Strikemaster Electric Auger -opinions wanted

[Redbeard5289]

So I am thinking about purchasing a Strikemaster Electric Ice Auger for my birthday and I am looking for opinions (good or bad)for fellow fisherman who own or have used one.

I like the idea of lightweight and easy to use factor of the Electric Augers. This is part of the reason I want to get one since most of my ice fishing is done with my 6 yr old son and the less I have to haul out to the ice the better.

One question I do have is how many holes can you drill on one charge?

I saw an episode if In-Fisherman Ice Fishing show and they were saying (if memory serves) that they could drill 40+ holes thru 8 inches of ice on one charge.

Looking forward to reading everyones input..

thanks

Redbeard5289

[svonasek]

What size holes were they drilling?

I believe strike masters electric is just a 12 volt. I wouldn't expect as many holes out of in comparison to the 24 volt ones available.

I know I drilled 40 holes through 10 inches of ice with a 10 inch auger and still had plenty left, but mine is 24 volt

Edit: I forgot to mention that the 12 volt can be hooked straight to your car/truck battery to give you pretty much unlimited drilling

[eyebjim]

With the on board battery I could get about 20 holes thru 12 inches or so. The colder you let it get the less holes. I always kept it in the fish house to keep it warm. You also need to fully warm the battery before charging or it will not get a full charge. These are great for in the perm cause there is no fumes but if you are hole hopping its not so good unless you like to drag around a deep cycle battery to keep going. It does come with a cable set to connect to a deep cycle. You could drill all day off a deep cycle.

[pulleye16]

All the above seems true with me...thought you said you want light weight?? There are not as light as you'd think. I do like mine very much, the elctric part that is. Other brands which I'm sure others will comment on may be just as good. I will never buy another gas auger. SM does have great customer service thought. Which ever electric you decide on...you'l be happy!!!

[eyebjim]

I believe the electra is 27 lbs and the laser with the tecumseh motor was 24 lbs. So it's only 3lbs hevier. At least its not 38 lbs like a jiffy.

[Fishing_Novice]

I love my electra 1200. Last year when I purchased it I could drill at least 15 holes through 2 feet of ice. If I needed to drill more I would just charge it in the cab of my truck for an hour or two.

[Fishing_Novice]

By the way, I drill an eight inch hole!

[Nordern]

I have both the gas and the electric SM. The electric is really the ticket for drilling indoors. The gas is better for hole hopping althouggh I have run the electric off the snowmobile battery on a few occasions with no problems.

[dfv87]

Love mine, never to have a gas auger again. Flip a switch and drill, it is simple enough even for me to handle.

[BLACKJACK]

I have both the gas and the electric SM. The electric is really the ticket for drilling indoors.

After reading about the Amsoil and it being smokeless, I was wondering if using that in your gas auger would allow you to use it in a fishhouse? Just a thought.

[Hawg]

Smokeless and no smoke is a big difference. I switched to Amzoil a couple weeks ago after 30 years of owning an auger and the difference is huge. I still open the door to drill 4 holes,not near as long as before though. I couldn't believe how much better it was with Amzoil, it's a ton better.

[Tom7227]

I bought a Strikemaster electric last year. I like the fact that i don't have to screw around much when storing it and that I don't have a chance to spill gas and get it on clothing and hands. That said there are limits to what you can do. I charged mine up for 2 or 3 days in the basement and was only able to get about 7 or 8 holes out of it the past two days on Metro lakes with an 8 inch auger and maybe 12-14 inches of ice. I am taking the cable to attach it to the car battery along and if I get stumped I'll have the battery from my lawn mower or motorcycle along to get more holes. I've not been very satisfied with the meter on the side that gives a green/yellow/red conditon of the battery and I'm not sure the charger that came with the unit works all that well. I usually open mine and hook it up to the charger for my Vex. A bit of a PITA but it seems to work better. No noise to speak of, no exhaust and no spilled fluids were my main reasons for buying it.

[Redbeard5289]

Thanks to everyone for the input and opinions. Always good to hear from others before you make a major purchase.

Thanks

Redbeard5289