which heater should i get

[crothmeier]

I like my big buddy, use 2- 1lb tanks and its compact, will go out it you move it, but i set it in the corner or my clam light it and it doesnt move unless i move. Plenty of heat, and wont burn the canvas.

[brahambaseball]

I started off with a sunflower a few years back, and last year for christmas, my girlfriends father gave me a buddy heater. I never knew how much better the buddy was until I used it. Using the sunflower gives me a headache after about an hour, and you always have to carry a lighter to start it. (I don't smoke, and often forgot a lighter) The buddy heater is push button start, and burns really clean.

I also like the feature that it shuts off if its bumped or tipped. I once tipped the sunflower on accident in my portable and flames started pouring out of the hose.

[deadeye]

I have the heater/cooker and love it. Burning stuff does happen but it always starts and I have never had a problem that couldnt be fixed with a new thermocouple. The CO2 problem can be fixed by opening a vent and letting a little air in. To me, when freezing, its nice to beable to light it up and know its going to work. There have also been some wicked good on the ice meals made with it too, nice to beable to make some hot food out there.

[NCLaker]

I really like the featurs of my big buddy - but last Sat after working for about an hour, the main burners stopped working. Only the pilot would run (using a 20# tank & hose/regulator). Was I GLAD I told my buddy to bring his sunflower heater! It was -12 degrees at the time.

Buddy worked again after trying it at home in a warm house. Besides the concern on it's reliabilty, it is big to haul, fragile, and heavy.

I will continue to use my buddy's (big & small), but for real cold days, long grips, or hauling over behind a sled/wheeler - I will be looking for another option for a primary/backup heater. I keep going back and forth between a heater/cooker & sunflower. I agree with Ed Carlson - the heater cooker needs to be update for more compact transportation.

[Rivernut]

I have both the regular buddy and a paulin sunflower. That Paulin puts out a ton of heat. The buddy at best on high, takes the edge off until the sun goes down. Then it is pretty much useless. Dont know about the big buddy.

[hamms-scooter]

are those sunflower heaters pretty safe? with plenty of venting ? are they close to the mr heater or worse for co2?

[Sandmannd]

They are safe with venting Hamms, have used them for a few years. Make sure your vents are open and if you start getting light headed or a propane headache open the door for a little bit. I try to use the buddy when I can, but when it's cold the heater/cooker is the one to turn to.

[Cold_blood]

i use my heater cooker in my fishtrap scout and you'll sweat to death if you don't turn it down to low and leave an area for the wind to blow in if its really cold i still leave it on low just close the house off i don't really get headaches from the heater because i work with propane all day

[hamms-scooter]

thanks guys

[Northlander]

I very seldom ever run my Mr. Heater Cooker or tank mount on anything but low. If its 30 below wind chils or so I bumped it up to medium. I make sure to get out and get some fresh air every once in a while and ALWAYS have the zipper cracked about 6" and at times open the vent up a bit to get air flow.

[jigginjim]

I bought a off band buddy heater, 3 yrs never a problem. I also have 2 sunspot heaters, a single and a double, the doulbe for the 2 man eskimo on very cold days. My biggest problem with thew sunspots is my eyes start burning after about 15 min.

[Hafnutz]

i use my heater cooker in my fishtrap scout and you'll sweat to death if you don't turn it down to low and leave an area for the wind to blow in if its really cold i still leave it on low just close the house off i don't really get headaches from the heater because i work with propane all day

Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. Working with propane all day won't change a thing. You need to allow ventilation end of story..

[walleye-]

I bought a buddy heater last week figured it would be easier to move around instead of the 10 pound tank with the mr heater. After my first outing I put the buddy back in the box I will be returning it. I any wind hit it I had to relight it and that got old every time I wanted to flip the trap and try another hole. Also wasn't as warm as I thought it would be.