IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: FISHFORPIKE on Oct 15, 2015, 08:56 PM
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Let's talk about personal, first hand, not "I heard this from that guy" hearsay stuff; reviews of the IceGator power auger head. What you use for an auger and what's coming, new, from IceGator.
I've got a five year old unit that I've used the crap out of, with an 8" Nils bit. Not one issue. I upgraded to the lithium battery pack two years ago and have been nothing but pleased. I had the pleasure of meeting Greg and Dee at a local ice fishing show in Syracuse and on occasion spoken to them on the phone and had email exchanges about their product.
To me, it's "THE" top of the line system to drill holes in ice. Youtube videos are out there to prove it.
Can't wait to make my preproduction purcase of the new 9.5" auger and drive unit they will be offering this season.
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looking forward to read what goes on with this item.
thanks for starting it.
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Thank you for supporting starting this and your support. It's real nice to here that your Icegator has drilled all those holes for you. It tells me you know how to drill holes through ice. And as you may or may not know, because you are a previous coustomer you will get a good discount on the Annihilator 9.5 auger. This set up is a game changer for electric and the ease that it takes to drill a big hole like this. It thrills me when I here good comments like yours.
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Just do a search on this site for icegator. Its riddled with disgruntled customer posts. Mostly based on their poor customer support.
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Just do a search on this site for icegator. Its riddled with disgruntled customer posts. Mostly based on their poor customer support.
No offense Baitbucket - most of the negative comments are from folks that do not even own a gator. They are hearsay, ot the same person with repeated complaints. You know, as well as I do that it is way easier to mistreat an electric auger setup. Dull blades, being one of them mis-operation of the switch(s) by continual on/off operation. Everything in an eclectric, battery-powered system needs to be top notch,if it is going to work well. I personally witnessed a good friend of mine (owner of an IceGator) completely burn up the switch on his unit by an on/off operation while under load (not good) I convinced him it was his own doing and not a fault of the machine. He got it fixed, changed his drilling habits and has not had an issue in three years. He is not on this forum, so you will not hear from him.
I started this thread with the idea that it would contain posts, only from Icegator owners. I know there are some disgrutled owners out there and do not mind hearing from them; but I will say, and there is no way to verify it, that some percentage of those are misuse and some are faulty equipment. Hard to determine what's what. Only a close inspection of the system will tell. Operator error is a big issue in the world of battery powered drills as well. Take your setup and put it into 24-30" of ice, even less and lean on it while drilling, get the thing near stalling and then let up on the trigger, then put it back on under load. Just saying.
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No offense Baitbucket - most of the negative comments are from folks that do not even own a gator. They are hearsay, ot the same person with repeated complaints. You know, as well as I do that it is way easier to mistreat an electric auger setup. Dull blades, being one of them mis-operation of the switch(s) by continual on/off operation. Everything in an eclectric, battery-powered system needs to be top notch,if it is going to work well. I personally witnessed a good friend of mine (owner of an IceGator) completely burn up the switch on his unit by an on/off operation while under load (not good) I convinced him it was his own doing and not a fault of the machine. He got it fixed, changed his drilling habits and has not had an issue in three years. He is not on this forum, so you will not hear from him.
I started this thread with the idea that it would contain posts, only from Icegator owners. I know there are some disgrutled owners out there and do not mind hearing from them; but I will say, and there is no way to verify it, that some percentage of those are misuse and some are faulty equipment. Hard to determine what's what. Only a close inspection of the system will tell. Operator error is a big issue in the world of battery powered drills as well. Take your setup and put it into 24-30" of ice, even less and lean on it while drilling, get the thing near stalling and then let up on the trigger, then put it back on under load. Just saying.
It's not a bad product. It's the poor customer service in the past & more then likely present. If customer service was more then ignoring customer problems you wouldn't see the negativity. Take for instance Eskimo, they brought out the ion knowing there would be issues. They actually even made it a separate brand so negative issues would not reflect on Eskimo directly. Look at the reviews and sure enough the ion had issues, yet they stood behind the product with customer support and dealt with the issues and supported the customer. Now even with the previous issues the ion had they worked through them and you don't see very many unhappy ion customers.
Icegator Brand was miss managed by poor customer support, and the masses know it. Now many know beware of icegator. The best thing the owner could do is learn from his mistakes, and change the brand. Take the product that is improved, re brand it with a different name and learn from previous mistakes and have a good customer support service.
Many companies have screw ups and "support" the brand even if it losses money short term knowing if they don't it will kill the brand. Icegator made the wrong choice and made the cardinal sin of not standing behind the product early on. Now people will not trust nor buy the brand because of that. Most brands never rebound once something like that is done. A rebranding of the product with stratageticly placed dealers and service plans go a long way.
The guy talks of not being able to support his product because it would have broke him? I mean really? It appears he knows nothing about business. He simply should have had an insurance policy for every ice gator he sold for a period of one year. The cost should have be added to the product, then if someone had an issue it was covered. (Commonly called a warranty or a 2-yr service plan) Even Walmart sells a 2yr service/warranty program on stuff, which is usually not need because the items usually have a manufacture warrenty. He simply must not have known how to run a business or the practices and things you can do to cover risk on manufacturing and selling products. Now, that isn't uncommon that small business fail due to this all the time.
I honestly looked at buying an icegator last year. I do think they are a great product, however was turned off due to the overwhelming amount of issues and negative reviews people had. So I did my research and went with the Milwaukee/clam plate/7in&8in augers.
Now, if the owner of icegator wants to show his product and customer support is improved and changed for the better. I'm willing to play & compare it to my wilwaukee drill setup.
If the owner wants to take the challenge lets go.
I paid $250 for my Milwaukee drill, charger, & 2-4aml batteries. $45 for clam plate shipped to my house.
If he wants to sell me an ice gator shipped to my house for $295 that will attach to my 7in lazer or 8in nils I'll pay that and post regular reviews and how well it works.Or he can send me a head to test and I'll return at the end of the season. I'll post tube videos comparing it to my drill setup and to my jiffy model 30 3hp 8in ripper. I'll be fair and post on any issues and customer service handling. Now....will he take the challenge or not? If he wants better reviews then here is the chance at it. If it performs.
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Very well put again fishforpike- I myself would like to here from all these people that say Icegator service is bad. Last year was the first for the 42 volt and I sent out a lot of them. I don't think I had any complaints at this time from any of those customers. Now it could be due to the fact very few failed, or it could be my coustomer service is much better, I don't know of any other company that you can call on a Saturday, Sunday or at 9:00 - 10:00 at night and get help, i took a lot of calls from people that had older 24 volt Attcker Li-ion battery pack problems late at night on weekends. And took care of the issues they had. I've already admitted to bad survice from a couple years ago, but not from these last couple years. I have a lot of people with five year old units that are very happy. So let's here from all that have had a bad experience with us.
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Agronomist_at_IA - you again! I have a feeling that sometime within the next two years, your going to purchase an Icegator and be my best fan Lmao!!!!!
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Never heard of ice gator until I joined this site. Was dead set against electric until I seen the impressive video. What kind of warranty comes with it?and also can I charge it with an inverter in my truck? I stay out a few days at a time.
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3 year on drive and 1 year on battery. If you had to it could be charged that way.
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Agronomist_at_IA - you again! I have a feeling that sometime within the next two years, your going to purchase an Icegator and be my best fan Lmao!!!!!
I doubt I'll move away from my Milwaukee drill setup. However, if you wanna put the gator to the test it is out there. If it blows away the Milwaukee set up I'll be the first to admit it, but I highly doubt it. Balls in your court, and the sounds of crickets are louder then your supporters right now. Let's drop the talking and do some walking. Or are you to 🐔
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Yopu are ONE of them! Have you ever owned an IceGator? = NO - then you have no first hand experience with the tool or the support? Then you are taking soimeone elses word for it?
I would love to stand beside you with my gator. HaHa. Watch the videos man! I'll admit there are some impressive cordless drill setups out there, and I'm gonna own one for my 6" Finbore Micro - but it won't replace the Gator.
Doesn't need to replace it when you don't need it.
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I sense our first cage match of the season :woot:
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj189/WhopperStopper/Boards/cageMatch_zpsbtg8tyha.jpg) (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/WhopperStopper/media/Boards/cageMatch_zpsbtg8tyha.jpg.html)
WS
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i know you wanted only poeple who own one to speak up, no one is, except hear say people, but i have seen one in person working and it blows away a drill and auger combo any day! once it gets to the bottom of the ice it pulls water all the way up to your belt line and thats with a 8 inch auger. its no joke. i recommend them because i have seen them working and the 3 year warranty is nice too. i'll never forget the sound it makes cutting.
comparing an 18 volt dc motor to a 42 volt dc motor is odd, other than its job desciption. i know a drill can not out perform an ice gator in speed or drilling deep ice. the battery capacity is also in its own league.
it would eat my 24 volt ridgid drill for lunch!
how many amps is the icegator battery greg?
how many inch pounds is the output to the auger shaft greg?
i know what i'd buy IF i had to have a dedicated power head, but i don't need one. i olny make 6 inch holes and they are plenty big enough and some times i make 4 inch holes. sure the icegator would do it faster by a mile!
because my drill works for me and i use it all year long and its lifetime warranted and the cost factors of owning one or the other other or both, i use my drill i already own. another thought is water proof boots, the way the icegator throws water up so high and comes back down onto your leggs and top of the boots. i'd have to wear my military boots all of the time.
i have been pushing icegator based on what i saw in person that day and asking the owner how well he likes it.
way to go greg!
maybe you should look into adding staff to have better customer service if its a problem.
