If you had $500 which one would you buy??

Which auger on the market would you buy if you wanted to spend $500 or less?? I know Nils is the best but I don’t have that much to spend…thanks!

Lazer pro or lazer mag either is good. Just use a good synthetic 2 cycle oil. I use amsoil sabre on my lazer mag. Never had any issues.. drilled over 400 holes last and this year.

lazer mag or pro no questions asked!!!!

Buy an 8″ Nils ($190) and use your electric hand drill attachment if you are hole hopping. (make sense?)

If you plan to drill a handful of holes you don’t even need the drill.

It is really nice to carry the Nils around (lightweight, no batteries, no fuel, no worries if it gets cold, no motor maintenance)

Ask yourself how many holes you punch on an average outing.

If it is less than 10 I think Nils hand auger is the way to go.

I have the honda lite and the lazer mag .. at times I feel the honda isn’t fast enough especially when the bite is hot and the drilling is slow. Sometimes both me and my brother we drilled together. The benefits to a more powerful auger is that use can use a bigger bit if needed and if your blades get a little dull you’ll still be able to drill good amount of holes. With the honda I find sharp blades are best. Just my experience. .

I bought an ION last year and really like it, but if I were buying one this year with the same rough budget I would buy a K-Drill.
http://icefishingtoday.com/ice-fishing-products/k-drill-electric-ice-auger-system/
The 8″ versions with the drill exceed your budget a bit, but the benefits of this system are pretty cool. System weight of 10 pounds, two batteries included, and the drill can be used for other things year-round.

Buy a Tanaka Power Head and then attach the auger or augers you like.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tanaka-26-9cc-Gas-Dual-Handle-Planting-Drill-TED-270PFDH-NEW-/390913457668?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b0441fe04

bee wrote:

Buy a Tanaka Power Head and then attach the auger or augers you like.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tanaka-26-9cc-Gas-Dual-Handle-Planting-Drill-TED-270PFDH-NEW-/390913457668?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b0441fe04

WHY? Whats so special? I have never heard of these and am just curious …. THX

I’m with bee! Tanaka all the way. Light weight no plastic handles and industrial motor. I have a 6″ nils and an 8″ mora for mine cuts awesome. Very light at 20 pounds. Look up a video on one.

Ion for me, love the thing…

Is that Tanaka Power Head almost the same thing as the Nils?

It is same power head. Tanaka 270. Nils is just the auger they mate to it. You can have any adapter made or bought for the auger you choose. Picking a shaver style is key though. This is a fast setup and doesn’t need the big hp cause of how efficient it is. It’s a 1.35 hp. Nils, mora hand auger very good cutting.

Here is a little visual in site as to what you can do with a Gas Drill power head. The Auger on the left is an Echo drill that I converted to an ice auger. All 5 of those augers can and are used with the same power head. They are 3 Mora’s 6-7and 8 inch. The Nils 8 in. And an Older Snabb 6in auger that I converted to power use. The Echo that I own is a smaller displacement motor and will only handle the 6 in. Bits. The Tanaka will power them all and does.

I had the same idea at one point but too lazy to do it. I’ve always thought that seems like hand auger will be nicer as they are lighter. Blades are cheaper..the adapter part was getting done by my brother who have access to a cnc machine. I think it would be a nice setup with any hand auger.

Hamms and Bee are right on. I have the Tanaka motor with a 7″/8″ Mora on it (both size blades fit on the same auger flight). It drills as fast or faster than a Solo Lazer, runs quiet as a weed wacker, and the set up weighs 19 lbs with an extension on it and full of fuel.

The Tanaka motor is not the same caliber of motors used on other augers, it’s like comparing Black and Decker to Dewalt. Mora blades are only $30 for a new set and the old ones can be sharpened.

Are those Tanaka engines jetted or optimized for cold weather? This approach to drills really appeals to the “gadget collector” in me.

JD Winston wrote:

Are those Tanaka engines jetted or optimized for cold weather? This approach to drills really appeals to the “gadget collector” in me.

