Gas or Electric Augers

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Is there a disadvantage to buying an electric auger instead of a gas. Performance, power, speed??? Suggestions as to what auger to buy either gas or electric is also welcome

Thanks

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

I had my first exposure with an electric auger last season. My buddy had one, and it seemed to work out fairly well. The speed was ok until the battery started to feel the strain. The last couple holes on a battery are pretty slow. The only downside was carrying around batteries, and keeping them charged. Don't quote me on it, but i think he was getting somewhere in the ballpark of a couple dozen holes to a battery. If that fits with your fishing style, electric wouldn't be a terrible way to go; no mixing gas, spilling gas, etc.
Personally, i think i'll stick to the petro fueled models until the electrics become a bit more established, but that's just how i am. If it ain't broke, don't fix it
I'm not positive, but i think that electric augers can be used in areas like the BWCA which prohibit gas engines- something else to think about. I'm sure you'll get some more input from other fellas on the forum.

tight lines,
porter

[This message has been edited by I'llTakeWhatiCanGet (edited 10-15-2004).]

[Dan Thiem]

The only electric auger I saw was the kind that ran off the battery in the truck. It was very quite and cut real nice. Not very heavy either. But if you need a vehicle to run it weight wouldn't be a factor.

[Kaz]

I use an electric augar and like it very well. The best part about it i there are no fumes inside the fish house. I have a deep cycle battery and I've drilled more holes than I can count. Yes you have to start with a fresh battery, but that's always a priority. In my house I'm fishing before the fog clears out of my buddy's house. Cheaper too and no gas to buy, now at $2.15 a gallon for the Non-oxygenated.... Kaz

[This message has been edited by Kaz (edited 10-16-2004).]

[Mr.Seaguar]

I saw a guy using a electric auger and talked to him about it. he loved it. I saw him a couple times and he always had it. Quiet, clean a couple dozen holes was about what he said too. Course ice thickness and hole size are gonna play in to the equation much more than gas. As far as cheaper, you gotta run the charger everytime you cut any holes. And a gallon of gas cuts a ton of holes. I mean a lot.

[1DIRTBALL]

I own one of the first Mora electric auger's that came out. I got it from Bob Foster when he was first considering carrying them at Strikemaster and he wanted to know how well they worked. You couldn't give me a gas powered unit. The quiet factor alone is enough for me. Not to mention not having to deal with possibly getting any gas smell on your hands. Like the NRA guy says,"You will have to pry it from my cold,dead hands...

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YOU CAN'T talk AN OLD talk'ER!

[Lost]

For my style of ice fishing (since I'm fairly new to it), this electric auger sounds like just the ticket for me! And if I can also hook it up to my truck when the ice is thick enough to drive on, all the more fun! I'll have a constantly charged battery to drill with!

[SCHAAKATTACK]

I bought the new electric strikemaster version last year. It can be used completely cordless or by running it off your vehicle. I am very pleased with this version. I bought the 8" model and had no problems with cutting the ice. It may not cut as fast, but it sure is quiet. It definitely beats cranking by hand.I don't worry about cutting too many holes. I believe I cut about 12 holes in one day and still had charge. The battery sits right on top and you can buy/bring a spare and swap it if you need to make swiss cheese of the Lake. Throw it on the charger overnight and good to go the next day. Weight is almost identical to a gas unit.