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i was probably one of the first in canada with a gator, bought it about 6-7 years ago. brand new finbore3 first hole i ever cut the switch stuck and the damn thing nearly tore my wrist off. so i didn't even get one hole cut before it burned up, didn't get a response from the company until near the end of the season...what else, battery connections got hot burned up the insulation and batteries, switch contacts burned out again, the scooter charger crapped out...i could go on but i already have in previous posts and don't feel like typing. the worst part is once i got it working well many folks were blown away by the product and i know one guy at least that bought a gator after seeing mine cut.
now my m18 fuel cuts until the ice is over 3' and then the honda lite takes over.
icegator admits to shoddy service in the past but what good does that do me/us now?
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Doesn't need to replace it when you don't need it.
Ha Ha - NEED - that's a "4-letter-word" in my vocabulary! Not a thing to do with need. All about wants! :P All about "the best", all about the "fun" and satisfaction of owning the best. Like 3300 said - you will never forget the sound of an IceGator going through the ice. @)
I would not expect anyone to purchase an Ice Gator out of "need". @)
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so it's ok to be a fanboy and not own one, but not ok to criticize?
i was probably one of the first in canada with a gator, bought it about 6-7 years ago. brand new finbore3 first hole i ever cut the switch stuck and the damn thing nearly tore my wrist off. so i didn't even get one hole cut before it burned up, didn't get a response from the company until near the end of the season...what else, battery connections got hot burned up the insulation and batteries, switch contacts burned out again, the scooter charger crapped out...i could go on but i already have in previous posts and don't feel like typing. the worst part is once i got it working well many folks were blown away by the product and i know one guy at least that bought a gator after seeing mine cut.
now my m18 fuel cuts until the ice is over 3' and then the honda lite takes over.
icegator admits to shoddy service in the past but what good does that do me/us now?
ran7ger, thanks for your response, you are one of guys I was looking to hear from.
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no problem, and by no means am i trying to start a war with the guys that have had good luck with their units - just providing an actual owners honest feedback. if you do a search you'll get lots of opinions but alot of the negative ones have been deleted after the threads got out of hand.
i should also ad that once i finally got a hold of greg he sent out a different style switch, that i never did install as i had it working well by that point. seemed like a solid guy.
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I tried to get product information 3 or 4 years ago and got no response from phone calls or email. I decided if I can't get in contact with them for purchase information, then thats probably going to be the same type of service I will be getting for warranty/parts as well. I went with the Clam plate/ Milwaukee fuel 7"-8" mora auger and never looked back, the drill auger is way lighter, cheaper and has done anything i have needed it to do... and I can get good customer service on any of my components. When you choose not to respond to customers/ perspective customers it doesn't show just poor customer service..... It shows YOU DON"T CARE!!! If your considering a purchase do what I did and use the search function.... Its too bad it did look like a great product on you tube.
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I know this topic cold. Bought my Gator four years ago and had the same switch problems. The dang thing beat the snot out of me trying to get it stopped. Slow response from IceGator. I probably wrote 30% of the negative comments in this forum I was that mad. But lo and behold Greg Pepple stepped up and sent me the re-designed switch cassette that prevented knotheads like me from "feathering" the switch which is what fritzed it out. Operator error. Since then it's all roses. Bought the Li-ion 27v battery when it came out and it 's been worth it. I christened my auger "Little Pokey" and she's my pride and joy. Never seen anything that can touch her for speed. A real beast on the ice. I'm well past the bitterness of four years ago. If needed, I'd certainly do business with them again. The little Milwaukee Fuel units are the way to go if you're drilling some 6" holes. Otherwise, it's the Gator and accept nothing less.
Stinky and Pokey
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I am a former owner. The poor customer service drove me away. I had problem with switch burning up and lost several weeks of fishing waiting to get it resolved. I now have a Tanaka powerhead mated to a Fin-Bore auger, couldn't be happier. I can get it serviced at several shops within 20 miles of my door, though I haven't had a need to get the Tanaka serviced.
gofish33
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I LOVE my Gator. Best power head out there. I've never had the problem of water everywhere though. One of the reasons I love the power head. When I let off the switch it stops immediately. It doesn't have to wind down like a gas auger does.
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I hesitate to even post but here goes. I was an owner, but technically since throwing the unit in the recycling pile I guess I am no longer. My Ice Gator was an attraction on the ice. Other anglers would approach and ask, "What the heck is that?" as I ripped through the ice. Then my first switch burned out, and I went through quite a delay to get it repaired. I was gently accused of misusing the switch and using too big of a bit, (a 7" Lazer Mag.) I replaced the bit with a 6" Nils. Holy cow, talk about a raped ape! Until the second switch burned out a season later. Sooooo......I try contacting Ice Gator. Unanswered e-mails, I wrote a letter, no response, I called and talked to a nice lady, she promised I would be contacted if not later that day then certainly the next. Never heard a word, nothing. My personal switch burned out. I bought a Tanaka power head and threw the Ice Gator in the neighbor's scrap metal pile.
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greg,
i've been reading these posts and others about how poor the switch performance is. it sounds like it needs an overhaul. being the switch can't handle that many amps for long, so it needs what any thing else with high amp draw uses, is a relay. the relay can handle high current contacts and is designed to do so. then the amp draw on the switch becomes minimal. it would very easy to add one. automotive uses them for a reason too and on far less current drain connections.
one could use a relay socket and then could replace burnt out relays super easy.
if i had one, thats what i would do after the warranty or if it takes too long to get it back on its feet and eat the warranty.
all you have to do is measure the amount of amps it draws fully loaded or use a relay based on the batteries amp hour rating if nothing else.
a car starter uses a solonoid wich is like a relay, but bigger contacts. it is designed to handle over 200 amps, the ignition switch is not.
so for sure, a redesign is needed to keep the switches from burning out. they probably are not burnt out, they are probably scaled with burnt metal that could be burnished off and reused, but thats not an answer to the problem. redesign is the answer and would be simple and cheap to do.
making different styles of switches won't help either because they will always spark at the contact points even if you use self cleaning/burnishing contacts. they will pit and scale and stop making elsectrical contact sooner or later.
with a relay, i think you cold extend the warranty period as well.
another way to look at this is like points in a lawn mower or older car or boat motor. they use a condensor to help absorb the spark that naturally occurs each and every time the point contact makes a connection. it helps keep the scale of case hardened metal inplace and prolongs the contacts. one could add a condensor to do the same if using only a switch like points are being the make and break DC electriacl connections, but still have a certain amount of times they can do that before metal transfers from one contact to the other. some would use a points files to remove that build up of metal.
this is whats going on with your direct connect swtch concept.
others report the switch staying closed and buring out the unit because it can not shut off at the switch. in those cases it welded the contacts closed because of too much current at the contacts. again, the relay resolves those issues as well.
a deadman switch added would be a nice safety feature. you could add a momentary switch to one or both handles that have to be held in with the handle before the main switch could activate. they would not have to be high current switches either. i am some what supprised this got past whom ever tests products for safety before releasing to the public.
this would of coarse offset any further switch failures for what ever reason.
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greg,
i've been reading these posts and others about how poor the switch performance is. it sounds like it needs an overhaul. being the switch can't handle that many amps for long, so it needs what any thing else with high amp draw uses, is a relay. the relay can handle high current contacts and is designed to do so. then the amp draw on the switch becomes minimal. it would very easy to add one. automotive uses them for a reason too and on far less current drain connections.
one could use a relay socket and then could replace burnt out relays super easy.
if had one, thats what i would do after the warranty or if it takes too long to get it back on its feet and eat the warranty.
all you have to do is measure the amount of amps it draws fully loaded or use a relay based on the batteries amp hour rating if nothing else.
a car starter uses a solonoid wich is like a relay, but bigger contacts. it is designed to handle over 200 amps, the ignition switch is not.
so for sure, a redesign is needed to keep the switches from burning out. they probably are not burnt out, they are probably scaled with burnt metal that could be burnished off and reused, but thats not an answer to the problem. redesign is the answer and would be simple and cheap to do.
making different stles of switches won't help either because they will always spark at the contact points even if you use self cleaning/burnishing contacts. they will pit and scale and stop making elsectrical contact sooner or later.
with a relay, i think you cold extend the warranty period as well.
