Stikemaster Solo Questions

[Buck_Hunter04]

I got rid of my Jiffy Model 30 today. Looking for something lighter. I want to go with the Solo. But should I go 2hp or 2.5hp. Im gonna get it in the 8in hole. Any info would be great. Is everyone pretty much happy with these.

[Deep]

I won a 2hp solo last year and it has been a great unit, cuts great, runs great. You should be happy with it. It will turn slower than you Jiffy but cut just as fast.

[fisherman-andy]

Go with the Solo Lazer Pro 3hp. There isnt much a price difference. If you go with the Solo Magnum 2hp you end up with the chipper blade. I hate Strikemaster chipper blades. Slow and annoying. Both the Lazer Mag and Lazer Pro come with lazer blades.

[JSK76]

If you get the 2hp your going to get the slower but more durable chipper style blade if you go to the 2.5 hp it comes with the Lazer 2 blade shaver style, faster but more prone to dulling and possible blade pitch issues if not handled properly. Once dulled the chipper will still cut and shavers are pretty much a done deal. I have the 2hp with a 4 blade shaver style (224) and its crazy fast but I have ran into some issues dulling blades one time completely my fault other time not sure what happened. Chipper blades can be sharpened, shaver style need to be replaced.

I just bought an ION this weekend and as long as you can keep he battery warm and don't drill holes like a mad man (over 800" of ice) I would recommend it over a Solo or unless you want a 10", only because the ION only comes in an 8". I drilled 18.5" of ice in 15 seconds with the ION. I think I will be selling my Solo.

[harvey lee]

I have the 2.5 Solo with the shaver blades. I was just going to change my blades after 3 plus years but the new ones were no sharper. I fish alot each winter, sometimes 3-4 times a week but I try to take care of my blades so yes, they can last a long time if taken care of.

Great auger, cut's fast and I have been more than happy wih it's performance. You can get the larger 3hp, but I see no reason for the added power as my 2.5 cuts as good as I need an auger to cut.

As far as problems with the Solo, I know of one and that's the fuel line that could break after 2-4 years of service. It is an easy fix and costs about a $1 to fix it, least that is what it cost me.

[Buck_Hunter04]

Thanks guys, I went and got the 2hp after work. Will be firing it up tomorrow.

[Buck_Hunter04]

Purrrrrrrssss like a kitten.

[picksbigwagon]

Buck, watch that first hole you drill, the auger will suck you down if you are not paying attention. Mine still sucks me down if I am day dreaming and I am 6'7" and north of 250......The first hole I drilled with my solo after I dumped my jiffy, the auger almost came out of my hands when it started pulling me down

[swmndeerhunter]

JSK76 - Let me know if you are planning on getting rid of that 224 drill if its a 10 inch. I'd be interested in it. Those things are amazingly fast. More spendy to get new blades, but cut better than any other auger.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Buck, watch that first hole you drill, the auger will suck you down if you are not paying attention. Mine still sucks me down if I am day dreaming and I am 6'7" and north of 250......The first hole I drilled with my solo after I dumped my jiffy, the auger almost came out of my hands when it started pulling me down

Mine was doing that at first. I took it back to Strikemaster, and they found a broken weld on the auger. Replaced on the spot.

[picksbigwagon]

LRG, mine doesn't have a broken weld, I just feel the auger hit the water and it has a downward pull, because of the engine power and speed of the auger.....

[eurolarva]

My mag 2000 shot a rod through the block. I was at Drock and they had power heads that were used to drill holes for ice tournaments and they sold me a Solo laser mag for 379(with full warranty) and man am I in love. My Mag 2000 sounded like a motor this thing sounds like an engine. I drilled over a hundred holes last weekend up north and it must have been about 5 seconds per hole. I was warned about being sucked down the hole so I was watching for it when I got near the water. I like having a primer bulb and I also like the lighter weight.

[Buck_Hunter04]

I punched about 40-50 holes this weekend. Plenty of torque thats for sure. Works great!!! Would recommend it to anyone. Just have to get it out of my head I don't have a 3hp model 30 anymore. Little bit slower but easier on the arms and back when trolling for perch.