HT Deluxe Polar Shelter

[brbuddy]

Has anyone out there used the HT Deluxe Polar Shelter?  You can view it at www.cabelas.com.  Go to Fishing, then Ice Fishing at the bottom left of the page and you'll see it about half way down on the left side.

I've had mine for about 2 months now.  It works pretty good.  The crappy thing is that the bottom flap ripped at the seam when I was taking it off the ice.  

Anyone have any experiences with this model?

[BassMasterCK]

I'd like reviews on this shelter too...

Thanks! Chris

[charles.smith25]

Would you recommend me to buy one if I wanted an inexpense fish house that is light weight and may only use it 8 or so times?

Can you use a heater in?

Is it useable after it ripped?

Charles

[PAcatchreleaseman]

i've had one for the last 4 years and its the BEST!  I've had a small tear in the fabric of the tent for 2 seasons and have yet to fix it (duct tape at best)  I cant believe it hasnt ripped but hey, its THAT good i guess.

Im not sure what u mean by "ripped the flap at the bottom"...do you mean the "skirt"?  eh, its not that important anyway

THe stakes they give you to keep it down do the trick but i carry some 8" eye hook and a few yrds of line to add a lil extra insurance when the wind it whippin. I tie it to the upper corners......you'll see once ya get it.

I just bought a frabill xlt (twin) and id offer to sell u mine (HT tent) but at 11 lbs compaired to 87 lbs.  I aint gettin rid of anything JUST YET!!!

Sets up in seconds...i can have it taken down and packed up in less than 1.5 minutes.....thats NOT in a 25 mph wind

I use a heater in it almost every time i go out.  Never had a problem with it.(dont get it too close to the fabric and you'll be fine)  Although the black tent can get down right HOT inside on a sunny day w/o the heater.

Great investment!!

-PA-

[hollis]

I have one and I have to say I only have used it a few imes and its fine for a non windy day,..but if a wind comes up I don't know how you handle it! I tried setting it up last year in a moderately windy day and finaly gave up,...even when I put it together and tried to set it up the wind caved the sides in so much that it really wasn't useable,..I don't know what I would do about a calm day and if later a stiff wind would come up....I don't know of any fixes for this,.this year I sprung for a Shappel dx3000,...don't know how that will work on the ice but it goes up easy in my back yard and can't wait to use it!

[PAcatchreleaseman]

yea hollis, ya do have a point there.....anything over 30 mph and ya might wanna head for a cove.  Im lucky enough to fish a spot i can get out of the direct wind, usually.
never had it blow away/over though, i will say that.

-PA-

[asphalt_kid]

Don't forget to get some anchors for what ever you buy.

[coldbum]

I use this shanty every time I fish. As you all said the wind makes it unbearable... I have made it a little better by tying support ropes to the corners and anchoring them 5-10 ft out... its roomy but could use a little better storage... This is the second season I have had the thing out and this year on a -5 Deg F morning the plastic windows cracked and they had to be repaired with trusty old duct tape... it servers its purpose I have only had to leave the lake once because of wind this year on sunny days you don’t even need a heater the black tent material absorbs plenty of sunshine and keeps it nice and toasty inside... I also cut the center floor panel out because it seems more of a trip hazard than anything! Not to mention the 20 or 30 tears it received from my ice cleats!
I think I only paid like $90 for the thing online...
IF you have the extra cash spend it and get something a little more durable!
 

[coldbum]

a little update on the durability of the ht shelter, fished a derby saturday in the wet cold gusty wind , snow and freezing rain. ended up bungee cording the shelter to the auger as an anchor, we have 4 new tares and a weak frame joint

there are better shantys for the money

[brbuddy]

Since I started this post, I thought I'd give an update.  I bought this shelter shortly after my first inquiry about it.  It has worked great!!!  I've used it many, and I mean many times.

I've used it in various weather conditions.   Some days it has been -35 and blowing snow and I've been very comfy inside.  The only problem is when it is very windy.  It will lean to much and make it very difficult to fish inside it.  But that's with a pretty strong wind.  Other than that, I think it's perfect for the places I go.  I can set it up in a pretty good wind and take it down quickly if it gets to windy.  Just have to the technique right.  I have a few rips from my kicking the snow off the bottom while wearing my crampons on my boats.  (dumb)  Fixed it up with duct tape and no problems.  I cut out part of the floor because I kept wiping out on it and it helps with making it even more compact.

For the money, the weight and the ease of use, I think it's well worth purchasing.

Just my 2 cents.