Looking to purchase an auger, I wanted to hear some of your guys pros and cons about the ion series. The original and the new X. What issues do you have with them? Besides the battery freezing and being expensive to replace! How fast do they drill holes and how many holes in a day can they drill? Thank you in advance.
Mine is brand new so I can’t speak to longevity. I have the luxury of a heated fishhouse trailer, but have also bought a small softsided cooler that I keep the battery in and if outside for a prolonged time I have reheatable hot packs.
I “had” an ion 3 years ago. I was on LOTW drilling holes, there were guys using gas and propane all around me. They were drilling holes 3 to one over my ion.
Gave the ION to the SIL. Got a Jiffy propane, can you say AWESOME.
FWIW – The Guys at Adrians only run propane.
I “had” an ion 3 years ago. I was on LOTW drilling holes, there were guys using gas and propane all around me. They were drilling holes 3 to one over my ion.
Gave the ION to the SIL. Got a Jiffy propane, can you say AWESOME.FWIW – The Guys at Adrians only run propane.
Wow 3 to 1 huh. Makes me question buying one. How do you like your jiffy propane?
Starts on the first pull. Everytime! cuts like a hot knife going thru butter.
I would try to get my hands on one and make my own decisions. Perhaps you could chat up a fella on the lake and drill a few holes with his to get an idea. They do have their niche in perm shack with no exhaust and a reverse. Teach their own.
I would try to get my hands on one and make my own decisions. Perhaps you could chat up a fella on the lake and drill a few holes with his to get an idea. They do have their niche in perm shack with no exhaust and a reverse. Teach their own.
Caveat – *Yes, perm shack a must.*
Runnin and gunnin ahhhh NO!
Hold your horses “gas boys”, let’s look at the whole picture. While your scooping the slush out of your hole, I hit reverse and whalla, a clean hole. Now where did I put that skimmer, oh, that’s right, I don’t need one. One hand on the Vex, one on the 20lb auger, don’t need a third hand for the skimmer… booya!
Hold your horses “gas boys”, let’s look at the whole picture. While your scooping the slush out of your hole, I hit reverse and whalla, a clean hole. Now where did I put that skimmer, oh, that’s right, I don’t need one. One hand on the Vex, one on the 20lb auger, don’t need a third hand for the skimmer… booya!
I couldn’t tell you the last time I used a skimmer. Drill your hole kick the snow away then run the auger through the hole one more time. It obviously does not work inside a perm that way.
Yea that can work, but the way these “gas jockeys” punch holes all over the place you could drain the lake.
Ya 3-1 lmao but when ya get older you allow more time to do everything, I guess if your in a contest to drill holes an ion won’t win, if you want something light and cuts sweet get an ion.id never get a propane one I’d have gas before that and put up with The fumes
Ya 3-1 lmao but when ya get older you allow more time to do everything, I guess if your in a contest to drill holes an ion won’t win, if you want something light and cuts sweet get an ion.id never get a propane one I’d have gas before that and put up with The fumes
Why not a propane?
Iv’e had all 3 so far propane has been the best.
Ion – Slow cutting.
Gas – Leaks, fumes, mixing gas.
Propane – Screw in a tank, pull, drill.
Propane looks good on paper, but some instances with problems, one I’ve heard where the cylinder was screwed in and the unit hissed till the tank was empty. I believe it was attributed to a moisture frozen regulator. Other thing I heard was units would only run with warm, full cylinders. My one fishing buddy owned a Jiffy pro4 and had it in several times. I ended up selling him my Eskimo gas as he gave up on propane.
I would try to get my hands on one and make my own decisions. Perhaps you could chat up a fella on the lake and drill a few holes with his to get an idea. They do have their niche in perm shack with no exhaust and a reverse. Teach their own.
Good point. I should talk to some people and check there’s out.
Ya 3-1 lmao but when ya get older you allow more time to do everything, I guess if your in a contest to drill holes an ion won’t win, if you want something light and cuts sweet get an ion.id never get a propane one I’d have gas before that and put up with The fumes
Not in a contest to drill holes. But if I’m out running and gunning. Like I like to do. I want something effective.
I absolutely loved my Ion and am excited to try my Ion X. I am a hole hopper, and I feel that the ease of being able to pick up a very light weight auger and be instantly drilling holes makes up for the fact that it might not tear through ice like a gas or propane. That being said, my Ion cut through the ice like butter, and I can honestly say I will never go back to gas! I did have an Eskimo propane and did like it, but they are very heavy compared to the Ion and I didn’t feel that it cut that much faster. I am a firm believer for sure!
Out on the ice 6 degrees outside, below zero last night, 10.5 inches black solid ice, the auger with battery outside for over an hour. The ion with X battery and 8″ K-Drill punched 2 holes, 12 seconds each.
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Out on the ice 6 degrees outside, below zero last night, 10.5 inches black solid ice, the auger with battery outside for over an hour. The ion with X battery and 8″ K-Drill punched 2 holes, 12 seconds each.
How do you like the K Drill?
