Behind the scenes at Strikemaster-the Big Volt electric auger

[Write-Outdoor]

Stopped by Strikemaster the other day and checked out their new electric ice auger called the "Big Volt." Ray and Randy were kind enough to give us a behind the scenes look and we watched Mike in the shop build a ton of these machines. They are ready to go for ice fishing this winter, now all we need is some ice!

This auger has tremendous power, comes in an 8-inch and 10-inch size, and has a unique dual blade step drill design meant for re-opening existing holes (perfect for wheelhouses). It comes with a 12 foot cord but there is a 24 foot cord available. It's very light for an electric auger thanks to a polymer gear casting. The heat treated gears and built-in safety relay will keep the units running for a long time.

Check out a video we made at the shop...

[Acemac]

how many holes will it drill on one battery? IE say I had a bat. in the back of the truck.

[Write-Outdoor]

Oops! Made a slight adjustment to the video and had to upload it again....wish that YouTube wouldn't change the link when that happens. Here it is again.

[toughguy]

Looks good. If I had a perm that would be the rout I'd go.

[Write-Outdoor]

To answer your question Acemac....

Strikemaster recommends that you use a truck or car battery in the vehicle so that it's always charging. Battery life is not an issue in that case. Likewise, a lot of people have a generator with their wheelhouse so there's a steady power supply.

But if you were going to be out there with just a fully charged battery and no charger, you could definitely drill 20 to 25 holes.

That's the word directly from the bosses at Strikemaster. Good question! Keep them coming folks.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

What is the MSRP and how much does it weigh?

[Write-Outdoor]

The 8-inch weighs 25 pounds and the 10-inch weighs 27 pounds. For those who don't know, that's the same weight as the gas powered Lazers and Magnums.

From what I understand (and don't quote me on this one) the MSRP is expected to be right around $425 or possibly even lower.

Will be nice to not have all that exhaust in the wheelhouse after drilling eight holes, that's for sure!

[IamZombie]

Corded!?

Big fail on strikemaster's part.

[BartmanMN]

Corded!?

Big fail on strikemaster's part.

It has a battery. Not strickly corded for power.

[pulleye16]

How does this differ from the Electra. Besides the blade of. Course

[BartmanMN]

The name leads me to believe it has better battery technology giving it more power or a longer run time, however the video didn't get into that so I am only speculating.

[Finlander]

The difference is there is no mounted batteries on this unit. You have to have a deep cycle battery for it to work. Or a running motor with an alternator constntly charging while drilling or you won't be able to start what you drove there!

[pulleye16]

The difference is there is no mounted batteries on this unit. You have to have a deep cycle battery for it to work. Or a running motor with an alternator constntly charging while drilling or you won't be able to start what you drove there!

I'm thinking this is wrong. No way would they make an auger run of external power only.

Looks like the only difference is the auger bit. Battery looks to be the same (or performs the same) as well as being able to run off external 12v. hmmmmm, must be missing something here!

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I watched the video and looked at the Strikemaster site for a comparison. In my opinion, it looks like the Big Volt does not have a battery. Look at the Electra Lazer and Big Volt, there is something missing - the battery. Moreover, the video, description on the box and pro-staff narrative say nothing about a battery or charger.

My initial impression is that this is a unit that is perfect for the wheelhouse/perm owner. If my assumption is correct (no battery) I hope it is priced more modestly that the Electra if there is no battery and charger.

[Write-Outdoor]

It's specifically designed for wheel houses which is why it comes with a 12-foot cord and has the option of getting a 24-foot cord. This hooks into a 12-volt battery that you have either in your wheelhouse or use separately. It is a top of the line electric auger made to fill a niche that customers have been asking us for over the years. Not everybody wants a battery-powered auger for their wheelhouse and not many people want a smoky wheelhouse from a power auger.

The cutting system was designed specifically for re-opening up holes, as is often the case in a wheel house. You can use the Lazer drill and it works like a charm, but this step process blade is awesome at carving into an old fishing hole that might not be totally sealed up. You don't get those awful vibrations or bounces.

