Strike Lite or Lazer Mag Express

[Chode2235]

The ice is getting a little to thick, and me a little too old so it is time to upgrade to a power auger.

Those strike lites look really nice, light, and environmentally friendly; but are they worth the ~$120 bucks more?

For this kinda money, I want to be sure I am making the best choice and one I can live with for many years.

[mnhunter79]

Never used the strike lite, but i have the lazer mag express. Had it for 5-6 yrs now and have only replaced the blades once (last year) And never had a problem with it.

[gquist]

I just bought a Strike Lite 4 stroke this year and I love it, It starts good and you can lay it on it's side and it will sit and idle and warm up, no smoke, cuts very quick, and very light to handle after using a 10" Jiffy for the past few years, I do miss the 10" hole some though, The Strike Lite only comes with a 8" auger.

Some have broke the plastic flighting on the auger, you want to make sure you lift it up once in a while in deep ice to let it clear out the shavings and that shouldn't be a issue, I won't have another 2 cycle auger again.

[SomethingFishy*]

Love mine, light weight and fast,no smoke in the wheelhouse.

[Dan Brelje]

Strike light with steel auger

[Esox_Magnum]

I loved my old Lazer, someone else decided they wanted it. I was torn between the Strike Lite and the Nils when I decided to buy a new one this year. I went with the Nils for only $20 more than the 4 stroke and no regrets. Strikemaster has always made a great auger and will serve you well.

[Sandmannd]

I have the lazer mag and love it. Not all that heavy. If you have the cash you can't go wrong with the strike like or Nils.

[MASON38]

Have had my Lazer Mag Express since 2001, cant go wrong with a proven track record, well worth the investment.

[hanson]

Strike light with steel auger

Thats what I'd do as well.

I've been having so many problems with dad's Strike-Lite when I get to use it that it isn't even funny. We just go the auger back from Strikemaster with a brand new plastic auger assembly and brand new blades. I had to stop the auger and clean the packed snow/slush from the cutting head 6 times to cut 4 holes on Lake of the Woods this last weekend. -12 was the air temp at the time. I've never had this problem with the steel Lazer auger but the plastic Strike-Lite auger is very prone to this when its cold out.

Any other Strike-Lite owners running into this and what is/has been your solution?

[gquist]

We were up at LOW on Christmas day and I drilled the holes in our wheel house no problem, I set the auger outside when I was done then some friends used it about 2 hrs later and they couldn't get it to cut, the auger blades were iced up,I just thought it was a fluke deal but I guess not,for me I will just set it inside a pail next to the heater for a while to melt the slush off the blades but that might not work for others, Will the powerhead run a 10" auger?

[Huey]

Hanson-

I've had some trouble with the auger icing up, not that bad though. Try spraying the auger w/ Pam. That seems to help. Also once the slush, etc is frozen, try tapping the auger with a rubber mallet. The ice comes off in big chunks.

Chode-

I'd go with the Strikelite. I had a Lazer Mag, which was great. When it got ripped off, I replaced it with the Strikelite. I like the Strikelite better.

BTW, my plastic auger broke late last winter. Strikemaster gave a Lazer Mag metal auger so now I have the rig suggested above.

[Chode2235]

What is the life expectancy of an auger? I am leaning towards the strike lite, as the powerhead seems a better investment even if I need to get a steel auger later.

Thanks.

[gquist]

I don't know the life span, I would think it would depend on use and maintenence, The Strike Lite's engine is built by Robin or Suburu Inc. I would think the engine would out last the gearbox,

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[Chode2235]

What do you like so much about the strike lite? The weight, the lack of fumes?

[snoozebutton]

Get a Jiffy with the chipper blades. If they get dull, take a metal file and touch them up. Less than a minute and you're ready to go.

[EYEHUNTER10]

lots of problems with my 3 blade lazer 9 inch blades freeze alot. Needs new blades every year, cuts like butter for about 10 holes then dull again. Wished I would have went back to a jiffy.

[EyeGuide]

SnoozeButton, did they give you a lifetime supply of ear plugs with that Jiffy Sorry but as much as I use my auger I can't deal with noise and the weight. Not to mention they seem to need so much maintenance from year to year. Many people that I know, that have Jiffys have to work on their carbs every year. I'm not a mechanic, I'm a Guide so my auger NEEDS to work every time.

On the other hand some people don't even run a tank of gas through their motor a year, so for those people I'm sure a Jiffy would be just fine.

I have a Strikemater Lazer with around 15,000-20,000 holes drilled with it and I haven't done a thing but put gas in it. It's literally the best investment I've made. StrikeMaster all the way!

[snoozebutton]

Well, I'm on my second Jiffy (the first one's 20 years old and still running) and have yet to have a problem. I'm sure you'd have some carb problems if you left the same gas in them year after year. I don't know what else would cause it. As far as noise, mine's no louder then any of the others.

[Caleb S]

lots of problems with my 3 blade lazer 9 inch blades freeze alot. Needs new blades every year, cuts like butter for about 10 holes then dull again. Wished I would have went back to a jiffy.

Are you drilling holes in the lake or your driveway? Seriously though, dull after 10 holes? I think you might have an issue with the angle of your blades because those blades should last years if you take care of them.

[Chode2235]

Lets try to get back on topic. Strike Lite or Lazer Mag?

I really dont want to turn this into a thread on why Nils is better, or why Jiffy is better.

I want to know whether the 4 stroke is worth the money.

[Caleb S]

I don't think its worth the extra money. It seems the majority of people that ice fish feel the same way given it is the only auger avail with a 4 Stroke engine. If they were eating up a larger portion of the market I would think the other manufacturers would jump on the band wagon.

But then again I live on a pretty tight budget. If money was no object for me I would probably have one.

[CrappiesNeyes]

Noticed a lazer mag express for sale in the for sale section for a great price. I've had mine for 8 years (Was the 3 blade but strikemaster recalled them and gave me a 2 blade) and it has been great. Run Ams oil at 80 to 1 mixture and it greatly reduces the smoke and they run better on it too.

[TimBuck2]

I like the quiet engine and low emissions, I've had my StrikeLite for 3 seasons and love it. I did also swap in a metal bit. I went with the 224. Awesone combo!! I cared more for the 4 stroke than the weight of the synthetic bit.

TB2

[rocki]

buy one, you wont be dissapointed, if you take care of it and dont beat on your equipment, its worth every penny! if something does go wrong, strikemaster will take care of you

[Fredd]

I don't know that they are worth the extra money. Maybe when drilling in the house??? I also seem to recall discussions about the oil leaking out of them when placed on the wrong side??? As far as drilling and refreezing the blades, this seems to happen to me when it is really cold and you break through the ice and into the water. I just redrill into the ice a few inches before setting my unit down. I have a Lazer that is 10+ years old....no issues, original blades ==== happy camper.