My Otter & My Trap X2

[EyeSkater]

First, I am a devoted fan of Otter products. I have owned several of their flipovers, and now have a Cabin with hyfax and tow-hitch. A very solid and dependable shelter.

I assembled a new Trap X2 today, including the hyfax runner kit. I used to think FT products were second rate...that is until I took a good look at the X2. I'm not going into all the differences here: you can ask me if curious. What I will tell you is that I was AMAZED at how tightly engineered this new Trap is. Everything went together like clockwork. Nothing had to be altered or 'fitted'. Componentry is superb; nothing looks or feels chintzy during the build process. The seats are truly the best oem flipover seats I've ever sat in. The best thing? Once assembled and erected, this shelter is as tight as a drum...and rigid beyond others. It inspires confidence while sitting in a garage.

This being the 5th flipover shelter I've assembled, one gets pretty used to dealing with loose tolerances. Not this time. Fish Trap has raised the price; but also the bar as well.

'Eye-Skater

[harleyharry]

Eyeskater

I just finished assembling a new Otter Den. I had considered the new Fishtrap X2, but decided on the Den due to weight.

when I sat in the new Trap in the dealer showroom, I felt the same way that you describe. Inspired with the quality, strength and tightness.

I currently own an Otter Large Resort and have downsized due to weight and heat potential. My partner in the house seems to be happier with the smaller portable. She likes the seats.

I would not say that I am jealous of you and your new Trap, but after taking all afternoon to assemble and "fit parts" on the Otter, I am envious.

ENJOY

Harry

[Neiko]

How long did it take you to put together? I just picked mine up last night and couldn't believe the instructions. I am thinking it is a 8 hour job.

[Steve Foss]

I'd looked over all the new shelters of top quality when thinking about what to ask Santa for.

This winter would have been 11 years on my aging Fish Trap II, and it was just too darn long to keep going with it. I was starting to patch the patches on the tent, and you KNOW then it's time to upgrade.

I looked at the new Traps and Otters most, comparing them, sitting in them, using them.

I liked the Traps just fine, and had to say I felt a certain amount of brand loyalty. But afer working with the Traps and the Otter Cottage and Cabin, the Otters simply felt better to me. Not just in the store, but on the ice when I fished out of friends' shelters.

Santa ended up bringing me the Cottage Pro with the travel cover, seat and hitch, and the quality and workmanship are excellent. I've fished in it half a dozen times and can't find anything I'd improve.

It took me about two hours to put together, going very slow and careful. It was easy and the parts fit tight.

[Bulldoggr]

I guess i don't understand, It only took me and a friend an Hour to put together an Otter lodge.

Thats from setting the braket holder, to asseblying the Supports and putting the canvas on.

I have had mine for about 4 years now. I upgraded from the Fish trap pro. My otter has been the best investment i made to further my enjoyment out Icefishing, that and My LX-5

[EyeSkater]

I worked alone on mine mostly. A good portion of the time is spent on seat assembly. There are 2 seats and a number of components to work with. I used an 18v driver for running nuts on. I also installed a hyfax kit which means about 36 holes and screws to drive. I work slow and deliberate; no hurry and take time to understand each step. All the hardware worked perfectly, and there are no templates to follow; no holes to drill in the sled (except for hyfax). The tent goes on easily and has great attachment. The molding strip is more complex than other brands, but is tighter and better once installed. 2 people make this step a lot easier. Allow 4 hours non-stop work time.

As a surprise bonus, the Trap X2 travel cover has a large zippered opening. You can unzip this opening and access equipment without taking the cover off. You can also flip up the seats and fish "au naturale" if the weather is nice. A very nice touch.

As an important side note: I am an Otter owner too. I know about 8 others that own Otters. When anyone tells me they are buying an Otter I nod my head and know they are buying one of the best. There is no "versus" in my message here. Just information and insights. 12 years ago flipovers were small and relatively crude affairs. They have progressed a lot in a decade. I happen to think that the Trap X2 is a significant leap in the area of engineering. I didn't mind the $700 price tag considering the end product. I already have $13k behind my truck before the shelter is loaded.

My encouragement is to look at all of them and buy the best you can afford. You can be assured that these 2 companies are at the top of their games.

'Eye-Skater

[harleyharry]

It took me about 4 hours to assemble my Otter Den. There were some issues with the strap lock material due to the incorrect packing on my house. Other than that, this would have taken about 2 hours, with the assembly of the seats.

A phone call to Joe, in customer service at Otter took care of the problem in about 5 mionutes.

The quality of the two brands mentioned here is at the top of the best there is. Anyone looking at the top brands today cannot go wrong with any choice. The reason I went to the Otter again, is that I alreay own one, and the Den is lighter that the Trap X2.

