Strikemaster Solo Lazer

[DTro]

I stumbled into an opportunity this year to have the privilege of taking the new Solo Lazer out on the ice and put it through the paces in exchange for some honest feedback. Let me just first say that I’ve been using a Nils the past several years and during that time have not been shy at all telling everyone how great of an auger that is. I wholeheartedly stand behind everything I’ve said about the Nils and it is one heck of an auger.

I’m going to be sharing my thoughts here on this thread as the year progresses on the Strikemaster and try to be as honest as I can about the positives and negatives I run across. I feel it’s only fair to those reading it and its very easy to just be a cheerleader for brand XYZ without talking about some things that could possibly be improved. Hopefully that list here is very short, but if I run across something negative I’d like to be honest about it and not sweep it under the rug.

This past Sat was my first experience with the new Solo motor and in general with a Strikmaster auger. I’ve drilled a few holes with friends older SM augers, but not even enough to really form an opinion either way. So with that, I was pretty stoked to start drilling with this new Solo Lazer! The first thing I enjoyed was how easy it was to assemble the darn thing. I had it sitting in a box out in the garage and purposely set aside a good chunk of time in which I figured I’d have to put some stuff together or whatnot (took me 5 hours and a few beverages to assemble my Otter Lodge). As it turns out, the assembly process on this auger was one stinking bolt. LOL It took all of about 10 minutes to put the head unit on the drill, tighten the bolt, put in some gas and have the thing running. Doesn’t get much easier than that!

So, we headed out on to the ice on Sat and it was a 90 minute drive and we didn’t want to be hauling around extra augers so I was a little concerned about not having a backup, you just never know what to expect with something brand new that’s never been used. I guess the good part was that if anything was awry, it wouldn’t be too hard to find parts or service close by as we were driving right by Big Lake on our way to the lake. Well, as it turns out I had nothing to worry about, as it fired right up and went to work. The very first thing I noticed was the cover. Now this might not seem like nothing at all to anyone who’s never used a Nils, but I’ve fought with that thing for years now and its little things like that a guy takes for granted and forgets about. But anyways, it sure was nice to have that thing slap on and off effortlessly. I found an improvement already!

The next thing that caught my attention on the SM was the RPM’s of the motor in comparison to the drill. I was more accustomed to a faster drill that matched more closely to the RPM of the motor with the Tanaka on the Nils. So my first concern was that it might not cut as fast, but that fear was squished as soon as the drill hit the ice and started spinning. Now, you have to remember we only had 8-9” of ice so you have to take this with a grain of salt, but that Strikemaster literally ripped through the ice. I was very impressed….and dare I say it was actually faster than the Nils? Can’t say for certain, but it wasn’t slower, I’m pretty confident of that.

The very first thing I noticed was how different the shavings appeared compared to the Nils and how much more they were being thrown out of the hole. Now this can be a good thing and a bad thing. The good part is that the actual hole has less slush, but the bad thing is that this stuff is being tossed out onto your feet and legs. My thought though is that I would prefer to scoop less slush and depend on my boots and bibs to keep me dry, but that is just me.

As mentioned above, If there is one bad thing I could ever say about the Nils is that it leaves quite a bit of slush in the hole and it makes it a pain when you are doing a lot of hole hopping. The addition of the Ice Hogger Shroud helped a lot with that, but the shroud is a little bit clumsy for hole hopping, so I was very pleased to see how much cleaner the SM left the holes. I might not have to lug around a scoop with me to every hole now (at least with early ice).

I guess I really hate to get into a whole “auger wars” deal here, but I feel I’ve had enough experience with the Nils to make some fair comparisons between the two. My first experience with the Strikemaster was very positive and like I said I’ll try to share my random thoughts and experiences here in this thread as the year progresses and the ice gets thicker. Hopefully the thread can stay sort of on topic.

Feel free to throw out any questions here too. I don’t have much experience with the auger yet, but I will try to help.

[1johntimm]

Was this the Pro lazer 3 h.p or the 2.5 H.p. Lazer?

