Ion vs Strikemaster Lithium or Ice Gator

[Dozer]

What do you guys think? Im going to buy an electric auger this fall, what should I get and why? Is a Ion still really a 7" hole? I see the make a 10" bit now but I really want a true 8". Do they even make Ice Gators anymore? RedRock has Ions for $499 and Strikemasters for $599. The auger will be used mostly in my wheel house so it will have to redrill holes. If the Strikemaster came with a 8" chipper bit for $499 I think that would be my choice but thats not the case.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

What do you guys think? Im going to buy an electric auger this fall, what should I get and why? Is a Ion still really a 7" hole? I see the make a 10" bit now but I really want a true 8". Do they even make Ice Gators anymore? RedRock has Ions for $499 and Strikemasters for $599. The auger will be used mostly in my wheel house so it will have to redrill holes. If the Strikemaster came with a 8" chipper bit for $499 I think that would be my choice but thats not the case.

I looked into ice gator. The unit is extremely expensive for what an individual will get vs the ion or strike master. I've also heard that the customer service is very lacking and current customers have had a lot of issues even getting ahold of customer support with ice gator. From what i can tell the strikemaster is a 50volt with a 25:1 transmission. The Ion is a 40v with a 24:1? (Not sure) Just from a customer aspect I'd go either ion or strike master. Then, I'd go strikemaster due to a 50v and the style of handles on it.

[BradHawthorne]

I have seen some of the smaller retailers switch out drill bits if you ask them.

[pushbutton]

Biggest unknown right now will be what the new Strikemaster cuts with. Their old electric set up had big time hang up issues and was not really designed to reopen holes. If this has been addressed, given their proven history with electrics coupled with 50 volts, it probably will be a decent unit.....but, again, no one really knows yet. Any red.... non talking heads out there ......actually use the prototypes last year? Yep, too bad about Gator, by far the best all around as far as function; it's a frigging monster cutter, but would not pull the trigger without better......sometimes.....any...... support. The Ion does have an 8inch, and so far proven to have a very nice cut, with a very nice multi purpose unit, with great customer support.

[11fish1]

Based on this video the Strikemaster is best used on thinner ice.

http://youtu.be/o4BMizjev8w

[Hawg]

First off the Ion is about 7 3/4 inch. They did just put up the HSOforum with the new features and the 10 in drill but nobody seems to be sure of the price yet. If Strikemaster uses Lazer drills, stay away. If they use chippers I would stay away too just because I think it would tear the unit up, they take a lot more torque. If they go to a shaver blade like Ion I'm sure it will be a good product.

[B-man715]

Based on this video the Strikemaster is best used on thinner ice.

http://youtu.be/o4BMizjev8w

That's the old Electra, aka the worst electric auger ever made.

It is best used as a paper weight.

Kudos to Strikemaster for entering the 21st century with the new electric, but as mentioned, they need to get away from those lazer blades.......

My pure guesstimation is that roughly 75% of consumers would buy one for use in a wheelhouse or permanent. Lazer blades are terrible at reopening old holes and redrilling shrinking holes.

[gonehunting]

Could a person put an 8" chipper auger flighting on the new Strikemaster 50volt auger or will it be too much torque for the auger?

[pushbutton]

Would think you would be able interchange the drills. You could with the electra. Will it tear it up over time with heavy use...don't know. Would love to see a brand loyal person jump on it and report back at the end of year

[Dozer]

If the Ion is a 7 3/4" that is close enough to 8" for me. Seems like the tried and true Ion is the way to go. They can be preorded from Red Rock for $499 shipped to my door, will they be cheaper at the ice fishing show? Or should I just order one and be done with it?

[B-man715]

If the Ion is a 7 3/4" that is close enough to 8" for me. Seems like the tried and true Ion is the way to go. They can be preorded from Red Rock for $499 shipped to my door, will they be cheaper at the ice fishing show? Or should I just order one and be done with it?

You should be able to find one at the show for a decent price if you are already going. I bought mine for $385 or so the first year they came out. It was by far the best price out of the 6 or so retailers selling them at the time.

If you are going there to soley save money on an auger, just buy it now online (figuring in gas/time/parking/admittance fees etc.)

IMHO, if the new auger with reverse is $50 more, it would be money very well spent.

[JSK76]

Now that you can get a 10" for the ION the only other thing that would make it better is address the cold battery issue. I'm curious how the Strikemaster battery will do in the cold? Btw I seen the price of the replacement battery for the strikemaster on the Worlds Formost Outfitter site at 299.99. That right there took the interest away for me.

[JSK76]

Just found this, since when has SM suggested reopening holes with a twin blade lazer bit or called it "ideal" Every time I've talked to them they say that's what the chipper blades are for and that's why the big volt has them because it's designed to reopen holes. The picture of the auger clearly shows twin lazer blades on it.