3300 is spot on
SnoHam13
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No doubt Greg Pepple from IceGator will be along with his comments on the well meaning comments above. In my view, the switch problem was re-designed and fixed several years ago. It was a bad switch design from the start and worse customer service getting the problem addressed. He just has to own that and I believe he has, at least to my satisfaction. It seems that most of the negative reviews stem from issues a couple of years back. I'd like to hear from guys using machines from last year and the year before to see how much service improvement has been made.
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I'm still using the original switches in my unit. I have new ones as a backup. I dissemble my unit annually, grease the chain with cold weather lube and clean the contacts. The contacts will take the current; the problem is when someone does the on/off thing while under load. It's an operator thing, in my mind. Like any other tool, it requires maintenance and proper operation. I'm leaning towards ordering one of the new 9 1/2" auger units with the 42v battery pack. Just looking to stay ahead of the game. :P The video on Youtube, of that new unit, is very compelling.
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No offense Baitbucket - most of the negative comments are from folks that do not even own a gator. They are hearsay
Well i hope the multiple replies of issues and poor customer service from Owners helps prove my point. Personally I have seen and used an IceGator on the ice, and i know of an owner and friend who had nothing but issues and trouble with customer service.
I also reached out to IceGator 3-4 years ago when I was looking to go electric. Several calls/emails, and no returned calls.
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Hello, everyone hope you all had a good weekend; mine was good until Michigan lost Lol! it is nice to see the comments from everyone, thanks for coming forward. To start with, most of the complaints I am hearing are from three to four years ago. That actually makes e feel good because I have worked very hard sense those days to take care of my customers, and looks like I have done a good job. The switch issue was solved two years ago.
Now this is a review, so lets review Icegator.
1. First to come out with electric ice auger drive over 12 volts
2. First with fwd/rev reverse for power cleaning the hole
3. First with an instant break system, so water wouldn't fly up your legs
4. First with Li-Ion battery power to make it lighter for the user
5. First and only one currently to have insulated battery pack, mine can handle the cold!!
6. First to have the ability with electric to drill 80 holes with a 9-1/2" auger bit through 36" of ice on a single charge.
7. Fourth one to sponsor this great site Iceshanty
Number 7 brings me to a point that I want everyone to understand, you see over the last week it is very clear to me that I have very few fans on this site that I have sponsored for many years. I take 90% of the blame, but this is an example of how a handful of people can have enough influence on this site that everyone is scared to mention Icegator's name. Thank God! FISHFORPIKE stood up for me and said hold on! I wrote most of those negative comments. He had every right to be pissed back then, but he is over it. My sales do not come from this site, and I have know this for a long time. But this week also has me concerned, you see we have had quite a discussion on ice auger this past week all I here is cordless drill and Clam plate or Ion. None of these are sponsors of this site. Jiffy that is a sponsor was brought up in that they were getting ready to sell it so they could go to an Ion. Now I'm not a gas fan Lol!! However, I am a fan of Jiffy they are the only ones made in America, they were the first to come out with Propane so that people didn't need to be fumed to death. They have brought more joy to ice fishing at making a reliable gas auger than any other company I know. But I don't think they are currently getting many sales from this site either. Now I can see it changing for me because I look at it as an untouched market soon you are all going to be running Icegators Lol!! I guess I said enough about all that. So it looks like a lot of people are trying to adapt different types of hand augers. So if anyone wants to know about these hand auger Nils , fin bore , Lazer , Lazer synthetic, or K-drill I may be able to help answer your questions I was the first to adapt to these. My name is Greg and I'm here for the long hall. Part of customer service.
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I bought and still use one of the original Ice Gators. I got mine when the 8 inch version was available. I use it with a 7 inch HT Arctic Express auger. I have never had any electical problem with mine. It still cuts holes fast. It doesn't have the Li-Ion batteries so it is sorta heavy. But I lug it out on the ice because it cuts holes. The only things I have ever had go wrong was one of the long battery screws backed out from vibration and it got lost and the threads on my hand auger are becoming stripped from retightening to the auger adapter. Ice Gator sent me two new screws but the threads were too short. I just had to take it to work and have them threaded a little longer. But it works great. I will be taking it out on the ice again this year. Sometimes customer service was a little slow but I am still happy with what I bought. I never thought I was one to buy the newest things out there but now that I look back I guess I am. I bought the Ice Gator, VPG from Aqua-Vu (Showdown), Buzz Stick(Junk), HT LED Puck light(Junk), Yak-Traxx XTR spikes (love them). I'm sure there are more. Some good, some bad.
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Thanks jbird68 jumping in, nice to here it is still working Ok for you. Honesty go's a long way with me, and FISHFORPIKE you stuck your neck out on the line. It means the world to me that you did this. You mentioned ordering the new 42 volt 9.5 Icegator if it is Ok with you I would like to give you this unit. You can post up here how you like it or not, makes no difference to me. Just need your name and address, you can reach me at [email protected] if this is Ok
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If i recall correctly, isnt Fishforpike your neighbor/friend or something. Pretty sure i recall him saying he knew you on a previous post.
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Thanks jbird68 jumping in, nice to here it is still working Ok for you. Honesty go's a long way with me, and FISHFORPIKE you stuck your neck out on the line. It means the world to me that you did this. You mentioned ordering the new 42 volt 9.5 Icegator if it is Ok with you I would like to give you this unit. You can post up here how you like it or not, makes no difference to me. Just need your name and address, you can reach me at [email protected] if this is Ok
Many thanks Greg. Give my best to your family.
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Greg, also give my best to your family. Do I get one too? I'm not sure how FISHFORPIKE, bless his heart, stuck his neck out any further than other IceGator fans including me. You say you appreciate honesty but it looks like you work on a sliding scale. If you guys are buddies let us know so we can judge the reviews with a more critical eye.
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No buddies, here. I been a fan if IceGator since I took delivery more than 6 years ago. Always stood by him and understood the issues and growing pains. @)
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stinkyFingers- you are correct you started the other thread Icegator/Nils you also stuck your neck out on the line for me, and very well put. Before the two of you if anyone would have mentioned Icegator they would have got chewed up and spit out!! Thanks for your support. I will give you one. please send your name and address and phone number, you can send it to [email protected] Thanks again
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Greg-- Time out there, big guy. Thank you, but not required. My Attacker, Little Pokey, is more than enough power for me. I think you and FISHFORPIKE know each other from a sports show and there's nothing wrong with that. That's what they're for. He's a fan, I'm a fan. But I certainly have not earned a new auger by coming to IceGator's defense. Your products will build your reputation. I'm confident that your service will soon match that level.
Stinky
PS-- FISHFORPIKE was ready to buy an Annihilator. Very generous of you. I'd take a brother-in-law discount in a couple of years when I'm ready.
stinkyFingers- you are correct you started the other thread Icegator/Nils you also stuck your neck out on the line for me, and very well put. Before the two of you if anyone would have mentioned Icegator they would have got chewed up and spit out!! Thanks for your support. I will give you one. please send your name and address and phone number, you can send it to [email protected] Thanks again
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this is just goofy. a bunch of us got crap service from icegator when they were a new company...i even convinced a few guys to buy their own. now some guy starts a thread and gets a free auger??? lol is all i can say, and i never say that.
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It's not to hard to see through the smoke on what's going on here. I just laugh at it and try not to post in the ice gator threads now. Funny how a previous sponsor jumps on the site that is not a sponsor anymore pushing his product and two individuals support and post stuff pertaining to icegator. Then the two doing so seem to get randomly picked to receive a free icegator. If he want's advertising, let him sponsor the webpage. Right now it seems they are just posting trying to get free advertising.
Im pretty good at reading between the lines, and im dead positive this isnt the case....... What i have noticed is 95% of what you post in threads is derogatory or just plain griping, like your never happy..... at all...... whatsoever... a sour sour everybodys wrong and you're right kind of man. If it isnt up to par with your standards then it just isnt worth ..... Smile a little man, be more tolerant of others preferences, we are all here for the same cause, because we enjoy this. I try to support every single brand that markets something in our field because I love the sport. I dont own an ice gator, Im not rooting for them, but I would like to see him succeed and he only succeeds by reciprocating honest support like us fellas give him in business. If he has had to improve then im sure he has realized that, easy on the guy. Dont come on the offensive in every post you see that doesnt fit your beliefs or interests, we are all different.
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"Funny how a previous sponsor jumps on the site that is not a sponsor anymore pushing his product..." I don't own an Icegator but the company is listed as a sponsor.
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After reading all the posts on here. I have to say I hate to see the bickering that a couple people can do which turns something sincere into a conspiracy.
Just my own thoughts. I have owned a 12 volt and a 24 volt Icegator. Since I got my first it has been a huge draw. Ive had it on Saginaw bay all the way to Green Bay and down to south of Indy. People love to see it work and try it out on there own. It really is a fine piece of equipment. You really could see the difference it makes in the way people fish. No Gas, No hand cranking. It allow you to drill holes faster than any other auger and put more holes in, especially when your on the search for fish.
I too have had a couple issues with mine and with both it was only the charger. After a phone call the 12v charger was quickly replaced. I did have a little issue with getting the 24 volt charger, but things happen. For what it is worth, my overall experience with Gator has been a good one and I`m glad I got with Mark & Greg to have the best Ice auger out. I hope the business gets itself on top of it all and stays there.
