Nils Master vs Strike Lite

[hanson]

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it cuts fast?? how fast do you need? the strike lite cuts

dam

fast, kinda like a cold knife through melted butter.

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The Nils is a quick cutter but I think the larger advantage is that cutting is "effortless". You don't have to fight the auger and you don't have to push down on the auger. Just hold the auger, hit the throttle, and stand there. The Nils will suck itself down through the ice on its own.

I've run a Strike-Lite many times. The Strike-Lite has a load of torque. When you give the Strike-Lite throttle, you better have your feet firmly planted on the snow. Cutting with one on bare ice is a bit tricky without cleats as it can spin you a bit.

And in response to a previous comment. Yes, the Strike-Lite engine does make noise when cutting. I will say this, they are louder than an electric and quieter than the 2hp Tecumseh on my Lazer Xpress. Noise level is a lot closer to the 2hp Tecumseh than the electric. The Jiffypop 3hp Model 30 is in a sound class of its own.

Does everyone need a Nils? It might not be the auger for everybody. If all you do is hit the ice, this spot looks good, drill 4 holes, set the house up, and sit there. You are not going to see the real benefits of this auger.

On the other hand, if you pick an area, punch 40 holes through the ice, and then hop around fishing all those holes, the Nils is your machine! This is my style of fishing and I'm still using my Lazer Mag Xpress to do this. By the end of a 40 hole series, my shoulders are shot because it takes a bit of resistance to hold the Lazer auger, along with applying a bit of downward pressure. Until you have done this with a Nils, you don't know what you are missing.

[Jim Hudson]

Both are great augers... Both cut fast, with the Nils being faster.. With either, you do not have to push down on the auger, just let them do the cutting...

But for me, after running a Nils for a bit this year, the StrikeMasters are a lot easier to operate for myself. The larger handle grip just makes it easier to hold onto and carry.. On the Nils, the handles are close together, something that makes it akward for me in carrying the auger and cutting with it..

But overall, both are good.. I will be sticking with my StrikeMaster..

[harvey lee]

I have no problems carring my Nils with its handles. Also, when I'm cutting, the handles seem to me to be just fine.

[Fred_Bear]

exactly... augers are so much a matter of personal feel and preference it all comes down to how you want to use it and how it feels to the owner. its how YOU like your auger that really matters not how everyone else feels about it

[redtrucks]

I don't doubt that Nils is a great auger but if they are so good why isn't there a dealer network for them? When your spending that kind of money it would be nice to take a look at them first.

[hanson]

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I don't doubt that Nils is a great auger but if they are so good why isn't there a dealer network for them?

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I'm sure its going to take awhile for dealers to decide to carry them. 3 years ago, I maybe knew 2 people who owned these augers. Last year I knew more. This year there is quite a bit of interest in the Nils augers online. There really has to be a demand from the consumer to compel retailers to start carrying them.

Arctic Armor is another product that a lot of folks feel the same way about. Why can't I see this stuff in the store? Well... its only been on the market for a year. AA tested the market, saw how consumers responded to the product, and now is starting to deal with the demand. I'm sure in another year, every Gander, Scheels, & Cabelas is going to want this stuff in their store.

Nils is the same way. Although the augers have been around for awhile in Europe, they are just starting to gain some momentum here. I think its only a matter of time before you see more and more retailers carrying them. I believe Marine General in Duluth carries them, Reel Fishing in Madison Lake, and I have even seen them at Timberline Sports in Blackduck. You will probably see them first in the smaller, independent shops than a large retailer like Gander.

[Kodiak]

i just think that two stroke technology is a thing of the past and is being phased out, both legaly and in the market.

i ride dirt bikes and atvs and to see a new two stroke is a rareity (spelling) these days.

I think if the companies focused on bringing us more 4 stroke augers, everybody would be better off.

look what 4 strokes have done for boating, better mileage, less pollution.

[Surface Tension]

The Nils is new to the USA but has been around for a long time in Finland. You'll start to see more and more retailers starting to carry the Nils.

I agree its nice to be able to hold one in your hands before making a large purchase. I guess thats why we see these threads asking opinions and reassurances from Nils users.

This is my second season with a Nils and I'm very pleased with it. This auger has gone beyond my expectations.

Fast, light and ease of use. The engine is a great little engine that has proven to be a very good starter in extreme cold temps.

[Surface Tension]

I disagree with 2 strokes being a thing of the past. In fact look at whats been done in the outboard market.

Engine manufacturers have made huge strides in reducing emissions in 2 strokes and Tanaka has as well. If you see a Nils in action you'll notice very little smoke.

Why Tanaka?

1. Tanaka is committed to producing two-stroke powered products.

So you might be asking, what does that really mean? For starters, it means that we will not cut your power. You can be sure that all Tanaka products will continue to be lightweight and well-balanced, with outstanding throttle response. In addition, you never have to worry about adjusting the valves, keeping the oil reservoir full, or wondering if the engine will hold up. This translates into less downtime and more productivity and profitability.

