ION vs Strickmaster battery powered augers

[Diago]

Has anyone had experience trying both of these augers? I would like to buy a battery auger but have not tried either of them.

Thanks,

Jim

[dj2quick35]

Love my ION. just got the 10" bit for it so i cant wait to try that out. I traded in my old one for a new model this year so interested to see how the reverse function works on it.

I think the ION is great for hard shack, but if you want to punch a bunch of holes in a day it may not be the best choice. Last year i had to cut through 28" of ice and it did just fine for the 10 or so holes i drilled. Im not jumping all over and will stay in my Ice Castle and just take a nap if the fish are not wanting to bite.

[ClownColor]

If you are talking about the SM electra lazer, just give me $400 and I'll kick you in the goods...it'll hurt less and the pain won't last as long!

[Hawg]

He's right, be sure you are looking at the new Lithiom Ion models. The older ones were not very good, and they are for sale everywhere-cheap.

[JollyJoker]

The Ion without reverse is being sold by Ion with free shipping for $399 on "the bay". Includes a warrenty. I don't know if they charge sales tax.

[FIRECAT]

I know the Strike master Big Volt doesn't have a battery but I heard its a fairly good auger for the shack. I was looking for one but I heard they quit making them.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have had an 8" Ion since they first came out and love it! Not sure how many holes the 10" will cut but I am sure that It will cut all the holes that you will need in a hard house.

I have never killed the battery in my 8" auger in a days fishing! Just keep the battery warm when not in use!

Gave away all of my gas augers!

Cliff

[slammer]

Doesn't the new Strikemaster have a 50 volt lithium compared to the Ion's 40 volt? Seems like SM would be worth a look.

[Bureaucrat]

+1 on the Ion. I'm on my second season and it's every bit of what it's advertised to do. For $650 you can get an Ion and two batteries. Same deal in the SM would cost $850, and there isn't any real feedback on the SM's yet.

Electrics won't get you far in deep ice, so they have their limits. They are priceless on early ice for speed and reduced drilling fatigue. My Ion with a 6" bit is under 20lbs. Sure beats the pants off the 43lb augers if you're running and gunning.

[JSK76]

The Ion without reverse is being sold by Ion with free shipping for $399 on "the bay". Includes a warrenty. I don't know if they charge sales tax.

Another big box sporting goods store site had them on sale yesterday for 439.99 with free shipping. I just got 420.00 for my old one! I wish I had waited to buy the new one I got a deal and still payed quite a bit more.

I did get a chance to try out the new ION on Sunday with my 10" bit. You'll need to make sure you got a good grip because with the 10" it's not the same sweethart auger us Ion users are use to with the 8". It's still nice cutting, just requires some more muscle then before. The reverse worked ok but with only 6" of ice it isn't enough ice to give it real test.

[th64]

Almost never use a shack or heater so how would I keep the battery warm?

[pushbutton]

Use your shack and a heater ....or grab your kids insulated lunch bag and throw a hand warmer in it.

[Laddyaddy]

Im a Strikemaster fan but would definitely like to get an Ion. That Strikemaster replacement battery is just too expensive. Makes me nervous.. I would wait until some reviews come out on that auger as previously stated. The Ion is also a few pounds lighter

[1lessdog]

I would like to see someone come out with a 120 volt. Pull up start your generator and start drilling. Now that would be nice in a fishhouse. No batteries and seems like everyone has a generator.

What do you guys think??

[1lessdog]

I would like to see someone come out with a110 / 120 volt. Pull up start your generator and start drilling. Now that would be nice in a fishhouse. No batteries and seems like everyone has a generator.

What do you guys think??

[B-man715]

I would like to see someone come out with a 120 volt. Pull up start your generator and start drilling. Now that would be nice in a fishhouse. No batteries and seems like everyone has a generator.

What do you guys think??

Milwaukee Hole Hawg and a GFI

I bought a knock off from Northern and used it for a season. It worked slicker than snot, until I put into reverse while it was still spinning and toasted the tranny.

If my Ion ever fried I would probably buy a used Hole Hawg to replace it.

[aanderud]

I would like to see someone come out with a 120 volt. Pull up start your generator and start drilling. Now that would be nice in a fishhouse. No batteries and seems like everyone has a generator.

What do you guys think??

Can't imagine the 110 volt AC motor is going to get a lot of takers.

Basically all of the same people that have a generator also usually have a 12 volt battery available (e.g. either in their house or in their truck) that could run a 'big volt' from Strikemaster -- and that was never a big seller. They've even apparently discontinued it.

So take the big volt that didn't get enough sales to make it a profitable product, cut the sales down to about 1/2 or less (my guesstimate of the fraction of hard-house owners that would rather use a generator to drill), and you're going to have yet another even MORE-unprofitable product.

[BradHawthorne]

I got to rock the demo last season.. and I made sure I got one of the first ones off the shelf this year. You will love the consistent power of the Lithium Lazer. For me it's perfect, I can get through all of my portables (14, 4 holes each) with power and holes to spare. It's not a toy auger, it's made to work. Ya, you will pay more for the 50V but it's worth it if you want an electric auger with some power behind the bit.

[JSK76]

I would like to see someone come out with a 120 volt. Pull up start your generator and start drilling. Now that would be nice in a fishhouse. No batteries and seems like everyone has a generator.

What do you guys think??

110 AC and water, I don't think any company's lawyer would let them make one. Not that it should get wet but accidents happen.