electric augers

[grt1]

i've been looking for an ice auger and today i stopped at one of the sporting shops in town and the gas ones were around 469 to 549 and they had an ice auger that had a battery that was supposed to be good for 40 8" holes on 1 charge, it was the brand name of ION. never heard of this brand and it was 569. anyone out there have any experience with this brand, or electric augers and should i look at one or stay with the gas models?

[BucktownAngler]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJmS_rypeXU

[troutologist]

All reports about the Ion are excellent so far. I do hear that the battery should come off and be kept warm in -20c or below to ensure long life that day. I will be using on next year for early ice and different applications. Still need the 10" 3hp for Lake Winnipeg.

[bare foot wader]

they get good reviews and are lightweight, but I would be skeptical about battery life in cold weather

 

fishing in a group 40 holes wouldn't cover a day of moving aorund

[wormdunker]

Sail has Rapala 33cc gas augers on sale $269.00 Check it out.

[misfish]

Sail has Rapala 33cc gas augers on sale $269.00 Check it out.

 

 

CTC south Barrie store has a bunch as well.

[fishindevil]

those rapala ones look like they would be the cats meow !!! nice and light ....and the price is right too..

[irishfield]

GRT... They might do 40 holes on Lake Simcoe next week... but useless where you are my friend!

[mr blizzard]

grt 1

 

GO WITH GAS;

 

Tried one on Lake simcoe before we move up here. Sold it half way thru the season. Good for first ice, but did not perform in thicker ice and in colder temps. Bought a cheap gas auger and still using it up here. Still cuts thru 5 feet of ice.

[oldphart]

~~~I bought the electric Strike King, 3 years ago and it is great never any problem, end of the day put it on charge, ready to good next day, never have to choke it, no fumes, no gas cans to carry or store. End of the year hang it up and next season give it a charge and it ready to go, no clogged carborator

[BucktownAngler]

i hear good things about the ice gator

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_3MGSX2tQc

[fishdawg]

buy a gas one & keep up with the simple maintenance

[misfish]

i hear good things about the ice gator

 

 

 

Those packs are not light.

 

Lots of juice though.

Edited January 4, 2013 by Misfish

[Sharkbait22]

I recently bought the Ion. Eskimo makes them. Looks good so far. Tore a hole in my back yard pond in no time. I have an SUV so I can't deal with gas and I already have enough gas engines to deal with each year. I've put off getting a power auger for years but finally gave in. So I'll be a Guinea pig. Not really my style: I'd rather wait a year or two to see the reviews but what the hay. It's not heavy at 22lbs. The battery is Li ion which operate well in the cold - better then other type of batteries and they are easy to maintain. The components seem fine. Electric motors are dead simple and will like last a life time, the battery - I hope for 5 years but I've read they are good for ~500 charges. Couple things I thought might be better: reverse capability, variable speed control, and the safety switch may be a pain with gloves on. I may replace the blades with true Swede steel after this year. Bought mine at Bass Pro for $520. I'll still use my ca. 1998 Fin Bore III 8" for most of the season. Report back in a month or two.

[Rich]

Armpower 4 life

[doubleheader]

I also have an electric Strike King. It works fine but if I had it to do over gain I'd buy a gas auger.