Engineered to auger up ice inside your shelter and ideal for redrilling frozen holes, StrikeMaster's Electric Lithium Lazer Auger provides consistent enough speed torque and power to drill up to 56 holes in 24"-thick ice on a single charge. With its oversized throttle, Mora™ Twin stainless steel lazer blades and lightweight polymer gear casings, this smokeless auger offers smooth-and-easy, one-man operation. Vandar® long-filament high-impact handles minimize vibration and fatigue during drilling. Removable 50-volt lithium ion battery quickly charges in as little as two hours, and even features an LED light safety on/off power switch, as well as a quick-check battery status indicator. Zero emissions and environmentally friendly. Motor has a three-year warranty. One-year warranty on battery. Imported.

[B-man715]

JSK76, don't you just love marketing...........???? You are spot on by calling the b/s out.

Just found this, since when has SM suggested reopening holes with a twin blade lazer bit or called it "ideal" Every time I've talked to them they say that's what the chipper blades are for and that's why the big volt has them because it's designed to reopen holes. The picture of the auger clearly shows twin lazer blades on it.

Engineered to auger up ice inside your shelter and ideal for redrilling frozen holes, StrikeMaster's Electric Lithium Lazer Auger provides consistent enough speed torque and power to drill up to 56 holes in 24"-thick ice on a single charge. With its oversized throttle, Mora™ Twin stainless steel lazer blades and lightweight polymer gear casings, this smokeless auger offers smooth-and-easy, one-man operation. Vandar® long-filament high-impact handles minimize vibration and fatigue during drilling. Removable 50-volt lithium ion battery quickly charges in as little as two hours, and even features an LED light safety on/off power switch, as well as a quick-check battery status indicator. Zero emissions and environmentally friendly. Motor has a three-year warranty. One-year warranty on battery. Imported.

[JoeMX1825]

Now that you can get a 10" for the ION the only other thing that would make it better is address the cold battery issue. I'm curious how the Strikemaster battery will do in the cold? Btw I seen the price of the replacement battery for the strikemaster on the Worlds Formost Outfitter site at 299.99. That right there took the interest away for me.

They sell a battery case for like $25, has pockets in it for hand warmers to slide in...just take the battery off when not using it...

[dairyman]

check with Reeds in walker-----------they may be able to shoot you a better price-----------If your a "veteran"---they'll give you another 10% off-----------that's the way I bought my ion last year

[ski_otter]

Now that you can get a 10" for the ION the only other thing that would make it better is address the cold battery issue. I'm curious how the Strikemaster battery will do in the cold? Btw I seen the price of the replacement battery for the strikemaster on the Worlds Formost Outfitter site at 299.99. That right there took the interest away for me.

i just got home from a dealer show and talked with the Strikemaster rep, they recommend taking battery inside or keeping it warmer just like the ION battery. The new lithium has lazer blades.

[JSK76]

So how can a small company like Ice Gator have a lithium battery that from what I've read works great in extrem cold and ION and SM can't?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

So how can a small company like Ice Gator have a lithium battery that from what I've read works great in extrem cold and ION and SM can't?

It's a claim........is anyone able to confirm? It might just be a better insulated pack......if its left out in the cold long enough would it have same problems? The Ice Gator looks like a great product, and probly is. However with the price point being higher, and from what people have said about the customer service is a concern. I'd be sick if a guy droped $640 for an ion gator and had a switch break, or the gear teeth grind off the main drive without being able to get the unit serviced or fix in a timely mannor or fixed at all. To me when your buying an item service and repair centers for the product afterwards are just has important has finding the right product for an item. While nobody buys an item that they think will have problems, accidents can happen an occur. What does a guy do if something happens to a gator if the battery has issues? can't run to a local dealer to get a battery, nobody seems to carry the gator. What do you do if the small company sold out of the battery for the year and you need one? wait a year for new inventory? The gator is impressive.........however I think many have concerns beyond the inital product purchase and use.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

i just got home from a dealer show and talked with the Strikemaster rep, they recommend taking battery inside or keeping it warmer just like the ION battery. The new lithium has lazer blades.

So after looking at the strikemaster and seeing the ion, which one would you go for?

[HOGEYE]

The new ION also has reverse for easy flushing of holes. This coupled with a 10" chipper blade makes this an ideal auger for permanent houses.

[JSK76]

The new ION also has reverse for easy flushing of holes. This coupled with a 10" chipper blade makes this an ideal auger for permanent houses.

I didn't know the 10" was a chipper? I did notice it has a chipper style blade cover but didn't think anything about it. I made a adapter to run my SM 10" lazer on my ION and it worked but just barly but I felt a 9" would be much better. From that experince I just don't see a chipper 10" on the ION, the performance wasn't there with a 10" lazer. I guess it depends on what they conciderd a "chipper". I trust they know what there doing and it will work great, and I'm defently getting the 10" for my ION for the wheel house.

[HOGEYE]

I think I was wrong about the chipper blades on the ion 10".

[Northlander]

Im going to pull the pin on a new Strikemaster LI auger. Looks like the best of all worlds there. If it cuts as much on 1 charge as stated it will be a great addition.

[Hawg]

Just remember that lazers are not for reopening holes by SM's own admission. Won't be a permanent house tool unless you move everyday.