best power augers

wanting to buy a new 2 cycle power auger. looking at the 2hp strikemaster the reason for the small motor is weight , smaller auger and price point….anyone want to chime in and help lead me in the right direction? i noticed this machine only has one blade…. is this a concern?? thank you in advance for your opinion
steve

Well you are going to get allot of StrikeMaster responses, so just be warned. With the NEW Solo Power head on the StrikeMaster units, you can step up from a 2-3 hp unit, and have zero weight added, HEck you can go to the 4 stroke and actually get a LIGHTER Unit. So there you have been wanred.

I have the new SM Magnum. Haven’t had it on the ice, but I fire it up just to … well fine I really just like to listen to it. but I haven’t had a chance to hit the ice yet, so I need something to get my fix.

I bought jiffy STX 2 hp 3 years ago. I have had no problems with it. I bought it because every other auger I looked at had a plastic throttle, including the strike masters. the STX has a very thick steel throttle that will not be broken off unless it is done intentionally with a hammer. I don’t know if the new strike masters still have plastic throttles, but I consider that to be cheaping out to allow for more profit to be made when a metal throttle could be put on for a few bucks more. I’m not coming down on strike master because other jiffy models and the eskimos all had plastic throttles too. I just didn’t feel like not being able to drill a hole because the throttle got snapped off out on the ice. That would ruin a good bite for sure.

I have a Jiffy 2hp but with Tecumsa now out of business I am starting from zero. I have run them for 20 years. Glad I dont need one now.

thanks for your helpful input

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I bought jiffy STX 2 hp 3 years ago. I have had no problems with it. I bought it because every other auger I looked at had a plastic throttle, including the strike masters. the STX has a very thick steel throttle that will not be broken off unless it is done intentionally with a hammer. I don’t know if the new strike masters still have plastic throttles, but I consider that to be cheaping out to allow for more profit to be made when a metal throttle could be put on for a few bucks more. I’m not coming down on strike master because other jiffy models and the eskimos all had plastic throttles too. I just didn’t feel like not being able to drill a hole because the throttle got snapped off out on the ice. That would ruin a good bite for sure.

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85 Lund
I’m glad you like tour Jiffy. I do agreee that there units are built with more solid components. I just hope yours starts better and runs better than all of my friends units. Everytime we fish together they all say “We will take you auger”. My strikemaster is at least 3X older than all of their Jiffys and they still always want to use mine. The last time we brought both of ours I had mine started and had over 10 Holes drilled before he got his running and then it killed have way thru the 1st hole. They seem to run good if you start them and let them warm up for awhile before trying to use them. Just my $.02 worth.

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I just hope yours starts better and runs better than all of my friends units.

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I haven’t had any problems with it so far. I change my spark plug every fall and then in winter she fires right up.

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I just hope yours starts better and runs better than all of my friends units.

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I haven’t had any problems with it so far. I change my spark plug every fall and then in winter she fires right up.

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Glad to hear that. Maybe they have gotten better or my buddies got a bad unit or they may not take care of theirs well. I should probably change the spark plug in my strikemaster. I don’t think I’ve changed it in the 10-12 years I’ve had it. Good luck to you this ice season.

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every other auger I looked at had a plastic throttle, including the strike masters. the STX has a very thick steel throttle that will not be broken off unless it is done intentionally with a hammer. I don’t know if the new strike masters still have plastic throttles, but I consider that to be cheaping out to allow for more profit to be made when a metal throttle could be put on for a few bucks more. I’m not coming down on strike master because other jiffy models and the eskimos all had plastic throttles too.

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I’ve studied materials for years as a mechanical engineer and in that time alone composites have evolved from simple tupperware all the way to the carbon fiber materials of today. In creating anything, light and strong is always the goal.

StrikeMaster’s composite components are not just thrown on a machine to cut cost. If fact a large amount of time and money goes into finding a material that is light and strong enough for a specific application. You certainly wouldn’t buy an Otter sled if it were made from aluminum. Things break,…sure, but I’ve snapped welds on eskimo augers and witnessed the same on Jiffy’s. I’ve also seen cracked Strikemaster handles. Things break, but top of the line producing company’s engineers do not simply say “hmmph,….just make it steel, that’ll work.

I guess you should just get a Strike Master.

If you want something with little to no plastic, steel handles steel 48″ bit all the power you will ever need and still be in the 22 pound range, add in a motor designed for industrial use look at a Nils Master, Light fast and quiet.

I own a Strikemaster and have been happy with it over the years. I’ve fished with a few guys in the last couple years that run the Nils Master, and have seen them in action…sweet augers for sure.