New auger

  • mar-80
    Chippewa Falls, WI
    Posts: 250
    January 30, 2013 at 1:51 pm #1305028

    Ok, So I have a Eskimo Z51 10″ auger. Its works great and everything but it is so dang heavy. 32lbs. Also for what I do I think the 10″ is a bit over kill, so I am going to go with a 8″. I don’t have any experiance with Strikemaster but I see they have the lightest augers around. I like the Jiffy propane, no gas mixing and no smell, but again they are heavy. I have also been looking at the new Ion Electric auger. My concern there is the power. I don’t drill a lot of holes at once so maybe it wouldn’t be a issue. So I guess its between a Strikemaster and the ION. What are your guys thoughts.

    fisherman-andy
    Posts: 252
    January 30, 2013 at 1:55 pm #1136159

    Quote:

    I don’t drill a lot of holes at once so maybe it wouldn’t be a issue.

    Well if you dont drill alot of holes I dont see the point in trying to go to a light weight auger. You could lighten your Eskimo by switching to an 8″ bit instead.

    jigging_jag
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 203
    January 30, 2013 at 1:56 pm #1136160

    I like Strikemaster, have had two in 17 years of ice fishing and the old one is still kicking butt! ION looks interesting but I wonder how much a new battery costs down the road. That’s if they make it in this ultra competitive market. A plain old Lazer mag 8″ sounds like a winner for you! Check out reeds.com you won’t be sorry.

    castle-rock-clown
    Posts: 2596
    January 30, 2013 at 2:03 pm #1136164

    Why not get an Eskimo Stingray, only 28 lbs, has 8″ auger with interchangeability with your other Eskimo, same oil mix ratio. I’ve seen them for only $269.00 as some places.

    castle-rock-clown
    Posts: 2596
    January 30, 2013 at 2:05 pm #1136165

    Quote:

    I like Strikemaster, have had two in 17 years of ice fishing and the old one is still kicking butt! ION looks interesting but I wonder how much a new battery costs down the road. That’s if they make it in this ultra competitive market. A plain old Lazer mag 8″ sounds like a winner for you! Check out reeds.com you won’t be sorry.



    I think I’ve seem them for $40 bucks (the battery)

    Sorry about that they are in the $150.00 range.

    cpetey
    Onalaska, Wi
    Posts: 1193
    January 30, 2013 at 2:17 pm #1136174

    I’m seriously considering a Nils. Haven’t been able to find a bum report about that auger.

    mar-80
    Chippewa Falls, WI
    Posts: 250
    January 30, 2013 at 2:20 pm #1136178

    Quote:

    Quote:

    I don’t drill a lot of holes at once so maybe it wouldn’t be a issue.

    Well if you dont drill alot of holes I dont see the point in trying to go to a light weight auger. You could lighten your Eskimo by switching to an 8″ bit instead.

    Dropping to a 8″ auger only shaves of 2lbs. Not worth it. When I say a lot of holes I mean 50+ holes. I routinely drill 25+

    mar-80
    Chippewa Falls, WI
    Posts: 250
    January 30, 2013 at 2:22 pm #1136179

    Quote:

    ION looks interesting but I wonder how much a new battery costs down the road.

    I think a replacement battery is $150

    Stihl21
    Colorado
    Posts: 13
    January 30, 2013 at 2:26 pm #1136181

    Here is a nice write up from someone here in Colorado. Details the good and bad about it.

    ION Auger

    targaman
    Inactive
    Wilton, WI
    Posts: 2759
    January 30, 2013 at 2:36 pm #1136190

    Maybe you should start lifting weights so the auger won’t be so heavy for you.

    mar-80
    Chippewa Falls, WI
    Posts: 250
    January 30, 2013 at 2:37 pm #1136191

    Quote:

    Here is a nice write up from someone here in Colorado. Details the good and bad about it.