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I use mine and find it hard to drill the ice any other way. I have had to work on my older model, but I fixed it myself and continue to drill ice. Isn't that the point? To drill ice!
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After reading all the posts on here. I have to say I hate to see the bickering that a couple people can do which turns something sincere into a conspiracy.
Thanks for the reality. I apologize. @)
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i wish i could help you. When i reached out for information about the product a few years back i got no response. sounds like the guy has possibly remedied that which is great for him if you ask me. but I went another direction and don't anticipate switching for some time.
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Geez, Hoosier it was just getting good.
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I love the concept of this auger I just can't afford it! Site sponsor or not, I have a hard time with spending $700 on an auger. It's obvious how you can afford to give them away to some. If you could make a light, Li-Ion version for close to $500, that would dominate the market.
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Ive been thinking of an ice gator combo with the 8" Kdrill! Will there be adapters made to fit Kdrill?
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Guess if there's a will, there will be a way ?
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Ive been thinking of an ice gator combo with the 8" Kdrill! Will there be adapters made to fit Kdrill?
I think Greg (IceGator) will supply the adapter of your choice. Why not go with his new 9.5" bit?
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Ive been thinking of an ice gator combo with the 8" Kdrill! Will there be adapters made to fit Kdrill?
The K-drill is the only one I don't adapt to, the adaptor takes to much work. Like you may already know it was made for cordless drill, Think if you attach the new Milwaukee 1200 to it would do you a good job. Hope this helps you
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The K-drill is the only one I don't adapt to, the adaptor takes to much work. Like you may already know it was made for cordless drill, Think if you attach the new Milwaukee 1200 to it would do you a good job. Hope this helps you
The newer K-drill does come with a adapter for a electric drill but removing it leaves a .875 I.D. hole which accepts all the common augers.
I must also add my history with Icegator. I bought one of the first 12volt models years ago. I had an issue with one of the batteries arcing. Bending the battery terminals for better contact solved the problem. A couple years in, a nephew borrowed it and has refused to return it ever since. I believe he updated it with 12volt LithiumIon batteries. Greg did supply a adapter for a FinBore auger. When the new LithiumIon model came out 5 or 6 years ago I got one. I had a problem with the battery or charger or switch. I received replacement parts within a few days and the problem was gone. That one is now with a son-in-law and again I have difficulty borrowing it. I would order the newest model in a heartbeat but at my age (74 years) the weight scares me. Can't wait to see that new 9½" auger.
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My testing with the K-drill was a few years back, real nice to here they now have that feature should help a lot of people drill holes. The K-drill is one of the best bits ever made. Thanks for the information and your support.
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With the 42 volt, is that 3, 12 volt and a 6 volt ? Odd voltage ? Also how far is your shop from Akron, Ohio
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With the 42 volt, is that 3, 12 volt and a 6 volt ? Odd voltage ? Also how far is your shop from Akron, Ohio
Lithium cells are 3.6/3.7v each. So a 42v pack would consist of, like 11 cells in series - or more if wired in parallel.
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I have wanted one of these for a few years now. I had big plans to own one for this season. Unfortunately life happens....going through a divorce coupled with the poor Canadian dollar means I have to keep wishing lol. We have bee fishing the Midwest Open for several years now and have seen first hand how awesome these machines are. I have been using the Milwaukee drill for years with several different augers and while it has worked for me it is nowhere near as efficient as the IceGator.
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However, I am a fan of Jiffy they are the only ones made in America
Well this part isn't true. A "little" company called Strikemaster assembles their powerheads in Minnesota. The full gear box/transmission is made there (MN) as well.
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Well this part isn't true. A "little" company called Strikemaster assembles their powerheads in Minnesota. The full gear box/transmission is made there (MN) as well.
Isn't MN in America? :tipup: :tipup: :tipup:
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royjulius, go to the Eelpout fest. in Walker ,n, you may think it,s closer to LA-LA or never-never land!!! WOW, GOOD TIMES. WIRE
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This would have been my 6th year with my Icegator. Due to health reasons I have passed the Icegator down to smeltbuster. All I can say is in six years mine never let me down. I never had to keep a extra set of batteries warm in my pocket. Never once ran low of charge in the coldest conditions. It has stayed many a night in sub zero weather punching hole after hole chasing fish. Laying on the ice and overnight in the truck, getting snowed on when the fishing was good and once again no problems. As far as customer service goes...I had to get a new charger because it was misplaced in a move. I had no problem with getting a replacement from them. Courteous and friendly on the phone, and delivered fast. If I had to do it all over again, and I could get any power auger out there, it would be another Icegator. And its true, It is the baddest machine on the ice. The youtube videos aren't lies. I have shown many a person the Icegator and made believers out of them. I have fished a bunch of different lakes and have yet to see another one at the same time. They are rarely seen but always talked about. I always post these two videos below about the Icegator when anybody starts talking about them. I should have been a spokes person for them for as much as I showed mine off. Even my avitar is Icegator, And NO...I do not work there. If anything its more auger than any of the mass produced one out there. And definitely no comparison to the toy electric drill first ice set ups. And yes, like anything that's good, usually is pricey. Would be excellent machine for guides or outfitters who need to punch holes all day and not have to worry about a charge or keeping extra batteries warm. Or for the serious fisherman who chases fish and has to find fish. When you own one you will see what I mean. As far as electric ice augers goes...Buy a ICEGATOR... anything else is a battery operated toy... Watch the youtube videos and see for yourself. And remember the best ice auger in the world is the auger that fits your budget your demands and what you are most comfortable with. Its your choice So long as it cuts a hole and you can fish. Its doing its job. Just a matter of how fast you want to do the job ;D ;D
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sorry to hear about your health. hope you get better soon.
about making ice holes. my toy drill works perfect for me making 6" holes and all of my friends have them too. if i did NEED a dedicated power head i would buy icegator, but i don't and shouldn't ever. if the price came down to more "affordable" costs, it probably would sell more to those of us who do not NEED a dedicated power head. i'm pretty sure even if it were say 300$ i still wouldn't buy one as i have no need for it unless i needed to drill a bigger hole.
i enjoy having tools that are used all year long tho and feel it makes for a wiser investment.
smeltbuster does go the distance to help his fellow anglers in his area and that was nice of you to pick him. thanks for that. i know he'll test it for sure.
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sorry to hear about your health. hope you get better soon.
about making ice holes. my toy drill works perfect for me making 6" holes and all of my friends have them too. if i did NEED a dedicated power head i would buy icegator, but i don't and shouldn't ever. if the price came down to more "affordable" costs, it probably would sell more to those of us who do not NEED a dedicated power head. i'm pretty sure even if it were say 300$ i still wouldn't buy one as i have no need for it unless i needed to drill a bigger hole.
i enjoy having tools that are used all year long tho and feel it makes for a wiser investment.
smeltbuster does go the distance to help his fellow anglers in his area and that was nice of you to pick him. thanks for that. i know he'll test it for sure.
I didnt mean to sound like I was dogging the drill set ups 3300. They are great for the thinner Ice, super light to carry if you want to pack light too. But they are not even in the same class. Most of the time the Icegator was way more machine than I ever needed. But it was always nice to know it was there when needed. And once again, they are expensive compared to most others. But then again its all about the job your doing and whats comfortable for the wallet. I will also admit that it was kind of a "look at my new toy" thing too. Had quite a few contests with it and was never beat by any other auger gas or electric even with the 10" pike auger. I am sure smeltbuster will put her to the test on the Gull Lake smelt grounds too. He did get a chance to use it last year and fell in love with it. He has a bad shoulder and the manual auger was taking its toll on him. So no more cranking the shoulder for him. Once again Mr 3300 you are right. Hard to find anyone who is more than willing to lend a hand on the ice than smeltbuster. He is also my number one test pilot for my smelt flies, and a top shelf sportsman.
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royjulius, go to the Eelpout fest. in Walker ,n, you may think it,s closer to LA-LA or never-never land!!! WOW, GOOD TIMES. WIRE
That sounds fun! I watched those guys on tv boiling fresh pout in 7up and dipping it in butter. Right out of the hole to the fillet board and into the pot. That's fresh fish! :tipup: :tipup: :tipup:
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That 9.5" blade looks sweet. I see they're offered separately for gas units, but the site doesn't say which ones they are compatible with.
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That 9.5" blade looks sweet. I see they're offered separately for gas units, but the site doesn't say which ones they are compatible with.
I don't think they're making them available for gas powered units. They're making them available for people who've already bought an Icegator in the past, but have had to use a different bit with it. You'd need to make your own adapter to run it with a gas power head.
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Well I just have to throw my two cents in. I bought one of the earlier units and was quite pleased with it at first, although it was a bit on the heavy side. I only cut maybe a couple hundred holes a year, used an 8" Nils auger, and babied it like it was my own first born. Then after about six years one day it wouldn't go at all. I contacted Greg and he told me that the unit wasn't worth repairing!
