Since going to a hub shelter I want to get an electric auger so I'm not gassing up the interior of the shelter when I drill my holes. My gas auger is 20 years old and going strong but it's time. I haven't looked too hard at the electric augers of late. My FIL has a first generation Ion and while it works, I hate it. Ergonomics are terrible and it's nearly as heavy as my gas auger. I know the new versions are improved though. The Strikemaster is about 5# lighter than the equivalent Ion it looks like. I'm leaning towards the 24v/4amp hour setups as I usually won't need that many holes and deal with thinner ice than many of you up north.
My two questions are- first, who has better ergonomics? Holding that first gen Ion is like trying to do inappropriate things to a monkey, it is just awkward and uncomfortable. The switch sucks too, with the safety detent being in a terrible spot. Has this improved? How is the Strikemaster in comparison? Second question is, who has a better blade setup for dirty ice? I fish a lot of windblown, dirt filled ice. My Eskimo with shaver blades does well, but a buddies Strikemaster with the shaver blades dulls up quickly. Not sure why. This is a big consideration.
Thanks for the input!
My two questions are- first, who has better ergonomics? Holding that first gen Ion is like trying to do inappropriate things to a monkey, it is just awkward and uncomfortable. The switch sucks too, with the safety detent being in a terrible spot. Has this improved? How is the Strikemaster in comparison? Second question is, who has a better blade setup for dirty ice? I fish a lot of windblown, dirt filled ice. My Eskimo with shaver blades does well, but a buddies Strikemaster with the shaver blades dulls up quickly. Not sure why. This is a big consideration.
Thanks for the input!