Strikemaster Honda 35Cc Lite 4-Stroke Auger and why??

So I’m currently in the market for a new auger and was just curious what are some of your guys thoughts on this unit. My style of fishing is a lot of running and gunning and I currently own the second gen ION w/reverse. Which is a great auger if your only looking to drill around 20-30 holes with 15′ of ice with a full battery charge or with having a permy, which I don’t have. Speed, performance and weight really has me keying in on this unit. In your opinions am I making the right move? Thanks!!!

I own one and here are the strengths:
– Light (23 lbs. with 8-inch bit)
– Quieter
– No mixing of oil and gas
– Can drill many many holes on one tank (haven’t tested exactly how many on one tank)
– Starts with 1-2 pulls every time
– Reliable Honda motor with shops readily available if something should happen

It’s not the fastest auger in the world, if you’re looking for speed I’d look at the lazer pros. But this will get you there quickly. Haven’t had any issues with mine and only have had to adjust the carb screw out of the box and replaced the spark plug once.

This will be a nice choice as you said you like to run and gun. It will also be nice to not have to worry about keeping a battery warm. When I run and gun, I’ll drill a hole, leave it running while I put it on its side, and check depths. The oil is contained in a bladder around the crankcase so I don’t worry about any spillage.

I have one as well. It starts extremely easy and it’s light like was said above. I used to have a Jiffy model 30 though so anything is light compared to that. My favorite part is how little fuel it uses. I carry a 32 oz. metal fuel bottle with me, and that along with a full tank on the auger is more than enough fuel for a long weekend of drilling a LOT of holes. The only complaint I have had over the last couple years is the rubber strap that holds the blade cover on breaks to easy… obviously this is a very minor detail.

Had one 3 or so years now. Its is light, quiet and not that fast but gets the job done. I keep hearing how easy they start but not mine. They pull super easy but i usually have to pull it 6 or more times before it sounds like it wants to growl. Last time out, could only get it going by holding down the throttle. Hopefully it just needed some seafoam treatment? Lots of plastic parts on it to reduce weight that could break easily if mis handled. No leaks with mine so far and is perfect for wheel houses.

eyeguy, mine is very sensitive to being over primed. If there is fuel in the bulb don’t touch it. If I prime mine once fuel is already in the bulb I have to pull and pull and pull with the throttle wide open to get it cleaned out. Remember it is a four stroke and a very small one at that, so it takes very little fuel to run. The only time I touch the primer bulb is first startup in the fall.

I helped a guy on the lake this year that had the same issue. He came over just to ask me about my auger because it started so much easier than his. He said his buddy told him to pump the primer bulb a couple times each time he went out “just in case”.

Maybe this is not related to your issue, and then give a good fuel cleaner a try. I run Merc quickleen in all of my small engines. I started mixing it with every tank a couple years ago to be safe, and have not had a plugged carb since.

hillhiker, what is your routine that you use when you start yours? Do you just grab it and pull? Choke on or in Run position? Makes sense that I might be over priming with such a small motor but that is what the manual says. My other Honda motors are bulletproof but this one is just so touchy.

Sounds like everyone had good luck with theirs. Owned one a couple years ago and it was repaired twice at D Rock for piston problems. Second time back from the shop it was sold. Both times the engines were replaced under warranty. It’s a great auger but I don’t think the engine works well with the weight of auger shaft in my opinion. Otherwise it probably couldn’t handle the 100s of holes we drilled everytime out. Had the solo 142 same time as the Honda and it still outlast it. My buddies have the 142 solo too and never considered a different auger. Just wanted to share my past experience with the Honda auger.

Just a thought, if you can find the older Subaru Robin ones, they are good too. I was told by an expert on small engines my old 2009 Subaru was the best auger strikemaster ever made. Although not sure how these guys are able to start my auger in 2 pulls, where I always seem to have a lot of issue. Probably user error on my part.

2 days of lots of hole drilling and hopping(3 different lakes yestrday)and my Nihls was a champ. Might be a few lbs heavier than the Honda but it is fast. You do have to mix but you will only have to do it once a season-I just buy the one shot Amzoil for one gallon,

Like I mentioned if its the very first start up for the year I pump the primer till it just shows gas in it. After that its the same every time.

-Choke on
-Pull till it starts, and immediately turn the choke off unless its extremely
cold then leave the choke on for a couple seconds.
-Let it warm up. It will tell you if it’s cold… it will die.

That’s the one thing I miss about my old Jiffy no primer, no choke(not needed after the carb work), and no warm up. Any one could grab it give it 2-3 pulls and start drilling.

These engines can actually withstand a good priming, hard to flood them. I’d try a good seafoam treatment in your gas and maybe try some of the seafoam carb cleaner in your carb as well. As hillhiker noted, first start of the day prime 2-3 times if there’s fuel in the bulb, full choke, should start in 2-3 pulls. After it starts for the first time, don’t necessarily turn the choke off completely, let the engine noise tell you how much air it wants. After it’s run for 1-2 minutes and you’ve drilled a few holes, you should be able to start it with the choke on and then turn it off, no priming needed. If the auger is struggling to start, I’d check the plug as well.

Mine blew up third day of use and was replaced with a 142 and a 10″ bit under warranty. They let me keep the 8″ bit to make up the price difference. The 142 is the best motorized auger I own also have a Jiffy model 30 and a Pro 4 Propane.