I think I may upgrade my Ice auger this year. I'm currently using a Strikemaster Electric in my house and for a few holes on the ice. I did have a Strikemaster gas, but, someone liked it more than me. Stole it out of my garage.
I was looking at a Jiffy propane, but, they seem heavy. It would be ok for the house and a few holes, but I don't think I want to drag it around all day. I see Strikemaster has switched motors twice since I bought mine???? Also what about Eskimo augers???? Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome.
Have you given any thought to the newer technology battery pack electric augers, such as the ION electric auger models? Maybe I will call Tony Roach and see if his sponsors allow him to use any battery pack augers?!
Of course, the Strikemaster gas augers are famous, but I am trying to get away from gas fuel or even propane and their weight if possible.
Thanks for any thoughts, Malmo Mike, MM
Bass Pro Shops have them on Sale for $30 off @ $519.00 new and Reed's on Hwy 169 have them @ $529.00 new (below):
Reed's Sporting Goods on Hwy 169 has the ION modelsand I was hoping to find someone who has used one themselves although the store Managers (Lee or Michelle) have good information to provide; this is the one I was hoping to purchase for drilling a few holes this season ~ and no gas and no propane to deal with ~ just a battery pack and total weight of 22lbs:
40V Electric Auger 8IN w/ Reverse 19150
Style # :19150UPC # :012642002038
List Price$579.99Reeds Price$529.99
-- Edited by MCallies on Tuesday 2nd of December 2014 03:03:22 PM
-- Edited by MCallies on Tuesday 2nd of December 2014 03:06:25 PM
-- Edited by MCallies on Tuesday 2nd of December 2014 03:14:28 PM
-- Edited by MCallies on Tuesday 2nd of December 2014 03:17:30 PM
Have had the Ion Auger for two years and have liked it. No gas or hauling batteries. They say you can drill 40+ holes on one charge. I have found that after 8 or 10 the auger slows down significantly. After charging for 1 hour no problems.
I like my Jiffy. its not propane or electric, but i can drill 40 plus holes on half a tank of gas, no problems with it. But if your only using it in a permy for a couple holes here and there i guess theres nothing wrong with the ion. I portable fish so i need the capability of drilling a lot of holes. the weight doesnt bother me, and since im not fishing in a permy i dont have to worry about fumes. but again, if i were setting a permy here and there i would go with an ion. I honestly have been looking at them, but if i can only drill 8 to 10 holes and then charge then an ion is not for me.
I agree with the hole count on an electric, I get 10-12 holes and done.....The strikemaster is the old 12V and is good for the house, but re-drilling holes can be tough. Ill deal with that. Maybe a gas light-weight strikemaster is the way to go................but I would like to drill 10" holes. The 8" seem to seal up too soon. I don't know if a 10 inch strikemaster or jiffy will sut my needs??
Any Ideas out there
Just like buying a car, too many models and options???
we have an old battery/electric strike master auger, the battery pack went to hell, so we just use the jumper cables with a deep cycle battery to auger out our holes, then the deep cycle is used overnight to run a couple of lights after the generator is turned off. It works fine for a permanent house, but would be a pain for portable fishing.
This auger with a nine inch bit works great for all off the above. It'll cut 100 holes easy on 1 tank. Perfect for permanent houses too, cuz there's no fumes.
