What should I do?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I've covered all my needs/wants for ice fishing...........I'm thinking about selling my 3hp jiffy model 30 8in ice auger w/extension. It's the nice metal head/handle bar/poly fuel tank. It's always ran awesome, 2 pulls and starts) is dependable and easy to have worked on or to get parts with a local guy. Not that I ever needed him. (only time its been in shop was 4yrs ago for a tune up. Didn't really need it just figured i should do it after having it for 6yrs) Also, it has been easy to touch up anything with paint to keep it in good looking condition.................I think I'm just being stupid and getting the early ice fishing gear buying bug......Tell me I'm nuts.

[leech~~]

They are a bit heavy but the whole idea is to get a hole in the ice. If it is doing that why switch? It seems like some of the newer lighter augers out there today seem a little more finicky with more problems then the big old dependable ones. Didn't want to say cheaper made!

[mwal]

Keep it some of the newer ones may be lighter. But that jiffy has the track record of dependability and long life. Read about all the problems with new ones and how temperamental they are. Lots of guides and resorts depend on the old jiffy for a reason. Is it heavy? Yes does it always start and cut ? Yes . Read about having to warm up new ones to run in the cold battery and propane models. Keep it. You can probably tell I have a 1982 jiffy that got its first tuneup last winter cause it was taking about 10 pulls to start.

Mwal

[Spike76]

What I do is give it to a grandson, now I need a new one. The same with rifles. Have fun searching for a new auger.

[Gus]

I wouldn't get rid of it. If you want a new one, buy one. Old trusty can be a backup. I took the plunge into a new auger and was happy I kept my old one around. Someone else said it, but newer machines can be finicky. Make sure you have one you can trust before you sell or hand down the old girl.

[sportfish]

Buy a new lite weight auger and keep your old one ! I never have less than 2 augers . I always take 2 with when heading way up north

[rundrave]

I am run and gun ice fisher but I sacrifice the weight of the Jiffy model 30 just for the fact that its durable and bulletproof. I cant say how many times its been dropped hard or fell and just flat out refuses to die. I am not sure the newer lighter plastic models would have stood up to the abuse I put my Jiffy through.

[JSK76]

I would buy new and keep old trusty for a backup. I replaced my late 90's Jiffy do to it not being a good starter when it was cold, for some reason it was that way since new. Not only was I happy with how well my new auger at the time (solo) would start but how it would start in one pull and stay running, no playing with the choke or anything. I also found the extra benefit of being 11lbs lighter and not binding at the end of the hole. I did sell mine to a buddy but I also now have an Ion and 10" honda lite. Not sure witch one is the back up to the other, I like them both very much but if it came down to one it would be the Ion.

[Lawrence Luoma]

To me it all matters on how many holes you plan on drilling each outing. If you out only drilling around 20 or so holes then having an Auger that you know is bulletproof is key. If you're only drilling 20 holes who cares what the weight is and if its bulletproof then stick with it. Now if you ice trolling and getting up to 50+ per outing, you're going to want to go lighter and faster. Whatever system you use there is something to be said though in having an auger you can trust no matter what the brand. If you're having auger issues your not fishing.

[CaptainMusky]

Hey, if that old dog is still treating you well I would just keep it. If your fishing style has changed and now you want to drill more holes or want electric, etc, etc, then consider upgrading, but keep that old boy because you know what you have.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Hey, if that old dog is still treating you well I would just keep it. If your fishing style has changed and now you want to drill more holes or want electric, etc, etc, then consider upgrading, but keep that old boy because you know what you have.

Well I'm thinking i'll just stay with it. I've seen some friends do the propane and the Ion only to have issues with them. Dead batteries, cold batteries, propane to cold.......Plus my buddy has a nice light eskimo that has ran really well, and is lighter if we need it. It's just a bit slower drilling. I just hope the marketing doesnt get to me.