A big yes.

bee wrote:

JD Winston wrote:
Are those Tanaka engines jetted or optimized for cold weather? This approach to drills really appeals to the “gadget collector” in me.

A big yes.

Dang, and I thought I was done buying stuff this year. lol

JD Winston wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bee wrote:</div>
JD Winston wrote:
Are those Tanaka engines jetted or optimized for cold weather? This approach to drills really appeals to the “gadget collector” in me.

A big yes.

Dang, and I thought I was done buying stuff this year. lol

One more purchase and then you can sell the others. Even wash.

bee wrote:

One more purchase and then you can sell the others. Even wash.

Hi, I’m JD, we haven’t met yet. In addition to long walks on the beach, I collect crap. And lots of it. No way I sell anything. I’m the kind of guy who THINKS he needs backup gear for my backup gear. lol! Merry Christmas.

Not one person talked about a jiffy….I was gonna go with the propane model just because tired of the gas smell and mixing gas. That Tanaka sounds like a nice unit. Are they 2 stroke motors??

OK, I have a 4 stoke Pro4 gen2 Jiffy and might I add, LOVE IT! I’ve yet to find an auger that can keep pace with me. So easy to start, maintain and drills like a dream with that Ripper blade system they use. They are a bit heavy but I’m a big guy that can tolerate the weight. On the upside, I never once have to push down to get it to ‘bite’ or drill faster. Just hang on and it does all the work.

I originally didn’t mention them cause the Pro4 is a bit over $500 and the author specified under $500.

JD, my father in law got the propane model last year and I have used it a couple times…WOW Im very impressed. Starts on 1st pull and drills awesome with that chipper blade. I can get one at L&M Fleet for $399 and free shipping.oh yeah and the weight is only 27 lbs I believe.

Make sure it is the Pro 4 you are getting for that price. I heard less than favorable reviews about the Light version in production.

I just picked up an Eskimo Shark Z71 at Fleetfarm for $359. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet considering ice conditions but I have no concerns considering Eskimo makes great products.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/eskimo-10-in-shark-z71-quantum-ice-auger/0000000006325

joe_the_fisher wrote:

Not one person talked about a jiffy….I was gonna go with the propane model just because tired of the gas smell and mixing gas. That Tanaka sounds like a nice unit. Are they 2 stroke motors??

They are 2 stroke. I run 100-1 mix Ams oil. You can put then anyplace to carry . No smell no leaks. Use very little gas. Very light weight. About 18 lbs.

JD, It was a lite version…guess I stay away from that. Bee, that Tanaka model you are showing me on E-Bay…is that model for an ice auger bit and do I need a special adapter to attach augers to it? thanks.

joe_the_fisher wrote:

JD, It was a lite version…guess I stay away from that. Bee, that Tanaka model you are showing me on E-Bay…is that model for an ice auger bit and do I need a special adapter to attach augers to it? thanks.

That is the one. Yes an adapter is needed. The shaft on the Tanaka is threaded 1/2 inch by 20. You can have someone make an adapter or one can be gotten on ebay for the Mora/ lazer augers and others.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ice-Auger-Adapter-for-Cordless-Drill-Motor-Ice-Fishing-/170560089433?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b62c6d59

I have the Tanka 262R paired with a lazer hand auger. About the best setup I have ever seen! Always stays running and no recoil to start.

bee wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>musky nut 1 wrote:</div>
JD, It was a lite version…guess I stay away from that. Bee, that Tanaka model you are showing me on E-Bay…is that model for an ice auger bit and do I need a special adapter to attach augers to it? thanks.

That is the one. Yes an adapter is needed. The shaft on the Tanaka is threaded 1/2 inch by 20. You can have someone make an adapter or one can be gotten on ebay for the Mora/ lazer augers and others.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ice-Auger-Adapter-for-Cordless-Drill-Motor-Ice-Fishing-/170560089433?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b62c6d59

I should have said the person on Ebay will remove the hex shaft and drill and tap to fit the Tanaka. Just send a message to him.