I have since purchased an Ion and am very pleased with it and am confident in the customer service what with it being backed by more than one man.
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Well I just have to throw my two cents in. I bought one of the earlier units and was quite pleased with it at first, although it was a bit on the heavy side. I only cut maybe a couple hundred holes a year, used an 8" Nils auger, and babied it like it was my own first born. Then after about six years one day it wouldn't go at all. I contacted Greg and he told me that the unit wasn't worth repairing!
I have since purchased an Ion and am very pleased with it and am confident in the customer service what with it being backed by more than one man.
Did you take it apart to check things out? They are very simple and use off-the-shelf electric parts and peices. Chances are it's just a set of burned contacts. I dissemble mine every year, lube the chain and clean the contacts. Those contacts can take a real beating if the unit is switched on and off while under load.
That's what I have found. Fixed a buddie's that way.
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Fishrmn, from their website under products page for this item it states:
>> Can be attached to your gas auger drive. By doing so will drop the weight for your gas unit 10 lbs. or more. Gives you the ability to just drill straight through deep ice without pulling up to relieve the shaved ice. Also makes for re-drilling old holes supper easy.
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Well I just have to throw my two cents in. I bought one of the earlier units and was quite pleased with it at first, although it was a bit on the heavy side. I only cut maybe a couple hundred holes a year, used an 8" Nils auger, and babied it like it was my own first born. Then after about six years one day it wouldn't go at all. I contacted Greg and he told me that the unit wasn't worth repairing!
I have since purchased an Ion and am very pleased with it and am confident in the customer service what with it being backed by more than one man.
thinking they cost 600$? and so that would be 100$ per year or 50 cents per hole was your cost and not worth repairing?
wouldn't that be up to you if it was worth it or not? very odd!
after six years, the battery should be shot is all. how much is the battery that fits yours cost? more than a whole new unit? can you use a over the counter battery?
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thinking they cost 600$? and so that would be 100$ per year or 50 cents per hole was your cost and not worth repairing?
wouldn't that be up to you if it was worth it or not? very odd!
after six years, the battery should be shot is all. how much is the battery that fits yours cost? more than a whole new unit? can you use a over the counter battery?
Yes, the batteries can be replaced if Lead Acid. Greg sells them on his web site. OR - The case can be dissembled and batteries ordered/purchased almost anywhere and installed. The Lithium pack is a little trickier. I ruined mine last season (I had upgraded from the Lead Acid pack, so still had it) I tore into the battery pack and was able to find some Lithium cells on line and put it back together. Like I said, someone with a little wrench turning ability can fix these things, easy.
Is the IG expensive to use? - You bet. But it cuts ice like no other on the market. @)
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Knife2sharp,
My bad. Let us know how it works.
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After reading all the posts on here. I have to say I hate to see the bickering that a couple people can do which turns something sincere into a conspiracy.
Just my own thoughts. I have owned a 12 volt and a 24 volt Icegator. Since I got my first it has been a huge draw. Ive had it on Saginaw bay all the way to Green Bay and down to south of Indy. People love to see it work and try it out on there own. It really is a fine piece of equipment. You really could see the difference it makes in the way people fish. No Gas, No hand cranking. It allow you to drill holes faster than any other auger and put more holes in, especially when your on the search for fish.
I too have had a couple issues with mine and with both it was only the charger. After a phone call the 12v charger was quickly replaced. I did have a little issue with getting the 24 volt charger, but things happen. For what it is worth, my overall experience with Gator has been a good one and I`m glad I got with Mark & Greg to have the best Ice auger out. I hope the business gets itself on top of it all and stays there.
Send his free auger to Stinkybaits and I promise not to deface it with Hello Kitty stickers and other evil stickers. ;D
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Will somebody just buy my stupid Ion so I can pony up the cash to get a Gator already??? Why would they make an auger that you have to keep warm? And why did I buy it? Maybe next year I will give the Ion to my pops! Work some overtime, quit having babies, and buy a real electric auger!
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I have even thinking buying a 42v Icegator head to replace my Nils/Tanaka gas auger. I use the 6 inch Nils and also have a 8 inch. I like the thought of no gas, no fumes and quiet drilling. Is buying the head overkill for the 6 inch auger? I think the 42v Icegator head would probably weigh more than the Tanaka power head too.
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I would be careful asking about Gator. There are alot of people that hate them for the older gen augers! But the new 42v is the real deal! I would sell my soul to get one in my sled!
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I have even thinking buying a 42v Icegator head to replace my Nils/Tanaka gas auger. I use the 6 inch Nils and also have a 8 inch. I like the thought of no gas, no fumes and quiet drilling. Is buying the head overkill for the 6 inch auger? I think the 42v Icegator head would probably weigh more than the Tanaka power head too.
For the 6" question, when I design something I've learned to make it overkill Lol! and it all depends on the depth of ice your drilling through, along with the type of fishing your doing. if your someone who is fishing tournaments and needs to drill say 200 holes pre-fishing then the 42 volt 6" Nils is exactly what your going to want. you can drill those 200 holes three times faster then any other set up around and not run out of power. you have the ability to get almost 250 holes through 30" of ice per charge with this set up, and never worry about the cold. if your the type that goes out and drill 20 holes and done for the day fishes say five times a year, then its overkill because the battery needs to be run for it to have the longest life cycle of around 5 years. for the Tanaka power head question. It is quite a bit lighter then the 42 volt but a lot slower. again it all depends on how your fishing.
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I was one of those knuckleheads that read the bad reviews and decided to buy an Annihilator anyways. I was even one of those knuckleheads that jumped at the chance to throw cash at Greg last summer when he was taking preorders for the new 9.5" bits. That was a fun wait until after the ice fishing last season to get the bit, and it only took about 20 harassing facebook posts and text messages to finally get it. Great, he has a 3 year warranty on the unit and a 1 year warranty on the battery and auger bit. Unfortunately, it appears that last years 9.5" auger bit debacle has put him right out of business so even if my auger doesn't work, I'm up a creek at this point. The auger is amazing but as stated by hundreds before, the customer service is garbage. Do yourself a favor and read the Facebook visitor posts for Icegator. Stay away!
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Well you are in luck because Icegator is no more, so quit bad mouthing Greg. I was one of the few have been treated with the utmost respect. I wonder how this could be? I will let you take the time to sit,pause and reflect on what it takes to sell a product to a customer who did get his order and still needs to bad mouth a business that is no more.
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Well you are in luck because Icegator is no more, so quit bad mouthing Greg. I was one of the few have been treated with the utmost respect. I wonder how this could be? I will let you take the time to sit,pause and reflect on what it takes to sell a product to a customer who did get his order and still needs to bad mouth a business no more.
Reflection done. The issue here is that he did not treat everyone with the same respect that he treated you with. How many people sent money to him and are still posting on his Facebook page wondering what is going on. Has he put up any notice on his page to let these people know he is out of business? He obviously hasn't contacted them or replied to them to let them know that they will be taken care of. just because I got what I ordered doesn't mean it was handled with good customer service.
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Reflection done. The issue here is that he did not treat everyone with the same respect that he treated you with. How many people sent money to him and are still posting on his Facebook page wondering what is going on. Has he put up any notice on his page to let these people know he is out of business? He obviously hasn't contacted them or replied to them to let them know that they will be taken care of. just because I got what I ordered doesn't mean it was handled with good customer service.
It still doesn't say much about you that has no horse in the race, I do believe your horse has been beaten to death.
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How exactly do I have no horse in the race? I just spent over $700 on an auger that now has no source for replacement parts and no support because of the poor customer service of the company.
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How exactly do I have no horse in the race? I just spent over $700 on an auger that now has no source for replacement parts and no support because of the poor customer service of the company.
Sell it to me I will buy from you. Put it on for sale here on ice shanty I will buy regardless of no customer service. PM me I will give you a generous offer
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I'm on the South Shore of Massachusetts. If you are local, come on over and I'll sell it. There's no way I'm shipping it.
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I'm on the South Shore of Massachusetts. If you are local, come on over and I'll sell it. There's no way I'm shipping it.
Why is that sell it to me through pay pal or epay
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or wait to ship it after the funds have cleared.
those things are amazing to watch and listen to cutting ice for sure! never heard any thing like it and it throws water way up your legs it has that much speed!
too bad they didn't reorganize the company to take care of business. so maybe the patent is no good and some one else will run with it.
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Never know - maybe reorganization is in the works. Greg had a great product; I think he just could not keep it going financially and support from his parts suppliers was laking, maybe.
All the parts in a gator are are off the shelf - if you have some nowhow most issues can be fixed without Greg. I still think abuse (unintentional) was/is the biggest problem with any electric powered auger.
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Yes I can fix anything on the drive unit but the flightings are something I can not make.
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This had to be a long time coming. Just couldn't go on that way any longer. Like others, I hope some visionary will step up and buy the patent and the jigs and re-organize under modern business practices. Reminds me a little of the DeLorean story, a product way ahead of it's time and even ahead of it's inventor. I may be putting my Gator on the block, "Little Pokey the Wonder Auger". Still the hottest thing on ice but the owner/operator is nearing the end of his career and it's too much machine.
