What about the Ice Gator?

[BaitBucket]

I have the Ion which i got mid last season for 25% off at Dicks ($375).

Its made by Eskimo, and will accept any strikemaster brand auger. I have personally had a Lazer and Mora on mine.
Last  season i was able to punch 80 (yes 80) holes thru 13in of ice with my 6in mora and still had battery left.

The Gator has a higher RPM, so it will cut faster than the Ion. In the video linked you can see it punches through the ice 4 seconds after the Gator.

If weight is a concern, the Gator is roughly 8-10lbs more than the Ion depending on the auger. With my 6in mora on mine it weighs exactly 20lbs. Thats the same weight as just the head of the Gator.

Customer Service is another concern for many. There have been alot of negative reports about Gator customer Service.
When i got my Ion the battery was faulty, Eskimo had me a new one within a week.

Price is also in favor of the Ion. If you already have a quality hand auger (Lazer, Nils, Finbore) they are pretty close in price (499 vs 539). However if u have to purchase a hand auger the Gator jumps quite a bit. As the Ion is sold in large chain stores, you can also wait to get the on sale as I did at 25% off, making is $375 vs 539. Which is a substantial difference to me.

In the end all your getting with the Gator vs the Ion is speed. The trade off for that speed is; heavier, more expensive, bad customer service.

[Mainehazmt]

Sure am!  Old one still going strong but upgraded this year for the li ion battery passing old one to the kids!

[Finders Keepers]

Anyone try using the Frabill 8" Curved blade auger with the Gator drives? Or have issues when using curved blades on these drives?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I have the Ion which i got mid last season for 25% off at Dicks ($375).

Its made by Eskimo, and will accept any strikemaster brand auger. I have personally had a Lazer and Mora on mine.
Last  season i was able to punch 80 (yes 80) holes thru 13in of ice with my 6in mora and still had battery left.

The Gator has a higher RPM, so it will cut faster than the Ion. In the video linked you can see it punches through the ice 4 seconds after the Gator.

If weight is a concern, the Gator is roughly 8-10lbs more than the Ion depending on the auger. With my 6in mora on mine it weighs exactly 20lbs. Thats the same weight as just the head of the Gator.

Customer Service is another concern for many. There have been alot of negative reports about Gator customer Service.
When i got my Ion the battery was faulty, Eskimo had me a new one within a week.

Price is also in favor of the Ion. If you already have a quality hand auger (Lazer, Nils, Finbore) they are pretty close in price (499 vs 539). However if u have to purchase a hand auger the Gator jumps quite a bit. As the Ion is sold in large chain stores, you can also wait to get the on sale as I did at 25% off, making is $375 vs 539. Which is a substantial difference to me.

In the end all your getting with the Gator vs the Ion is speed. The trade off for that speed is; heavier, more expensive, bad customer service.

You can get the gator head for $289 from ice gator. Put on a $40 ht hand auger your at $330.

[BaitBucket]

You can get the gator head for $289 from ice gator. Put on a $40 ht hand auger your at $330.

Thats for the lead acid battery, not the Lithium Ion. If you want to compare it to the Ion, I would think people would want the Lithium Battery..
You also still have to buy an adapter and I dont see one for an HT auger.
Not to mention that head alone weighs 27lbs. Put the extender and the auger on and your looking at about 35lbs vs the Ions 21lbs..

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Thats for the lead acid battery, not the Lithium Ion. If you want to compare it to the Ion, I would think people would want the Lithium Battery..
You also still have to buy an adapter and I dont see one for an HT auger.
Not to mention that head alone weighs 27lbs. Put the extender and the auger on and your looking at about 35lbs vs the Ions 21lbs..

So? If a person is just looking at getting in on an electric auger you don't need an ion battery. I believe the mora adaptor works for the ht. If your worried about punching holes, you are better off with a gas.

[Mainehazmt]

I use the 8" lazer auger on my gator and that has curved blades works great!

[Finders Keepers]

I use the 8" lazer auger on my gator and that has curved blades works great!

Ok thanks! I can't wait to see how it works with the Frabill drill!