I did talk to a friend that works for them and they are replacing the bottoms of the auger for free. Sounds like it is a bad batch of the coating the coating should be a glossy black. Just give them a call.
Interesting. Mine was flat black, and every one I’ve seen in stores was flat black. That flawed batch must have been quite large.
Yeah I would bet it may have been but I am not sure and he didn’t tell me. I was quite surprised that it would make that much difference but I am just relaying what I was told to hopefully help some of my fellow IDO people. I do know they are good to work with. I had a problem with a pop up and they replaced it for a brand new one.
I talked with them yesterday, they sent me a shipping label to send the auger bit back and they are sending me a new one as soon as the tracking number for the original one shows up as “In Transit”
I’m just chalking this up to a new, first year product. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, mine worked great when temps were high 20s to low 30s. This past weekend was the first time I used it in single digit weather.
Their customer service has been great so far
I’m the same as Bigstorm. An email response within 24 hours and the issue is being addressed. Great customer service. I compare this to the first year Strikemaster had to recall all the electric augers with a bad switch. It can’t be easy for a company to take that hit but they are stand up companies for addressing the issues. Hats off to Ion for taking care of this if it is truly the coating causing the problem.
I did get a hold of customer service. I explained my issue, and was told immediately they would send a new bit. It was followed up with an email stating: “We did experience a small batch of new ION ice augers that were icing up doing to a coating issue. I would be happy to exchange the auger for you”. They sent a UPS ground tag to me via email. Once it is in transit, they are sending the new one.
At this point I expect my issue to be resolved, but will let everyone know once I get the new bit.
Customer service was prompt, helpful and courteous.
Please let us know if their replacement works, not too excited about sending something in to someone and waiting for them to send a replacement. I get it though that some insurance needs to be in place so they are not getting shammed. I have back up augers so it really is not a big deal but it would be tough if it were your only auger.
My pics are from yesterdays excursion, ~30 holes over 5 moves 5-7 degree temps. The auger was not set in snow. Luckily I was aware some were having this issue and brought a back up.
Icing2.jpg
Icing1.jpg
Man that looks like a “cold sink” issue. The mass of that casting along with the blades make it where the cold can’t escape into the relatively warmer water, and the water freezes to the cold metal mass. Then the initial ice forming just builds and builds. The original Ion bit was much more “dainty” and upon churning in the water could warm and not develop ice. The only other auger bit that uses a casting is my K-Drill, but the blade and chipper style has not been affected by any ice buildup. Maybe Ion copied K-Drill but went with shaver blades, bad karma for copying?
those pics are brutal, glad I didn’t “upgrade” to the X model…
Please let us know if their replacement works, not too excited about sending something in to someone and waiting for them to send a replacement. I get it though that some insurance needs to be in place so they are not getting shammed. I have back up augers so it really is not a big deal but it would be tough if it were your only auger.
My pics are from yesterdays excursion, ~30 holes over 5 moves 5-7 degree temps. The auger was not set in snow. Luckily I was aware some were having this issue and brought a back up.
I had the same issue and e-mailed them and told them I would not wait to get the replacement auger until after I shipped my old one. They made an “exception” and are sending me a new auger and then I will have to send my old one back.
The new 8″ bit arrived today. The coating on this one is definitely different than the original one, this coating is much glossier/shiny. I won’t be able to try it out until this weekend and the temps are supposed to be warmer
Ions, kinda like owning a Vex 
Actually, I’ve seen all augers ice up.
I received my new bit today, I will be going out tomorrow to try it. We have a high of -6 so I will put it to the test.
Holy cow that did ice up, I’d be disappointed with that also, and that’s putting it mildly, I bought a new ion this spring in Cumberland but its not the new version
Craig how did it go? I just sent mine in today and will be receiving my replacement bit next week.
Craig how did it go? I just sent mine in today and will be receiving my replacement bit next week.
The weather was around -25 with the wind chill, it did ice up a little bit but no where near like it did before. The little icing up was to be expected with the weather.
Awesome that was exactly the answer I was looking for. Good answer! I can handle that. Thanks
Icing or not, does the more minimal icing with the new coating affect the cutting in any way?
Tried out the new 8″ bit today, started out this morning at 5F, punched 10 holes thru 12 to 14″ of ice with no issue and very minimal one build up (no different than any other auger I’ve used).Set it down for a couple hours then punched a few more holes with no issues. Looks like they got the issue fixed and helped those with the issue very quickly, great customer service
Did they run some wires down the shaft from the powerhead to a heating element in the casting? I always wondered why gas augers don’t run the exhaust down the shaft and out the cutting head to keep it warm, kinda like an outboard motor.
do not go by if someone returned one…we call this a small sample size in R&D…what about the 800 people that like it…you always hear and remember the negs but never the positives… go by what meets your needs…my neighbor has one and just loves it…to each his own I guess…
I agree with this 100% I have one and absolutely love it and have had zero issues regardless of temp.
Just an update.
I received my new replacement bit just now, Friday afternoon. Definitely a much more shiny finish that the one I sent back. But it was touch and go there for a bit… haha
I had sent the faulty bit this week, Monday morning at 8:45am. The tracking number showed it received by ARDISAM on Tuesday afternoon. Then we went radio silence.
I assumed I would have shipping info on Tuesday, or Wednesday but nothing. Called and emailed on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was told previously the new one would be shipped when the bad bit showed “In transit”.
Thursday afternoon I received my first email stating the unit would be shipping and arrival would be in 2 – 3 days. Oh no, A lost weekend I feared, so I called to see if it could ship next day. I called again, and waited on hold and talked to a Customer Service Rep. She told me it was shipping via SpeeDee and delivery “should” get it there on Friday, Saturday for sure. I am heading out of town this afternoon (Friday) to go fish…..
This morning I received this email from ARDISAM, “I received your emails. I apologize for the confusion. Our policy on returns is that when the return is received in our warehouse the replacement is shipped. I apologize and understand the frustration if there was any miscommunication. I know that it does not make it right but I will be sending an ION hat to you.”
Just letting all know, as an FYI for anyone needed to process this replacement in the future, I’m not sure if they changed their policy or not, but it was definitely a full 5-day process for me, and delivery was in the Twin Cities. Could it have been longer process if out-state???
It did all work out in the end on the replacement. I still would not consider my experience to be bad, I think the company is doing a good job fixing the issue. Things happen.
So I been reading the reviews about it icing up I actually talked to an ion rap and they know about the issue they used the wrong paint on the bottom of it in production and it actually holds the ice in the slush instead of sliding off like the old model so if you want the new model wait till next year’s model when they fixed the issue at the time that I talk to the rep they did not have a fix for the augers that have already been sold
So I been reading the reviews about it icing up I actually talked to an ion rap and they know about the issue they used the wrong paint on the bottom of it in production and it actually holds the ice in the slush instead of sliding off like the old model so if you want the new model wait till next year’s model when they fixed the issue at the time that I talk to the rep they did not have a fix for the augers that have already been sold
They are responding to the issue. Ion is replacing the flightings for the Ions sold with the wrong paint. Not all of this years models have the wrong paint. My understanding is that the wrong ones have a flat black paint and the right ones have a gloss black paint.
After my bit got replaced (I believe the bits were made in China?), my ION X has been impressive. Initially, I thought a spare battery might be a good idea, but held off on buying one and glad I did. That thing drills a lot of holes before showing any signs of battery drainage whatsoever. Overall, the ION has been much more trouble-free than my gas auger…quiet, lightweight, no fuel/oil, no carb problems, no starting issues in cold conditions, no warm-up required, dependable, lots of power to drill lots of holes. What’s not to like? I would buy this again and recommend this product to anyone without hesitation, assuming the correct bit is attached. My only complaint, besides the bit, was that the bolt holding the bit stripped out rather easily. Replaced it with a longer bolt and locking nut for peace of mind.
My buddy has the original one and he has had 3 sets of blades break in the last 2 years. He is so frustrated that he just decided to mount an auger base from a hand auger on it and see if it works. No way I’d ever buy one.
How are these compared to like a Strike Master Lithium Laser? Im thinking about getting a new auger and want an electric.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
