The new jiffy and strikemaster motors

[dpayne]

I have been thinking about selling my model 30 jiffy and maybe getting a new strikemaster or new jiffy auger does anybody have any info on the new motors

[Fred_Bear]

Everyone here is going to tell you to go with a strikemaster. But I say JIFFY!! haha

Anyone know what kind of motor the Jiffy's are running now?

[stumper]

Jiffy is having their blocks made in china and they are assembling themselves here in the states.So I guess you could say they are a Jiffy motor.

[crappiebuster]

2 choices. A chinese engine or a German engine? Hmmmm what does china make thats quality? Long period of deep thought may be needed to think of one thing. Okay moving on. What does germany make thats good? Hmmm just about everything. I think strikemaster made the right move and right country choice for their engines. Say no to china!

[fisherdog19]

Don't think you can beat the Strikemaster for cutting speed, reliability, and customer service. The lazer bit will cut faster than the chipper so if you're a run and gun guy it's what you want. For opening old holes, get the chipper model. The Solo engine is fantastic and their engines are time tested already.

[NCLaker]

Don't forget about the StrikeMaster Strike-Lite's. It's their 4 stroke model so no mixing. They've been selling these for a few years now and most reviews on the motor are pretty good. Mixed reviews on the auger bit, but most are good as long as you are careful with the plastic flighting.

For myself, the old Techumse (sp?) Lazer should last me for a long time.

[Fred_Bear]

I guess I don't know much about the new motors on each, except that it seems pretty assumed by everyone that the solo will be amazing (it does sound pretty sweet). I will say that in the old models I would take the Jiffy over the SM without a doubt if you want a chipper blade. I'd put my 20+ yr old 8" model 30 against any mag 2000 out there. It kept up with newer lazer mags last winter. I don't know why Jiffy's are so hated on this site, I've had nothing but a great experience with mine. Only upkeep that's been done to it during it's lifespan is running the gas out of it each summer and hand sharpening the blade (FREE) every couple years. The only downfall I can say of it is the weight; those things are tanks. She's loud too, that baby really screams out on the lake.

[fisherdog19]

I don't think Jiffy is hated on this site, but most here are run and gun type fishermen. The Jiffy's, while good augers in their own right, are big and heavy and not overly condusive to that type of fishing. Chipper blades have their time and place but I don't think there is any evidence that a chipper will cut faster than a shaver, given the same RPM, whether it's a Strikemaster or Nils.

[CJH]

I agree on that assessment. I originally bought a Jiffy but took it back, because it was just too darn heavy. I run and gun for pannies, so it just wasn't the right fit for me. I have a SM Lazer Mag Express now. (would like the strikelite, but will wait a few more years and then upgrade!!!)

The Jiffy's are solid. I like them and they have their purpose.

You gotta remember that StrikeMaster is a MN company, so of course a lot of people are going to support them.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I think its funny that people complain about the weight of Jiffy's but wont bat an eye when it comes to modding their portable with 10 lbs of wood, additional batteries for the lights and fans, and whatever else. Both augers are great but when it came time to buy an auger I went Jiffy Ill take added durability over a little weight difference any day. Unless your talking Strike lite and plastic blades the weight difference isnt much anyways...

[CJH]

Not me! I have the smallest/lightest two man portable (FT Guide) and haven't added any weight to it.

I don't really get that either unless you are pulling it with a wheeler/snowmobile.

["Just Add Ice"]

Bought a jiffy last year and used it once and sold it. The jiffy's make a mess inside a wheel house. They throw the shavings everywhere. VS strikemaster. Must be something with the gearing.

[munchy71]

Not me! I have the smallest/lightest two man portable (FT Guide) and haven't added any weight to it.

I don't really get that either unless you are pulling it with a wheeler/snowmobile.

Ditto for me....on both points.

-Munchy

[tip_upclyma]

I just have to add my two cents here.....get the one that cost the cheapest...period. If you are comparing new vs. new they are both GREAT products. Who cares if one can cut a hole .0034 seconds faster...or is .023 ozs. lighter.

I own a Jiffy and I think it is great....but it is no better or worse then my buddy's new Nils or my other buddy's 5 year old strikemaster.

[Fred_Bear]

I never see durability, or how many years an auger will last talked about on here, Just how awesome strikemaster's customer service is. Never hear much about Jiffy customer service...

