clam 5600/buddy heater

[Dano2]

I know the wife got me a buddy heater for christmas because I've always complained about the headaches and feeling dazed from my sunflower type even with the vents on my clam open, but thats just me, and I've mentioned buying one before, but she told me to hold off. anyway, wondering if ya all think it'll put out enough for my clam 5600 when below 0, or should I leave it in the box and pay the diff. for the big buddy? bigger never hurt nobody, but if I can do fine with the smaler one, then I wont bother.

thanks

[Swamp Scooter]

Dano

I have the 5600 too. I am currently using the Mr. Heater cooker in it. I have not noticed the smell until the tank burns out. The thing is this. If you can use a regular sun type, normal size, it puts out about the same as the buddy on HI. The sun types will go as high as about 14000 btu where the buddy on high is only 9000. If you are going to be out there and it is like tonight I am not sure the low setting on the sun type or the high on the buddy would keep you very warm. If the wind is high might be a bit cold.

The bad part is now the heaters are not really on "Sale" I got a buddy for my Dad but got it before T-day. only 68 bucks. Not sure when they will all be on sale again.

Space is a premium in the shack too. If yo fish alone the big buddy would have plenty of room. If it is with 2 then locators, bait, rods, lantern and misc. might get kind of tight.... But better to be warm.

Still the thoughest decision is where to fish!!

[Neiko]

I have an Eskimo Pro and as much as I like the Buddy heater I am switching to the Heater/Cooker with electric ignition. The buddy heater wasn't enough when the sun went down and the cost of a Big buddy pushed me to try the Heat/cooker. It has the same BTU as Big buddy at a fraction of the cost and weight. Plus I can cook on it if I need to, eliminating another piece of equipment. I think the Buddy heater is good for the smaller flip over style houses. Good Luck.

[minneman]

Dano, L&M in DL had the big buddy for under 100 clams last time I looked. the way I look at it is this, you can always turn it down, but if you dont have it you cant turn it up..

[irvingdog]

DANO (congrats on 100 posts) I've always used and recommended using a foil blanket spanned over the bars in the top of the Clam(obviously, on the inside). The blanket I use has plastic on one side, and measures 5X9 feet. I put it foil side down, then use a couple of magnets and metal pieces to secure it neatly. It only takes seconds. Then I use a Coleman tent light (magnetic on one side) and hang that in the middle of the house. The blanket bounces back down all of the heat and light to where you need it most.

There has only been one or two times I needed to use my extra Black-cat heater to supplement my heat. Rainy lake. 27 below. I'll take the odds.

[iffwalleyes]

I would spend it on the Big Buddy. I just got the big buddy and really havn't used it much yet. The buddy that I have though is terrible. It didn't put out enough heat to keep my ranger solo warm on a day that wasn't that cold. The only thing I don't like it that they make it with a quick connect hose attachment but those are difficult to find. I had to order mine direct from Mr. Heater. The other type of hose attachment will work but isn't really recommend by Mr. Heater. Plus the Big Buddy has a recycle fan that I think will be really nice.

[Fergus Mor McErc]

I have a 5600 Clam and a buddy heater. When the temp gets towards zero the buddy heater starts getting less effective. I would have to say "no" the buddy heater won't be good enough if it's going to be you're main source of heat. I think the Big Buddy shows a lot more promise and plan on getting one after I'm done hemoragging money for X-mas.

I was on Lake Harriet last night, with the buddy heater, and it wasn't long after set up that I was regreting not bringing the sunspot out.

[7thCrowWing]

anyone have a good idea on skis or runners for the 5600? i live in iowa where autos and 4 wheelers are prohibited on most lakes. the 5600 pulls like ton if theres over a couple inches of snow on the ground. i have a buddy heater, the small one and even on days above zero it can stuggle to do the job in the 5600.

[Dano2]

Ya, that think is a hunk a junk to drag in the snow with a load on top. I was thinking of finding an old pair of cross country skis for cheap, then cutting to length, and perhaps bolting to bottem of one side when its closed for easier transportation when heading out on the lake. Not sure how funny it'll sit though when setup. Might just say the heck with it to, pretty quick here I wont have to worry about it, but its an idea anyway.

[7thCrowWing]

i just got a tip that 3 or 4 inch aluminum pipe, bent up at the front and fastened together about 2 feet apart make good runners, light, durable, and if you can find a aluminum plate for the top, it works well for deer and anything you want to pull through the snow.