Which Solo?

[zeke7434]

I am going to buy a new Strikemaster Solo auger but am unsure if I want the 3hp or 2.5hp model. Does anyone know if it is worth the extra $ for the 3hp? I don't really see any difference between the 2 models.

[CaptainMusky]

If you like to hop around and drill holes go with the 2.5 hp model because its lighter. If you want a 10 inch drill the 3 hp is a better choice during to more power.

[creepworm]

If you like to hop around and drill holes go with the 2.5 hp model because its lighter. If you want a 10 inch drill the 3 hp is a better choice during to more power.

That is not true. They both weight 26 lbs with an 8 inch bit and 29 pounds with a 10 inch bit. The only difference between the two is an extra half horsepower.

[MMarah]

I just purchased the 3 h.p. 10 inch and love it. I think that the added h.p. helps the auger as it goes through the bottom of the ice, no matter what size auger it is. Either way this is a powerful awesome machine and you can't go wrong. The exhaust is louder and more obnoxious than my previous lazer but I like it that way!

[cere19]

I have a 3 hp with an 8 inch lazer bit and my buddy has a 2.5 hp with the 8 inch lazer bit as well. Earlier in the year we raced and we both felt that the 3 hp was faster that was with 8 inches of ice and both augers having almost new blades. I was out with him today and we had 17-18 inches of ice on the lake we were. We could both see that the 3 hp was indeed faster, we didn't put them head to head at the exact time but I was a hole behind when I started and could see me gaining on him. The thing with the 3 hp is that right before it finishes the hole there is a lot more torque than with the 2.5 hp, the 3 hps powerhead really likes to spin right before it punches through. Hope that helps

[gonehunting]

I have the Solo 3hp Lazer Pro. It is an ice drilling monster. I think it is definitely worth the extra money. Especially with the current sale prices.

[coombia21]

Not enough difference to get the 3hp. I have a 3hp 10 and my buddy has a 2.5hp 10 and there really isnt much difference between the two. His is about 2 seconds slower.

[CLEVIS-D-WAY]

I way 130 pounds and have the 3 hp, dam tiring with the extra torque especially on the left arm. My bud has the 2.5, not sure if mine is a bit out of line on the blades but for me using his 2.5 I can drill far more without the left arm fatigue.

[CrewJones]

i have my dad's jiffy from 1983 it was probably top of the line then. Actually looks like the same one you would buy today that weird ....

anyway when my son gets my 3hp lazer solo he will be happy that I went and got the best one you only buy an auger once in your life, if you buy the right one

[zeke7434]

I talked to one of the guys in Strikemaster's service dept & he said that he would buy the 2.5 unless you drill a lot of holes a day. The 3hp spins about 400 rpms more than the 2.5. I don't know if it's my inner Tim Taylor coming out but more hp can't be a bad thing.

[stjwalleyemman]

dont buy a solo after 2 yrs the thing wont run right buy a jiffy

[Notcho]

Sold my jiffy bought a 3hp solo... now on my 3rd season with Strikemaster!

Got the Strikemaster and never looked back. Nothing wrong with Jiffys if you like really heavy augers that cut half as fast and don't run on their sides and take at least 5 pulls to start then die right away leak gas all over the place ect...

For the record my experience was with a brand spanken new Jiffy 3hp Stealth STX, bought it because everyone said how great they are... sold in less than 1 month from new.

[gonehunting]

If you want quality and local customer service buy a Strikemaster. I've owned several brands of augers. The Jiffy's I've had are hard starting and heavy. Not trying to start a chevy vs ford debate but Jiffy is far from the best auger out there. My opinion only.

[gonehunting]

Guess Notcho and I were thinking the same thing after reading that.

[tonkapat]

Get the one with the metal handles.

[landscaper]

How much lighter is the Strikelite?

[creepworm]

3 lbs with an eight inch bit.

[Rebel9921]

3 lbs with an eight inch bit.

Wow 3lbs??? That would be a dream auger for many with bad back/shoulders!!!

Actually, a Strikelite II is 23lbs...

I used a friend's Lazer Mag (2.5hp) for a while before I purchased the Lazer Pro (3hp)... I can tell there are significant differences in power/torque between those two and I sure dont regret purchasing the Lazer Pro... if anything, I would buy it in a heartbeat today... I love mine and never would think about venturing out on the ice without it!!!

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I'm perfectly happy with my 2.5hp, but I'd get the 3hp if I were to do it again. The smaller was the last one left, and I needed a 2nd auger at the end of the season.

[joneshat11]

Nils Master Auger 13.7lbs

Strikemaster StrikeLite 23lbs.

Nils Master Auger drills almost twice as fast as my Solo 3hp. If weight is an issue then you should be looking at a Nils. It will be my new auger next year.

[SapperACE]

I've seen them in blue,

I've seen them in yellow,

But only the red will do for this fellow...

Sorry couldn't resist. I've had my lazer for a dozen years and its still running like a top.

+1 for strikemaster.

[fishnhuntnboy]

I've got the 2.5 solo and love mine. It's more than fast enough for me. There's days I go out and will drill 50 holes and never have a problem with it. I could see where the 3 horse would be better for drilling a lot of holes but what's an extra 2 sec per hole

[fishersofmen]

I've got the 2.5 solo and love mine. It's more than fast enough for me. There's days I go out and will drill 50 holes and never have a problem with it. I could see where the 3 horse would be better for drilling a lot of holes but what's an extra 2 sec per hole

I agree about the 2.5 it is more than enough for me. Even after 2 months of use now I still get a smile on my face every time I use it. I can't imagine anything goes through the ice much faster, not to make a significant difference anyway.

[DRH1175]

How much faster is the 2.5 Solo vs the stike lite? The 3 lbs and no mixing would be nice. But If the 2.5 solo is that much faster and more powerful than maybe that is the better buy? The strike lite says 65lbs torque. What is the solo 2.5 does anyone know?

[zeke7434]

I talked to one of the service guys at strikemaster and I beleive he said the rpm's of a 2.5 are somewhere around 800 and the Strikelite is 170 rpm's at full load. I don't know what the torque is of the 2.5 but I do know the rpm's are significantly higher.