Ice bandit portable

[kevfish]

I seen in a menards add that they are selling Ice Bandit portable houses- has any one seen one of these. Are they total junk or worth the $129 Sorry for the multiple posts- I bought a cheap computer and look what happens. Maybe this should tell me something about the portable

[Captain B.R.K]

Geez- 3 times for your post?!?!? You must really be lookin' to get some information.

Sorry, never heard of those portables before.

Save your money and spend another $70-85 and buy a Fish Trap scout. You'll be happy you spent the extra ching.

[hanson]

kevfish-

I was a part time Menards employee this summer so it seemed kind of odd that Menards was selling an ice house this winter. It seemed kind of odd at first but Menards sells a wide variety of items to appeal to a wide variety of people.

I have seen the house in person. I just strolled by it but should have paid more attention to it. It has an approximate 4x6' footprint and a 4-1/2'-5' high height. It has a plastic base about 2-1/2'-3' wide and the length of the sled. The house 'overhangs' the base to give it its width, much like the 1060 Clam does on the ends. The canvas material looked to be of quality. Once again, I just strolled by the house so these are my observations.

You could easily fish 1 person with a bunch of gear. 2 people would be fairly cramped.

I have no idea how it sets up, takes down, or how compactly it may fold up.

I'm skeptical about a lot of things so of course I'm skeptical of the quality of this little house. But for the price, maybe that is alright.

[frozen toes]

That house is identical to one I bought last year, but don't have it anymore. The concept is good, but the material is not. The sled they use is very thin and brittle. It will crack and break when it gets cold . The canvas actually isn't too bad, but thin. They are designed to fold up and sit inside the sled. When it gets cold and you try to fold it up, the brackets that hold the poles to the sled can and will break. I agree with spending a little more and getting something better. If you only fish a couple times a year, it will probably work. Like I said, I tried a cheap one and returned it the same day and bought an Otter Magnum. I also have the Trap Scout and it is also a great product.

[Jeremy airjer W]

You deffinately get what you pay for! If you only go out once or twice a month when its warmer then its not a bad idea. It will probably last the winter possibly the next. I know a guy that bought a cheaper house from the farm last year and bragged half a winter on how much he saved. He only bragged half the winter because thats all his portable shelter lasted. He know owns a otter lodge