Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-15-2015, 08:18 PM
trigger7mm trigger7mm is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,516
Default Which auger?

I'm going to buy a new ice auger this fall, and am wondering which is a good reliable, workhorse. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-15-2015, 08:31 PM
HowSwedeItIs HowSwedeItIs is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Out on the Edge of the Prairie
Posts: 1,089
Default

Gas or man powered? I'm looking for one too
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-15-2015, 08:41 PM
brohymn2's Avatar
brohymn2 brohymn2 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: edmonton
Posts: 2,205
Default

I have s strikemaster magnum and it hasn't let me down yet
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-15-2015, 08:52 PM
Mayhem Mayhem is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Deadmonton
Posts: 1,342
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by brohymn2 View Post
I have s strikemaster magnum and it hasn't let me down yet
Have had a Lazer Mag Express for 4 or 5 years now with the 2.5 hp Solo motor. Tons of power and no problems. Love it, starts/runs great in any temp. The only thing I would ever consider trading it up for would be the Lite model with the Honda 4 stroke.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-15-2015, 09:01 PM
Hilgy's Avatar
Hilgy Hilgy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Blackfalds AB
Posts: 583
Default

I'll toss in my vote for the Ion. I've had mine for three years now and still love it. Everyone I have let use it loves it too. It has never given me any issues. I've never killed the battery in a day but I also don't drill a hundred holes a day either. I have drilled about 30 one day and the battery still said 2/3 full.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-15-2015, 09:18 PM
spurly spurly is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Crowsnest Pass
Posts: 2,381
Default Auger

X2 for the ION , I have only had it for one season, but was quite impressed with it.Mine does not have the reverse option. There is about a one second safety delay when you first pull the trigger. It seems to hold a charge very well, have had it out in some pretty cold weather, with no problems at all.very quiet while drilling, no pulling on a cord to start ,no mixing gas. Very happy with mine
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-16-2015, 10:14 AM
TROLLER TROLLER is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Rocky View County AB.
Posts: 3,550
Default

Srikemaster with the Honda
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-16-2015, 11:37 AM
Dom4 Dom4 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 685
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TROLLER View Post
Srikemaster with the Honda
x2
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-16-2015, 12:16 PM
Redneck Tommy Redneck Tommy is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 334
Default

Honda 4 stroke strikemaster
__________________
Guns have only two enemies; rust and politicians.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-16-2015, 12:34 PM
ak-71 ak-71 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Almaty
Posts: 2,032
Default

Surprised nobody mentioned Eskimo. I have z71 and like it - it's heavy, but powerful and not overly expensive. Had no problems so far.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-16-2015, 01:40 PM
bloom bloom is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 134
Default

Ion. Used two full seasons. See comments above.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-16-2015, 01:59 PM
Russ C Russ C is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 104
Default Augers

I am looking for a new auger as well. Has anyone tried the K-drill out?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-16-2015, 02:03 PM
pinelakeperch's Avatar
pinelakeperch pinelakeperch is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Alberta
Posts: 2,445
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ak-71 View Post
Surprised nobody mentioned Eskimo. I have z71 and like it - it's heavy, but powerful and not overly expensive. Had no problems so far.
I love mine as well. I'm surprised with all of the "heavy" comments. I don't consider it heavy at all, I'm not an exceptionally big or strong guy, but I could easily walk a mile with it on my shoulder.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-16-2015, 02:44 PM
crazyperch's Avatar
crazyperch crazyperch is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sherwood Park
Posts: 363
Default

Another vote here for the Z71. only problem with them is the rip cord likes to break
hasnt happened on mine in the 3 years i have had it. but it has happened to my buddies.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-16-2015, 02:53 PM
EZM's Avatar
EZM EZM is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,851
Default

I also have the Z 71 - the power and cutting speed is awesome - hold on because it will pull you down the hole !!!

I'm thinking of also getting an Ion as well - something about not smoking the tent up or having to deal with gas and oil seems attractive to me. Might sell my 10" Z71 for 1/2 price .... any takers? I think the ION has proven to be reliable at this point.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 10-16-2015, 02:55 PM
jkind's Avatar
jkind jkind is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Red Deer, Alberta Canada
Posts: 217
Default

I have an Eskimo Stingray that I bought in 2007 and the only issue I have had is I knocked it over and cracked the fuel tank. I replaced the tank and it has worked perfect ever since.
__________________
2022

Pike 25
Walleye 5
Lake Whitefish 6
Suckers 1
Lake Trout 22
Tiger Trout 5
Rainbow Trout 26


20 days fished
18 days fished from my Hobie
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-16-2015, 03:36 PM
Rikkles Fisher Rikkles Fisher is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,315
Default

ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE with my Jiffy Pro4 Propane auger. Has some power yet still light, no mixing/priming/leaking I love it.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 10-16-2015, 03:56 PM
dodgeboy1979's Avatar
dodgeboy1979 dodgeboy1979 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Lloydminster Alberta
Posts: 1,297
Default

love my Z51 with 10" blade, cuts fast and starts first pull every time.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10-16-2015, 05:10 PM
PerchBuster PerchBuster is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 562
Default

