Heads up for ion auger

[bearb8er]

Just saw the R1 10 inch at the red deer costco for $499.99. Probably won't find a better new price.

[TROLLER]

Buddy has one, way too heavy for my old body to mess with

[bearb8er]

Originally Posted by TROLLER

Buddy has one, way too heavy for my old body to mess with

Really?! Should be old enough to remember packing around a gas one. I'll take one of these over it everyday and twice on Saturdays.

No worries. 😁

[camshaft]

Was about to post this as well. Seems like a great deal as the model sells for $750 reg. Beacon Hill Calgary had about 12 as of last night (499.97)
Happy shopping!

[calgarygringo]

Original version not close to current. Wasn't too bad but avoid Gen2 as they were their duds. Great prices for any still out there. Both are old stock. Go Alpha the current version with the bugs gone.

[Dogmatixx]

Gringo, how long, how many holes can you get on the ion? say in 14” of ice as a baseline? My Tanaka will never die, like the idea of stealth via the electric close to shore…

[bearb8er]

Originally Posted by Dogmatixx

Gringo, how long, how many holes can you get on the ion? say in 14” of ice as a baseline? My Tanaka will never die, like the idea of stealth via the electric close to shore…

I'm not gringo but I do have a Gen1 8 inch Ion. I'm not one to drill 40 or 50 holes in a day but I may do 12 to 20 when I'm WF fishing in the late winter. So usually 3 feet ish of ice. Never used more than 1 bar on my indicator on the battery. It's not super fast but it's a pleasure to use. Haven't fired up my gas unit since I bought it a couple yrs ago. Something like the alpha with a composite flight will be faster and lighter.

[pikeman06]

I was one of those guys that swore id never go electric. I dont know how many holes I drilled with my old Jiffies and finally the last few years an old strikemaster magnum 10inch. They simply don't build them like they used too. Need my 10 inch hole for whites and the big fish I like to pursue. The 10 inch strikemaster 40v drills a great hole with way less effort. Its still a man's auger, you gotta hang on to her and clean the hole out a couple times when the ice is thick, but it puts my old gassers to shame and that is tough for me to say being the stubborn crusty ol ***** I am. Bahaha

[Dogmatixx]

Thanks for the info Bearb8er. Depending on the lake and structure i’m not immune to drilling 150 holes in a day especially if it’s a new area. I’d probably have to bring extra batteries based on your comment , Ill go and check out the alpha.

[Lastcast]

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

Original version not close to current. Wasn't too bad but avoid Gen2 as they were their duds. Great prices for any still out there. Both are old stock. Go Alpha the current version with the bugs gone.

My wife confirmed my local Costco still has some. I want to clarify this comment though - these R1 are 'Gen 2' are they not??? Is this the model that has known issues??

Edit - nevermind - I found on the ION website this is the model number for Gen 1 auger

[Sitkaspruce]

I have the R1 and have zero complaints. Had an issue with the composite ring falling off while drilling; the 4 screws/bolts fell out while using it. Found some in the local store and was back in business a couple hours later. Got home and sent in the photos with an explanation of what happened. They called me within 30 min and an hour later, I had a shipping notification and 5 days later I had a new ring, blades and screws. Except it was for a 10". Called them back and they told me to give it someone else who had a 10" (My buddy did) and an hour later a new shipping notification and 3 days later new ring, blades and screws at my door.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Ion R1

Cheers

SS

[Dogmatixx]

I saw a guy returning an ion at Costco the other day, none on the shelves here in GP. Hands were full of pizza otherwise i would have asked him why he was returning it. His wife was with him and had the look.