Pak Shack 1 or 3

[Mike Stark]

anyone use these shelters??? should i get a 1 or 3...i mainly fish by myself..but if a buddy comes along it would be nice to have room for them....they are easy to set up..right? light?

thanks,

mike

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have a pak shak 1 man.. likeit for days I want to stay mobile yet dont want people to see me ;-)

its worked great for me so far...

[Schloogs]

I was interested in one of these also, for when I am by myself. Do they keep you very warm? Does anyone know the manufacturers HSOforum?

[talltines]

I will give you a pointer on them. They are junk. Get what you pay for in this situation. You can't take a [PoorWordUsage] or go tend your tip up on a windy day. If you do your light weight shack will meet you on the shore. This to me is a poor design. better off with an arctic armour suit and no shack. PACK OF [PoorWordUsage] SHAK!!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

tallines... Wow, nice opinion!... They are made to be light, so when you have to carry them in, they dont wear you out.. I feel you dont like the product because you expected it to do something it wasnt meant to do...

Will the pak shak replace a normal 1 man shack?... in my opinon.. maybe, maybe not... But when there is some wind or temps getting low.. Its worked great for me... will it sit there by itself in wind.. NO>>> ITS DESIGNED TO BE LIGHT!!!!

Heat?... heat it with something small... because its small, and doesnt need much heat.

[Deitz Dittrich]

schloogs, its made by NatureVision... The same company that makes Aqua-vu.

[Schloogs]

 Quote:

schloogs, its made by NatureVision... The same company that makes Aqua-vu.

Thanks...

[Kyle Sandberg]

I've sat in them before and seen a couple people using them. I thought they were pretty comfortable. For me there'd be room enough for one hole and a small heater and vex. It also comes with anchors so on those windy days its a little peace of mind.

[Zenit]

 Originally Posted By: talltines

I will give you a pointer on them. They are junk. Get what you pay for in this situation. You can't take a [PoorWordUsage] or go tend your tip up on a windy day. If you do your light weight shack will meet you on the shore. This to me is a poor design. better off with an arctic armour suit and no shack. PACK OF [PoorWordUsage] SHAK!!!

I don't like to criticize any product made by a company as committed to innovative products as NatureVision is, but I have to agree with the aforementioned comments, and I would never buy another one nor recommend one to a friend. I bought one last year new, used it a dozen times last year, attempted multiple repairs this summer, used it once at the beginning of this season, finally threw it away and bought a Fish Trap.

The concept is nice, they are extremely light, portable, quick & easy setup/takedown. One cannot ask for a simpler, more convenient solo setup. That is about the extent of the positives for me. I found the quality of construction & materials used to be extremely poor and of shoddy quality. The fabric used is so light, it is paper thin; good luck trying to bank the Pak Shack, you'll tear the fabric to shreds. Even though it is small & should not take a lot to heat, I found that it retained heat very poorly, I used a Portable Buddy which has heated larger setups than the Pak Shack adequately, but didn't do so well when used with the Pak Shack. The support arms are way too flimsy and bent the 2nd time out. The screws popped out numerous times and the plastic fasteners securing the support arms both shattered before the end of the season.

I effected the necessary repairs in the off season, took it out for the first time in early December and the armrest sheared off at the joint (I'm 5'11, 195). At that point, I gave up, into the trash it went.

Anyway, that's just my experience. Reed's has the Fish Trap Scout marked down to $169.99 right now, I would consider that a MUCH better investment than a 1 man Pak Shack.

[talltines]

zenit, check out the pro. alittle wider and comes with the chair system.

[Zenit]

 Originally Posted By: talltines

zenit, check out the pro. alittle wider and comes with the chair system.

I actually bought a Yukon, had a bit more in the budget than I anticipated in December I had looked at both the Scout & the Pro, I liked the Pro a lot. If I was going to buy a 1 man, I would have bought the Pro. One of my regular fishing partners bought one the same day I got my Yukon, he likes it a lot. Fits comfortably in his Ford Focus But of course, it is almost 3x the price of the Pak Shack.

[zamboni]

Ok, MANY things to say here. The Pak-Shak is a jigging house- NOT A TIP UP house! Watch the free DVD Nature Vision puts out, they never once mention being able to tend to tip ups with it. If you want something for that- sit in your truck! I love mine- I am a lazy jigger, I usually (in a house) tip my hook with a minnow and let my minnow do my jigging for me (looks more natural anyway) but, in my Pak-Shak I concentrate on jigging my one pole, so I really like it. I was on the lake a couple weeks ago in very strong winds and my Big Buddy didn't blow out once- so I am not even worried about banking it. I have had only one complaint so far- one of the yellow pulls on one of the zippers broke, but doesn't affect it at all. Is it worth the $99? I think so- keeps you light, mobile, and out of the elements, all the things it was designed to do. PS- my Big Buddy on LOW in sub zero weather and I am sweating

[minnbowhunter]

I have one and am a little disapointed with the material quality it could be sturdier without adding much weight. Room for sonar and a heater- I use a MisterHeater cooker. Plenty warm for me.overall I would give it a B- rating It's a great Idea and could be a great product if it was just a bit heavier material.

[CNCMike]

I think you need to keep in mind the intent of this product. It is meant for in and out light travel milder conditions. It is also designed for getting people on the ice, more entry level style. So they use a very light material for weight and price.

My guess would be that at some point Nature Vision will probably create a heavier more durable version of them. The idea is stellar. I do not, however, believe they were intended to be the primary shack for serious anglers. I think they were intended to be a light alternative for pack-in situations, light use and entry level. In that I would say they get an A.

That being said... If you are searching for a nice light and less expensive alternative, this is a fine shack and i would suggest the larger version of you know you will have company a-lot. If you primarily fish alone, go with the smaller one. Unless you absolutely need to work 2 holes yourself. if that is the case, get the bigger one right away.

[minnbowhunter]

 Originally Posted By: CNCMike

My guess would be that at some point Nature Vision will probably create a heavier more durable version of them. The idea is stellar.

Mike, please don't think I am trashing the product. I think is almost perfect for run and gun type fishing. If is was just a little more durable it would really be great. I understand they were trying to keep cost and weight down, I would be more than willing to pay more for a better product. I agree 100% with your quote, If the do come out with one I will be in line.

[DARTER]

You get what you pay for. We all know that.

[NDL]

This is my second year with my Pak Shack. I like it for when I go out by myself and want to be mobile. I can fit my vex or aqua vu and buddy heater in it. Like the others said it will take a trip if you leave it unattended in a strong wind. If I have a tip up out and get a flag on a windy day I will quickly collapse the chair and lay it on its side before I go to check the tip up. That usually keeps it from blowing around.

[CNCMike]

 Originally Posted By: DARTER

You get what you pay for. We all know that.

If that were always true my ex wife would be a much better person!!Lord knows I'm paying a ton for her!