Another help me chose an auger thread... SO frustrated

[BLACKJACK]

Interesting post. As I said in my previous post, I have Strikemaster LazerMag, its about 15 years old, it starts on the third pull every time and is a cutting machine. All I do every spring is run the gas out and its good to go. Only problem I've ever had is a leaky gas cap and fixed that by buying a new one.

I also have a Strikemaster Electra for in my fish house so I don't fume it up. I don't really like it because of the 'catching' when its almost thru the ice, if you're not careful it almost jerks your arms off. I've learned to go really slow at the moment of break thru, so I guess it works but I won't shed a tear when the piece of junk goes down the road.

What I don't like is having to take with two augers, they take up a lot of space in the back of the truck. As it gets warmer in the spring and I want to drill lots of holes, that calls for the gas auger. But if I have the wheel house with in order to set it up for later, that calls for the electric. Would be nice to get down to one auger.

Leery of the IONs because of the battery replacement issue, same with the new Strikemaster electric. May have to check farther into one of those 4 strokes.

[pathogen]

I pop the battery off and keep it in a small cooler in cold weather, never had it run out of steam until this year after 40 holes in 24+ inches of ice. Then I popped in the extra battery that I purchased when I got the ion. The ease of use, the lack of noise, and my non-aching back all make it well worthwhile. Monetary cost is of no concern to me.

[wookiemofo]

I pop the battery off and keep it in a small cooler in cold weather, never had it run out of steam until this year after 40 holes in 24+ inches of ice. Then I popped in the extra battery that I purchased when I got the ion. The ease of use, the lack of noise, and my non-aching back all make it well worthwhile. Monetary cost is of no concern to me.

So, this is the ION. I suppose the same diagnosis could be had for the strike master. What about cold temps? Any thing with that? How long have you had your ION?

[JoeMX1825]

the Ion runs perfectly fine in cold weather, you just need to keep the battery warm (like any electric auger) I have the ion battery case and just keep in in my flipover...works just fine...

[hamms-scooter]

The Tanaka for sure! Uses little gas is quiet light weight and rips! You can put any auger on you wish I run a 6" nils and an 8" mora on mine they scream through the ice. Also very little to no smoke. No oil changes battery to charge and once you buy it youre done no worrying of a battery to replace. 7 yr warranty also

[CaptainMusky]

The Tanaka for sure! Uses little gas is quiet light weight and rips! You can put any auger on you wish

Try a Jiffy Drill once and get back to us. LOL

I would definitely have to side with the folks saying getting a gas auger. Yes, they are smelly, sucks missing gas, but until it is proven these batteries will last for many years I will deal with it.

Properly maintained and with minor maintenance over the years a gas auger will last decades. How many batteries are you going to run through in that time? My guess is a lot.

[Chaws]

4 Stroke all the way. No mixing, no horrible 2 stroke smoke, less noise, did I mention no mixing?

[JoeMX1825]

lots of initial Ion guys running year 3 on their battery with zero problems or loss in charge power...I'm on year 2 and running just fine...

If you drill less than 40 holes an outing get an Ion or Strikemaster Lithium, if you drill more than that, then a gas auger is a no brainer, it's pretty simple...

[icehole10]

I have a Strike master Solo 142 which I love, when the recoil isn't broken on it. I have two complete recoils that I take with me and a philips screwdriver so I can change it out when necessary! Once its running, I would say its the best gas auger on the market, but in the effort to make them lighter, I think they got a little cheap on a few things, and yes I use the decompression button on every pull.

[CaptainMusky]

Lets see how those batteries are after 5 years plus. You can buy a ton of gas for a power auger for the money those batteries run, whether Ion or Strikemaster. I spent $5 on gas and that might last me nearly an entire season.

[JoeMX1825]

to each their own...while you're choking and repeatedly pull starting, warming up your gas auger in cold temps, I already drilled my hole and catching fish... and if I do have any issues in 5 years, I bring it down to a Batteries+ store, and they replace the cells inside...

[CaptainMusky]

Yep, to each their own. My gas auger starts 1st or 2nd pull every time, no exceptions.

Batteries Plus is great, but their work is not cheap either. I had them fix up some batteries in the past, if I wasn't over the barrel with no other options I surely wouldn't have done it. Super spendy.