It is a specialized auger that might not appeal to the run and gun style angler who likes punching a lot of holes and staying mobile. My Magnum is an awesome unit but when I use it in my buddy's wheelhouse we have exhaust to deal with.

If you are the kind who goes up into the non-motorized portion of the BWCA then this is an awesome auger. If you have a wheelhouse then this is an awesome auger. Check it out at the St. Paul Ice Show this December and watch how many people in this niche go crazy over this auger!

[pulleye16]

Like all other strikemaster augers, does this new one fit on other strikemaster power heads? Will this work on my elctra lazer? Couldn't they have just made a longer 12v connector for the electra lazer and placed the new auger bit on it? There must be something more to this auger...it has to have a battery, right?

[harvey lee]

If this new auger is half as good as my SOLO, Strikemaster has a real winner.

[Surface Tension]

Just to clarify, you can't use an electric auger in the BWCAW.

"Non-motorized" includes electric augers and electric trolling motors.

The big volt isn't going to be for everyone but can see how those with wheelhouses would like them.

[herefish101]

Like all other strikemaster augers, does this new one fit on other strikemaster power heads? Will this work on my elctra lazer? Couldn't they have just made a longer 12v connector for the electra lazer and placed the new auger bit on it? There must be something more to this auger...it has to have a battery, right?

No battery......

The electric motor is visibly larger..........

Like has already been stated, it is meant for wheel houses, you hook the cables to the batteries you already have in the shack, or hook it up to your truck either way it'll drill holes.

Again, THERE IS NO BATTERY. And the motor is definatly larger than the Electra.

[pulleye16]

I bet they sell two of them all year. Who ever thought of that? It is like taking a step backwards. Save a few bucks buy the Electra it also comes with cords for external battery PLUS it works independently. All they had to do is put a different blade on it.

I guess there are suckers born every minute.

Oh-hope you don't want any tip-up wholes!

[Eelpout08]

as far as an electric auger goes, i would buy this before i would buy one with a battery. You would never be halfway thru a hole with a dead battery, (as long as you leave the truck running) and the best thing that i can see about it is no expensive battery to replace in 2 or three years.

and im not sure what to say about the tip up hole situation, unless it draws few enough amps to run it off of the four wheeler, that would be a pretty good run and gun rig as it would be nice to just hop off the wheeler and drill without starting up a gas auger.

that being said, i still prefer two stroke smoke- a 2.5gallon can of gas is alot more convenient than cords for me.

[pulleye16]

as far as an electric auger goes, i would buy this before i would buy one with a battery. You would never be halfway thru a hole with a dead battery, (as long as you leave the truck running) and the best thing that i can see about it is no expensive battery to replace in 2 or three years.

and im not sure what to say about the tip up hole situation, unless it draws few enough amps to run it off of the four wheeler, that would be a pretty good run and gun rig as it would be nice to just hop off the wheeler and drill without starting up a gas auger.

that being said, i still prefer two stroke smoke- a 2.5gallon can of gas is alot more convenient than cords for me.

diddo on the gas...kept my electric auger but purchased a gas this year cause it is all-around better.

But you are still missing the point here...why would you purchase this over one with batteries? IT COMES WITH CORDS AS WELL! you won't run out of juice half way through a whole cause you could plug it in like the big volt but would have the option of drilling a few holes outside the house...or even use it while not in the fish house, or car, atv...

I guess this thread is like telling a die-hard ford person their new spark plugs are junk! Some peope are just too loyal (I own two strikemaster augers) to see this was a gimmick.

[Eelpout08]

But you are still missing the point here...why would you purchase this over one with batteries?

Less weight would be the only reason i can think of. I dont think i will be running out to buy one any time soon though!

[Jim Almquist]

But you are still missing the point here...why would you purchase this over one with batteries?

You own a wheel house/perm or maybe even a resort and do not want gas/exhaust fumes in the house. You want it to be ready to fish in the moment the holes are drilled instead of keeping the door open for a half hour while the scent lingers. If you spent $10,000 to $15,000 on your wheel house you more than likely don't want it to smell like a auto repair shop.

[pulleye16]

true...those batteries put out alot of fumes