need to replace or supplement my Ion

[mike1]

I bought my ion the 2nd year they were out,  my body is pretty well beat up and I couldn't  handle a heavy gas auger anymore- the thing is awesome and has really extended my ice fishing "career" Also very nice not having another gas engine to deal with!-problem is it really has tough time in heavy slush/snow conditions-pulling it up to clear the slush helps some, but it is still less than ideal, also when real slushy the blades ice up bad while drilling-so I'm thinking of either selling it and trying the strikemaster 40V OR buying a lightweight gas auger, maybe the Honda or Eskimo, for use when conditions are bad. any thoughts? An under powered gas drill would not help and I'm concerned the strikemaster 40V would be more of the same.  The last time we went out the temp was -7 and even after shoveling as much snow and slush as we could the power head was on the ice when it broke through, it had the short extension on. there was more than one slush layer. THANKS!     

[adkRoy]

I don't know what you consider a light gas auger but I have a Strikemaster Lazer Mag and its only 23 lbs.  Its a cutting machine and I've had it for 10 years now.

[mike1]

might be an option-I think the ion is like 22lbs

[jbird68]

I'm trying to figure out why your blades would ice up while you are cutting a hole. I have an Ice Gator Attacker power head paired with an HT Article Express 7 inch auger. It's been great for me and rips through the ice. But it is heavy at about 32 pounds. My blades will ice up after drilling a hole and exposed to the air. It will usually break off when go drill my next hole. I always try to spin my auger after pulling it out of the hole to fling any water off the blades and flights and put the blade guard on ASAP.


Anyway,  I was out yesterday on about 11 inches of ice. The top 4-5 inches was white ice and at times slushy in 40 degree temps. I had no trouble with icing. I shouldn't in 40 degree weather. Good luck in finding a solution.

[mike1]

The drill would stop spinning in the hole-bog right down in the slush,  I don't know how deep/thick the ice/slush was, we shoveled off as much as we could and with the extension on the powerhead was about about 3" off the ice when it broke through. it was -7deg, sitting in the hole not running the end of the auger just froze solid, if I could keep it spinning it probably would not ice up. I usually spin it when I pull it out of the hole, but it was already frozen. also it's hard to do with the extension on, the drill is taller than me. We don't  normally have these conditions until march and I just tough it out. Just need something with more power that won't break my back. 

[mike1]

just bought a f1 rocket-won't be able to try it until next  wekend

[Bucket Rump]

I just switched from a 6" auger to the newer 8" auger with the black ring and centering point for my ION and no icing issues compared to my buddies older ION auger with the green ring. 

[mike1]

The rocket I just bought has the black ring, so we shall see how it goes, I did get to drill a couple of holes, stopped at a lake to try it out. Right out of the box it took 2 pulls to start, the drill is very light, doesn't feel any heavier than the Ion. it ripped right through the ice, but it was not that thick, maybe 18"' with little snow and no slush