    ION Auger

    Great review, overall I think he was unbiased. Told about the good and the bad. Thanks

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18625
    January 30, 2013 at 2:40 pm #1136193

    Too bad we dont have access to Husqvarnas.

    fishing1765
    Posts: 17
    January 30, 2013 at 2:43 pm #1136197

    Get the new strikemaster 4 stroke auger with the honda engine. That will probably be the last auger you will have to buy if you don’t drill many holes. Nice and light weight.

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    January 30, 2013 at 2:46 pm #1136200

    Quote:

    Ok, So I have a Eskimo Z51 10″ auger. Its works great and everything but it is so dang heavy. 32lbs. Also for what I do I think the 10″ is a bit over kill, so I am going to go with a 8″. I don’t have any experiance with Strikemaster but I see they have the lightest augers around. I like the Jiffy propane, no gas mixing and no smell, but again they are heavy. I have also been looking at the new Ion Electric auger. My concern there is the power. I don’t drill a lot of holes at once so maybe it wouldn’t be a issue. So I guess its between a Strikemaster and the ION. What are your guys thoughts.

    I went from a 37# Jiffy Model 30 ten inch auger to a new 25# Strikemaster Mag eight inch auger. WOW, I love that thing.

    It cuts so much faster and easier and much much easier to carry around. The Lazer Mag cuts even faster and easier yet. You won’t regret going to Strikemaster if that is what you choose.

    dairycat
    Posts: 169
    January 30, 2013 at 6:21 pm #1136268

    I have the Lazer Mag Solo 142 7″, nice and light also plenty of power. On sale at Reeds or Scheels for 399.00, 409.00 for 8″. No problems so far drilled about 100-150 holes with it so far. Got it at Xmas

    jar jar
    superior wi
    Posts: 3
    January 30, 2013 at 7:31 pm #1136293

    I have the new ION and I wish the had this years ago, It is very quiet and there is no bog down when you are breaking thru and only weighs 22 lbs. The only bad thing is the safty swicth is cumbersome but not all that bad. The only thing is make sure that you keep the battery warm when not in use, just remove it and bring it in the warm shack with you when you are done
    Yes a replacement battery is 150.00 but you should get up to 800 recharges out of the stock battery if it has been takin care of

    John

    kennyd
    Posts: 63
    January 31, 2013 at 1:22 am #1136420

    NILS NILS NILS!!! light, cuts fast, what else could you ask for…oh yeah, industrial rated motor….do any other companies have that??????

    life1978
    Eau Claire , WI
    Posts: 2790
    January 31, 2013 at 1:40 am #1136426

    Quote:

    NILS NILS NILS!!! light, cuts fast, what else could you ask for…oh yeah, industrial rated motor….do any other companies have that??????

    Got to try one of these. This will be my next auger.

    hamms
    Mn
    Posts: 493
    January 31, 2013 at 5:22 am #1136481

    If you buy a nils better get a slush inhaler cause they leave a dirty hole compared to SM or Jiffy…

    tswoboda
    Posts: 8521
    January 31, 2013 at 2:52 pm #1136571

    Quote:

    If you buy a nils better get a slush inhaler cause they leave a dirty hole compared to SM or Jiffy…


    Not if you know how to cut a hole. I’ve used a Nils for 4 years and can’t remember ever bringing an ice scoop with me.

    munchy71
    Stuart, Iowa
    Posts: 91
    January 31, 2013 at 5:57 pm #1136673

    Quote:

    Not if you know how to cut a hole.

    Can you please enlighten us then? Thanks!

    -Munchy

    BBKK
    IA
    Posts: 4033
    January 31, 2013 at 6:32 pm #1136699

    Quote:

    Quote:

    If you buy a nils better get a slush inhaler cause they leave a dirty hole compared to SM or Jiffy…


    Not if you know how to cut a hole. I’ve used a Nils for 4 years and can’t remember ever bringing an ice scoop with me.

