Anyone own a modern Jiffy 2 stroke? Are these worth putting in the cart?

[fish_eat_sleep]

Im having difficulty comparing a new model 30xt to a Strikemaster or Eskimo. Currently have a malfunctioning SM Magnum.. (dull blade, broken gears) Considering something new & different.

Lazer Mags look good but cost $450+ new.. Also everyone I know that uses one admits the dual blades dull often and cost $$$ to replace and they ice up more in extreme conditions.

A couple buddies have newer eskimos (mako, z51). The mako auger fell apart at the welds near the cutting edge hold the blades in place, in 4 outings.. Actually looked like tracker boat welds with no penetration at all into the metal, making the drill unusable for a few weeks before having it repaired.

I only find reviews and opinions on the Jiffy pro4 model which I'm not interested in. Can someone thats used a new jiffy 2stroke engine weigh in please!

Thanks!

[Al.Wichman]

I have owned an Eskimo now for at least 10 years. I have the Z51 and the Z36(the Shark and the Mako). I love them, admittedly they are both noticeably heavier than a SM and Jiffy, but for the money can't beat it. I have friends who own the others and they swear by theirs. Todays augers are all relatively close in comparison. You will have a dud here and there with anything, just the nature of mass production. Whichever you choose, just break it in properly and take care of it and it will serve you for years to come.

[Lusid]

Check pawn shops.. I saw 4-5 ice augers in the last 2 shops I was in.

[gonehunting]

Keep an eye on the "list by Craig". Just picked up a brand new lazer pro 3hp Strikemaster for $300. A lot of deals to be had there.

[Northlander]

Check out the new Strikemaster 4 stroke with a Honda motor. Only auger that could pry me away from my Nils.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Jiffy augers are solid, don't be afraid of one.

[tracker185]

spend the money and gets yourself a nils auger. you wont regret it tracker 185

[holmsvc]

Jiffys are fine, except the cheap white ones.

[fish_eat_sleep]

I don't really need the 4stroke unless I find extra $$ laying around which is doubtful. i really haven't seen much in terms of the 2 stroke jiffy reviews so i thought id ask around and see what others think about this topic.

SM Lazer cuts fastest and weighs least. costs a boatload and currently my magnum isn't doing so hot. eskimo seems like the bargain brand. hit and miss with reviews depending on who you ask. many people have great things to say about both. jiffy all i see is the heavy 4stroke & propane quiet no smoke but zero well written pieces on the standard models like the 30xt or stxll.

I suppose ill end up with a lazer mag $449 or z51 $359 if nobody can convince me on the 30xt $379.

[wishing for walleyes]

I have a jiffy legend lightning stealth with 2hp motor and 9 inch hole. Cuts super fast. I have only changed the ripper blade once and have had it for around 10 years now. Pull rope did break a couple years ago. It will reopen any hole.

[peerchking]

I have had a cheap white one for 25+ years

[fish_eat_sleep]

see, saving $60 on purchase over the lazer mag, and having the blade last a whole season would be tempting

[younggun]

I have a newer model 30. One problem was that exhaust wasn't attached properly. They eventually just sent me a new power head. No problems. Great at reopening holes. Never gives me any problems.

Overall other then a manufacturer defect, I love it. I use it often and hasn't let me down.

[RuddyDuck]

I have a cheap white Jiffy 2hp, about 5yrs olds. Think they used to be called "White Lightning" or something like that. For the money it has been a good auger. The key is to upgrade and put the ripper style blade on. Probably cut my drilling time in half. It weighs about 30-31lbs, so not as light as a SM, but not as heavy as the old 3hp or propone ones. I can almost do two holes to one over my friends SM Magnum of about the same age. The magnums seem pretty slow to me. I'm sure the lazers cut alot faster, but hey, I saved alot of money, don't have to worry about blade pitch and have steel handles to boot!

Also had a friend that bought the new cheap white SD60i Jiffy last year. Think they have them on sale at FF for under $300 once or twice a year. I was surprised how well it cut even with the regular blade. He was doubling what I could do. The motor ran really good, it was the new motor, not the tecumseh like I have.

Good luck with whatever you get.

[hoppe56307]

All I am going to say is DO NOT buy anything with plastic handles you are only asking for trouble.

Had a SM broke the plastic handles 3 times and after that I sold it and bought a Jiffy.

[DaSwede]

Bought a Model 30 three years ago. It ran well for a year, then wouldn't start. Jiffy replaced the power head for free, no questions asked. Took a couple weeks to get it back, but it runs and cuts great.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I bought a jiffy model 30 when I got into ice fishing 10yrs ago. It's the 3hp head with 8in and ripper blades.

In the 10 yrs I've had it, all I have done is abused the thing. The whole thing is metal except the gas tank.

I never summarized it, I have only changed the blade once on it.. That was after I dug a couple post holes in the ground over the summer. Lol I guess dirt and gravel dull a ripper blade fairly quick. I leave it in the corner when I'm done with it in the winter with whatever fuel was in it, then pull it out a few weeks before winter pull the cord a couple times and it fires up ready to roll. The thing is indestructible...........I will admit I felt kinda bad last year so I did touch up the auger bit with some $0.99 gloss black spray paint.

From what I've heard, most people with these type of model 30 can't seem to kill them. Only complaint you hear about is it being a bit heavy.