New Jiffy Stealth Questions!

[JHansel7]

Thinking about buying a new Auger this summer, just wondering how these compare to the new strikemasters? and any other company.Do they cut pretty fast, and effortless. I know my older Jiffy takes a little longer but it still does cut fairly decent. Anyway let me knwo how they are if you get time, Im partial to Jiffy i guess...

[MRWALLEYE2005]

I have the 2hp 9 inch Stealth and it starts up right away. When the ice is getting softer and melting like now or at early ice it cuts really fast. The only problem i have is that it gets stuck sometimes cutting hard ice. It doesnt bother me that much though, at least i got a bigger hole than the 8 inch to get the big one in.

[JHansel7]

Hows it compare to Strikemaster? Or is it like a Vexilar Vs. Marcum question and it comes down to preference.

[MRWALLEYE2005]

Its about the same as Strikemaster, you dont have to sharpen blades that much with jiffy stealth which also has the dicer armor so it wont ice up, where the strikemasters you have to regularly. Also you may want to look at the pull cord with the Strikemaster Mag compared to the Jiffys. Srikemasters are on the left side and Jiffy Stealth is on the right, Im right handed so thats another reason why I got it. You could get by with the Strikemaster Lazer Mag 2000 for about 240 if you want a 8 inch, otherwise if you need a bigger one then the Jiffy Stealth 9 inch will be fine. The best deals that I have seen the Stealths were at the Ice fishing show in December they had the 9 inch Stealth with the oil and spark plug kit for 320.

[ChuckN]

Since we are only comparing Strikemaster and Jiffy...

I own a Strikemaster Lazer, have owned it since December 1997. I've drilled (I honestly don't know ) let's say countless holes. I replaced the original blades last year. It cuts thru ice quite easily, no real effort involved.

I did use a new Jiffy Stealth, and I bet I could drill 1.5 holes with a Jiffy to my one with my Lazer.

They are the same Techumseh 2 hp motor, but the Lazer has a better auger IMO. I've heard a lot of good things about Strikemaster customer service too, if you ever need it. I've never needed it.

[JHansel7]

so from what i gather, they are all nice, a matter of preference?

[PERCHJR]

I agree with the other guys on this one, I bought a 2hp 8" stealth this year and love it. So it is up to you, I would think that you will be happy with which ever auger you buy!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!!!

[Matt Breuer]

My 2 cents, the Strikemaster Lazer series of augers are superior. Not only are they fast, but like Chuck said, the customer service is bar none!

I'm also intrigued by the new Nils, I'd like to try one out, but wouldn't give up the power of my Lazer for anything!

[Guest]

3HP 10INCH STEALTH,CUTS VERY GOOD AND STARTS ALWAYS ON 2 PULLS AT THE MOST.dONT KNOW ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE AS I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.nEVER HAD IT IN A HOLE RACE TO SEE WHAT IS THE FASTEST,BUT SHE ALWAYS STARTS AND CUTS GOOD.oNLY PROBLEM WITH THE 10 INCH IS ITS A LITTLE HEAVY,BUT FOR MY USE IT O.K. AS MY 4 WHEELER HAS A AUGER RACK.

[LEECH21]

I bought a 8" 2 hp Stealth in December and love it. It took awhile to get it going at first, but once it is broken in it runs very nice. It cuts through ice like nothing with no added effort.

[hanson]

JHansel7-

I've had my Strikemaster Lazer for 4 years now. Its the 2hp Express 8" model. That auger has worked so well for me that you couldn't pay me to switch up to a Jiffy.

One of my big concerns with the Jiffy is how they snag in the ice as mentioned earlier. Does anybody know why they tend to do this? I've seen probably 20 different Jiffy owners this winter have this problem. Latest occurrence was at Cool Cats last weekend. Corey Bechtold can back me on this one, his auger stalled or snagged at least 4 times cutting through the ice.

My gut feeling is this happens with the 2hp single chipper blades and not the stealth system but that is just a hunch on my part.

[Beaver15]

Hanson-

Got my new 9" 2 hp Stealth around Xmas and my point was exactly that-about the getting "stuck" in the ice--having to do the lift and drop. Anyone know what's causing this?? Still love it though, starts great, never ices... Any thoughts boys...

[Ed Carlson]

I got a 9" Stealth and it cuts like a dream. I am very pleased with how it cuts all types of ice and opens up an old hole if need be.

Two things cause it to hang up on the bottom of the cut. The most common is due to uneven ice. The points drop through and the main bit bites a bit more then it has been biting, and it may stop. I usually hold back on the auger as the center point drops through and it solves itself. Pushing harder just makes it worse.

The second is you may have dinged the outside section of the main blade and it could use a quick touch-up with a file. If you open a lot of old holes this is a likely scenario as it dulls from the outside first.

Slow it down at the bottom and touch up the blade and it will chew through almost anything.

The Stealth is a great all needs cutting system and very easy to maintain.

[GullGuide]

I bought a new Stealth 9" this winter and I love it.

One thing I noticed right away was that you cannot apply pressure downward like you can other augers. Let the auger do the work and you need to actually apply upward pressure. It will practically pull itslef down through the ice.

Another thing is you need to keep the auger straight up and down in the hole. If you let it bind against the side it will bog down.

After you get the hang of it, it cuts like a dream.

Some more info- The engines are the same on both the Strikemaster and Jiffy, differences are the clutch and the throttle assemblies. You must be very careful with either of the two new 2 hp engines not to pull too hard or too long on the recoil. The catch part is made of plastic and it will break if stressed too much. Not sure why they made this part plastic, but that's the way it is so be careful.

[pathogen]

If you replace the blade on a Jiffy and bolt the flange to the bottom of the plate instead of the top of the plate, it will snag every time. It's an extremely common error. My Jiffy has never snagged the ice in the 15+ years that I've had it and I cut a lot of holes.

[Tim L]

With my Strikemaster even after 10 years with same blade and hundreds of holes drilled never had it snag at the bottom of the hole like my jiffy model 30 10" seen the same thing with the 8" got a new stealth 10" cuts thur like butter no snag but runs like dump talked to a jiffy rep and he said they have a kit to take care of the problem something about California emmisions don't ask me that's what he said suppost to be sending the kit i think it's just a hotter plug?

[Mr.Seaguar]

As to the question is it all preference, like Vex v. Marcum, Ford v. Chevy, Trojan v. Ramses: yes. Augers are the biggest pain in ice fishing. Once you find one that works stick with it. I use a Jiffy stealth but the guys that use Lazers are wise to stick with what works for them.

[LEECH21]

GullGuide, I know exactly what your talking about with the plastic recoil part. I bought my first stealth and on like the third pull it snapped in two. I returned it the next day, no problems. My replacement Stealth works like a charm and I love it! So everyone that has an auger with that plastic catch part... BE CAREFUL!

[Ripp'n Lipps]

Someone said that the Jiffy Stealth models are great for reopening holes. How are the Lazer models for reopening?