Which ice auger

[LaneLunder]

Have never invested in a gas ice auger. I have moved to an area that has many local lakes, and am going to buy one. I don't know which one however. Features that are most important to me would be. power/speed and not having to worry about ice on the blades preventing a new hole being drilled, as well as durability. What are your choices? Just buy looking at them the Jiffy seems to be a good quality auger. And I have seen posts that Strikemasters "ice up" Any thoughts from you folks would be apprecitated. Thanks
Lane

[PJM]

LaneLunder


Either on are fine because they both do the same thing. Jiffy has been around longer and that is about the only difference and maybe a better gear case.. If you buy a 10in which is large buy it with the bigger engine. I like the Lazer Mag with two blade system by Strike Master it cuts holes fast and the blades are stainless steel. So in other words they are both fine.

[Pitts]

Get the Lazer 2000 by strikemaster you won't be disappointed.

Pitts

[Rapaleye]

I have owned both Jiffy and Strikemaster Lazer. The good news is you can't make a bad choice as long as you stick with the 2 hp engine. By the way the engine is the same for both, tecumsuh just different paint. Of the two I personally like the Strikemaster Lazer 8 inch. It cuts faster, throws a lot less ice/water out of the hole, and binds less as it breaks through the ice. I have never had a problem with it freezing up. I would not worry about a 10 inch auger unless you are fishing for lake trout a lot. My buddy has the 10 inch and it lets too much light in the hole and let the fish have too much room to turn around in the hole.
As I said above I do belive the 2 hp is better that the three. It is several pounds lighter, has plenty of power for 8 inch and smaller and it will start more reliably than the 3 hp. A repair guy I talked with said he sees a lot of 3hp vs. 2 ever since they re-designed the engine to meet higher emissions standards.
Good luck.
Jim

[KP]

I only have experience with the Jiffy augers. I have a 10 year old Model 75 which is a 2HP, 8" auger. I just fired it up last night in 2 pulls after another year in storage. That impresses me. I've drilled hundreds of holes in 8" to 3' thick ice and still have the original blade. In fact I cut myself on it checking if it was still sharp. I've done everything your not supposed to do with augers and it it keeps going at peak performance.

[Chad]

I received a Strikemaster 3hpMag Lazer w/ a 10" auger. I like it but would buy a different model if it wasn't a gift.

My partner has the Strikemaster 2000 whp w/ 8" augher and that is light and fast. Always starts.

Problem w/ 10" hole is you can step into them, fish get turned around, etc...

[rngrfshm]

Chad,

Would you go with the Strikemaster 2000 2hp or the Strikemaster 2hp Lazer Mag Express. The 2000 is a single chipper blade and the Lazer Mag express is the 2 Blade design.

[ice rat]

The Lazer or the 2 hp Jiffy 8" either one will be trustworthy and light.

The Lazer is a bit faster although the Jiffy is tougher and has lower maintenance in comparison.

[Worm Dunker]

My Strikemaster, 2hp Lazer has never failed me yet. You definetly do not have to push down on the ice to cut a hole. In fact... be carefull, it can have a tedency to pull you down. I won't tell you how I know that one! With the blade design of the Strikemasters, you can even re-open up an old hole. I am not sure if you can do that with a Jiffy or not?

[Backwater Eddy]

Yes Jiffy's do work well on re-opening holes as they chip and not shave ice.

As with ANY auger re-opening old holes is harder on the cutting edge and leads to premature dulling and wear.

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>