In 1998, Tanaka was the first two-stroke manufacturer to certify to the stringent C.A.R.B. Tier II emissions standards for California with the innovative, yet simple PureFire engine. Being ahead of the game has allowed Tanaka to gain a considerable amount of low emission technology experience. All Tanaka products comply with EPA phase 2 regulations and all Tanaka product groups are C.A.R.B Tier II compliant.

2. All Tanaka products feature PROFESSIONAL-GRADE engine components.

Just as not all engine technologies are equal, it is important to understand that not all manufacturers use the same high quality engine components throughout their product line. With Tanaka, you can be assured that all engines, regardless of if the product is geared for the homeowner, feature the same precision engineered, high quality engine components that you would find in our commercial product line. All Tanaka engines feature forged steel connecting rods instead of stamped steel, chrome plated cylinders vs. non chrome plated, and large, fiber lined clutch shoes instead of metal shoes to ensure more power transfer with less slippage.

[JRFISHBAIT]

In regards to comments about people wanting to see the Nils auger, we are a stocking dealer of both Nils and Strikemaster. We are currently sold out of the Strikelite, but if you want to compare the Nils to Strikemaster, stop in and you can compare them.

Joe, Matt, Katy and gang.

[redtrucks]

I agree that these forums give great info on pros and cons of a product but its nice when I can go to a local sporting goods retailer and take a look at what somebody is recommending. For example, go into Fleet Farm, Scheels, or Gander Moutain if your looking for a auger and they have Strikemaster, Jiffy, and Eskimo sitting side by side and next to them they have blades,oil, etc. I would like to see Nils in that group. When I purchased my first flasher 3 years ago I read alot of pros and cons about Vexilar and Marcum on this forum but I wanted to see them both before I made the purchased. With the info I gathered on this forum I went to retailer and compared both and asked the sales person questions about the two with what I learned on FishingMN. In the end I purchased a Marcum LX-3 and glad that I did. I would like to do the same for a Nils.

[Kodiak]

Seems everyone has their opinions on which one is best and that is a good thing! I believe you cannot use the 600hr service life argument when comparing the robin/subaru 4 stroke motor vs. the 2 stroke tanaka, the 2 strokes always wear out faster due to lubrication. And I dont think anyone will see 600hrs drilling holes on their augers, but i could be wrong.

Here are my personal reasons for buying the strikelite.

1. made in MINNESOTA

2. 4 Stroke

3. enviromental friendly

4. quiet

5. light

6. no mixing oil runs on pump gas

7. cuts fast and blades are readly available

8. i got it on sale and brought it home the same day

9. i am not sponsered to say it is the best

good luck to all..and which ever choice you make!

[FishingWebGuy]

Thanks to the guys at Reel Fishing and Tackle I was able to pickup a Nilsmaster 8" today.

Thanks to everyone for their input. Now it's time to go fishing!

[harvey lee]

Kodiak

I also am not sponsored by Nils. I love my Nils and one can read all the reasons why above. One can also read all the other non staff, non sponsored posts in this thread that will tell the same story about a Nils auger.

They are what ALL say about them.

[Kodiak]

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Thanks to the guys at Reel Fishing and Tackle I was able to pickup a Nilsmaster 8" today.

Thanks to everyone for their input. Now it's time to go fishing!

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its good you made up your mind, hope it works for you, now go out there and cut some holes and give us a report.

[zamboni]

Notice one thing though Harvey Lee- all the Nils guys love their Nils, BUT- all the StrikeLite guys (like me) love their Strikelites. They are 2 VERY GOOD augers. My dad had a Mag III 94 CC, and after using my StrikLite, he had sold his Mag III and is getting one. His cousin, who owns an Eskimo is now going to get a StrikeLite after a few outings with my dad and using mine. Have you read of one not starting on here? NO. Mine starts on first or second pull- EVERYTIME, no matter the temp. As for the plastic flighting, no troubles. One major thing about StrikeMaster products is their customer care, 5 stars.

[FishingWebGuy]

Went out this afternoon to use the new Nils and loved it. This is my first power auger so its hard to say if it is the best but it definitely cuts holes quickly and effortlessly for me.

I was out for 2 hours and drilled about 20 holes. This is about 4 times as many as I would've cut on a 2 hour trip before having a power auger.

So far it is everything I wanted it to be. It started right up and after a 3 or 4 minute warmup I was cutting holes. It really allowed me to perforate the breakline I was on and allowed for plenty of precut holes so I never ran out of options when not spotting fish.

Thanks again for all the opinions everyone.

[JRFISHBAIT]

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Thanks to the guys at Reel Fishing and Tackle I was able to pickup a Nilsmaster 8" today.

Thanks to everyone for their input. Now it's time to go fishing!

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Pardon my laughing . I was going to retract my earlier statement to stop in and look at the Nils and other augers ( I guess I'm still going to retract it ). As you can see from the post, our last Nils was purchased today. Congrats on your new auger FishingWebGuy. If you're going to be at the FM get together this Sat., maybe you can bring it along and punch some holes for a few people.

Joe, Matt, Katy and gang