Just looking for suggestions folks… looking for an ice auger that will not break the bank could be new or used… at point right now primarily looking for new but will consider used … looking for something reliable and something and manageable to can carry.. any suggestions??
Strikemaster, eskimo they are all pretty good. I have a jiffy stealth 2 hp 8″ with the tecumseh engine. 
Not sure if this will break the bank or not but the new ION electric is one sweet auger! My buddy let me try his out this past weekend and once my gas auger goes to sleep…I will be buying an ION for sure. Drills just as fast as gas, no fumes, no mixing gas, no maintenance, no problems! It is light, drills dozens of hole per charge, and seems well built. Just my .02 cents.
Power head, hand auger, battery/drill, size?
Sorry about the lack of specifications…. gas, 10″, not a hand… just getting into this thus the search (electric/battery alittle to expensive at present)
35CC strikemaster 4 stroke. I understand thats enough said, but ill say a little more.
Start it with a pull from your pinky finger; extremly light; easy to operate; i really could go on and on.
I even drilled a hole the other day with one hand on the auger.
Guys that i fish with that have huge, heavy jiffys, etc swarm to this thing once i break it out. They literally set down their auger and pick up mine.
Hey, just tryin to make your life easier
Look at Craigs list there is a bunch of the 2hp Laser Strikemasters for $200-350
If you don’t mind using a 6-inch hole, a 19.2 c-3 craftsman cordless drill on nicad batts will match up with converter, blade saver and flat bit from a hand auger will run you less than two hundred. Lithium system and spare battery will up the ante, depending on what sale Sears is running.
Used to be able to buy car chargers for these drills. No oil, gas, fumes and starts “first pull”
A sharp blade will cut like butter through about a foot of ice for about 20 holes/(1 hour)charge. The heavy duty C-3 comes with a second handle grip.
Would like to hear about any success with larger diameter blades. Good huntin’… 
Save up and buy a good one once and you wont need to buy another ever again, I run a Nils and my grandkids will use it when I’m finished with it in about 25-30 years….
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Look at Craigs list there is a bunch of the 2hp Laser Strikemasters for $200-350
I’d second that.
My 2hp Lazer is 17 years old and still working.
is 2hp enough to turn a 10″ effectively? I thought I heard somewhere that 3hp was minimum for a 10″.
It really depends on what type of fishing you plan on doing. If you set up your shack and sit or hole hop with a few holes, a simple drill with adapter to a 4″, 5″, or 6″ hand auger will work great for panfish. Even a small gas 2hp with a 6″ bit is nice for those nice days when you can drill a bunch of holes and hop around. If you want to fish tip-ups, go with a gas no smaller than 8″, while 10″ holes are nice for turning a fishes head up the hole they are not necessary, with a little patients an 8″ hole is just fine. If you plan on hole hopping a ton and may drill 100+ holes in a weekend, gas is a must and the lighter the better! Remember you can by an auger and add different bit sizes to make it more versatile. I personally run a Jiffy white lightning 2hp w/a 6″ for hopping around for pannies (light and quick) and a 9″ bit for tip-ups and walleyes(the bigger bit adds some weight and works the auger a little harder, but still not bad for drilling numerous holes)
Buy an used one in your budget, have them fire it up for you. The fewer the pulls the better. Make sure it turns true with minimal wobble. And do yourself a favor and buy new blades right off the bat for it. It will save lots of frustration and cussing. Keep the blades protected when not in use and avoid drilling where sand has fallen off a vehicle, it kills a sharp blade in a snap. And don’t half drill a hole and leave it standing when you go to fish- its hard on the bit and blades and can freeze in. Good luck and have fun in your search! Sorry for the lenghty response but it is the MOST IMPORTANT tool in ice fishing cause without a hole you ain’t fishing!
The Jiffy with the Stealth blades absolutely sings through the ice.
I’ve got sort of an old school Jiffy made the last year a Techumseh motor was used. Stealth STX blades, 9″, 2 HP.
Motor warms up easily and auger cuts fast. 
I bought a eskimo z51 shark in the fall and I got it for 260 with tax and shipping from glens army navy, but I see its $300 now…But I love that auger I have drilled hundreds of holes and its always started on the 2nd pull…We had an Eskimo for like 15 years (my brother still uses it) so I figured I’d go with what I know lasts….Good luck on your choice…
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is 2hp enough to turn a 10″ effectively? I thought I heard somewhere that 3hp was minimum for a 10″.
I read the same thing somewhere. A 10″ will work on a 2 hp powerhead for awhile, but the gears/gear box will wear out faster.That is what I read.
The 2hp augers will turn a 10″ bit without issue.
I bought a 10″ laser bit in 95 and put it on a SM 49cc 2hp auger to replace the 7″ bit I had. I have drilled thousands upon thousands of holes with it and it is still going strong. I have replaced the recoil rope and the fuel line…..and thats it.
I have an eskimo 71CC that i got a screaming deal on glens army navy store (paid 350 with a bag included). I really like it. It starts on the second pull everytime and drills nicely. It one issue is thats its a pig! This is my first power auger and i didnt understand how significant the weight of an auger is. Im winded after drilling 5 holes with it while my buddy with his strikelight can walk and drill for miles without a problem. So if you are a hole hopper i would definately consider how heavy the auger is in your decision. I like the eskimos but i understand most augers these days are pretty reliable
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