[Gordie]

Great Post DTro and glad to hear a unbias report.

yesturday was the wifes side of the family Christmas and I got to talk with my sister-inlaw that works at strikemaster and we were talking of the ease it is to assemble and how a lot of guys that purchase a new auger and acctually put it together on the ice for the first time and that told me the ease of it.

She didnt recomend it but just said that guys were doing it.

Can't wait for more info on the solo

[fishersofmen]

DTro I have been using a Solo Lazer this season for the first time as well and love it. If I had 1 word to describe using this unit it would be "effortless". One thing I noticed yesterday that I'm a bit concerned with is there is some play where the drill goes into the power head. I would say there is a good 1/8" of play where it will kind of wobble and move up and down where it goes into the gear box. To this point it doesn't affect performance at all just thinking something isn't right. Does yours have any play in this area at all or is it completely tight?

[CrewJones]

great post, I just purchased the 3HP unit after years of using my dads 1985 model 30. What a difference light and drills holes with out having to lean on the auger with all your weight.

I really don't understand that blue compression button ? but like most consumers I just want to fish so If I put it in pull the cord once or twice it starts.

I let 2 guys use it this weekend who couldn't get there auger started they both had big smiles and were telling everyone to give it a try.

Very good Unit imo, I have never used another New auger of any brand so im sure the other ones are good, but I like that I can drive the HQ and have them to everything i need.

[otis]

I have been a Jiffy guy for years. This year I got a lazer pro and will not be looking back. Great unit to say the least. I also noticed a "wobble" when it is spinning. It is really evident when trying to -reopen a hole. I do not re-open holes often, but the Jiffy is hands down better at that job. All things considered I think I am now a SM guy for life.

[dougger222]

The compression button is designed for easier starts. The Techemse(sp?) had them for a few years and found out that most of the years by pushing the buttom at start up was actualy bad for it. I have an 05 and 06 model and the guy at D rock said to only use the button when killing it and never on start up. Later years they put the botton on the right side of the motor.

Used a 2.5 Solo/Lazer this past week up on LOW and Winni and although it worked great I didn't see a big difference compared to the older models. We brought the 06 and the new Solo and one of my fishing buddies prefered the 06 over the Solo.

Once I drill a few hundred holes with it will get a better idea...

[DTro]

I forgot to mention that this is the pro version and yes I did notice a slight wobble at the junction. I thought it was normal, as my Nils wobbled quite a bit more.

[DTro]

I would like to learn more about this compression button and when to use it???

I thought it was a startup thing.

[Hawg]

Is it a hands down 100% fact that razor blade augers are not good at reopening holes? I do both permanant house and hole jumping for crappies and still haven't figured it out. That was a good post Dtro, thanks.

[Gordie]

This what I found on starting the SM augers on their web site

FAQ

Q: HOW DO I START MY SOLO POWER AUGER?

1. Turn ON/OFF switch to ON.

2. Prime engine 5 to 8 times.

3. Slide the choke lever to start.

4. Press the decompression button in. Gently and slowly pull recoil rope until resistance is felt, then finish the pull with a short, quick pull.

Note: it is VERY important to find that resistance before pulling cord. That engages all the components properly. This decompression and resistance check Must be done before every pull.

Once you hear the engine fire, slide the choke lever to run. Continue the pulling Procedure until engine starts

[FISHINGURU]

Every auger I've ever used has that wobble to it.

The lazer blades are NOT meant to re-open holes, you want a chipper blade or a Nils for that.

I'm also a big fan of the Nils but I need a 10" auger so I'm looking to either get the Lazer Mag or the Lazer Pro very soon. I've been researching them lately.

I owned a Lazer Mag Express about 5 years ago and got tired of pushing in that compression button, it always started the same if I used it or not. The guy at D-Rock also told me that button was a waste of time, I had to bring my 10" there because the pitch went out, I'm wondering if that's still a problem with the 10" and the added power of the 3hp?

