Which Ice Auger do I buy?

[riverside]

I have a strike master 2000 which works great for me. I also took the advice of other fellow Fmer's and got some Amsoil saber

pro oil. This gives me little to no smoke. A friend of my has a strike master electric which also is a great uint just my 2 cents.

[Dan Anderson]

If you want to save a few $$$ look into an adaptor for you hand auger. I use it with my 18 volt dewalt drill and it works great.

[lungdeflator]

I have an older jiffy, probably 10-12 years old now. worked fine the first 7-8 years and then started running rough. I shouldve taken it in for a tune up but never got around to it. I finally did this year and all it needed was a carb kit. now it runs like new. Im not up to speed on augers but my jiffy has a Tecumseh engine on it and im pretty sure the Strikemasters today have tecumseh engines. So why have people been having troubles with the jiffys and not the SM??

[Hard617]

MAINTENANCE!

[Esox_Magnum]

Another vote for the Nils if you can afford one. I got mine this season and love it. 22 pounds with the 48" bit, all steel construction and eats ice like no other.An engine thats rated for twice the hours of the competition, and just a few bucks more than a Strike Lite. If I had to buy anything other than a Nils it would be a Strikemaster Lazer Mag.

Dtro, I'll get that Jiffy for you, my blades are new

[perch_destroyer]

Wow, what a response. Thanks for the feedback, i'm gonna have to look deeper into this before I make a purchase. Prob looking into more of the Nils or SM now. Thanks again...

[RylFlsh85]

How is the Nils weight wise compared to the SM Strike-Lite, or a Jiffy? i have heard a lot of people talk about them but have never come across one on the ice yet.

I have the Strike-Lite and love it, never had a problem in the 2 years i have had it. It may not be the fastest on the ice but she goes through anything i have asked it to, and with the four stroke she should do that for many many years to come. Start it at home for a while before you leave and it starts no matter what the temp on the lake.

[muc33]

22lbs and that is with the 48 inch shaft opposed to the shorter shaft of the SL. No need for an extension with a 48 inch shaft on the Nils and it is 8" hole bore. Big selling point for me.

[Esox_Magnum]

That 22 pounds is with a steel auger to not a composite.

[RylFlsh85]

8" i would guess?

[ICE_KING]

Strikemaster for sure! Had mine for 2 years and ive kept it well maintained, blades are always razor sharp and i can cut a hole in 13''s of ice in 3.487 seconds, i know this cause i just went outside and onto my lake and timed it! If you mix and match strikemasters powerunits to different blades you'd be surprised how fast they can cut! Now all i have to do is take a look at the competition(nils) and see how they perform so ill know when my sm dies(which it never will) if ill get one of those...

[gerty]

I had an Eskimo. Lasted 4 years with very few holes drilled and very good care taken. Won't hold an idle anymore and the repair guy has tried everything. Thinks the problem may be rings or piston...not worth fixing. I read up on the problem and seen 3 or 4 other guys who claimed to have the same problem with Eskimo augers in the same age range. I'd never buy another after that experience.

Just bought the Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express in 8" and it about pulls me through the ice. Very nice auger.

[harvey lee]

That 22 pounds is with a steel auger to not a composite.

The Nils is very well bult and there are no plastic handles and such to lighten it up. All steel and all power for a long lasting auger.

Don,t forget to check out the Ice Gator augers. You purchase the power head and then an adapter for the auger you put it on.

The Ice Gator with a NIls auger may be faster cutting than the Nils itself. It cuts like a hot knife through butter.

[Eskimoman]

I have a 4 year old eskimo mako. Starts 1st pull 95% of the time,quiet and much faster than buddies older jiffys with the chipper blades. And quiet to. You can always hear the jiffys start up when they are a mile away. Very annoying. Nothing wrong with eskimo for me.

[perch_destroyer]

Prob getting the 2000 mag strike master. For what I do, think it'l be just fine. Thanks for the info guys and gals....

[JigginIsLife]

you will find this topic just like ford vs chevy. if somone has not already said that as well. i own a strikemaster and it does wonders if you love your auger your auger will love you back. take care of it and you wont have any problems

[FISHINGURU]

all the augers will get you through the ice...just depends what you are gonna use it for mostly and the amount of cash you can spend within your limits.

i have no limits when it comes to hunting or fishing....i may need counseling.

[Dragonsm]

Shawn- (I'd recognize that ugly mug anywhere!)

I had a Jiffy Model 30 which ran like a champ, and to this day still does. (I sold it to a co-worker) however the beast is heavy.

Right now I have a Strikemaster Lazer224 and enjoy the difference in weight. It's been a great auger with zero problems. (uses the same exact powerhead as the mag2000)and parts/blades are readily available wherever you go. Plus, the cost of the SM is considerably less than the nils if you don't get out fishing much in the winter time to justify it.

Good luck with your choice! Regardless of what route you go, it sure beats a hand auger!

Steve

[pow & legend]

I agree with dan z. I have a strike master 224 and i've never used and auger that could make any ice seem like butter. I may be bias though because i grew up using strike master and never had a problem

[fishinmajishin]

SM doesn't offer new 224's anymore. k&k Sports handles refurbs I believe.

[Drewski]

I would go with strikemaser.

[pdk511]

I would go with strikemaser.

Yes!

[Bigslugger]

Originally Posted By: drewski

I would go with strikemaser.

Yes!

JIFFY

[Phred52]

Perch, Contrary to Drewski, I'd go with Eskimo! I HAD a S/M III for 18+ years, and it DID serve me well. Since, I have bought an Eskimo Z-51 Shark, and I love it!! The primer bulb is SOOOO nice!! 2 maybe 3 Pulls from cold and it's running! IF you're buying new, Get a Z-71, with an 8" chipper on it. You're NEVER gonna want for more. After warrantied break-in, switch to Amsoil @ 80 or 100/1, You'll love it!! No stink, no black goo on the house walls, it'll start better and run stronger and greener with less maintenence, due to fouling etc.Phred52

[Bulldoggr]

I have to echo Phred here. I believe that eskimo is an underdog auger that gets over looked cause it is not marketed the same as the others.

I had a Eskimo Sportsman for 15+ years never had a problem with it. I gave it to my brother because I wanted the New Z71 10" that Eskimo makes

It is the only Auger out there with a motor design specifically to be used for Ice Augers.

This thing cuts faster then any Auger I have ever seen. In Fact I am Confident it will cut a 10" hole faster then anyone else cutting a 8" hole.