Good points about the lighter auger being nice for a run and gun fisherman, and Jiffys do really throw the ice shavings out. I never drill inside a house so its awesome because I rarely have to use an ice scoop.

[JSK76]

I just picked up a new Magnum yesterday and I also have a perfectly good Jiffy Legend siting in the garage, I just wanted something newer with electronic ignition and the price was to hard to pass up, and after selling the Jiffy I wouldn't have much into the Magnum.

There is a few things I like more on my Jiffy but for the most part theres more things I like about the SM. I think Jiffy made a good auger but the new ones seem way to cheaply made for me especially the throttle. I feel Jiffy took a step back over what they had and SM a step forward, do to using a Solo motor. I would keep my old Jiffy over a newer Jiffy.

IMO, a lot of people buy stuff on 2 things, price and how it looks. In this case I think Jiffy might be in trouble. Also SM has done well in spreading the word on how great the Solo motor is and I haven't hear one thing good or bad about the Badger motor but you hear Solo every time you turn around.

[mn_bowhunter]

No one talks about jiffy customer service because you don't need it. I don't know anyone that has had an issue with a jiffy. I only know one person who had a strikemaster, and it tipped over in the garage and the handle broke off. I will say if I could do it again I would get a different model. I got the model 30 and my buddies 2hp STX is sooo much quieter and the same speed.

[redtrucks]

I have a 10 year old 2hp 9 inch Jiffy, I have yet to need Jiffy's customer service. If I can't get ahold of a Husqavarna my next auger will be a strikemaster.

[Fred_Bear]

I have a 10 year old 2hp 9 inch Jiffy, I have yet to need Jiffy's customer service.

[fiskyknut]

I'm glad I got my Jiffy 2hp stx when I did a coupla seasons back. Leery of new things till they've been on the ice a season or 2 anyways. Chews a 9 inch hole pretty good it does. This old school Techumseh motor should be no prob for years to come and parts for this auger/engine are readily availiable and should be for years to come.

Buddies new 8 inch Lazer mag smoked thru the ice great last year when brand new, but by the end of the season my 2 year old never been sharpened 9 inch Jiffy bit left that 8 inch SM in the dust when chewing thru 40 inches of LOTW's late season ice.

Run and gun, Jiffy too heavy? Put it in a Jet sled and pull it from spot to spot iffin Sally can't carry it 25 feet!

Durability and reliability are what I need most on the LOTW ice sheet. Probably the reasons most resorts and rental operators up here use Jiffy augers as well.

Jiffy, SM, and Eskimo all make good products for sure, like so many other things we use in our fishing endeavors summer and winter both there are tradeoffs. Get what suits you best.

No doubt SM and Jiffy both have put their new engines to the test. Hopefully the bugs are worked out, time will tell.

Regards.... fiskyknut

[crappiebuster]

11 yr old Strikemaster Lazer Mag Ultra here. No problems at all in them years. 1500+ holes a year. Amsoil for the last 6 or so odd years. Starts second pull everytime -30 or +30

Never ever failed me once...She hasnt been babied either.

[harleyharry]

I don't know where some of the info comes from on this site. Where did the idea that Jiffy is using a China built engine for their augers come from?

I am a Jiffy dealer, and from what I have seen, all of the Jiffys that have come in are using the same solo engine that the Strikemaster is using.

Its a shame that a product can get a bum rep due to postings that are not accurate.

For all of the old Jiffy owners out there, the parts for your engines will be available for quite some time to come. I have had a tougher time getting blades for Strikemasters in my part of the country than I have getting Tecumseh parts.

[bigbad401]

This is from the Jiffy HSOforum:

"The engines being manufactured did not meet the quality and performance the professional ice fisherman expects from Jiffy. So we needed to design our own engine. The Jiffy 2500 Series and 3500 Series Engines have been designed and tested by our experts in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, USA. "

Doesn't say anything about using the Solo engine, but that they designed their own. What is the truth?

[JSK76]

I am a Jiffy dealer, and from what I have seen, all of the Jiffys that have come in are using the same solo engine that the Strikemaster is using.

Thats the first time I heard that one. How come they say Badger on them instead of Solo?

[harleyharry]

My apologies to all. I was going on information that I had received early in the year, that Jiffy was going to use the new solo engine.

After visiting another dealer who has the new Jiffys in stock, I find that I have ice all over my face.

Harry