ION Electric Ice Auger Or StrikeMaster Honda 35cc Lite

[Larry3760]

Buying a new auger, I'm pretty convinced I'm going with the strikemaster 4 stroke however I have not spoken to anyone that owns an ION, I typically use it in my wheelhouse with 7 holes, the gas smell or lightweight of the auger doesn't effect my decision, it would be nice to have an all electric, however I'm worried after 2 seasons of use the Ion battery will need to be replaced, anyone have any hands on input on which way to go?

Thanks!

[Hawg]

I guess nobody can say for sure yet on the battery life but even if I had to replace it I would still be happy.

[BartmanMN]

I wonder if you could 'jerry rig' the Ion to connect to an external 12 volt battery like the Big Volt when/if the rechargables die on you. If so, that could be a money saver down the road.

[Hawg]

ION is something like 40 volt. I fish as much as anybody and never ran out of juice for just myself. If you are a hole hopper then this isn't your auger anyway. Next time I'll bring the charger out to the house if a bunch of people want to use it, they charge fast but 30-40 holes is a legitimate number before it needs the charge.

[BartmanMN]

ION is something like 40 volt.

Ah yes. Dang that is a lot of volts.

[pushbutton]

Its only the beggining of season number 2 so the jury is still out. So far have dusted mine off, charged it up, burned through a charge of hole drilling and worked the same as last year. Again, it's still to early to know about it's durabilitu and battery life. If it does hold up, it sure will be a nice option for a hard house, and the ability to pop in 30 to 70 holes outside as well.

[wbliceman]

If your using it to just drill in a Wheel house and you only want 8" holes I would go with an ION. They are really nice units I got to drill with one last year and its fast. If your looking for a 10" bit or to drill over 100 holes a day I would go SM.

[Wes Ellis]

I just talked to a friend yesterday, he said his son got an Ion last year and went to devil's Lake. He was so impressed he went and got one for his self.

Said he was out the end is the season last year with over 2 feet of ice and cut over 40 holes and still had power.

Didn't know how many more it would cut after that?

[Larry3760]

I currently use a 10" bit, Ive never used a 8" before but im sure I would be fine with 8", I never drill more than 20 holes a day, I just want to make sure it will have enough power to cut 14 holes of 28" ice if needed. Ive heard you must keep the battery above 40 degrees for it to operate, is this true? Ive seen videos of people just leaving them in there truck until needed, does anyone here have the honda lite and have any input on it, thanks again everyone!

[JSK76]

I have both the honda lite 10" and the ion. I bought the Lite on Saturday and have been leaving it out over night to see how well it starts in the cold so far not impressed. Both augers have there plus and minuses like anything else, like the ion only having a 8" hole and keeping the battery warm and the Lite with cold starting. I can tell you that I left my ion out on the ice (battery side up) at 25 above and it worked just fine don't know how low it will work but tried it at -6 and it didn't work. If your fishing style fits 40 or less holes, a 8" hole and being able to keep the battery warm, go with the ION. If not my second choice as long as you don't fish in really cold temps is the Lite. When it comes to the actual drilling I really prefer the ION.

[pushbutton]

The first time ever using it, knowing nothing of the battery issue, drilled 30 some holes in about 8 inches of ice with temps between 0 to 15 over a period of 4 hours never taking the battery off or keeping it warm...just left it outside the portable and it still had good power/charge left. Soon after. the reports started coming in about having to keep the battery warm, so I started just doing it. If your using it in a hard house it wouldn't be an issue at all. If you have a portable, do not see an issue either.....drill your spread, find fish, set up. and bring the battery inside with you. My interpretation of the "issue" is that it is not crucial to always have a warm battery, but just do not leave it exposed to relatively cold conditions for an extended period. The only time I can see it really being an issue is if you are a die hard bucket sitter. If you did take some precautions can guarantee it will get you 14 holes through 28 inches. Not trying to be a homer, but do think this auger is a great all around unit. Can say that I do really miss the 10 inch hole in the hard house though, yes, you do get used to an 8, but man, those extra 2 inches are nice. Just fished out of one a few days ago and it was sweet...always a trade off in life

[Larry3760]

I ended up going with the 8" Ion, got it from H&H in maple lake for only 499.99 I think I will be happy not dealing with the gas and hard starts anymore, I will miss the 10" but 8" will be fine, I am testing it out on thurs for the first time, sounds like we have 18" of ice as of a few days ago so it should be a good time to see weather I like it or not, thanks everyone for all your input!

[Larry3760]

went out fishing yesterday, drilled a few holes through 20" of ice, auger cuts very nice even at -10 below, very happy with getting the ion!