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I just starting reading some of the comments on the Facebook page...
Not impressed really...
It really isn't even that fast of an auger IMO...
Watch this comparison he made, really horrible because..
1) He cant run a gas auger properly
2) His gas auger can't run properly
3) The blades gotta be dull as hell
4) I never have to lift my Eskimo to clear chips
5) He lies about there being 36-40 inches there, maybe 24
Don't believe me, watch for yourself..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sj4b7NDNwNI
My 25 year old Eskimo, through about the same amount of ice...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1MWRyYBSw00
Boy, I'm lucky I didn't lose my bit in the hole when I didn't clear the chips out... Lol
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You are joking right that's a 9.5 inch bit, count how many second it takes to go down based on the number of flightings. 20 seconds Icegator spins at 375 rpm nothing spins that fast not even the Eskimo with a 8" bit meh
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I just starting reading some of the comments on the Facebook page...
Not impressed really...
It really isn't even that fast of an auger IMO...
Watch this comparison he made, really horrible because..
1) He cant run a gas auger properly
2) His gas auger can't run properly
3) The blades gotta be dull as hell
4) I never have to lift my Eskimo to clear chips
5) He lies about there being 36-40 inches there, maybe 24
Don't believe me, watch for yourself..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sj4b7NDNwNI
My 25 year old Eskimo, through about the same amount of ice...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1MWRyYBSw00
Boy, I'm lucky I didn't lose my bit in the hole when I didn't clear the chips out... Lol
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Scratcher--You and I are not likely to cross paths to put it to the test but I'd put Little Pokey up against any 8" gasser in Colorado. Somebody PM me and we'll meet in early February on Elevenmile and burn 10 holes from a cold start for pink slips.
Stinky
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You are joking right that's a 9.5 inch bit, count how many second it takes to go down based on the number of flightings. 20 seconds Icegator spins at 375 rpm nothing spins that fast not even the Eskimo with a 8" bit meh
"How many seconds it takes to go down based on the number of flightings"
Lost me there..
RPM is also almost irrelevant here, just because you can spin tires doesn't make you fast.. Depth and rate of cut are what makes things happen..
One perspective would be to compare augers like boat props.. A 15 is going to be easy to turn but if you can get a 24 going you got something entirely different..
Another perspective, forget the bits and RPMs, watch how fast the motors sink..
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Scratcher--You and I are not likely to cross paths to put it to the test but I'd put Little Pokey up against any 8" gasser in Colorado. Somebody PM me and we'll meet in early February on Elevenmile and burn 10 holes from a cold start for pink slips.
Stinky
I have seen some pretty fast Icegators, a lot faster than the one in the video he posted.. Also probably faster than my old Eskimo.. I was only saying I'm not that impressed with that video..
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Now I am one of the biggest critics of the Icegator customer service that there is, but the product itself is amazing. I have only had mine for a short time, but the speed at which it cuts is heads and shoulders above any other auger out there. The Eskimo auger in that video is the propane version and there is just no way that thing is keeping up with the Anhilator. I had the Eskimo Z71 10" auger just before I got the Icegator. That auger was very powerful, but it also didn't cut as fast as the Anhilator.
I was very up front with Greg when he was going through the issues of delivering his product to his customers last winter. He actually started b***hing out some guy on a public forum because the guy wanted a refund due to the auger bit taking so long to deliver. I told Greg that his customer service was terrible. I also said that his products deserved a better business plan with proper customer service. Hopefully that is the road he is taking, but seeing the lack of response on Facebook to people that have been waiting almost a year for what they paid for, I doubt it.
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I think the Icegator video was pretty much rigged also Scratcher. How do you lose a auger down the hole that has a substantial bolt attaching it to the powerhead??? I have said it before and I will say it again.... I'm soooo glad icegator didn't respond to my multiple inquiries on pricing when I was going to buy one!!! I don't care how nice of a guy he is, If he takes these peoples money for the 9 1/4" augers he sold them and never delivers the auger or refunds them their money he should be prosecuted.... End of story.
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Just to be clear here I to believe if Greg is a up standing God fearing man I hope he settles his debt. I have sent a few emails to Greg about selling his business to someone who will take his invention to the next level. Just like another product that I was able to buy directly from the guy who invented it the hook set tip up, he stated that he sold his patent on HT enterprise. The tip up is amazing just like the ice gator which I hope Greg doesn't let a gift like his invention go wasted.
Again I hope Greg settles his debts and saves his self dignity.
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Yes I can fix anything on the drive unit but the flightings are something I can not make.
Nils Bit!
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Nils Bit!
K drill or a 10 inch 224 bit
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K drill would be a good option.
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K drill would be a good option.
Correct those bits aren't cheap though
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Correct those bits aren't cheap though
Very true on the cost, however you will actually receive the auger.
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LET me get this straight......Ice Gator goes out of business. The owner took orders and money from people. He took money for orders from people that were never sent the product. Owner still has not returned the money to the customers who paid or delivered them a product. Ice Gator wont return those customers phone calls or messages on how things are being handled.......I don't call that a god fearing man. I don't call that a man with integrity. If things go wrong and problems arise you let people know what happened, how it is getting handled, and what is going on. Regardless of how good or bad it is. At this point, I have no idea how anyone could respect a person that looks to have basically committed fraud on a bunch of people. Very sad it went this way. I do feel a bit bad for those who got ripped off, but there was plenty of warning signs.
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:tipup:
That's about how I'm seeing this too Agronomist..
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:tipup:
That's about how I'm seeing this too Agronomist..
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Well glad to know that others can see it for what it is.....I mean if I stated anything that wasn't true of the situation I will be more then happy to edit my post.
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Lol at feeling sorry for greg.
At least the people that ordered the icegators can get the money back.
I sent him 2 drives one to be repaired and one upgraded. And I fully expected to pay for everything. I was not expecting anything free.
I sent them in January 11 2016. And still nothing.
He stopped all communications after a month.
I have filed with the BBB.
In my eyes Greg is a crook.
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Lol at feeling sorry for greg.
At least the people that ordered the icegators can get the money back.
I sent him 2 drives one to be repaired and one upgraded. And I fully expected to pay for everything. I was not expecting anything free.
I sent them in January 11 2016. And still nothing.
He stopped all communications after a month.
I have filed with the BBB.
In my eyes Greg is a crook.
So did you pay anything? He could at least send your stuff back.
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I will happily pay. But he will not get back to me. Multiple call and emails.
I have voice mails saying he got the drives. Saying "i forgot about then he will work of them asap." That was a month after he got them.
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Sorry to hear man. So what are you doing for an auger now.
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I bought a 5in lazer and going to use my milwaukee fuel which I already had . I really don't know what I want.
The icegator was a great product. I just had issues with the base/handle cracking.
I had the 2nd edition one with the bubble buttons. And that one cracked. I bought a replacement upgraded one from greg years ago more of a molded handle (looked like recycled plastic I'm sure it wasn't but looked like that. ) And that one had cracks in the mold (the only way to describe it is like they were not hot enough and didn't melt fully.
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Now I am one of the biggest critics of the Icegator customer service that there is, but the product itself is amazing. I have only had mine for a short time, but the speed at which it cuts is heads and shoulders above any other auger out there. The Eskimo auger in that video is the propane version and there is just no way that thing is keeping up with the Anhilator. I had the Eskimo Z71 10" auger just before I got the Icegator. That auger was very powerful, but it also didn't cut as fast as the Anhilator.
Just remember about the Eskimo and Jiffy Propane augers that in 20 years from now you will still be able to get little green propane tanks. Without a carb to get fouled up by varnish from stale gasoline, these augers may have the longest longevity out there.
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Just remember about the Eskimo and Jiffy Propane augers that in 20 years from now you will still be able to get little green propane tanks. Without a carb to get fouled up by varnish from stale gasoline, these augers may have the longest longevity out there.
until the lefties get those little bombs banned, as they probably should be. carbs can be cleaned.
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oh and i also had i.g.i. ( ice gator issues). got told it was abuse, then got ignored. i only got 1/2 a hole drilled before the first break down so tough to say there was abuse. anyway it now sits in the closet with a bunch of stupid fish hooks i bought but never use. my m18 fuel/finbore never leaves the truck.
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At this point, I have no idea how anyone could respect a person that looks to have basically committed fraud on a bunch of people. Very sad it went this way. I do feel a bit bad for those who got ripped off, but there was plenty of warning signs.
Dont feel bad man. There was plenty of warnings, posts, reviews, etc to warn anyone who was interested. If you bought one anyway, its your own stupid a$$ fault. It appears to me that Icegator had a couple buddies come on here, drum up some excitement about the product, take a bunch of pre orders, and then closed up shop. If thats not the very definition of a con, i dont know what is.
The bright side is, we dont have to listen to those clowns who preached how great the company is anymore..
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So wanted one of these from ice gator. But money was holding me back and I was really skeptical on how poor the service was with him.
