Here’s a video of the new Strikemaster Solo ice augers to be released winter 2009. Several members of the IDO Ice Pro Staff had the chance to field test this auger this past winter and the reviews were off the charts with regards to ease of starting, weight and SPEED!
Cool. Looks just like my lazer mag. What is different about this one?
The difference is in the powerhead. The Solo augers have a new German engineered powerhead available in 2, 2.5 and 3 HP sizes with all HP motors weighing the same so there’s no weight penalty for jumping to the higher HP motors. I haven’t seen any torque figures on these motors but after punching hundreds of holes with a 2 and a 2.5 HP model this past winter I can tell you, without question, these new motors are much, much faster through the ice than anything else I’ve ever used.
This auger is simply amazing, it cuts with shear anger. It looks very similar to the lazer, however the head is no longer a tecumsah engine! I currently run a lazer 224 and I thought that auger was smooth and fast, this new solo is one mean, durable drilling auger. I cannot wait for ice season. 
Thanks James,
They are going to sell a lot of those up north. Down here, our ice never gets more than 2 feet. We pull our sleds a lot here. My next hole buster is going to weigh less..much less.. or come with someone who can hand pull it for 2 miles out to Mendota perch water for me in a foot of snow. Or I could just break down and shell out for the wheeler and trailer I’ve been drooling over for 10 years. 
Those things look awsome! I wondered what they were going to do with tecumsah not making that engine anymore. Any idea on weights & prices?
SOLO makes a tough engine. My father has two SOLO chain saws that look like they have been dragged down the highway; But still run like new. I can’t imagine these engines are any different.
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Those things look awsome! I wondered what they were going to do with tecumsah not making that engine anymore. Any idea on weights & prices?
I’m honestly not sure on pricing. As for the weights the Solo augers are very comparable to the Lazer series with the final weight for each auger depending a lot on the size drill attached to the powerhead.
Thanks James! Guess I will just have to save as much as I can. 
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Those things look awsome! I wondered what they were going to do with tecumsah not making that engine anymore. Any idea on weights & prices?
The best “rumor” I can find is the low $400 range
recoil pull should be on the same side as the throttle.
like the tipped up gas cap though.
The video does not do the auger justice. This is one fine auger that should stand up for many years. Easy pull, easy start, smooth running and smooth at the very end off the whole. I will have one next season. 
I’m guessing $499
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I’m guessing $499
For the 2, 2.5, or 3hp engine
I did I little further research and the retail looks like it will be about $30.00 more than the Standard Lazer Mags were last year. Looks Like I will have a new toy. 
After watching that video James I had to put a little gas in my StrikMaster and light the fire just to get a fix 
Won’t be long now
Sweet looking auger
I didn’t get a chance to use the new Solo yet but I’ve heard nothing but great things about this powerhead. I love summer fishing but I’m getting the itch to punch some holes with one of these
Darn it, I just got a new strikemaster two years ago. Now I got auger envy again!! Can’t wait to see one in person, but I can wait for ice for about 6 more months. 
It looks like the Lazer Mag Pro will be $480 ,that is the 2.5hp 10″. The 8″ will be a few dollars less. Scheels in Eau Claire will carry the 2 & 2.5hp Lazers.Everything I’ve heard is they cut twice as fast as the old lazers!! 
we were just about ready to pull the trigger last winter and buy the old model, I thought it might be a good idea to wait to see what the new model would have in store, no doubt there will be some tempting sales on the old engine model once the new model hits the shelves. 
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Any idea on weights…
29# for the 10″ bit and 26# for the 8″ bit is what I’m hearing on the weights.
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Everything I’ve heard is they cut twice as fast as the old lazers!!
I got to use one extensively this past winter and I would say that assessment is fairly accurate. They’re much faster than the previous models.
I don’t know about twice as fast, but she definitely SMOKES!
Hey guys, let me tell you these new augers are nice! The price are going to be a little more than the mag series, corresponding to each hp. Yeah the 3hp they are making, are super responsive, right when you touch the throttle, it goes. They couldn’t get tech. motors anymore so they went to the new solo, german engineering. They throw out a little more torque, not a huge difference though, their blades are what sets them apart, which is why they cut so fast!
To clairify weights, the solo’s are lighter than the mag series. Def. a huge difference. The new transmission alone is 3lbs lighter. It is supercompostie type of material, and can withstand HUGE amounts of pressure. The gears are now stamped, they won’t break like some of the old(yet very few)transmissions. The auger bits are the same, the powerhead is a very reliable motor. They are putting around 10-15+ cc than the mags. The 2hp was around 47 cc as I remember.
The only downfall would be the plastic muffler guards, which may crack in fridgid temps, and is slightly louder. All and all, its a GREAT new motor.
Welcome to IDO, Schlicht!
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The 2hp was around 47 cc as I remember.
I finally found a catalog for these new augers so I have all the specs.
The 3 HP = 54cc
The 2.5 HP = 42cc
The 2 HP = 37cc
I haven’t had the opportunity to drill with a 3 HP, yet. The 2.5 left me feeling like the mad hatter with a new toy when I first laid hands on it. I can only imagine how fast the 3 HP is going to be.
Here’s what I have for weights:
2.5 & 3 HP w/ 6″ Auger = 24 Lbs
2.5 & 3 HP w/ 7″ Auger = 25 Lbs
2.5 & 3 HP w/ 8″ Auger = 26 Lbs
2.5 & 3 HP w/ 10″ Auger = 29 Lbs
The 2 HP comes with the lighter trans so the 2 HP Lazer Pro w/ 8.25″ chipper blade = 25 Lbs while the 2 HP Lazer Pro w/ 10.25″ chipper blade = 27 Lbs.
I’ve heard about the new SOLO motors and if my old, trusty Lazer gives up I know how I will replace it! Very sweet set-up.
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Hey guys, let me tell you these new augers are nice! The price are going to be a little more than the mag series, corresponding to each hp. Yeah the 3hp they are making, are super responsive, right when you touch the throttle, it goes. They couldn’t get tech. motors anymore so they went to the new solo, german engineering. They throw out a little more torque, not a huge difference though, their blades are what sets them apart, which is why they cut so fast!
To clairify weights, the solo’s are lighter than the mag series. Def. a huge difference. The new transmission alone is 3lbs lighter. It is supercompostie type of material, and can withstand HUGE amounts of pressure. The gears are now stamped, they won’t break like some of the old(yet very few)transmissions. The auger bits are the same, the powerhead is a very reliable motor. They are putting around 10-15+ cc than the mags. The 2hp was around 47 cc as I remember.
The only downfall would be the plastic muffler guards, which may crack in fridgid temps, and is slightly louder. All and all, its a GREAT new motor.
Great to have ya Schlict!
I noticed what you meant on the slightly louder noise when I demo’d one of these augers this past winter. Is it wrong to admit I kinda liked it? Reminded me of how Ford took audio tracks of the older rumble of a 70’s mustang when tuning the exhuast sound of the newer models.
This auger sounds like a hellfire chainsaw and THROWS ice! Like others have mentioned, not sure if it drills twice as fast as my current lazer mag, but I’d say it’s darned close.
Joel
I had the chanmce to use a new Solo last winter in South dakota.
All I can say is these new augers might be the best auger around. They cut fast, start easy and the hole is very clean when your done. The weight is very low also.
It was a real joy to use it.
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