I am concidering purchasing a power ice auger and would like advice from others as to what brand/style and if it's worth the $. I have a hand auger, lazer strikemaster and love it but get a bit tired when drilling repetative holes for my kids. I'v raced against several power augers and can beat many of them for 2 holes then I'm tired. The one I can't beat is the Lazer mag (2 blade). The Lazer mag is what I've concidered buying but havn't used one now do I know much about the competitors. Any good places with good prices! I'd appreciate advice.
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I have a Strikemaster 224 and I am very pleased with its performance. It can be ordered for around 410 dollars at several sources on -line. Hooked in Kaysville would be a good local place to buy.
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I own the Strikemaster Lazer Mag and really like it. I talked to James at HFT and he "hooked" me up! LOL Holler at him and I'm sure many will post their thoughts. Most are really about the same, it's all about what size you want and the blades really (quality, sharpness, how long they last, replacement costs, etc.). All things your used to with the hang augers just with a motor on top.
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If I was going to buy another ice auger, I'd buy an Eskimo. I've owned mine since 1982 and it's still one of the best auger's on the market.
Sportsman's or Hooked Fishing may have some bargains. Cabela's prices are higher.
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Has anyone compared the Eskimo to the strikemaster? Is there really a difference? Any opinions on the Strikemaster 4 blade, the new 4 stroke engine, etc.? Is having the power worth the extra weight to pull behind my "one horse sleigh"?
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I BOUGHT A 3HP JIFFY MANY MOONS AGO AND IT HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN. PRIME IT UP AND IT STARTS FIRST OR SECOND PULL NO MATTER HOW LONG IT HAS SAT OR HOW COLD. I ALSO RECOMMEND 100 TO 1 AMSOIL NO MATTER WHAT YOU BUY. IT WILL MAKE IT SING.GOOD LUCK AND SEE YA ON THE ICE.
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That new 4-stroke is advertised as LIGHTER than comparable 2-stroke models.
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Iceman,
I'll give you my two cents worth. I don't think there's a real bummer power auger on the market today. I have a strikemaster that I bought when I lived in South Dakota. Up there it isn't too uncommon to have to drill two, sometimes three feet of ice. I fished with guys that had Eskimo augers and can't see much difference between them and the Strikemaster.
I don't get in any drilling races or any of that nonsense. I just drill to fish. In fact, I haven't sharpened or replaced the blade on mine since I bought it about 12 yrs. ago and it still beats he-- outta a hand auger.
Ninety percent of a power augers performance is the care you take of it. Don't leave gas in it for more than a few days if you aren't using it. Use any good 2 stroke oil IN THE RECOMMENDED MIX.
Keep the blade covered when transporting, clean or replace the spark plug every fall, fire it up at home before heading out so you know you can trust it then go HAVE FUN.
I'd suggest you look around for the best price for either one, buy an' go fishin'.
GEEZER
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My old Eskimo just croaked, and it's more than 15 years old. And I'm buying another one from James at Hooked today. I see no reason to change.
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I HAVE AN ESKIMO ALSO ITS 12 YRS OLD NOW AND STILL RUNS LIKE A CHAMP. 3 HRS PWR 10 INCH HOLE. OYA.
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Geez is right, treat em good and the pay you back a 1000 times over.. I've run strikemaster and have for years. I just sold my old Strikemaster MagIII last summer after beating it around for 17 years. Last year I bought a 10" Lazer and theres no doubt it cuts sweet, but, I dont think its worth the extra jingle over and above the rest of them on the market. Just my 2 cent..
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I've not read about the 4 strokes. Is there a shop around here where you can look at one?
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ya might want to check out e-bay. i know that they have a wide variety of new and used power augers. i would bet you could find the same augers they sell in stores around here for less $. good luck. i hope you score. laters
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[cool]I'm pretty sure that James has them. Think I saw one there the other day. Don't you live up North here somewhere? Anyway, go to HFT.
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Icerman,
If James doesn't have the Lazer 224 in stock I have one I bought from him last year that is new in the box and never even been started. I match what ever price is out there and you won't pay tax and can hit the ice tomorrow.
Brandon
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I really think you will be happy with just about any power auger. Some just have a few more bells and whistles than others. I think they are all going to be very dependable. I have never heard of a "lemon" one.
I personally got the Shark by Eskimo a couple of years ago. It has a couple extra bells and whistles: padded handles, trigger type throttle, 10" blade, and I think the engine spins out at a bit higher RPM than the regular ones.
Although 4 stroke is tempting due to not mixing fuel, etc, I think I would stick with the 2 stroke. 2 stroke by nature has higher torque. One other benefit most people wouldn't think of is that the 4 stroke always has oil in it. It's never good to lay a 4 stroke motor on its side, letting that oil run up through everything and often leak out. For transporting, my auger is always on its side, and that's not a problem with a 2 stroke.
I don't know if they have done anything to compensate for this with that 4 stroke auger, but it would be a worry of mine. The other worry would be price. Since it's the new thing on the market, it's going to be pricey. I don't think you will be any more or less happy with a $500 auger over a $300 auger, and that extra $200 can pay for a couple of trips to the lake.
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There is one major difference for any of you wanting to dip Cisco from the Bear or haul in a big mac at the Gorge. With the Lazer 224 your can cut three holes that overlap and make one big hole. It is the only auger on the market that can do that affectively. 8" blade is all you could ever need. If you are on the Gorge all you have to do is put two holes interconnected and suddenly you have a 12" oblong.
Not all power augers are the same.
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. It is the only auger on the market that can do that affectively. . [/reply]
HUH?! I've done that for 17 years using a Mag III.
Just out of curiousity, why settle for a 12" hole at FG?
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A2F- how do you like your Shark?? I got one for Christmas last year and love it. It drills through 26 inches of ice in absolutely no time. I got to test that last year on the berry. I can also drill a triangle for big fish with ease.
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HEY TIGHTLINE, I HAVE ALSO OVER LAPPED HOLES MANY TIMES WITH MY 10 INCH JIFFY WITH NEVER A PROBLEM. I THINK THAT ANY AUGER WITH A CENTER POINT WOULD DO IT. JUST MY OPINION.
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