I love the K-Drill. Reopens old holes and is smooth, no abruptness even on the Ion. I had the K-Drill on a Solo 3hp and the thing was awesome. But I had carpal tunnel surgery and 3 other finger surgeries on my right hand 3 weeks ago. Pulling the recoil was a sometimes painful challenge…my right hand loves the Ion I’ve punched 10 holes today and hand feels great with zero pain.
I love the K-Drill. Reopens old holes and is smooth, no abruptness even on the Ion. I had the K-Drill on a Solo 3hp and the thing was awesome. But I had carpal tunnel surgery and 3 other finger surgeries on my right hand 3 weeks ago. Pulling the recoil was a sometimes painful challenge…my right hand loves the Ion I’ve punched 10 holes today and hand feels great with zero pain.
Gonna look further into the k-drill. Thank you for your response! Sorry to hear about your surgery.
I have no complaints about the ion x used it all day yesterday. Just pulled the battery off and put it in the shack out of the wind and no problems drilling holes as cold as it was yesterday.
I have the Ion X and it has been nothing but problems so far. I can maybe get 4 to 5 holes before the bottom of the auger ices up. Not sure if it is the cold weather being in North Dakota but I spend more time chipping the auger bit than drilling holes. I did contact Ion and they are sending me a new a auger so hopefully that does the trick. I was told it was something with the finish on the auger.
I purchased a k-drill this season. I have been very, very happy so far in my limited trips. 11 pounds is a huge factor to a guy that has a few neck problems. as far as speed, I can’t say that it seems much(if any) any slower than my strikemaster laser? But carrying it around is a different deal……
11 lbs is awesome.
If you decide to go propane be careful on which model you buy. I got a pro 4 lite 2 years ago and it’s a lemon. My buddy has a 2nd generation Pro 4 (heavy) and that auger was good. Personally I’d stay away from Jiffy, but that’s cause I don’t like the one I bought. Others have good things to say about them, but you never get a 2nd chance at a 1st impression so I’m done with them. Haven’t heard much about Eskimo Propane.
My next auger will be electric. Probably a KDrill or Nils on a Milwaukee. Good luck.
I purchased a k-drill this season. I have been very, very happy so far in my limited trips. 11 pounds is a huge factor to a guy that has a few neck problems. as far as speed, I can’t say that it seems much(if any) any slower than my strikemaster laser? But carrying it around is a different deal……
11 lbs is awesome.
Did you buy a combo, or had to buy the auger and drill separate?
If you decide to go propane be careful on which model you buy. I got a pro 4 lite 2 years ago and it’s a lemon. My buddy has a 2nd generation Pro 4 (heavy) and that auger was good. Personally I’d stay away from Jiffy, but that’s cause I don’t like the one I bought. Others have good things to say about them, but you never get a 2nd chance at a 1st impression so I’m done with them. Haven’t heard much about Eskimo Propane.
My next auger will be electric. Probably a KDrill or Nils on a Milwaukee. Good luck.
How big can you get the Nils in? What model do you run? Gas?
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Timmy wrote:</div>
I purchased a k-drill this season. I have been very, very happy so far in my limited trips. 11 pounds is a huge factor to a guy that has a few neck problems. as far as speed, I can’t say that it seems much(if any) any slower than my strikemaster laser? But carrying it around is a different deal……11 lbs is awesome.
Did you buy a combo, or had to buy the auger and drill separate?
I bought the auger and drill package seperatley any got everything out the door for about $480.
Very happy so far but haven’t hit 20+inches of ice yet to really put it to the test before I bring back out the Jiffy Pro 4 propane which is now my backup
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>shamus wrote:</div>
If you decide to go propane be careful on which model you buy. I got a pro 4 lite 2 years ago and it’s a lemon. My buddy has a 2nd generation Pro 4 (heavy) and that auger was good. Personally I’d stay away from Jiffy, but that’s cause I don’t like the one I bought. Others have good things to say about them, but you never get a 2nd chance at a 1st impression so I’m done with them. Haven’t heard much about Eskimo Propane.My next auger will be electric. Probably a KDrill or Nils on a Milwaukee. Good luck.
How big can you get the Nils in? What model do you run? Gas?
I have a Jiffy Pro4 Lite and I don’t recommend them. Some have had good luck, but mine sucks. JIffy’s other model is the original Pro4, which is heavy, but it also has more ripper blades than the Pro4 Lite and more power. If you plan to cut a lot of holes in a day with the original Pro4 wear a back brace cause it’s heavy.
I believe you can get a Nils in up to 10″.
Original ION with upgraded X battery and 8″K-Drill. Left out in cold for 6 hours with temps starting at 6 degrees, getting up to 17 degrees. Punched 10 holes in 10.5″ solid, dark ice. Each hole took about 12 seconds. Machine never strained and had 3 out of 3 charge indicating lights still lit. Judge for yourself based on your intended needs.
Original ION with upgraded X battery and 8″K-Drill. Left out in cold for 6 hours with temps starting at 6 degrees, getting up to 17 degrees. Punched 10 holes in 10.5″ solid, dark ice. Each hole took about 12 seconds. Machine never strained and had 3 out of 3 charge indicating lights still lit. Judge for yourself based on your intended needs.
Thank you for your input! I will look into that!
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