Otter XTH Cabin thoughts?

Good morning, I’m in the market for a new hub. I currently have a cheap 5×5 hub and a original Eskimo QF3 my brother gave me after he upgraded. Both are not insulted and both are about ready to be retired. So my buddy got a XTH lodge after Christmas and fell in love with it. So did I! But the lodge isn’t backpackable due to the weight and size. I spear pike every now and then also and he has had no issues getting it dark enough. So that’s why I I’m thinking the cabin. 32lbs, it’s backpackable, and it’s enough space inside. Currently Marine Genral has them on sale for $249. For any of you who have seen them or has either the cabin or lodge what are your thoughts about them? How about the cabin? Thanks!

I got the cabin last year and it has been great. Very warm, durable and like you said very light, especially if you pull your gear like I do. That was the whole reason I got the cabin, otherwise would have gotten the lodge, but wanted to stay easily mobile.

I love my Otter Cabin I spear all the time from it and use it when it’s the wife and me stays very warm light and easy to use and way better than Clam Or Eskimo. Pull the trigger. So many hubs are so long they don’t fit good in car this one fits good and it’s plenty warm and durable I hope Otter never quits making this size. It’s the only one I know of this size thats insulated.

Placed an order this afternoon for a Otter XTH Cabin. It should arrive before Thursday and then its time to load up the snowmobile and all the ice gear and head north for the weekend! Appreciate your guys input I look forward to using it!

I took delivery of my XTH Cabin this morning. I was able to get it set up In The house. All I can say is wow. The quality is awesome! The size I was worried about. But both the fishing space is just a tad bigger than the QF3 and the size in the bag just fits in my otter sled. I’m very pleased with my purchase and hopefully the first trip up north this weekend keeps my expectations as they were when I set it up today. No regrets on my purchase even though it was a lot of money for me to spend. Very glad I went with the otter over eskimo.

A buddy of mine brought his to Mille Lacs to meet up with us this weekend. I fished out of it a little and it was the perfect size for two guys, heater and some gear. It stayed very warm with just a little buddy, even in the cold temps.

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A buddy of mine brought his to Mille Lacs to meet up with us this weekend. I fished out of it a little and it was the perfect size for two guys, heater and some gear. It stayed very warm with just a little buddy, even in the cold temps.

Good to hear! Last weekend was a good test for any portable. I’ve never had a full thermal house before. I’ve fished in them but never owned one so I look forward to seeing the difference as far as heat retention and no condensation.

So today was the first day I was able to get the new otter out. And all I can say is wow! The quality is amazing. The fabric is tough as nails, and most important the hub assembles hold up and are built very well. I’ve never owned a insulated shack before. I’ve fished in them but never felt a need to upgrade. But was I wrong. I used the portable buddy and I never turned it up more than between pilot and low. And even still it was no joke 70-80 degrees. So far I can say with confidence the otter XTH Cabin is the best investment I’ve made in ice fishing besides maybe my ice armor suit. Will see how it holds up in a few months or years. I’ve set it up and taken it down 3 times on the ice and I’ve noticed it seemed to go faster and easier to pop the walls out first than the roof. I’ve always done roof then walls. But with this otter it can be difficult to get that roof to to pop first. What have others found?

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So today was the first day I was able to get the new otter out. And all I can say is wow! The quality is amazing. The fabric is tough as nails, and most important the hub assembles hold up and are built very well. I’ve never owned a insulated shack before. I’ve fished in them but never felt a need to upgrade. But was I wrong. I used the portable buddy and I never turned it up more than between pilot and low. And even still it was no joke 70-80 degrees. The no condensation thing is nice to, no dripping from the ceiling on you and takes way less time to dry the house out at home after an outing. So far I can say with confidence the otter XTH Cabin is the best investment I’ve made in ice fishing besides maybe my ice armor suit. Will see how it holds up in a few months or years. I’ve set it up and taken it down 3 times on the ice and I’ve noticed it seemed to go faster and easier to pop the walls out first than the roof. I’ve always done roof then walls. But with this otter it can be difficult to get that roof to to pop first. What have others found?

Oops I posted this twice. Can’t figure out how to delete one?

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I found also it is easier to do the sides first. I watched a video were Joel Nelson shoes how to lift it above you and pop them out from the inside no go for me to short and my arms not that strong so what I just found I pop the side that has the door pop it up then go in through the door get inside and pop them out it works great. I love my Otter cabin the perfect size for me.