Ion auger, what a piece of sh!t!

[Captain Ahab]

I still run my old Jiffy model 31 so I don't know the answer to this question but can you run a k drill on an Ion powerhead? I would think that would be ideal. I know people that run k drills on strikemaster powerheads.

Not enough RPM

 

[Heritage]

So hear how great the Ion augers are, so I want one. Dad bought one a little over a year ago no real problems. Did find out the blades don't like dirty ice, no big deal I'll keep my Jiffy for the big lake. Well I bought an Ion thinking I have a great auger for panfish on smaller lakes. I can't get more then 10 to 15 holes out of the blades. This thing is junk, blades run 40 a set. This must be why they changed the flighting. Not happy with Ion and it ruined its second weekend chasing bluegills. Jiffy gets fresh fuel tomorrow as I can't afford anymore blades for that green piece of sh!t!

Anyone else having issues with blades?

Bought a new gen 3 alpha plus wouldn’t drill holes with out a lot of down ward pressure. Took it back and got a second one same thing. Called ion and they said dirty ice. they wouldn’t drill the first holes either one! Don’t know how they get good reviews they are junk! Customer service would not do any thing! Once I returned both augers to Scheels then Ion sent me a new set of blades and a center point! Never again strike master is what I bought now works fantastic. Thanks Ion you saved me from owning China junk! If some one needs the 10” auger blades and center point you can have them! Ion must pay for their reviews because I posted one on Scheels web site and they won’t post it only the good reviews!

 

[Kurtr]

On year 4 I think with an ion I won. Worried about dirty ice on Oahe but the thing just keeps cutting. I have drilled a bunch of holes this year and never got more than one dot off the battery

 

[AR-15]

I have had a Ion since the first year they came out, had to change the blades once because of a tree branch it hit, still have the original battery plus a newer one

 

[Davey Crockett]

Do these have metal or plastic gears in the gearbox ?

 

[1lessdog]

I also Have a Ion 8 inch X with the 1st year they had Reverse. I have two battery and original blades. I have drilled a few 100 holes and never had to change battery. Just recharge the battery.

 

[CatDaddy]

Bought a new gen 3 alpha plus wouldn’t drill holes with out a lot of down ward pressure. Took it back and got a second one same thing. Called ion and they said dirty ice. they wouldn’t drill the first holes either one! Don’t know how they get good reviews they are junk! Customer service would not do any thing! Once I returned both augers to Scheels then Ion sent me a new set of blades and a center point! Never again strike master is what I bought now works fantastic. Thanks Ion you saved me from owning China junk! If some one needs the 10” auger blades and center point you can have them! Ion must pay for their reviews because I posted one on Scheels web site and they won’t post it only the good reviews!

Respectfully, they weren't in reverse were they? I've done it with my Strike Master accidentally and have been frustrated until I figured it out....

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

You got the last one made at the factory on a Friday afternoon. My friends love theirs.

 

[risingsun]

^^^^^^

One friday yes, but 2? That is bad luck. Hope we are never on the same flight.

 

[Silver]

I have had an Ion 8 in. for 9 years...I really like it! Only replaced the blades once. About a month ago, the black ring at the bottom that helps hold the blades broke. I called Ion....that same day, they sent me a new ring....no charge!
Great customer service.

 

[Davey Crockett]

^^^^^^

One friday yes, but 2? That is bad luck. Hope we are never on the same flight.

The other one might have been the first one made on Monday morning.

 

[Allen Gamble]

I just sold my Ion G1 that I upgraded to the composite bit. The auger worked great for me. I sold it for two reasons: 1. I didn't want to buy a second battery at $200 even though I rarely needed it & 2. I have an ATV to haul the auger once the ice is thick enough and don't worry about the weight anymore.

I did try the pistol bit this year and am extremely impressed with it. I'll use it til we have 24" or more of ice, which is right now, and then transition back to my JiffyPro4. IF Eskimo every offers a second free battery with their E40 I'll likely buy that in the 10" version since I already have the 8" pistol bit.

 

[fj40]

I've had one for quite a few yrs. Replaced the blades once and had to get a new battery. I'd do it again.

 

[lunkerslayer]

You guys missed out before icegator went belly up, want to talk about poor business practices, this guy could be arguably the worst one, he could claim he was the first on the market to introduce a full electric auger even before ion came on the seen. He was too proud and ended up getting over his head once Milwaukee and k drill came on the scene with their pistol grip augers.

There are many companies that don't even allow you to buy parts for their products, 13 fishing is one example where they want you to send their China garbage to them so they can fix it. Times are tough in an ever shrinking market of the ice fishing industry.
I own 3 icegator power heads, having to replace all 3 batteries which only cost me on avg 150 dollars and I was able to increase my amps from 4 to 10 ah giving me even better power when using my 9.5 dual flight 4 blade ice bit. It's really too bad icegator couldn't have weathered the storm once the little companies also went belly up because it's by far imho the fastest electric/gas auger still. Now if I they started making a reasonable priced brushless electric 36 volt motor it would even be more powerful and lose some weight to boot.

 

[wslayer]

Dirty ice is the Devil with Ion shaving blades but sure cuts nice on clean ice.

Replaced blades On my Kdrill, the thing cuts like shit with the new blades. The center point "supposedly" is not suppose to actually be centered, just spaced evenly between the 2 cutting blades. Anyone else have issues after replacing ? ? ? I do have a third set, it could be a poor profile on the set just put on

 

[Sluggo]

Dirty ice is the Devil with Ion shaving blades but sure cuts nice on clean ice.

Replaced blades On my Kdrill, the thing cuts like shit with the new blades. The center point "supposedly" is not suppose to actually be centered, just spaced evenly between the 2 cutting blades. Anyone else have issues after replacing ? ? ? I do have a third set, it could be a poor profile on the set just put on

I just replaced mine and found the placement instructions for that center point vague. I haven’t had a chance to test them yet.