A question for you Strikemaster auger guru's

[howwedoin]

I received some money from christmas and want to buy an auger. I have $150 to help me purchase the auger. I'm looking at both the Mag2000 and the Lazer Mag.

I know the motor is the same except the paint so I'm good on the motor.

The question is about the blade, which blade should I choose? I have a baby due in late march and I want the auger to last a long time so I can bring him out fishing when he gets old enough. I'm also willing to fork over the extra money tor the Lazer Mag. (I think it's worth the money if it lasts for atleast 10-15 years)

I have my mind made up that I'm getting a Strikemaster.

[Corey Bechtold]

Definately go for the Lazer blade. They cut faster, easier and save on gas to boot! I have the MagIII right now and couldn't believe the difference once I changed over to the Lazer auger blade.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[mtwalleye]

Corey is correct, the LazerMag will cut faster and easier. They are both good augers. The Mag 2000 will do the job. The question you will have to answer is whether you want to invest the extra $$ in an auger or maybe another piece of ice fishing equipment. Tough call.. I upgraded to the Lazer last year from a Mag III. The only concern I have with the Lazer is its ability to re-open a hole. Lazers do not work well for re-opening holes. Good luck.

[McGurk]

I'm not a guru, but I'll throw in the 0.02 I amassed from a trip up to DRock in New Brighton: A Mag 2000 w/ the single chipper blade will do better in a situation where you would be opening the same hole over and over, as in a permanent house. The Lazer Mag w/ the 2 Shaver blades (or more depending on the model) is better for all other applications, i.e. faster, smoother, easier holes.

Good Luck (both with the auger and the new baby!) McGurk

[scalescratcher]

I am also not a guru but can say that I am still using a MagIII that is over 15 years old. I do not normally re-open holes and with Corey's insight changed to a Lazer blade system at the beginning of last season. I couldn't be happier! Over the years I've had to do some carb maintenance but usually due to my off season storage inexperience. I now run Amsoil Saber, take time to run it dry and get some Seafoam in the system in the spring and it's running as good if not better than when it was new. By the way, thanks Corey for the great advice!!

[Scenic]

I have been running Lazer Mags 2hp. since they came out and would not change. I cut a lot of holes in a normal year and most years I only change blades once a year.

[BIG DS]

Quote:

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A Mag 2000 w/ the single chipper blade will do better in a situation where you would be opening the same hole over and over

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This absolutely correct. This should be your main deciding factor. Do you re-open a lot of holes or do you always drill fresh holes? One small consideration will be the price of the replacement blades. Lazers are higher. Not a real big deal, but if you are money concious, that may become a factor.

[Sonicrunch]

I switched from the chipper to the laser and I am so frickin' happy with it.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Lazer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[howwedoin]

So I'm seeing that the Lazer is getting high marks. I just built a semi-perminent ice shack (the one that looks like a mailbox) and I might be opening holes again or moving the shack deeper or shallower.

Is it just tougher to reopen holes? It's possible I'm sure but I'm a little unsure what people mean when they have trouble reopening holes. (and yes I have used an old gas auger before (not my first time;)))

Thanks for the good replys!

[Corey Bechtold]

Glad I could help you scalescratcher! Cutting the hole is just half the work, the other half is actually getting the fish to bite.

To answer the other question, YES, re-opening the holes is hard on the blades. You will also notice that the auger will jump all over the place while you do this. I have heard from some that the best auger to re-open holes is the old spoon augers. You should be able to find them in some garage sales for under 10 bucks. If you have to re-open holes and want to use a Lazer auger then the Lazer 224 might be a better choice. I haven't talked with anyone who has re-opened holes with the 224, anyone else?

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[howwedoin]

I bought the Lazer Mag last night. Thanks for all the opinions.

I can't wait to start drilling holes!

[HarryG]

Question? I was under the impression that the Laser was better for re-opening holes. I have had a laser for about 5 years and have re-opened several holes with out any problems. I do use a 7" auger so maybe that helps. I can say this: I have never had any problems with my strikemaster. It starts every year and no issues at all. It cuts so fast, that if they came out with another one that was faster, I would not buy it as I have better things to do with the extra money. It works that good.

[dwag70]

I have the Mag with the chipper and could not be happier ... drills the holes fast enough for me and in my opinion the blade lasts longer than the shavers !!!!

[mnfishman]

I have the Mag III that I bought used 4 yrs ago for $20. Yep $20 and it ran. Well it was already 10 or so years old and it is running great still. The only thing that I had to do was get the auger welded down by the chipper blade and that was it. I also run the OPTI-2 oil in it and that makes a world of difference. No smoke and it runs smoother.

I don't reopen holes ever so I don't need the twin blade deal but if you need to reopen holes then get the LazerMag.

[howwedoin]

I went to Turtle Lake last night to try out the auger and I'm shocked! I barley had to put any pressure on the auger to cut. The blades dig into the ice with little pressure! CUT'S LIKE BUTTER!

[Corey Bechtold]

Your new name...howwedrillin

Glad to hear your happy with the purchase.

How was the fishing?

Corey Bechtold

[BIG DS]

Quote:

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I was under the impression that the Laser was better for re-opening holes

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The Laser works fine if you take your time getting it started in the old hole. Too many people are used to the chipper blades and being able to "pin" the throttle right away and the auger will dig through. The laser blades will not allow you to do that. The power point helped a bit when SM added that, but you still need to take your time. With the laser, if you go full throttle right away, the drill will start bouncing and you will need to have the blades re-pitched. Personal experience tought me that lesson. I re-open a lot of holes, so I went back to the chipper. The chippers work better for spearing holes also.

[howwedoin]

The fishing wasn't good. I didn't even give it a chance. I was out for an hour and a half and using "Spikes" waxworms. I didn't want to make a lot of noise so I drilled 4 total holes and ran the auger 2 times. I'm totally into moving around but I didn't want to make anybody mad by drilling then moving for an hour.

Is the auger going to run smoother after I use it a little more? It seemed pretty sluggish so I figure it's from the gas that was mixed in February or the new motor. ??? Any answers?

[Corey Bechtold]

Any questions or concerns you have about your new auger should be directed to their customer service center. They are second to none and really take care of their customers.

I know my auger runs best if the gas is new and mixed correctly. I tried using an off brand 2-cycle oil last year and it sucked. Went back to the Strikemaster and she runs like a champ!

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold