Looking for a new auger after selling my jiffy pro 4. I am not looking to go propane again. I fish out of a pop up and drill about 20-30 holes a day. Should I go with a strkemaster honda lite? Or should I make the switch to electric?
How much did you get for your Jiffy Junk? I’ll be getting rid of my 3 year old Pro4 Lite, but I’m not sure its worth $50. Plus my conscience probably won’t let me sell it to anyone.
Anyway, I’d go electric if I were you. If you only cut 20-30 holes a day then it’s a no brainer.
What did you guys dislike about your Jiffys? I got the pro 44 this year and have used it 12-14 times so far with no complaints. But ya for your situation id go electric, probably milwaukee with a k-drill.
The problems with mine are well documented here. I’ll just say mine never ran correctly right out of the box. It’s been in for warranty service 4-6 times (I’ve lost count) and it still isn’t right. Now I’m out of warranty and I’m left with garbage. I do everything I’m supposed to do. Change oil, spark plug annually.
I put together a mutant this year with a milwaukee drill on a clam conversion plate and an ion 8″ standard drill head and I haven’t started my lazer yet. If I keep my battery warm I have been getting 20-25 holes in 2′ of ice per battery. If you look around you can find the parts pretty reasonable. I have just under $400 into the whole setup.
Cabelas has some very limmited supply of non X gen 8″ electric Ions for $499.
K-Drill. They are awesome!
I really love my strikemaster honda lite and would recommend it to anyone but for only drilling 25-30 holes per day electric sounds great. Only downside from what I’ve read is keeping the batteries warm but that shouldn’t be difficult fishing out of a pop up.
Okay here is my two cents,
I have had some issues with my Strikemaster lazer pro 10″ but it was MY FAULT!
I forgot to store it correctly one time a few years back and I had to replace the carb and lines. If you take care of the machine:
It will cut the biggest whole the fastest. I lived in Ely 3.5 years and cut close to 500 holes I bet with all stock parts and just put fuel in it. I paid 600+ but it was worth it. I love that damn auger.
I posted a thread a few days ago of some
Issues I had with it. I called d-rock and got an intake and gaskets with carb and it’s like new. Took 4 years for blades to wear down to replace. I love my Strikemaster
I also got rid of my Jiffy this year too actually just a couple weeks ago only and I ended up going with the original Ion with reverse. I was pretty skeptical about getting an electric auger at first but boy do I love it. You keep the battery warm and do what the manual says you won’t have a problem it cuts just as fast as a gas auger too.
Strikemaster Honda Lite would be my recommendation, but for how many holes you drill electric may be a good option. The Honda has even been 2 pulls, maybe 3 on a bad day, even when well below zero.
I love my Honda! Always starts right up, not too heavy. Don’t have to worry about mixing gas. There’s a bunch of Honda small engine service centers around that can work on it for me if I need anything. Those GX motors are awesome! My landscaper neighbor talked me into it. He buys a GX series Honda motor whenever it’s an option from experience with them running forever. I look forward to it running for me for a LONG time.
If you’re going to go the gas route and mostly fish out of a portable I’d recommend going with a Strikemaster Lazer Pro. Cuts quicker and has significantly more power than the Honda. Yes you have to mix gas, but at 20-30 holes a time you probably won’t go through more than 2 gallons a year. Plus they are cheaper than the Hondas.
However if I was in the market for a new auger, I’d be looking long and hard at all the new electric models if you use an 8″ or smaller hole. I’d lean towards an Ion myself, but the K drills look pretty sweet, especially for early ice.
I bought a new Eskimo Mako 43cc this year. Starts right up, and does the job in a hurry, everytime. Best investment I’ve made in a long time.
If you’re going to go the gas route and mostly fish out of a portable I’d recommend going with a Strikemaster Lazer Pro. Cuts quicker and has significantly more power than the Honda. Yes you have to mix gas.
I agree with lazer pro on speed and power. Don’t worry about mixing gas,
Home Depot has 40:1 non oxy for 4 buck a liter. I use it and love it! Almost no smoke as well.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
