth it

[mtwalleye]

Picked up my new Cabin last week. Was skeptical about all the reports of the thermal making a big difference on heating. Well this thing is warm! Ran heat on low and had vent open. Worth the extra money. Never going back to a non thermal. Have been looking all over for a travel cover. Everyone is sold out. Finally found one today on Amazon.

[Northlander]

Where can one buy just the top and pole set? I want to upgrade my lodge with an old top and round pole set. Cabelas sells only the full package.

You cant this year but next winter you will be able to.

[CaptainMusky]

Thats good. I would really like to upgrade my poles. I bought upgraded canvas a couple years ago, but no poles and mine are dump. The new poles are so much better.

[minky]

I need to check this house out!

Looks really nice.

[Northlander]

Im running the 1200 Cabin and I havent had to use anything but my Lil Buddy Heater even in -22 temps. No dripping and no wind flapping noises. Best Otter yet!