Eskimo Quick Flip 3

[silveroddo]

Hey everyone, I was in L&M the other day and was looking at the flip type houses they had, the main 2 I was looking at were the otters and the eskimos. The eskimo I was looking at the hardest was the Quick flip 3 I think its called, its the bigger model, green. It was priced at $250. We took it down and set it up and I know its not as high of quality as the otters but it didn't seem to bad ,But the main thing I wanted to know was how the material and zippers have been holding up for people that may have them. And what do you do to prevent the poles from icing up?
Just looking for some pros and cons of the flip type houses and anyone with an experience with the eskimos and how they hold up over time. Thanks

[Yellow Dog]

Guys - I hope this comparison of product is okay...just giving my own thoughts.

I can only give some 2nd hand observations on the Eskimo. For the money, a friend loves his - the Traveler (not a flip over but very light weight and portable. His poles got a little tough to work in cold weather and he had to stitch up seams by the doorway where my size 15's caught the edge.

Uncle Bob has the Otter Resort. In three years he has done nothing to it, and he is hard on equipment. He has size 14's though.

I bought the Lodge going for durability.
Let me know if I can help in any other way.

[cubbies11]

I got the eskimo traveler last year at the ice show. I love it. The material is great for durablity, the zipper was a little difficult, but for the money I love it. Great shelter for your buck. Oh yeah it was great darkness with that green for sight fishing last year.

Cubbies

[Mr. Pike1]

Cubbies, I have been looking at ordering the Traveler myself. It is lite and would suit my prottability needs. How long does it take to set up? Is it easy to set up two chiars to sit on the sled? Just let me know

[chunkytrout]

Welcome Yellow Dog!
Hey guys. Last season I smeared the poles (telescopic) on my HT Deluxe with white lithium grease. Not as oily as WD and they worked great even in wet conditions.

chunk

[This message has been edited by chunkytrout (edited 11-20-2003).]

[cubbies11]

Pike,

The traveler is really light and you should have no problems getting around with it. The first time I set it up(in my apartment) it took like 3 min tops but by the end of the ice season it was up in less then a min or two. Not bad at all. There is plenty of room for two, we have even fished three out of it. The sled is plenty wide shoulder to shoulder but the only thing is foot room if you have a two vexs and a heater. I get by though and my fishing partner and I are both over 6 feet tall. It is a great shelter in my opinion if you are on a budget like me(poor college student). If you get a chance to get to the ice show they had great deals last year. So good my girlfriend even bought it as an early present(Birthday Dec. 20). Let me know if you need any other info.

Cubbies

[silveroddo]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to think this one over for a bit, I'll let ya know what I end up doing, Thanks!

[SCHAAKATTACK]

I bought the QF3 last year when FF had a great deal on them. I am very satisfied with it. Came w/ 2 swivel seats. Zero problems with it.Only minor drawback is the brackets that attach the bracing to the sled stick up a little high for the tonneau cover. So I just keep it rolled up in transport. I can live with that.

[wishing for walleyes]

I have an eskimo lodge.Can set it up in 1 minute.Bought it last year and so far its holding up just fine.

[silveroddo]

Whats considered a good deal on them? Like I said L&M has em for 250.00 without seats, can you do better than that or is that about what they go for?

[Crossin' Eyes]

Blain's Farm and Fleet in Chippewa falls had that unit with the foling padded seat for $299. I don't know where all their stores are though.

------------------
Good Fishin!
Crossin

[Uncle Grump]

Silver - others

This is part of a post I made on another
Eskimo thread.... but here go's....

I picked up a QF3 at Fleet last winter just after Turkey day for $199.99. Also got the tow hitch and cover. Had to wait a couple of weeks for it to arrive (rain check). Went to the ice fishing show - did some price comparisons there - NO ONE could touch Fleets price. I have no idea how Fleet could sell them that low.

I used it all last winter - no complaints - other than weight. It's heavy to pull by hand - but so are the Otters. Mine has seperate fold-down chairs - vs the bench seat this year. Canvas is good quality. No complaints with the zipper. Mine was missing one pole out of the box, but a phone call fixed that. Guys that I've fished with like the house.

I've found I can lash my power auger to the chair frame w/ bungys, saves room in the tub for other stuff.

So far as the tub is concerned:
1) Ardisam has a new tub design this year - I've only seen the pics on their web site, but it looks alot like the Otter sled or a very close clone.
2) I did some measuring last fall, before I bought my QF, and found that both tubs are very close in size, so close, that I concluded I could retro fit my frame and cover to an Otter sled if I had to.

My original intent was to get an Otter. But - my money for my hunting and fishing toys has to stretch as far as possible, and I concluded that the QF3 would give me what I needed, at a price savings which left room for other toys....er- essential gear.

Best of luck.

UG