Oh well, I put my money on a 2704-22 milwalkee and 8" kdrill.
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I was one of the early customers that never had any issues or warnings.
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Dont feel bad man. There was plenty of warnings, posts, reviews, etc to warn anyone who was interested. If you bought one anyway, its your own stupid a$$ fault. It appears to me that Icegator had a couple buddies come on here, drum up some excitement about the product, take a bunch of pre orders, and then closed up shop. If thats not the very definition of a con, i dont know what is.
The bright side is, we dont have to listen to those clowns who preached how great the company is anymore..
Was it buddies? Or Just a couple different handles made. I mean an account with a total of 20 post sings like a bird for ice gator, yet doesn't seem to post on much else.......
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Delete
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Just remember about the Eskimo and Jiffy Propane augers that in 20 years from now you will still be able to get little green propane tanks. Without a carb to get fouled up by varnish from stale gasoline, these augers may have the longest longevity out there.
Those green 1lb tanks, I'm actually really surprised those haven't been phased out even 10 years ago, 85% of what you pay is for the container these days..
When I was a kid, and we raised all sorts of hell on dirt bikes, there was a saying...
2 Strokes truck, 4 strokes suck..
Still holds true today when it comes to small engine performance.. Feel free to holler wrong when they make a four stroke chainsaw..
I've still never seen a "fast" four stroke auger, that includes propane too.. I'm not against four strokes either, they have their place too...
20 years from now my already 25 year old Eskimo, will still be faster than any new propane today, and its way lighter too..
Not a fan of any four stroke that doesn't move around on its own, because of one fact, they are heavy..
My new auger (three seasons old) is electric, and the motor on it will get replaced as needed or wanted, also my motor and batteries will always be of the highest technology, and always be available for an upgrade.. What other company can offer that for support?
But I'll always keep my light weight 2 stroker close..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1MWRyYBSw00
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Was it buddies? Or Just a couple different handles made. I mean an account with a total of 20 post sings like a bird for ice gator, yet doesn't seem to post on much else.......
I have posted on other topics so what's your point did you buy or try buy a unit? Let me guess your liberal who will comment on any bad topic just to make yourself feel better. So how do you like those apples?
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I still love my Gator. Works flawlessly, It's just on the heavy side.
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Was it buddies? Or Just a couple different handles made. I mean an account with a total of 20 post sings like a bird for ice gator, yet doesn't seem to post on much else.......
Good point there as well...
Not very hard to get signed up with a username, email.. I have 3.. I know people that have 6..
Us for example.. Talk about tipups, sonar, drills, shanties, whatever...
Now these other guys that were supporting gatorbacks, if 90%+ of their posts are about/for that product it screams one word to me...
Shills
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Good point there as well...
Not very hard to get signed up with a username, email.. I have 3.. I know people that have 6..
Us for example.. Talk about tipups, sonar, drills, shanties, whatever...
Now these other guys that were supporting gatorbacks, if 90%+ of their posts are about/for that product it screams one word to me...
Shills
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I have posted on other threads, like I said what's your point you didn't buy anything from Greg did you so if you didn't then you must be a liberal who likes to come on a public site and bad mouth someone for no other reason than to make your self feel better.
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I have posted on other threads, like I said what's your point you didn't buy anything from Greg did you so if you didn't then you must be a liberal who likes to come on a public site and bad mouth someone for no other reason than to make your self feel better.
If I gave two ..... about politics, I would probably understand what you are actually trying to say there, and a 50℅ chance I would find it insulting..
You are working with 50% of the possibility that I might care or try to understand what you just wrote..
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Can someone please make a meme with Trump drilling holes with an Icegator....
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liberal
Actually looked it up yo..
Lol.. Yeah, you don't know me at all, cept my pirate avatar..
Good luck to you..
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I have posted on other topics so what's your point did you buy or try buy a unit? Let me guess your liberal who will comment on any bad topic just to make yourself feel better. So how do you like those apples?
Not not a liberal. Actually I did look at buying a unit two years ago. I called had some questions, and was close to buying. Did some research and customer reviews weren't just a few or like 10% bad it was like 80% bad 20% good. So I went with the clam plate and a Milwaukee drill...I think it was the second year that the plate was out.
Lunkerslayer make drilling great again, drop the gator.
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Not not a liberal. Actually I did look at buying a unit two years ago. I called had some questions, and was close to buying. Did some research and customer reviews weren't just a few or like 10% bad it was like 80% bad 20% good. So I went with the clam plate and a Milwaukee drill...I think it was the second year that the plate was out.
Lunkerslayer make drilling great again, drop the gator.
So you made my point for me you have no horse in the race just another member who likes to bash people for no reason other to make your self feel better. Peace brah
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Actually looked it up yo..
Lol.. Yeah, you don't know me at all, cept my pirate avatar..
Good luck to you..
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Same can be said about me good luck to you to
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So you made my point for me you have no horse in the race just another member who likes to bash people for no reason other to make your self feel better. Peace brah
So due to me not being an owner of an ice gator it means I'm just bashing people...........LMAO your the one acting like a liberal here. How does me not owning an ice gator change the facts about what has happened to people?
This isn't bashing someone. These are simple observable facts of the situation.
LET me get this straight......Ice Gator goes out of business. The owner took orders and money from people. He took money for orders from people that were never sent the product. Owner still has not returned the money to the customers who paid or delivered them a product. Ice Gator wont return those customers phone calls or messages on how things are being handled.......I don't call that a god fearing man. I don't call that a man with integrity. If things go wrong and problems arise you let people know what happened, how it is getting handled, and what is going on. Regardless of how good or bad it is. At this point, I have no idea how anyone could respect a person that looks to have basically committed fraud on a bunch of people. Very sad it week nt this way. I do feel a bit bad for those who got ripped off, but there was plenty of warning signs.
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I have posted on other threads, like I said what's your point you didn't buy anything from Greg did you so if you didn't then you must be a liberal who likes to come on a public site and bad mouth someone for no other reason than to make your self feel better.
And you must be a conservative punk who can't make a point without a needless personal attack. Based purely on your obscene attacks in defense of this charlatan, I would think badly of the product and the person. Do the guy a favor and stop defending him.
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I think I can see a big LOCK coming to this thread. :woot:
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I think I can see a big LOCK coming to this thread. :woot:
X2---and it can't come soon enough!!! ;)
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Little children, love one another.
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it has only been one year since greg was here backing up his product. i guess a lot can change in that time. with such a short ice fishing season, there shouldn't have been too big of a load on the company and they had just started selling the 9.5" auger.
his name still has a SPONSOR badge next to it! that needs to go bye bye!
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=318595.msg3352688#msg3352688
his contacts used a year ago if any one is trying to speak with him are in his profile if this helps any one.
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=29614
my email is [email protected] you can text me also at 419-551-5889
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This thread really went sideways.
Thanks 3300.
I really have tried everything. I'm pretty sure I'm screwed.
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The guy is a dbag... End of story! We all get it! Karma will get him, is it hasn't already! It's almost time to walk on water, quit arguing and load your gear in the back of your truck! SMDH
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Here's what kind of guy you are dealing with and supporting if you buy his product. I called and emailed for a month straight when his awful product failed me. He was unable to be reached or offer any type of service. He completely ignored my calls and emails. This was the the month of February, he got around to calling me back 6 months later, in August. Bad business man and person.
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PM me if you have an IceGator that you wish to part ways with, we may be able to work something out.
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ME too, PM me if anyone wants to sell theirs I will give you a good price because I would like to get one for the old man
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Here's what kind of guy you are dealing with and supporting if you buy his product. I called and emailed for a month straight when his awful product failed me. He was unable to be reached or offer any type of service. He completely ignored my calls and emails. This was the the month of February, he got around to calling me back 6 months later, in August. Bad business man and person.
You can call me - PM me first - I'll settle up with you on your IG, quickly. :thumbsup:
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I repaired it out of pocket and sold it long ago.
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I've got a little beauty that's way more machine than I need. Middle of Colorado however.
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Well got lucky end up finding a demo off of Ebay now I have two of these awesome units one for me one for the old man.
One I bought off Ebay has the short 8" nils but I will make my own extension when needed.
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get em while their hOt! lol
https://www.reedssports.com/nilsusa/nilsusa-ice-gator-electric-auger-1000e-260045
https://www.reedssports.com/nilsusa/nilsusa-ice-gator-electric-auger-800e-260044
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Reeds is about as dependable as ?????. They have NONE!
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never had an issue with Reeds.
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Let me get this straight......people on here are pushing and trying to get people to by an ice gator for $700+ with the knowledge that the company is failed and no more, fully knowing there will be zero support or service for the item.............more then likely limited to no parts when it breaks....... ??? ??? ??? Doesn't make much sense to me......
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Ag knocked that one out of the park!
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Ag knocked that one out of the park!
