Whats the best auger in your opinion?

[MedicineMan]

I'm currently looking to buy a power auger, and I'd like to know what some people's thoughts are on what auger is best in their opinion. I'm leaning towards Eskimo as of now. I've used a buddies Barracuda and I really like it. That and the fact that Eskimo is cheaper than everyone else. And being a poor college student, cheap=good!

[f1sh1nfool]

cheaper isn't always better, if you want it to last you for many years to come you need to spend a few bucks. you will find a lot of opinions on this topic, so making up your mind maybe tough. the eskimo is a good auger from what i've heard, but there are several more options available. i personnally own a 2 horse jiffy legend lightning and am very satisfied. plenty of power and the chipper blade will blast through the ice very well in dirty ice conditions. good luck with this one, i got lucky and just happened to buy the one on sale and made the right choice.

[Juice]

I dunno, i kinda like Jiffy myself they cut good and farely fast. But i have a 8" strikemaster that im content with. Shes a good little auger, especcially since i move around alot and i have to carry it, its nice and light. Only thing that went wrong with it was that she bogged down in "dirty ice" so adjusted the carb alittle bit. But she runs champ now! I have never used and eskimo auger so i have no clue how they perform, but a Jiffy will last you forever!

[hanson]

MedicineMan-

I don't think you are going to get a straight answer here. Lots of auger owners are brand loyal.

I've got a 2hp Strikemaster Lazer 8" I couldn't be happier, its a great auger. Its light, its fast, it starts easy, and one thing I've noticed is it cuts with very little effort from the operator. All I have to do it hold the auger and it just pulls itself through the ice. It'll cut 4' of ice on Lake of the Woods all day with no problem.

My dad has a Jiffy Model 30 that is probably 20 years old. Its heavy, it cuts slow, sometimes its a beast to start, and it has an awesome exhaust note. Yes, Jiffy builds them to last!!

Good Luck to ya! I don't think you can go wrong with any of the manufacturers. I'd take a look at all the augers and find out what works best for you.

[The Grebe]

It's like buying a car, some like Chevys and some like Fords...when you get down to the nuts and bolts of the matter, they are pretty much all trust worthy, or else they would'nt be on the market.

Determine how much ice fishing you do, the type you do, means of transportation and application, look at your operating budget and make your choice.

[Duffman]

One that runs.

[joshb]

all depends on how you plan on fishing really. i have a 3.5 jiffy legend 10 inch that is great for squatting all day in one spot, it has more than enough power do anything but is very heavy. when i am out hole hopping i use my strikemaster express 8 inch, light and very dependable. but if i had to choose just one, for the way i fish, it would be the strikemaster.

[Twitter]

Here we go again......
ESKIMO SHARK.
Everyone has their favorite, here's my opinion posted in a previous thread:

A couple more points supporting my endorsement of the Eskimo Shark:
- The only auger that DOES NOT use a tecumseh motor. The eskimo shark has a chain saw type motor that runs at almost twice the RPM's of any strikemaster or Jiffy. (how often do chainsaw motors wear out ??)
-It has a priming bulb on the carb, so no matter how cold it is outside you give the bulb a couple little pumps and it starts on the first or second pull EVERY TIME
-You can set it down immediately after starting and IT WILL IDLE and continue to run until its' out of gas.
-You can set it down on any of its 4 sides and it will stand up and not fall over or leak gas, and the handles are all metal, not plastic.
-Did I mention that the gas tank has a gas cap that breathes and DOES NOT LEAK.
-Ardisan, the manufacturer in Wisconsin stands behind everything they sell and will take care of their customers even after the sale. I had a great experience with them providing a new canvas cover at no cost for my eskimo portable.
-It pulls itself through 48" of ice so fast, you better pull it up and clear the bit a couple times before you go through
-Weighs about the same as my old strikemaster 2hp.

Just my $.02

[icefisherman73]

Ive got a 2hp 8" Jiffy White Lightning that Ive had for going on 10 years,and it still cuts and runs like new,no matter what the outside temp is.

[LocalGuide]

I second the Eskimo Shark for all the reasons that Twitter said. He just beat me to it.

