Otter hub

If you own a Otter hub shelter, how do you like it? I am currently going back and forth between this and the Eskimo 949i since they are relatively comparable in size and price.

I got the Otter Lodge, but I’ve only had it out twice. I do like it so far, its very sturdy and warm. You have to use the rip cords to tie it off in a 20 mph wind or the sides will cave, but they all probably do that in a strong wind. The ice picks/spikes/whatever are great and easy to put in by hand. I’ve had some trouble with the zippers on the doors binding up and I think this is a known problem. They’ve never gotten stuck or anything, just not very smooth operating. Something else I would change about the design would be to make the velcro around the border of the windows bigger. Once I get the hub up, and tied down tight to the ice, if I remove one of the windows and then try to put it back in place it doesn’t fit quite right. If the velcro was a bit bigger to compensate for the fabric being pulled tight they would be better. Others have reported that the bag isn’t big enough. I haven’t had any problem getting mine packed. It’s worlds better than the old Frabil hub bag that I’m used to. I don’t have any experience with the Eskimo so I can’t compare.

Ryan Pahl wrote:

If you own a Otter hub shelter, how do you like it? I am currently going back and forth between this and the Eskimo 949i since they are relatively comparable in size and price.

#1589773

Used my Otter Lodge Hub 8-10 times so far and here are my thoughts.

1) Fabric I like a lot. Does not seem to take too much to heat them although all three times the coldest it got was about 14 degrees with no wind and I had my Big Buddy on low. One problem with the fabric is the sewing of the covers for the windows does not fit all that well. One window when the velcro is placed so it holds the window up the cover sags and opens a big gap on the sides of the cover letting all kinds of light in. Seems like the sewing itself is a little off or they just need to use bigger velcro. Bigger Velcro would solve this problem nicely.

2) Setting up seems just as easy as the clams that I have set up.

3) The bag is not Oversized at all and is actually too small if you have used it all day. So far we have put it in the bag and barely got the zipper to close on the ends and had to leave the middle open which is OK because I then put it in my Otter magnum sled with a cover for the sled. But overall the bag SUCKS so far.

4) Door zippers work well so far.

5) “0” cargo nets really suck! I did purchase a couple of the aftermarket ones directly from Otter and they really don’t fit the hubs worth a dam. They were made for the flip overs. Plus one came with an end that is almost coming apart of which I need to call Otter on this week. Thanks for the reminder.

6) Anchors….. they drill in fine and are easy to remove but don’t just try and pull out the last 1/2″ by hand and think it will break the ice….they bend. Made of cheep steel IMHO. If you wind all the way out they work fine.

Over all I would give a rating of 6.5 to 7. Are they better than the others… I don’t know but I would give them a

LOL. You win. Still don’t get why everyone has such trouble with the carry bag. Maybe I got lucky with a big one.

Have used the Eskimo 949i quite a bit this season so far. No complaints at all. Pockets inside are very convenient, and the mesh on the walls rock. It has dark walls yes, but plenty of windows that work properly to let light in if you so please, but also if you are scared of shy fish can shut them and gets nice and dark. Not sure how the Otter is placed with reflective tape but at night the Eskimo lights up real well when shined on. Plus the dark material on sunny days with moderate temps forget the heater, she gets downright toasty in there!! Never had issues with zippers yet.

Downside is the bag, POS IMO. But rarely use it. Made a spot on the smitty for it without need for the bag, or just toss in the truck and call it good.

I got all three sizes of the otter hubs and I have also used the eskimo hubs too. The otters are better built and last much longer. I know I used to use the eskimos a lot on guide trips and their poles are not as beefy as the otter houses and the fabrique is not as durable. The otters are a little heavier but I am not carrying them into the wilderness all the time. Never had a problem with either companies zippers. All the otter hubs are insulated and that is a plus. The bags work well when you dry out the shelter get some bungies and just wrap with those. I have gotten to use all the hub styles out there and I know the otter is one of the best built. It all depends on how you treat your stuff, you have to get them set up in a garage or a dry day to get the moisture out of them before storing them for the summer and watch where the slush goes and heater go. I spray all my stuff with UV protectant when I put them away and when I take them out for the year.