Heater to buy: Buddy or Big Buddy

[The Chemist]

Looking for something that will keep the house warm but a little more enclosed than my Mr. Heater. Also what's the best price anyone has seen.

[only ice]

i picked up a big buddy last year and love it. they did do a recall on some but the problem was when you have two one pounders on it was freezing up. I use a 20lb tank hooked up to one side and have never had a problem.The 3 settings are great.Not sure what your heating up but you can always turn it down, but if you have the little one you have half the btus!!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Of course I'll be replying to this one!

The buddy heater is a good heater for a smaller shelter. It has a 4,000 and 9,000 btu setting.

The big buddy is about twice the price but offers much more. Three heat settings, 4,000 9,000 & 18,000 btus. It has a built in fan which runs on 4D batteries (which last 6-8 hours, If I remember right) or it can be powered by a 6volt a/c adapter that can be plugged into a wall outlet. I'm stilled puzzled as to why they didn't go with a twelve volt fan, I guess there would be two many batteries that would add to much wieght. This is a great feature wich keeps the heat even inside of the shelter! You can use either two 1lb cylinders which won't last long on the high setting or a larger Propane tank and a hose, which I currently use. It also has a quick connect r.v. type fitting which I havn't used yet.

The drawbacks to the big buddy are that it weighs alot, and it has had its problems last year. I don't mind the extra weight as the heat it provides is worth it and I did't have any problems with it last year. Both of the units are prone to shutting off if there is alot of drafts in a shelter. I didn't have a problem with this either but others have.

I have both. I used the buddy for two years in my two man clam. It provided plenty of heat except on the really cold and windy days. I used the big buddy last year in my Otter magnum lodge and never had a problem with being cold. In fact even on the coldest days with the fan on the snow on the ice would melt inside of the portable.

Either one of these is a nice heater. deciding how huch heat you wan't to pay for will be the hard part.

[SCHAAKATTACK]

Get the Big Buddy. You can always turn the temp down. They have resolved the issue with them that they had last year. I have the smaller Buddy heater and love it but once you are at max Btu's that it for heat. I believe I saw them in and this weekend for $109.00 If You "Save big money" I will be picking one up before the weekend.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Thats a "GR 8" Deal. thats what I paid for mine at tractor supply last year. Money well spent!

[The Chemist]

I have the equivalent to a FT Guide. As I some times fish 3 in there (me and 2 of my boys) I need something that is better according to to hitting the canvas(luckily no burns yet, but did notice my bibs got hit) and to make sure it doesn't tip over easily. The way I understand it that you don't have to worry about the back (at least not like a sunflower). Someone has it for $109? I thought that it was in the add at $119. Guess I better look a little closer.

[Borch]

I saw it for $99.00 at a Sports store in Walker this weekend. It's the unit I'll be using in my Otter Magnum Lodge this winter.

[iffwalleyes]

I had a lemon big buddy last year. I got it replaced but not before the end of the season. I also have a buddy heater. The buddy just isn't be enough unless you have a small house. The big buddy even though mine never ever worked right with either the 1 or 20 lb. So I hope that the new one works better. I like the fan and the 18000 btu.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I'm happy to hear some positive posts on the big buddy!

Chemist, In fact both the buddies have holes in the back to mount directly on a wall. I usually ste mine up as close to the front of the lodge as possibly with no problems. I've never had either tip over.

[sakazulu]

I bought the Buddy when it first came out. Last winter, with a 1 lb. it would run and then go out. With a 20 lb. it would run a little longer, then go out. In the garage with no wind! When it worked, I loved it. Now I think the Monoxide sensor keeps shutting it down but I am not sure. I do know they don't like wind. Mine doesn't like anything. Bought a sunflower single to replace it but the fumes in my one man portable are too much! I like the Buddies but they better have worked the bugs' out of 'em.

[Bigbartguy]

has anyone bought a Big Buddy this year?

have the 'going out' and other issues now been solved?

thanks!