Lazer Express vs 224

Earlier this year I purchased a StrikeMaster Mag2000 auger. Thus far the unit has been great! It starts and runs great etc. I do however now find myself getting pretty wore out cutting though so much ice with that single chipper blade.

Last weekend when I was up at Red Lake, I used a friend’s Lazer and I couldn’t believe how easy it cut the ice! I didn’t have to put any downward pressure on the head to get it to effectively cut, a sure difference from mine.

My question now is the power-head the same between the Mag2000 and the Lazers? They both appear to be the same with just a different label and color. Also looking into the Lazer augers, would you go with the standard 2 blade auger or go for the 4 blade 224? Keep in mind I’d only be looking at purchasing the auger bit itself, not a new power-head.

Pete

Pete have you checked/changed your blade on your mag? I recently purchased a mag 2000 to use in river areas where sand and debri is present in the ice. I don’t have to use any downward pressure to drill holes.

As far as the lazer bit versus the 224 bit- the 224 bit is going to be a little faster and a little smoother, downside is that you will need to replace four blades instead of two on the lazer bit-

As far as the power heads being the same, that is a good question, and I am not sure…

I don’t see why not, our back-up auger is a mag 2000, and sometimes I like the 8 1/2 inch hole a bit better. Maybe some tech guy can let us know if the RPM’s are the same on both units.

As far as I know the powerheads are the same. 2 HP Tecumsuh (sp?) You could buy the Lazer bit as others have and have yourself a re-vamped Lazer.

Call SM to be sure Pete. I’m looking to buy a 224 bit myself. I have LM, but the 224 is an ice eating machine!!

It is the exact same powerhead D rock just puts stickers on them. black or red still the same.

When I was up in Big Lake the last time, about a month ago, I asked the tech about the 224. I was considering switching because of how often mine would bet stuck at the bottom of the hole, he fixed that for the most part. He stated they will no longer be making the 224. Reasons…they really aren’t any faster and more upkeep with the extra blades. He said, “I’ll sell ya one if you really want one but I would stick with the lazer.”

BIRDDOG

Bird dog is correct.. 224 is going to the way side, They are very smooth cutters but really not much faster and again more up keep. I would also imagine, in the future, the small blades may be hard to find if you ever needed to replace them. I do beleive the gear baoxes are all the same so you should be able to put a lazer bit on there with out any problems.

All strikemaster augers are interchangeable with their powerheads. Mix and match as your situation warrants.

I have a 4 stroker, lazer mag and a 224 and while the other two cut great… my 224 is noticeably faster. I’m not trying to discount anyone’s feedback on the reasons the 224 was being discontinued but I’d be willing it had more to do with price point and sales volumes than anything. The existing lazer augers cut very well and the 224 was not a cheap auger.

I know Cal’s 224 seems to cut much faster than my LM. We’ll have to do a trial next time we are on the ice together.

I appreciate the feedback.

The next question would be, does anyone have a suggestion on where to purchase just the auger portion? I see eBay has 224’s for 135 +15 shipping. Does that seem like an okay deal? I’d go check out Strikemasters place in Big Lake but I wouldn’t be able to make it over there for a while.

Pete

H&H sports in Maple lake mn had some 224’s for sale a few weeks back, I think they were going for about 299.99 if I remember right….The buzz in the auger world right now is the 224 drill, they are getting harder and harder to come by because of the popularity….