[fishersofmen]

My 20 year old Strikemaster auger has zero play whatsoever where it connects to the powerhead so just not something I had seen before. Sounds like this is somewhat normal though so I won't worry about it.

I have been hitting my primer 2 or 3 times and it starts right up. Dont think I would go as many as 5-8.

I haven't been using the compression button much either seems like a waste of time. If one needs that button in to pull it over they may want to think about hitting the gym.

[BehindtheHead]

the decompression button makes it pull easier. easier on the recoil.

[pureinsanity]

I know on some dirt bikes there are decompression levers which make it easier to kick over mainly when the engine is hot or warm still. I am assuming its the same concept.

[BassFisherman]

I got a question. So with the chipper blades, it's best for re-opening holes, but how are they for drilling new holes? The laser would be best but if I'm not drilling 100 holes everytime I go fishing is the chipper blade good for just drilling a few? I ask this because it is quite a but cheaper then the laser. Thanks

[1johntimm]

A sharp chipper blade will open new holes and old holes with ease. Not quite as fast as the Lazer blades, but not that big of a difference IMO.

On another note, I tested my Tecupseh powered Lazer 2hp against my new Solo 2.5 h.p. The difference, if any is very minimal between the two in speed of a cut hole through 2-3 ft of ice. I'd say maybe 1 second per hole. Both augers had new blades also. I think the new Solo's are over "hyped" on their cutting speed. Don't get me wrong, but the older Lazer's drilled just as fast as the Solo's. Although I haven't ran the 3 h.p. yet?

[fishing is hot]

I leave my switch on all the time and use the decompression button to shut down.

[Iceboy]

I think you want the "play" between the auger and the head unit - otherwise the engine will be doing a lot more vibrating in your hands when you drill.

[pureinsanity]

I think you want the "play" between the auger and the head unit - otherwise the engine will be doing a lot more vibrating in your hands when you drill.

With play in a connection it can cause problems. Not saying it will for ice augers. I know for a fact a gas powered auger for fence posts wore out because of too much play. The shaft the bolt or pin goes through rounded out and ended up breaking the shaft.

Take into mind this was used in dirt not ice.

I would not be to concerned about the play unless you are hitting something that is stuck in the ice.

[ozzie]

with my auger I was told right from strikemaster to push the decompression button before every pull of the cord and use that button to shut the auger off....

[harvey lee]

Like Dtro, I used a NIls for years and was a very sastified custmer.

Fast forward a few years and now all I use is my Solo. I truely do believe it cuts just as fast as a NIls and I do not want to start a mine is faster thread here at all. Just saying.

It starts easy, cut's fast and I have not changed the cutting tip since I got this auger wgheh they first came out.

I have nothing but great things to say about this auger and if I were to need a little repair, I know Strikemaster is close and they are fantastic about fixing ones auger while you wait.

You will I promise fall in love with your Solo Dtro.

The wobble I believe is a built in feature.

[Jim Uran]

Sweet! I'm sure by the time I need a new auger they will come out with something bigger lighter faster etc... I've had my lazer mag for at least 7 years now and I have never had any problems with it. I drain the gas in the summer, put a new plug and fresh gas in it in the winter and it fires right up.

But I sure wouldn't mind having a SOLO right now, I've used one the first yera they came out with them, '09 I believe and that thing was a beast!

[Genofish]

X2

[ND4LIFE]

I too have a new Lazer Pro that I got out for the first time this weekend. This is my also my first auger. I really didn't plan on getting the pro version but Gander had it on sale this October for $399 because it was last years store model and couldn't pass it up. We drilled at least a 100 holes over the weekend and all I can say is that this thing is a beast! You have to brace yourself when it bites through the ice as it just wants to wrip though it. One thing I noticed when my buddy was using (who has an older lazer) is the sound the motor makes when it starts drilling. It doesn't 'bog' down or make the sound like it's under a load. I'm running 91 octane with Amsoil Saber at 50:1. Look forward to more drilling this season without having to borrow someone else's auger!