Harry

[tisosy11]

3 hour job on my fish trap x 2 last night. Including tow-hitch installation.

The part i was most unhappy with was the U-molding. Didn't seem right to drill through the ice armour shortly after it was paid for.

Oh well.

[Northlander]

Just put together my new Ice Camo Otter Cabin and the most difficult thing was putting the hyfax on. I should say the most time consuming. 2 man deal for sure and make sure you put the hyfax on before doing anything else. I had a trap I put hyfax on a year after I owned it and it was a pain dealing with the poles and canvas every time I wanted to get into the bottom of the sled to do a bolt etc.

Anyhow the Ice Camo houses are awesome. Heavier denser canvas and a black inner coating really knocks the wind dead and makes the house much easier to heat up. New window material is also very plyable in cold temps. Ill really test it this weekend in the well below 0 weather and 20 plus MPH winds.

After testing out many houses and comparing apples to apples I chose to stay with Otter. Biggest thing for me is the strength of the sleds and the new poles slide super smooth.

Lots of good houses on the market these days but for my needs The Otter Ice Camo series fit my needs best.

My suggestion is to check out as many houses as you can. Stop by on the lakes and ask to check out peoples houses and see what ya think. In my experience most guys are more than happy to show off there houses and tel you their likes and dislikes.

[ChadT]

how does this compare to the Fish Trap Pro? Same build type? Or is it a lincoln compared to a Ford?

[EyeSkater]

I second the opinion on hyfax. I've put several on and found it best to do it on an empty tub. I actually took the poles/canvas off one time to make it easier. Nowadays it's mostly a breeze.

I like the looks and reviews on the Ice Camo Otter. I hope the fabric is improved. The usual green canvas is extremely windproof, but did not tolerate abrasion very well for me. The new fabric may be tougher.

The Trap X2 fabric reminds me of a mountaineering tent. It allows for an extremely taught pitch...great in high winds. My X2 without spacer poles is about as taught as my Otter Cabin with spacer poles. Both have and will serve me very well.

The new Trap sleds are not rotomolded now. They are injection-molded and way stouter than earlier generations. Otter has the molded-in hitch bosses on the sled; these are hands-down better, but the holes in the poly will wear and enlarge with lots of towing use...mine have.

'Eye-Skater

[so haaad]

I agree with Northlander. In terms of sled durability, Otter has it by a landslide. I have a Otter Den and a Fish Trap Guide. I mainly use the Den, although I will say that the tarp connection to the sled is not exactly snug and air gets in. Not too exited about that for this weekend, so I might have to pull out the Guide with the Reflectix inside.

[Chode2235]

I will say that I love my otter den. It is such a great engineered product.

The only complaint that I have is the abrasian resistance of the fabric. I got the sled in early December and have had two rips in the fabric. A small one, and a fairly substantial one. I have been very careful with the shelter, and I think the larger rip is from placing my auger (blade covered) on top of the shelter while towing it, but the other is clearly a small rip just from where the fabric folds.

I have patched them and am now extremely careful, but I would agree that the fabric is the weakest link in the Otter Chain, if you will.

[ozzie]

I have always liked the otter products but never like having to buy the comfy seats seperatly......but I also never reasearched them to much....

I bought a fish trap pro and love the thing when I am buy myself but the tub wore a hole and I had to attach hyfax runners to it problem solved!!

I went and searched for a 2 man recently and chose the X2 since I have had good results for the most part with fish trap......the tub on the X2 is as strong if not stronger then the otter sled now!!! In the trap series the sled is not as strong as the otter, otter sled is way stronger. Another thing I love about the Fish Trap canvas is that it doesn't rip easily....I know my pro I have punctured and burnt and the holes never increase in size....in fact that was one of the selling points is that you can't cut a hole and rip it further they say and what little I have tested that theory so far it seems to hold true.

I can't wait to test out the ability to retain heat with the X2 this weekend!! Good Luck and hope the fish are active!!

[Kodiak]

that is funny i am an x2 owner looking to buy a fishtrap pro because it is too heavy duty for me to tug around for when i am by myself.

[ozzie]

just 2 suggestions for the pro.....runners and cover.....the runners made it move better and kept the wear off the tub and the cover keeps alot of snow out of the tub!!.....of and it gets nice and toasty in the pro with the little buddy heater!!! 2 10 inch holes vex and heater fit very comfy with room to stretch!!

[eyebjim]

I had to get a scout this year for the same reason. My X2 is way to heavy when by myself if there is snow cover. I love the scout for going it alone. The X2 is great when you have some help pulling it or are using the sled or wheeler.

[Bulldoggr]

Those new ice camo patterns look awsome. If i was to buy another house. It would be the ice camo one, or the rtek.