X2---- But you don't need to take an intelligence test to become a member!!! :woot: ;)2 :whistle: :cookoo:
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Let me get this straight......people on here are pushing and trying to get people to by an ice gator for $700+ with the knowledge that the company is failed and no more, fully knowing there will be zero support or service for the item.............more then likely limited to no parts when it breaks....... ??? ??? ??? Doesn't make much sense to me......
There wasn't ever any service and support when they were successful. Not a lot of difference now.. You won't find parts for your DeLorean either.
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But you will find parts for your Jiffys, Eskimos and Ions.
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There wasn't ever any service and support when they were successful. Not a lot of difference now.. You won't find parts for your DeLorean either.
You'll have better luck finding DeLorean parts!!
http://store.delorean.com/
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get em while their hOt! lol
https://www.reedssports.com/nilsusa/nilsusa-ice-gator-electric-auger-1000e-260045
https://www.reedssports.com/nilsusa/nilsusa-ice-gator-electric-auger-800e-260044
I'm sure you posted this for the sake of discussion/banter, not that you are promoting it...
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There wasn't ever any service and support when they were successful. Not a lot of difference now.. You won't find parts for your DeLorean either.
I think the word successful is being miss used here. I don't think a failed product or company would be considered a success by most.....if any. Maybe there is a group of auger power head collectors that will go crazy for an ice gator with all original parts........
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i posted for several reasons. first and foremost is for those who still want one in the worst way even tho they read every thing here.
ME too, PM me if anyone wants to sell theirs I will give you a good price because I would like to get one for the old man
PM me if you have an IceGator that you wish to part ways with, we may be able to work something out.
in other sections here, there are plenty of fellow ice anglers looking to buy these for parts. or better yet working head units.
another reason is because some companies are still promoting it knowing they are stuck with them claiming it has 3 year parts and 1 year battery warranty.
one more reason is it would create "small talk" here about the retired company while we wait for ice. i didn't expect sticks and stones to start flying at the messenger, but that's okay too, why not.
so excuse my intelligence for those who feel offended.
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Nils Bit!
Sold patent and hasn't made right by everyone? Wow
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So, which of you guys has heard, personally, from Greg and know for a fact that he is out of business, sold his patent, or anything else? I think all are just guessing - maybe he is reorganizing and Reeds ad is for real and the stock will will begin to flow.
I doubt there is any "stock" of Gator heads on any shelves, anywhere, 3300. I think most of you have a misconception about the Gator and it's worth and abilities. It is/was not for everyone; but it sure had it's place in the world of ice-fishing.
Happy TG everyone. Eat, drink and be merry. :thumbsup: :icefish:
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Let me get this straight......people on here are pushing and trying to get people to by an ice gator for $700+ with the knowledge that the company is failed and no more, fully knowing there will be zero support or service for the item.............more then likely limited to no parts when it breaks....... ??? ??? ??? Doesn't make much sense to me......
:o :o doesn't make sense to me either, that's why I have an Ion
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There wasn't ever any service and support when they were successful. Not a lot of difference now..
Can't believe the guy lasted as long as he did.
Been reading for years now how crappy his customer service was.
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I think the word successful is being miss used here. I don't think a failed product or company would be considered a success by most.....if any.
I guess I meant successful only in the sense that Greg Pepple's reputation in business was a long time in catching up with him. We see examples of such malfeasance every day in the news. A failed company certainly, but emphatically not a failed product. Mine will still run circles around any gasser, Ion, or Fuel setup out there. Anybody in Colorado that wants to race their production rig for pink slips let me know. I'll take on anybody but another IceGator. Having said that, I feel for the guys that got burned by Greg Pepple. No excuse for any honorable man, much less a self avowed Christian, to have defrauded his customers as he is said to have done. Sure hope he can make it right some day.
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Any Milwaukee Fuel??? Would it be for 1 hole, 3 holes, 5 holes, maximum holes???? What exactly would this pink slip challenge you have extended be???
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all I need is the schematics of the Icegator and I could fix my own everything he has can be made with the help of the diagrams of all components. Mechanical Engineering 101 This icegator patent drawings are not shown under patent number US 9270152 B2 so this means only one thing he has sold his patent unless someone can find them online I would buy them for a reasonable price.
Those who have one of these units are part of a group of few fortunate members ,throughout history there have been inventions that have gone only to be brought back under different name or design. There will only be one Icegator now just like there is only one painter whose name was Picasso.
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i am very fortunate to have one, collecting dust in the closet. unlike my picasso which hangs proudly above the fireplace :P
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all I need is the schematics of the Icegator and I could fix my own everything he has can be made with the help of the diagrams of all components. Mechanical Engineering 101 This icegator patent drawings are not shown under patent number US 9270152 B2 so this means only one thing he has sold his patent unless someone can find them online I would buy them for a reasonable price.
Those who have one of these units are part of a group of few fortunate members ,throughout history there have been inventions that have gone only to be brought back under different name or design. There will only be one Icegator now just like there is only one painter whose name was Picasso.
There is no invention on the ice gator.. Certainly not the first electric auger...
Picasso lol
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Easy there fellas..... You cant go comparing Pablo Picasso to Icegator.... Picasso's customer service is still much better than Icegators ever was!!!
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There is no invention on the ice gator.. Certainly not the first electric auger...
Picasso lol
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First production electric auger - leaps and bounds ahead any other production ice auger. I'm hoping production is picked up by someone with some capital to invest. Pretty sure that is/was Greg's biggest problem. I sure hope he finds some way to make amends to all he owes.
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First production electric auger -
I think strikmaster had this one first...
http://hotspotoutdoors.com/forums/topic/166039-old-electric-auger-conversion-help/
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LOL I didn't say anything about an invention, a patent is somebodies idea about a design which is one of a kind so that nobody else can produce a unit that is similar and sell it as a their own. Man I thought you guys were smarter than that. ROTFLMAO
For example even if I was to buy the schematics to his patent it wouldn't have anything to do with selling my own but only to be able to fix the one I have.
Kind of like a old stereo which has hundreds of small transistors, relays, capacitors, diodes and fuses which to be able to do a diagnostic test on all the parts to find out which one is bad and needs to be replaced.
Schematics look it up
Picasso is a painter who made one of a kind painting which for some is kind of like the Icegator, many will try to duplicate his painting or build his machine but there will only be one Picasso and only one original Icegator
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LOL I didn't say anything about an invention, a patent is somebodies idea about a design which is one of a kind so that nobody else can produce a unit that is similar and sell it as a their own. Man I thought you guys were smarter than that. ROTFLMAO
For example even if I was to buy the schematics to his patent it wouldn't have anything to do with selling my own but only to be able to fix the one I have.
Kind of like a old stereo which has hundreds of small transistors, relays, capacitors, diodes and fuses which to be able to do a diagnostic test on all the parts to find out which one is bad and needs to be replaced.
Schematics look it up
Picasso is a painter who made one of a kind painting which for some is kind of like the Icegator, many will try to duplicate his painting or build his machine but there will only be one Picasso and only one original Icegator
Well good luck with your repairs my friend. I don't believe most people will pay top dollar or contiune to dump money into an item like Ice Gator which is discontinued and zero support. I would agree the product wasnt terrible, but the man behind the business was.
I can't understand your love for the ice gator. When trying to understand it I compare it to others thing I dont understand....Like a guy your budies with who just loves fat ugly chicks even though he could get a decent one. Doesn't make much sense, but hey were all different. Fly your flag!lol.
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Any Milwaukee Fuel??? Would it be for 1 hole, 3 holes, 5 holes, maximum holes???? What exactly would this pink slip challenge you have extended be???
Understand that I'm a guy that sometimes lets his mouth overload his a$$. What I was thinking of was local. Picture Colorado's Elevenmile Reservoir in mid February. Ice is generally 20" or better and rock hard. About 10,500'. Cold start for 10 holes. I'm bringing "Little Pokey", a 5 year old 27v Annihilator mounted over an 8" LazerMag power flight section with the ripper teeth. I've seen what Ions will do and gassers at that altitude including Nils/Tanakas. If you want to bring a Fuel setup (which I've also got) you're very welcome as long as you're drilling an 8" hole. Winner keeps the other guy's auger. The point of shooting my mouth off is that I think the world of the IceGator powerhead. Few people have posted more bitter complaints about their service than I have but their product is unique. Little Pokey is more of a young man's auger and I'll be selling her this winter. At my age I don't really need to be burning holes at 2 inches/second for the little dab of ice fishing I plan on doing going forward.
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Holy crap, you're delusional
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I think strikmaster had this one first...
http://hotspotoutdoors.com/forums/topic/166039-old-electric-auger-conversion-help/
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Ha Ha - where's the battery! :unsure:
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Well good luck with your repairs my friend. I don't believe most people will pay top dollar or contiune to dump money into an item like Ice Gator which is discontinued and zero support. I would agree the product wasnt terrible, but the man behind the business was.
I can't understand your love for the ice gator. When trying to understand it I compare it to others thing I dont understand....Like a guy your budies with who just loves fat ugly chicks even though he could get a decent one. Doesn't make much sense, but hey were all different. Fly your flag!lol.
:wacko: You got to be kidding! :blink: