I like to take alot of crap with me so I am hoping to use my wheeler this year. I have an old otter 2 man and a pop up . The pop up weighs less but the flip is easier to set up by myself especially in the wind. Both are not bad to heat.

If a guy was lookin to purchase say.......  a new ice fishing hut and this guy fishes mostly by one's self and must manually drag his equipment because his stupid state disallows any motorized vehicles on the ice.  What one hut would be the most likely recommended, keeping in mind the hut must be transported and set up by one little old guy unless, a couple of his friends convince him to take them fishing.  Therefore the hut should comfortably seat no less than two people, plus gear, at any given time?  Also keep in mind, these friends couldn't stack bales of hay in broad daylight on a mild summer day so absolutely no setup/tear down help can be expected.
 
I'll be researching ice huts on FishUSA for a bit, so please feel free to leave a suggestion or two but it keep it quiet as I think the wife may be listening.

Thanks HT, height is important when it comes to being comfortable.  Being able to stand and stretch while staying inside does make for a more pleasant long term experience.  I suppose two doors would be better if interior room is limited, just to make moving in and out a bit easier on the occupants. 
 
I was just looking at and watching videos of the ESKIMO 3 and it doesn't seem much different than setting up/tearing down a hub style ground blind except I'll be damed if I can ever get that blind back in the bag.  I'm looking at the non-insulated that only weighs 18 pounds.  I have a 30 year old 2-man hut that's not insulated so I don't think that would be a big issue, probably just as clumsy to set up and weighs 40 pounds and it folds up into a suitcase style base that measures 2 foot by 4 foot.  Mice have put a few extra ventilation holes in the walls over the years but the Gorilla Tape is holding up well, even in sub-zero temps.
 
Got a nice FishUSA gift card for Christmas and ya know how those dam things can burn a hole in your pocket and seeing hows the ice is upon us, wellll the rest is history.  I know we don't get the ice like yinz mupp north but it sure looks like we're getting some ice fishing time this year.
 
Thanks again for your advice and may the new year bring you and yours good times and tight lines.

My eskimo quickfish 2i is about what you need john. Small enough that its easy to transport and pull and sets up quick and easy. Just get a decent drill and adapter for the ice stakes. If windy put 1 or 2 in before you set up to make it alot easier. It was -3 when i set up and with my lantern and little buddy going my coat was off all morning.

I was comfortable in my hub today at -3 .  I would say my heater kept it in the high 40s maybe 50 I would  guess. Comfortable with no hat or gloves, but kept my coat on.  It also frosted on the ceiling and rained on me too.  An insulated hub would have been much warmer. Just depends on how cold you go out in and how warm you want to be.  A drill is a must to put the anchors in.

I have 2 hub shelters , a 2-3 man killzone & a 3-4 man XL Killzone. Neither are insulated. I like the height of the XL because usually it gets the most company and people tend to stand up.  As far as insulated , I run a Mr. Buddy Heater . It does well in the 2-3 man , like no jacket on only a sweat shirt. The heater does not keep up enough in the XL in negative temps so we run 2 heaters , lol I don't like being cold when I have the equipment.
 
I see The eskimo Quick fish -3 is on backorder from Fish USA, I would start looking elsewhere as they usually don't keep a good restock for specialty gear and only go on sale if they have left overs at end of season. While they are a GREAT store, with super fast shipping , I find when that type of stuff is gone, its gone..
This place is near me and is geared towards ice fishers. I know their site says out of stock but they usually have many things in store that's not listed on their site and things in stock that say out of stock, I'd give them a call and see what they got. They probably got the QF-3. I will be in their store on Saturday and can let you know .
https://www.fish307.com/ice-shelters-accessories/
 
Or try here also.. This is a fantastic Adirondack store and they don't list anything on their site..
funny how those ADK people are outta touch with the www, lol
http://www.crossroadsoutdoors.com/index.asp
 
Good luck and happy new year . I'm resting the hurting foot so I can post some Lake trout pic's for ya'll this weekend.
Peace & Tuna

Clint S
Ran the first 25 fish through the Lithium ion cordless Rapella knife without a hitch. Worked just as well as the corded without the hassles of the cord. Will post back on battery life towards the end of the season

I paid $11.00 for the angler knife on clearance so no complaints on their brand as I've put a hose to the electronics and it still starts.
That's my biggest concerns, can it get wet ?

HT thanks for the heads-up on the E-3 backorder.  I may have to place a back order on my order if that be the case.  If I buy a fish shelter I gotta use a gift card that's burning a hole in my pocket and it's from FishUSA.   Which is OK cause those guys have a whole lotta other  stuff I can have fun with til next Christmas when I get another gift card for Christmas plus the one I'll be wantin for my birfdey.  I love gift cards for presents so if any yinz are at a lost as to what to get me, just tell FishUSA to ship them gift cards my way!!!
 
Hope that foot is healing up and ya can get back at it, pedal to the metal.
 
To all yinz all,  good times and tight lines in the new year. 
 

Clint S
Ran the first 25 fish through the Lithium ion cordless Rapella knife without a hitch. Worked just as well as the corded without the hassles of the cord. Will post back on battery life towards the end of the season

I looked up that knife and got sticker shock.

BeenThereDoneThat.
If a guy was lookin to purchase say.......  a new ice fishing hut and this guy fishes mostly by one's self and must manually drag his equipment because his stupid state disallows any motorized vehicles on the ice.  What one hut would be the most likely recommended, keeping in mind the hut must be transported and set up by one little old guy unless, a couple of his friends convince him to take them fishing.  Therefore the hut should comfortably seat no less than two people, plus gear, at any given time?  Also keep in mind, these friends couldn't stack bales of hay in broad daylight on a mild summer day so absolutely no setup/tear down help can be expected.
 
I'll be researching ice huts on FishUSA for a bit, so please feel free to leave a suggestion or two but it keep it quiet as I think the wife may be listening.

Got a review from a co worker today on the quick fish-3 insulated bought here for his son on Christmas. The review in his words were amazing and awesome. Plenty space , height and quality. They had 4 people in it a few times with 3 standing straight up at no problem. The insulated version was just bought , just because..
Only 1 time out but he felt it was worth the gift of giving.. geesh lucky kid, lol.

If your in need of something now, I'd start shopping but if it's an investment to the future it might pay off waiting.
Ps. Only negative as with any of those hubs no matter what is the bag is always to small

I added a strap to cinch it up about a third of the way from the wider end so i can compress it and it goes in the bag easily. Just remember if your out for a long period its better to just fold it down throw it on your sled and go. Set it up at home to dry amd unfreeze. Youll need a bigger sled too John!

3 product gear reviews I recommend.
1.cabelas guidewear gortex ice bibs.
I've had theses since 2009 . They are heavy duty bibs then and still going strong. The knee pads are massive, if I could see , even with glasses, I believe it's 150 gram thinsulation. Maybe more. The outside material has been bullet proof with only wear are on knees but that's no issue at all.
The legs double zip up to the hips.
Only complaints would be weight and to warm which are minor and cost. Mine were on sale at $150 in 2009

Next 2 reviews are frailbill 12 jacket and bibs. Both were bought here at clearance but I'd give them a full price worth the product.
The jacket is going on season 4. I wear that thing everywhere from trout to ice, even snowplowing on atv. Has a TON of great features.
Lastly I got the 12 bibs last spring.
They are much lighter then the other ones above but exactly what I wanted. Something in between. Been wearing them for stripers, ice in minus weather and snowplowing.
Good products at reasonable prices to me

That's a bummer BTDT. I hate backorder stuff as it leaves you hanging.
You inquired about a shanty. Well we took the 2-3 man killzone out figuring it was only 2 of us and it would be easier to heat.
I'd recommend a 3-4 man size. It was tight in there with 2 of us jigging, gear and cooking. As you can see there is miscellaneous stuff scattered outside.

Ps. I did not put any anchors in as it was no wind.
I have never used or brought a drill for anchors as its just another thing to Cary and trash

I won't say with ease but if you angle them so they bite better, it works. :
Note : the HT coated brand seemed to work better then my standard. They are about $5.00 or so for 2 and I have found, keeping some extras is handy. You'll figure out the users and spares.

Another gear review:
Buy, buy any of these you can at a reasonable price. Brand dont matter. This one had a hard liner i took out and used for another purpose. I use them for everything , I mean everything. Always 4 of these in my truck or shanty. I probably have 10 or so around the house

Thanks for the info on the anchors. I've wondered about lag screws through fender washers but I definitely would want a power driver.

For storage I've been using totes which allow for stacking smaller units or other items on top. My problem, I take too much stuff.

Next question, I presently use a plastic toboggan that worked well for my old shanty, totes and manual auger. I think Outasync might be correct when he said I would be needing a bigger sled. This year I will have the new hub shanty (I hope), which I do not wish to back pack plus a power auger, purchased last year. What's the feelings on the sleds I see priced at around $50.00.