ice gator ?

[bottom-bouncer]

I am going to order a ice gator this week was wondering what others who have them are using for a auger or does anyone have the bottom that they offer with them. thanks

[harvey lee]

I have used a Nils and it cut like a hot knife through butter.

[jwmiller33]

you will have to let us know how you like the ice gator.

harvey-how do you like yours?

i got a new strikemaster this year and after dealing with all the headaches with the recoil problem, i wish i would have gone with the icegator, as that was what i was originally going to get before i changed my mind and went with the strikemaster

[harvey lee]

Its a cutting machine. No issues at all. No smoke in a permanent either which is very nice.

[jwmiller33]

thats great to hear. do you know about how many holes you can drill on a charge?

[DTro]

I got to see the Nil version of the Gator in action this past Sat. Nice!

It's always funny to see an auger that doesn't have an engine running, keeping up with cylinder powered version.

It just seems weird to me

The one negative is that they are quite heavy.

[herefish101]

i didd'nt think they were heavy, or at least they dont look it. looks like 2 vex batteries and a motor, but i supose theres got to be gear reduction and that. does anyone know approximatly what one weighs? i watched a video the other day and this thing looks like it would smoke my lazer mag, with the same bit.

[CrappieKiller01]

i am actually sending back my ice gator right now. bought it right before christams and got the new style. i used the nils head on it. when i first got it it actually seemed to way more then my big 3hp jiffy. it drilled great for the first two times out. then went to red and with a full charge it only drilled 8 holes. charged it back up with gen and same thing over again. no hole hoping needless to say. came back home and was going to do some searching for crappies and same thing happened only 6 holes drilled and it was dead. Very nice ccompany to work with for return and customer service. Now own the strikemaster solo pro. and wow best auger i have ever owned. with auger and nils 8 inch it was around 34 lbs

[DTro]

Standard battery, head alone weights 27, with LION 19

[Wookiee]

I have the one with 2 12 amp 12 volt batteries and wish I would have gone with the 8 amps. I have the nils bit on it and it cuts nice but its just heavy. I also had to send mine in for repair and won't comment on that process. It would be nice for a permanent house but thats about it. Might have to save up for a tanaka powerhead and go that route.

[DTro]

I know batteries have come a long way, but I always have faith in good ol petro

[CrappieKiller01]

im the same with dtro. i liked the no fume part, but the part of losing that battery power just is not for me. its easy to bring more gas along not waiting two hours for the next charge. and one other thing is that when done drilling there is alot of slush still in the hole. with the strike master i can just grab the vex and hop around wit out scooping my holes out, clear holes

[Wookiee]

Drill through with forward then use the reverse to clear slush out of the hole.

[Scott827]

I live in PA and 12" of ice is alot here. I have drilled 40 to 50 holes a day with my icegator and have not had it die on me yet. I have the 9 amp batteries and am using an 8" nils. It does drill fast.

Scott

[quijibo]

i am actually sending back my ice gator right now. bought it right before christams and got the new style. i used the nils head on it. when i first got it it actually seemed to way more then my big 3hp jiffy. it drilled great for the first two times out. then went to red and with a full charge it only drilled 8 holes. charged it back up with gen and same thing over again. no hole hoping needless to say. came back home and was going to do some searching for crappies and same thing happened only 6 holes drilled and it was dead. Very nice ccompany to work with for return and customer service. Now own the strikemaster solo pro. and wow best auger i have ever owned. with auger and nils 8 inch it was around 34 lbs

Do you think that charging it with the generator could be the issue? When we have to do jobs working from generators, we go through cordless drills and microwaves faster than you would think. We needed new batteries every few weeks.

Adam

[bottom-bouncer]

I have thought about the whole battery issue but then yesturday after drilling holes in the permy and smelling the exhaust fumes and the raw gas fumes for three hours because a gas cap that does not leak seems to be unheard of I decided to take my chances with a battery. I will still hold onto my strikemaster for hole hopping. But am really looking forward to fume free fishing. thanks guys

[muc33]

In the house is second to none, as said for serious hole hopping, the weight is a little annoying, but in a hard house, my lungs and friends say YES!!!

[reddsixx]

Just tried mine out yesterday. I put my brand new 6" lazer auger on it and it rilled very fast through 16". I only cut 3 holes, so don't have anymore info.

For those of you who have one, any tips? Charge after every outing? Store it inside, etc?

[Scott K]

I store mine in my garage, which is heated to 45 degrees. I charge it after a lot of use, but if I only drill a few holes, I dont.

I sure like mine so far!

[Big A]

I can drill 40 + holes on a single charge. But I usually charge it up after 20 or so...

Welcome to the ICEGATOR family!

YOU WILL LOVE IT !!

[merkman]

I know batteries have come a long way, but I always have faith in good ol petro

As long as it starts.

[WinterHaven]

I have had my icegator for 2 years now and not an issue that everyone is talking about. I have drilled over 40+ holes in over 2 feet of ice and still haven't run out of juice. I will never go back to the headaches of owning a gas auger again.

[herefish101]

One guy says "it's great", the next guy says " it's horrible", sounds clean cut to me, other than the great power uager dispute(S.M. vs jiffy vs nills)it sounds cut and dry. gas auger all the way. I drill alot of holes when i go out, i'll bet more than 50, if i had to stop get a generator running to charge my battery, theres no way. I can see this working for the perm, but thats it, sounds like they work alright but just not for run and gun.

[harvey lee]

Yes, for running and gunning, she is a little on the heavy side. For a perm, a very sweet auger.