I have a Strikemaster Ultra lazer. I don't really like the engine on it at all. It leaks gas when you set it down, it will bog down b/c the 3-blade auger cuts ice so fast, and the plastic handles tend to break if your not careful with them. (I have broke 2 handles already in the last 2 seasons.)
So then my dad found a Eskimo Shark 10" at Cabelas in the Bargain Cave. It was a cheap buy at the end of the season, so hes like sure, we can always use another auger. After using it a couple of times we figured it was a really good purchase.
And then since the 3-blade auger on the lazer cuts ice so good we put that on the Eskimo Shark engine. All I can say is, Wow! you better hold on when that things cutting ice. Its cuts like a hot knife through butter. By far the best engine I have ever used and the best auger. The engine starts on 1 or 2 pulls every time, its definitely a good reliable auger.

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And keep those hooks sharp!

[Lost]

I've got me a hand auger with a cordless drill attachment. I can't cut a bunch of holes like a gas powered auger does, but at least I can cut 30 holes with it before the batteries die. I usually end up cutting 6 holes max on an outting anyway.

[metrojoe]

Duffman, You got that right.

As mentioned above everyone will have their own opinion.
After some comparison shopping I settled for the Strike Master Mag 2000. There is nothing wrong with any of the cheaper augers on the market. Many of them have been around for years and have proven to be very reliable, in fact many are still proving it.

The only major advances in recent years is the augers weight and blade design. If you have to have the lightest, fastest auger on the market you'll have to pay for it. There is a considerable drop in price if you don't mind settling for a slightly heavier, slower auger. And really how fast do you have to drill a hole? It still beats drilling with a hand auger all day.

Mag 2000

Single Chipper Blade 8 1/4" 25 lbs.

Lazer Mag Xpress

Lazer Blades 8" 24 lbs

When I was in the market I believe there was over $100.00 price difference.

[This message has been edited by metrojoe (edited 08-12-2004).]

[BUCKNAKED]

LG

That may be the greatest idea I've heard on this sight to date! I have the Strike master 9" 3 blade and I love it, the only draw back may be the motor. Now I need an Eskimo

[augernaut]

Some good points made here so far. It all really depends on what your goals are. I'm a very mobile style ice fisherman, and I drill alot of holes. To that end, I need a light auger that cuts quickly. Right now, I have a Strikemaster Lazer 8". Very quick auger, and extremely reliable. Haven't had a problem with it yet, it's about 8 years old. For my next auger, it will be either another Lazer, or the Shark, or maybe even the Nilsmaster auger. Does anyone have a weight on the Shark? If it is as light as a Lazer, that may well be my next auger.

[Matt Johnson]

If you're looking at punching a lot of holes, and in a short period of time, than I would go with the 8-inch Eskimo Barracuda. Not sure exactly what the weight is for one of these, buts it the lightest auger (that gets the job done fast and efficient) that I've ever seen. Cuts through the ice like butter.

The 8 inch Strikemaster LazerMag Express is another good choice. Cuts fast and is pretty light as well.

Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson

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[CRAPPIEBAIT]

Strikemaster are the lightest fastest cutting

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Greg

[augernaut]

Has anyone on this board ever used the Nilsmaster power auger? I've never seen or used one, but I hear they are AWESOME! Something like 17 lbs for the powerhead with 8" auger, and they supposedly cut really fast. I've seen video of one vs. a Jiffy Model 30, and the Nils cuts like 2 1/2 holes to the Jiffy's 1. The only thing with them is that they are expensive - like $500. The other cool thing with them is that the auger is the same as their hand augers - so you hook the hand crank onto it and have a hand auger. 2 for 1. I really want to try one.

[Pete Riola]

I drill tons of holes across a large amount of water (I'm hyper and I can't sit and wait for the fish to come to me) for that reason I bought a Barracuda 2 horse with an 8 inch blade 4 years ago. The auger is light, starts every time and cuts fast plus the price was right. I hear great things about the Shark (similar to what has been said in this thread) but I've never run one. That's my 2 cents.

[minneman]

I like the yellow ones

[Lost]

minneman, yours is yellow, isn't it?

I was thinking it was black like your sled.