OTTER VORTEX PRO LODGE - Unboxing & Review 

Do you have any photos of the support wire issue? Also did you have any other problems? I just bought the Otter Vortex Pro Resort on the weekend and now reading all the problems with the Pro Lodge and wondering if I should just return it to save myself the hassle. Not sure if they fixed all these issues with the Pro Resort.

@@adrianl9366 In my well researched opinion Otter is one of the best Shelters out there, along with Eskimo and Clam. I do have a question are the zippers YKK what number are they? I'm assuming they're YKK but I want to know for sure I don't see any pictures anywhere. The only company I found that is very proud of their zippers, -the fact that they use heavy duty YKK zippers is Eskimo of course they have a lot of shelters, I understand. but I still don't like them as much as I like Clam and Otter but I want to know if they use YKK zippers; thank you very much I appreciate it.

Did you end up getting the same one, or go a different route? I just purchased this one as well. It was between this Lodge PRO and the CLAM 400X. I chose this based on the door. I know there was some pretty poor reviews but decided on it anyways.

@@Maritime2020Outdoors I went with the Otter Vortex Cabin after the experience I had with the door

@@ActuallyAndrewFishing How do you find the cabin? I'm going to pick up one this week. I was originally looking at the Pro Lodge for all the extra space, but I think it might actually be just a little too big for how I fish. I am concerned about the size and weight of the Lodge since 99% of the time I'm on foot and I'm dragging a lot of gear already. The lighter and smaller Cabin just seems to make more sense to me now

Im liking it so far. GREAT quality.

@@ActuallyAndrewFishing this didn’t age well lol

It's a great shack! Can be heavy for shorter sessions, but for full day trips / overnighters it's a home run.

Oh we will my friend.

Thats awesome! Yeah funny enough I noticed them too more expensive and sold out everywhere else.

Awesome! I’ve never used an Eskimo. Thanks for joining the channel!

Lots out there! Where are you located?

Smart getting it early. I feel like stock is going to be sold out early.

Hey how has yours been? After using it a few times I had some issues with it and so did a friend. I ended up returning mine and hope they improve the issues with the second generation version.

So top door pole is way to short.... I understand they stretch but i have owned other brands..... It wont stretch that much. The wire that gives to door rigidity has also poked through and requires repair. It is a great hut for the price but it should last more than 4 outings!!!!

Great point, I didn't think about that either. the last place you want an injury is out on the ice

@@ActuallyAndrewFishing updated.. 80% of customers tent have metal hub ceiling are bend.. only required to reweld to make it stronger... It is easy fix.. they will definitely make hub stronger next year...

Thanks buddy! Hope you have an awesome trout season and looking forward to do a little fishing with you one day. Cheers

Doesnt look very awkward in the video. As long as the zipper is secured before and after setup it should be very similar to a traditional 4 sided pop up

As Joe mentioned below, it really isn't any harder. I got it up in less than a minute and that was my first time ever setting it up, so I will only get faster with it the more I use it.

Yes, i think with some smart organizing you could fit 2 cots in it especially if you kept some gear outside. I wouldn't want to put too much stuff in there with 2 cots just to keep things accessible

Thanks Zach. I am curious did you find it through search or were you already subscribed?

On paper it shows that the Otter is larger, but because of the layout I actually think the Frabill has more fishable space. Its lighter also. The deal breaker for me was this one was thermal, so much easier to heat, and that door is in a class of its own. Also consider that the Frabill is almost half the price. I still plan to use it on days that aren't super cold and I think you will be happy it if you go that route.

@@ActuallyAndrewFishing thanks for the reply buddy, we will probably go the frabill route !

@@RawRawly you won’t be disappointed!

What I like is that this bag is oversized so its pretty easy to get it back in

Yes it would be

What is your hesitation with the door? To me that’s a strength, my sled slides right in and I can unpack and set everything up without worrying about my gear getting wet or snowed on outside which I never would’ve been able to do before. Also the door allows me to use this as a tent in the warmer months camping with the family, or for carp fishing. The huts been good the two times I’ve taken it out. Up to 35 km hour winds and it’s been great. I haven’t been putting the reinforcement poles in and I’ve had no issues. It’s on the heavier side however.

What I failed to mention was that the doorway is also perfect to run to a bite alarm that sounding off too! Definitely multi purpose. I wish I hurt my wrist fishing. LOL, sadly it was home reno related.

I think you could. It would be very snug and you would need to be creative to store the rest of your equipment

Does yours have that same style quick exit door?

@@ActuallyAndrewFishing nah it doesnt, mine is a couple years old now, new Cabelas ones will probably have that for sure. Like I said they copy designs. But the hubs, overall shape, vents, windows, mesh basket, anchors, etc... all identical. Mine also doesnt have the built in rod holders. Must be fairly new add-on.

Super easy to set up. Also setting up in the wind would be tricky but very doable. Start by pegging the corner facing the wind first and before you actually pop it up. Once You peg that first corner you should be fine providing you took your time.

good video BTW.

Hey, I shot this review in the rain and it did fine. It was in the rain for at least an hour and the inside remained dry. I did realize after I noticed some rain come in through one of the windows, but that was because I didn't have it properly fastened to the velcro. I'll know more later in the season though.

@@ActuallyAndrewFishing thanks for the reply and the review!!

I'll have a look and let you know

Four Season Shelter!!! Right on. if it's good enough for to keep you warm in the winter it's good enough to keep you cool in the summer. I invented a subsurface heating system port it's good to go to fire hole rocket stove kit sleeping warm ground keep the thing extremely warm in the winter time no matter how cold it is outside it's a better Hut you got the better off you are I'm going to get the Otter Vortex Pro Resort. It is six-sided basically it's closed to round as you can get so it'll be best for shearing wind. The sides are shorter than the lodge by a long ways and even shorter than on the cabin only 69 and 1/2 in so it's the most wind resistant and biggest and heaviest of those three am I going to count the monster Lodge cuz that's just a monstrosity for year-round camping I think that that's the way to go the other Vortex Pro Resort with an inground heating system. I I'm working on getting it patented I need to come up with a name for it; Earthen Rocket Thermal Mass Heater System?

I had many issues with it and ended up returning it. I contacted customer service and never got a response.

So is there a better unit that you would recommend at this point?

@@DonaldRogersBaldEagle I switched to the Otter Vortex Cabin. It's smaller but I haven't had issues. I have also been exploring Eskimo products. I believe their builds are better.

I haven't tried yet but plan to.

I have heard of similar issues too and have pinned a comment above after returning mine. Hopefully the next generation will have a better design.

i bet you could use a simple ground sheet

No it doesn't

Not so good! Check out my comment. I can try and fill an update.

There are some things you can do to set it up in the wind, like pegging one corner, the corner facing the wind. Not easy but doable.

Sorry, I wouldn't know, I've never used an Eskimo.

@@ActuallyAndrewFishing would you buy that otter again ?

@@DuddyTales ​ @Dustin Yager I have yet to bring it on the ice since we are still waiting for safe ice here, but from everything /I have seen setting it up at home I am very happy with it and would purchase it again

Yeah, good point. It feels like every few years they change their colour scheme. Maybe this is them getting ready to add more orange to their brand in the up coming years.

Lol. I saw that too. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

How do you like it? I ended up returning mine.

It's as simple as making a suggestion and communicating it... no need to get frustrated!