Strikemaster Electra Lazer

[Nisswaguy]

Was thinking about picking one of these up for the new wheelhouse this winter. Pro's for me: No gas, no smell and I'm always around a battery if need be. My question is, how they do with reopening holes? The info says it has Twin Serrated Stainless Steel Lazer Blades. I've already done a search on here and didn't come up with much.

[BartmanMN]

You'll want a chipper for re-opening holes. If you have access to a battery, then the SM big volt is the one to look for. Big volt has 8.25 and 10.25 option.

Shaver style blades can get out of pitch when reopening existing holes which degrades cutting and sometimes can make them not cut at all.

[eyebjim]

The shavers work well to reopen holes if you let them freeze at least the top 3 inches of the hole before re-drilling. If not they are difficult to say the least.

[ClownColor]

I've reopened plenty of holes with mine. Just let the auger do the work and don't force it. Once it grabs, it'll do fine...though not the best.

[Random guy]

You can re-open holes with it but if you are around a battery take a look at the Strikemaster Big Volt auger. Chipper blade, 24' power cable and power to no end, it was built for the hardshack fisherman with re-opening holes as the #1 design concern.

[Nisswaguy]

As much as I'd like to say it's going to be used 100% in the wheelhouse, it's mostly likely not. Therefore, I need the option of being able to be portable with the thing. Are there different blades an option to put on to make it perform better with cutting new holes and with re-opening holes? Also, how does the Big Volt do with cutting new holes?

[Tom7227]

I have had one for 3 or 4 years and I use it when fishing with my Clam flip over. I have been able to get 5 or 6 holes out of it with a new battery that is fully charged. I don't care if I catch anything so I seldom move so it works for me. Maybe others have had better luck but I think it's good for 10 holes max and probably less late season when the ice gets thicker.

[BartmanMN]

Chipper blades are perfectly fine for new holes, they just won't cut as fast as a shaver blade. You'd need to use your wheeler battery with the big volt as it doesn't have a battery.

[Blaker55]

We have one that is 2-3 yrs old. Worked fine. Minimal use. If you want to purchase it, you can email me at [email protected] and I can give you more info and pics. $225.

[ClownColor]

I have had one for 3 or 4 years and I use it when fishing with my Clam flip over. I have been able to get 5 or 6 holes out of it with a new battery that is fully charged. I don't care if I catch anything so I seldom move so it works for me. Maybe others have had better luck but I think it's good for 10 holes max and probably less late season when the ice gets thicker.

I'm with tom here. Loved it at first cause I only popped a few holes but now it sits in my garage and the gas auger comes out to play. I know people hate the exhaust but if you can't clear it out within a few minutes, you need to learn how to "vent" a house.

[arctic_scrap1]

I use a 10" Big Volt. I know some people may snicker about it but I love it. I don't go out until I can at least use my wheeler but that means I can either use my wheeler battery, truck battery once there's enough ice, or just carry my optima red top with me, which is what I usually do. There's no hassle with needing to carry gas or oil or propane bottles. Don't have to worry about it not starting. Just toss the battery on the racks. It cuts holes just slightly slower than a gas auger and is very quiet, it reminds me of an atv winch.

The only downsides are if you're going out on foot or if you want to make swiss cheese out of the ice searching for fish. I might move 4-5 times in the day and drill 20 holes and I still have full power from my battery. I also bought it with the plans of buying a wheel house and/or having a permanent somewhere.