I have the husqvarna with 8" drill for 3 seasons now. It was marketed back then by Normark. Been great to me, changed the blades once as I dulled them. Believe the blades to be the exact same as the strike masters. Very light unit to haul around and drill lots of holes if need be. Ergonomic handles are comfortable and great to use. With full tank of fuel maybe only weighs about 22 lbs. always run the highest Octane gas you can get and use Stihl 2 stroke oil which contains fuel stabilizer already in it would be my suggestion if you go with a 2 stroke motor. I just started it up last week on second pull and she ran strong again so she's ready to drill once we get ice! Good luck with your decision, you really can't go wrong with any of the modern augers, they are all pretty good now.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 10-16-2015, 05:20 PM
Opa Opa is offline
Gone Hunting
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: 503
Posts: 979
Default

Depending on your budget, the best by general concensus seems to be Nils Master. Tanaka engine, apparently flashes on no more than the 2nd tug on the rope. Mixed with Opti 2 or Amsoil at 100:1 there is no smoke or oil puke in the muffler. Everyone who owns one swears by them. Sounds that they dig like a mad badger.
__________________
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!!
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 10-16-2015, 09:16 PM
binnzer32 binnzer32 is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 822
Default

X 2 on husqvarna. Love mine 3rd season.


[QUOTE=PerchBuster;2999118]I have the husqvarna with 8" drill for 3 seasons now. It was marketed back then by Normark. Been great to me, changed the blades once as I dulled them. Believe the blades to be the exact same as the strike masters. Very light unit to haul around and drill lots of holes if need be. Ergonomic handles are comfortable and great to use. With full tank of fuel maybe only weighs about 22 lbs. always run the highest Octane gas you can get and use Stihl 2 stroke oil which contains fuel stabilizer already in it would be my suggestion if you go with a 2 stroke motor. I just started it up last week on second pull and she ran strong again so she's ready to drill once we get ice! Good luck with your decision, you really can't go wrong with any of the modern augers, they are all pretty good now.[/QUOTE]
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-16-2015, 09:17 PM
binnzer32 binnzer32 is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 822
Default

Agree 100%

Quote:
Originally Posted by Opa View Post
Depending on your budget, the best by general concensus seems to be Nils Master. Tanaka engine, apparently flashes on no more than the 2nd tug on the rope. Mixed with Opti 2 or Amsoil at 100:1 there is no smoke or oil puke in the muffler. Everyone who owns one swears by them. Sounds that they dig like a mad badger.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-16-2015, 11:45 PM
Adwittoutdoors's Avatar
Adwittoutdoors Adwittoutdoors is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 469
Default

I still have a 20+ year old Jify. Still is reliable , crap did I just jinx it ?!!
__________________
"All I care about is FISHING and maybe like three people and BEER"
"Sarcasm is one of the services I offer"
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 10-17-2015, 09:00 AM
The Fisherman Guy's Avatar
The Fisherman Guy The Fisherman Guy is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 3,859
Default

I have a Jiffy Model 30, that has been deadly. Took some tuning to get it right, but it cuts well with a 10" flyte.

Is also have a Tanaka with Nils flyte, it's a 6" so I don't use it much. If anyone is interested in buying it, give me a shout. Comes with two blades.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 10-17-2015, 09:04 AM
neilsledder's Avatar
neilsledder neilsledder is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 903
Default

I seen propane power augers anyone try one of those yet? I thought it was a good idea because I always got the small tank for the heater. But scared it might be hard starting in real cold. I got an older Eskimo but it always dribbles a bit of gas and is smelly.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 10-17-2015, 10:12 AM
CMichaud's Avatar
CMichaud CMichaud is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New Beijing, Canada
Posts: 1,470
Default

I just bought a Stingray from CanTire for $240. It was $160 off

They had a couple others on red tag mark down including a StrikeMaster (I think it was about $440?)

They also had the Sherpa Ice Tent Combo (with rods/hand auger) for $180 (marked down $270)

Not sure where you live but keep an eye on CT as they seem to be moving their last years stock for discount
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 10-17-2015, 03:46 PM
Penner's Avatar
Penner Penner is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by binnzer32 View Post
X 2 on husqvarna. Love mine 3rd season.


[QUOTE=PerchBuster;2999118]I have the husqvarna with 8" drill for 3 seasons now. It was marketed back then by Normark. Been great to me, changed the blades once as I dulled them. Believe the blades to be the exact same as the strike masters. Very light unit to haul around and drill lots of holes if need be. Ergonomic handles are comfortable and great to use. With full tank of fuel maybe only weighs about 22 lbs. always run the highest Octane gas you can get and use Stihl 2 stroke oil which contains fuel stabilizer already in it would be my suggestion if you go with a 2 stroke motor. I just started it up last week on second pull and she ran strong again so she's ready to drill once we get ice! Good luck with your decision, you really can't go wrong with any of the modern augers, they are all pretty good now.
[/QUOTE]

X3 on the Husky. Have had mine for several years in a 10"!
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 10-17-2015, 06:35 PM
jeffrey929 jeffrey929 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 295
Default

WSS has the 8" Ion, with reverse, for $650. They have quite a selection. They now have one less
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 10-18-2015, 10:30 PM
iYearn's Avatar
iYearn iYearn is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 222
Default

I just use our hand auger, with an adapter for a cordless drill. With 19v drill, easily go through 3'ft of ice in less than 10s.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 10-19-2015, 10:30 AM
honker_clonker honker_clonker is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 387
Default

Strikemaster later mag! I've had mine for going on 8 seasons and it hasn't skipped a beat. Lots of power and easy starting.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.