    I noticed the same thing, lots of loose shavings in holes the nils boys drill. Even after they pull the auger up to clear the slush, when you catch a fish out of that hole there seems to be a lot of shavings come up.

    tswoboda
    Posts: 8521
    January 31, 2013 at 7:14 pm #1136724

    Munchy,

    Sorry but I’m more of a hands on style teacher… I’d love to show you sometime though!

    shaley
    Milford IA
    Posts: 2178
    January 31, 2013 at 10:42 pm #1136830

    I have no slush issues with my Nils, only slush issues I have is from the scoop when cleaning up the shavings….I don’t scoop anyway so if it was an issue it wouldnt be mine it would be the wifes..

    Captainpaddlefoot
    Green Bay
    Posts: 219
    February 1, 2013 at 12:18 pm #1136959

    Days off gas augers are numbered!
    I have the new ION and now that I have read the instructions and added a little common sense it performs better than any gas or hand auger I have owned. They are lighter, quieter, no gas or oil to mix. I have to charge my electronics anyway.
    Between this and heavy duty cordless hammer drills teamed up with a nils or a lazer, the days of gas augers are number.
    Yes a new battery is $159, that is fine, for the convenience and quiet I get from the ION.
    Join the quiet riot! (Came up with that myself)

    munchy71
    Stuart, Iowa
    Posts: 91
    February 1, 2013 at 1:12 pm #1136987

    Quote:

    Munchy,

    Sorry but I’m more of a hands on style teacher… I’d love to show you sometime though!

    Not necessary. I don’t have the issue with my ION or StrikeMaster and I don’t need to do anything special. Just drill & pull the auger out when done. Thanks for the offer, though!

    -Munchy

    timschmitz
    Waconia MN
    Posts: 1652
    February 1, 2013 at 2:11 pm #1137003

    Quote:

    Days off gas augers are numbered!
    I have the new ION and now that I have read the instructions and added a little common sense it performs better than any gas or hand auger I have owned. They are lighter, quieter, no gas or oil to mix. I have to charge my electronics anyway.
    Between this and heavy duty cordless hammer drills teamed up with a nils or a lazer, the days of gas augers are number.
    Yes a new battery is $159, that is fine, for the convenience and quiet I get from the ION.
    Join the quiet riot! (Came up with that myself)

    Until they can drill 100 or more holes through 18″ of ice that electric auger isn’t anything more than a ugly green paper weight to me! My 3hp solo with a 224 bit runs as long as I keep her full!

    tswoboda
    Posts: 8521
    February 1, 2013 at 2:14 pm #1137004

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Days off gas augers are numbered!
    I have the new ION and now that I have read the instructions and added a little common sense it performs better than any gas or hand auger I have owned. They are lighter, quieter, no gas or oil to mix. I have to charge my electronics anyway.
    Between this and heavy duty cordless hammer drills teamed up with a nils or a lazer, the days of gas augers are number.
    Yes a new battery is $159, that is fine, for the convenience and quiet I get from the ION.
    Join the quiet riot! (Came up with that myself)

    Until they can drill 100 or more holes through 18″ of ice that electric auger isn’t anything more than a ugly green paper weight to me! My 3hp solo with a 224 bit runs as long as I keep her full!


    Hey Tim how do you like the Solo/224 combo? I just got a 224 this year on the old Tecumseh 2 HP with intentions of upgrading the powerhead eventually. Is it worth it and where were you able to find just the powerhead? PM if you don’t want to get this topic off track.

    hamms
    Mn
    Posts: 493
    February 1, 2013 at 8:23 pm #1137201

    D rock center New Brighton,MN sells just the powerhead.

    hunter1723
    Posts: 349
    March 28, 2013 at 12:55 am #1156830

    Quote:

    I have the Lazer Mag Solo 142 7″, nice and light also plenty of power. On sale at Reeds or Scheels for 399.00, 409.00 for 8″. No problems so far drilled about 100-150 holes with it so far. Got it at Xmas

    How about the clutch spring breaking already?

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