New Ion Electric Auger report

[cichlid_baby]

All things happen for a reason.. it's only because you were truly meant to have a StrikeMaster this year.

[Hawg]

Chippers reopen holes, razor blades dont. Not for long at least.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Gander has 12% off anything over $112 today, so I decided to pull the plug on the new Ion. Everything I've read sounds great...but like everything, time will tell.

[B-man715]

Finally got to try the Ion out this weekend on Upper Red.

Very impressed with it's performance! It drills much faster and smoother than I was hoping.

Breaks through the bottom of the hole VERY smoothly.

I drilled somewheres around 25 holes through 10-11" of ice. It showed no signs of stopping.

It absolutely creams the Strikemaster in all categories (my buddy has one to compare to).

-lighter

-faster

-no catching on the bottom of the holes

-much, much longer battery life

As for re-drilling old holes, I did not test that. ( I always pull the shack off after each trip)

The only thing that needs improvement is the safety. Mine sticks at times in the "fire" position. The actual switch that supplies power to the motor works flawless.

[Ol' Lund]

I bought an ion at the ice show, and got to use it for the first time this weekend! I was quite impressed with it! I do have one thing tho, we were in portable and fished first spot for three hours and auger was sitting on ice battery side up. Went to try and drill more holes, and it didn't work very well, the auger made 1 or 2 revolutions, then i had to let go of trigger and try again, it continued to do this. It was around zero degrees, im assuming because battery was just to cold, any thoughts?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

You have to keep the battery in the ice house when not using the auger!

Will last a long time and drill many holes if you keep it warm when not in use.

I store my battery in a small soft side lunch pack with a chemical hand warmer on top of it when I am out on the ice.. Worked great.

Cliff

[Iambjm]

I just went out to Fleet and looked at them. They sure look like any other razor blade to me. Has anyone checked on the price of a spare/new battery? The HSOforum says to call the customer service, and the battery warrenty is only one year.

Battery is $149.

[Hawg]

I broke my own rule-chippers reopen holes,razor blades dont-and bought an ION. So far very impressed if you read some of my other posts on this topic. If you need an extra battery because you drill that many holes then you need a gas auger. I may do a dozen on a normal day so It's great so far. I did do about 30 in 8-9 inches of ice the other day and the battery still showed 3 lights-full charge. It's not for run and gunners. New rule-chippers reopen holes, Strikemaster lazors don't-unless you like getting your drill repitched at Drock and buying blades.

[chris63]

As long as you keep the battery warm you will be fine.On a -20f,20 mile ride to flag island on LOW make sure you bring a gas or hand backup "just in case"c63

[Hawg]

100% correct Chris, there's no one perfect auger for everything.