Eskimo Ice House

[Bingy5150]

Hi ya'll I am new to this sight and I was wondering if any of you out there had any input on teh Eskimo Lodge Portable Ice House. I can pick one up really cheap from a friend but have never owned an Eskimo before so I know nothing about them. Any feedback would be appreciated

[Roughfisher]

I bought an Eskimo Lodge two years ago. I wanted a portable shelter big enough to sleep in. I usually fish only two people in it, but three is very comfortable and four is possible. It goes up very easy; less than 30 seconds. The only problem I have with it are the zippers. The zippers are kindof fragile, and if you treat them roughly in extremely cold weather they will start losing teeth. But this is my third year using the house A LOT and the doors still work; you just have to be careful how far you open them. Once the zippers give out completely I am going to have them replaced with super-heavy-duty metal coil zippers for $60 apiece at canvascraft. The house material is good. It stands up to heat well. It stands up to EXTREMELY high winds (I know from experience). It is really hard to drag through deep snow on foot, but that is the case with any large suitcase-style shelter. Par for the course. Overall I think it is a good value for the price. The plastic shell is thin, but tough - it hasn't shown any signs of giving out and I have dragged it across a lot of parking lots. The window and vent openings are very handy, configurable and numerous and stand up well to cold and heat. The poles are tough enough. You can open a few vents and sleep on a cot in it with no problem. Or you can close all the windows to sight-fish. The skirt around the outside can be easily banked with snow or slush to keep the wind out if you are going to stay in one spot for awhile.

Overall I'm satisfied with the house. It could've had better zippers, heavier plastic, and better closure straps, but that would've added several hundred dollars to the cost. For the money you pay it is a great large-size portable shelter.

[Bingy5150]

That is good to hear that you can fish three comfortably. Most of the time I only fish with one other person but now that my wife is getting into fishing more I am sure it will be a three person show more often

[Bobberboy]

I have a Quick Flip III and love it. I agree with the high wind thought process. I've been out in 40 to 50 MPH gusts and wondered it stayed together.

Just a reminder don't stand up during the big gusts.

It also sound like the price is right!

"Your bobbers down!"

[TNFL]

My wife and I were looking at the QF III seems like one of the better houses on the market for the price. I looks real simple to operate and has a lot of space. If I win one of my FFL's I'm buying one for sure!

[mnfishman]

I own the QFII and it is great for 1-2 guys. I like it better that the QFIII because it isn't as big and it will fit in my truck with the tonneau cover down. The other thing that I like is it isn't too tall when setup so there is less to heat and less to catch the wind.

Other than that they are both great portables and the canvas is good as well. They also have removeable windows so if you tear one you don't need a sewing needle and thread to put a new one back in.

[TNFL]

Yeah, I'm thinking the III with the 2 kids. Also, I have buddies that have smaller houses if it just 2 guys we can use thiers, if its 3 we can use mine. If i'm by myself I'm screwed, cause it weighs 150 not impossible but not easy for something of its size.

[Mr. Pike1]

I am going on my 3rd year with the Quick Flip II. I am happy overall with the product. It is perfect for one guy with the bench seat already set. It also has enough room to have a buddy join you. Every portable out there has its pluses and minus. I think you would be satified with either. The QFII offers a little more portability in my opion and much easier to get the bed of your truck.

[SteveWilson]

I like the QF II because I can fit it, the wife, kids, and fishing gear into the Suburban, with the QFIII I would loose the rear seat. Even though it fits two adults comfortably we've had all four of us in there and it was still fishable. I find that usually two of us are outside, running and gunning and the other two of us are in the house. Now that we have two flashers it will make it easier.