[Big A]

I am amazed that one would consider dealing with gas and carbs vs having the ION or something like it.

I used an icegator for several years and then switched to the ION this year because the ION weighs less. Couldnt have sold my JIFFY STX fast enough once I made the transition to battery auger. My head will never look back.

ION is the way to go for me. I LOVE sitting listening to everyone dinking around with their gas augers and trying to get them to start now

ION was $440 out the door at the ice show this year. Fanastic buy.

Good luck with whatever you go with. If its the Strikemaster... I will look forward to hearing you out on the lake

[cableguy2]

Got a chuckle out of me BigA

[Northlander]

I dont think you can compare battery and gas augers. 2 different species.

In a few years when the Lithium batteries get much better and lighter I think I will be running a battery auger.

Until that day I will stick with gas. My Honda Strikemaster starts fine in the cold. Down to -28 this year. I prime it 5-7 times and it usually starts in at most 5 pulls. I can live with that. Good thing is the more I use it and break it in its getting faster and faster.

[DarthBaiter]

I LOVE my ION!!

[guyonacouch]

My biggest concern when I bought my Strikelite was people saying that a 4 stroke engine will start hard in cold weather. I've left mine in the back of my truck for several days in below zero temps and also on my wheeler rack outside overnight - after priming and choking it, it's always started up in 5-6 pulls. After that, it's one pull all day and that motor takes next to zero effort to pull. I used it in my Dad's wheelhouse last week and the exhaust fumes are nearly non-existent - we didn't even open up the doors to air it out. For my style of fishing, I would never feel comfortable with an electric auger sitting on my 4 wheeler in the cold after drilling 20 holes thinking that I might want to drill 40-60 more that day looking for crappies. My Dad drills 8-10 holes max per day and sits in his wheelhouse in one spot, so he really wants an Ion because it fits his style. I know that my 4 stroke will both drill in a wheelhouse and pop 60-100 holes hole hopping and start up after sitting outside in cold weather. All of the new augers do a lot of good things, but my experience with Honda motors over the years has been enough to let me know that my Strikelite will probably be around as long as I am.

[DRH1175]

I don't think you can go wrong with either. The down side of the ION is if you were to be using the ATV or Snowmobile and it was cold. Keeping the battery warm. If you had your truck or wheel house to keep the battery warm than not much of an issue. I will say though that Lithium Ion batteries are much better than lead acid, or NI-Cad etc... I currently have the strike lite 2 and love it. I would like to upgrade to the Honda lite though for one reason. That is the bladder Honda uses for the oil. However the Ion is an option I will look at if I decide to upgrade. No gas or oil would be a wonderful thing as well!

[fishwater]

I just repowered my 224 drill. I got a honda SM head, ran it yesterday for the first time and was very pleased. I liked how constant the power felt. I just had recent tendon repair in my dominant arm and was having fits using my buddies lazer electra, it turns so slow and it kept jacking my arm on breakthrough. My other winter buddy has an ion, that breaks through smooth as butter. I offered to trade him my lazer pro with 224, but he declined.

[BLACKJACK]

I agree, the lazer electra will just about jerk your arms off when you hit the bottom of the hole. Going to try an experiment tonight, going to hook it up to an external battery right away and see if the bigger power source will help by the time I get to hole #6.

Can you really use the Honda 4 stroke in a wheel house without fumes?

Keep the reports coming on the ION and the SM Honda!!! If you use it review it!!!

I want to get down to one auger, love my gas SM lazer mag, its a cutting machine, but can't use it in the wheelhouse. Not enought juice in the Electra to drill holes in the house and 20-30 outside if you're searching. Sounds like the ION would work but to be sure you have enough juice you'd almost need a second battery with, especially if you were going on a trip. Decisions, decisions!!!

[Big A]

Second battery would only be needed if drilling over 30 + holes...

Anyone struggle with re-opening a hole with the ION?

I tried this last weekend and it was not as easy as I had hoped. Still love it. Just wondering.

[DarthBaiter]

I do love my ION, it won't jerk your arm off upon break through. I've drilled and drilled and can't believe how smooth it is all the way through. Reopening holes hasn't been an issue.

[BLACKJACK]

Hooked my SM Electra to an external battery last night and drilled 5 holes, STILL had a problem when I hit the bottom of the hole, wanted to jerk my arms off, wasn't quite as bad but the extra power didn't help much.

Two concerns about the ION is how long will the expensive battery last before you have to replace it and how many holes can you drill if you're out searching? Hate to run out of juice. At least with a gas auger you can just add more gas.

So how are the fumes from these four strokes inside a fish house??

[cold one sd]

After drilling inside my wheel house with my Strikemaster/Honda I don't think I really noticed any fumes.