[JoeMX1825]

we could both argue until the cows come home, if I drilled more than 40 holes, Yes, I'd have a gas auger, but I don't and no gas auger comes even close to the convenience my Ion delivers. No mixing gas or checking oil levels, no fouled plug, no smells, no pull starting, no torn pull cords, or broken recoil springs, no warm up, no hot exhaust pipe, no leaking gaskets, no cracked fuel tank, no worrying if I put it down on the proper side, I simply get to my spot and instantly drill my hole, oh it's also 5 lbs lighter than the lightest gas auger...

Modern day lithium battery packs are alot easier and cheaper to work on than the original Craftsman/Ryobi/Dewalt packs from a few years ago...heck, you can even buy replacement cells off hsolist now and do it yourself...

my last little jab - Everybody says their gas auger ALWAYS starts on the 1st or 2nd pull every time...

[CaptainMusky]

we could both argue until the cows come home

my last little jab - Everybody says their gas auger ALWAYS starts on the 1st or 2nd pull every time...

Im not arguing with you.

BTW, I am not everyone and mine actually does start on the 1st or 2nd pull every time.

Do you want an auger war? First to drill 5 holes and I wont even start my auger first.

[JoeMX1825]

1,2,3,4 I declare an Auger War!

[CaptainMusky]

:-)

[ZachD]

This seems like the logical answer

[JoeMX1825]

3 pulls MAX to start that thing...

[wookiemofo]

we could both argue until the cows come home, if I drilled more than 40 holes, Yes, I'd have a gas auger, but I don't and no gas auger comes even close to the convenience my Ion delivers. No mixing gas or checking oil levels, no fouled plug, no smells, no pull starting, no torn pull cords, or broken recoil springs, no warm up, no hot exhaust pipe, no leaking gaskets, no cracked fuel tank, no worrying if I put it down on the proper side, I simply get to my spot and instantly drill my hole, oh it's also 5 lbs lighter than the lightest gas auger...

Modern day lithium battery packs are alot easier and cheaper to work on than the original Craftsman/Ryobi/Dewalt packs from a few years ago...heck, you can even buy replacement cells off hsolist now and do it yourself...

my last little jab - Everybody says their gas auger ALWAYS starts on the 1st or 2nd pull every time...

This may have sold me. But I've decided I am going to wait until next years strikemaster version. Rumor has it it will have reverse, plus any other kinks worked out.

[CaptainMusky]

3 pulls MAX to start that thing...

Its a pushbutton so you are way off LOL

[Grainbelt]

Don't forget one of the best features of the ION which is the reverse mode for clearing the hole.

[JoeMX1825]

Reverse is not needed in my opinion, it's just another thing that can break (The reverse switch most likely has flimsy wires soldered to the motor to reverse the polarity, solder breaks and you're screwed on the ice)....scooping take all of 30 seconds and you're getting the slush out of the hole, not pushing it underneath where it can just easily come back up the hole...plus they've come up with some cool new scoop designs that get's 90% of the slush out on the 1st attempt. I like the KISS methodology for stuff used in extreme weather (Keep it Simple Stupid)

I felt the Strikemaster seemed put together rather flimsily with thin plastic, I liked the ruggedness of the Ion better, but just my opinion. Plus the Ion is 2 lbs lighter.

[McGurk]

I guess I like the idea of Strikemaster simply because they have repair centers close by, basic parts available everywhere, blades for sale and an exchange program, and weigh less than a similar Jiffy. Personally, I'll take a 5 year old Tecumseh powerhead over the Solos and Hondas.

I like a 2 stroke for the power to weight ratio, and my "recharge" is a gas tank away. I only use non-oxygenated gas and Amsoil Sabre, so the couple of engine issues I had have gone away. That being said, I always start it in the garage before a trip, on shore before a walk, and right when I get there so I know not to waste any time with anything else if I can't get a hole drilled. My $150 used Strikemaster lazer has out drilled many an Auger on many a trip, so I guess I feel pretty good about it. Can't vouch for the newer ones or other brands, though.

[tip_upclyma]

All I can say is that I have owned my Jiffy White Lightning for 9 years now...I am NOT the best at taking care of my stuff...and that Jiffy is BULLET PROOF! Best piece of machinery I have ever owned. Chipper blades rock (still using the originals). If you want to spend all the dough, I say go with a propane option...but if you want value, and reliable (IMO)...an older, slightly used Jiffy is king.

[bASS_BLASTER]

I would be up for any challenge but it would be cheating because I've replaced my Tanaka head with a Goped Engine which revs at 14,000rpm.