Eskimo E40 vs Ion 40v

[MT_mulies]

If you had to choose one. Which would it be and why?

[letrbuck]

They are the same auger, just different colors. Eskimo and Ion are under the same parent company: Ardisam

[hardwater diehard]

[jrjach75]

I went with the E40, it just came yesterday for Scheels. I looked at the Ion, and went with the Eskimo mostly due to cost. I’m walking out everywhere, so a little less weight was a plus. Where I’m at we usually see a maximum of 12”-16” ice thickness, with the amount of holes I drill, I don’t need the extra battery capacity of the ion.
Can’t remember if it was a podcast, or video, but I did hear an interview with someone from their parent company, there are several differences between the Ion and Eskimo. Different motors and batteries, blades and cutting head are different, etc. sounded like the E40 is the Toyota and Ion is the Lexus.

I’m replacing a Strikemaster 24v with the E40.

[ryguy80]

Different motors and batteries, blades and cutting head are different, etc. sounded like the E40 is the Toyota and Ion is the Lexus.

That’s a pretty good analogy. Two different products for two different price points. I have heard the same information with those being the key differences between the Ion and Eskimo. I did pick up an Ion Alpha Plus but now I’m sort of kicking myself for not going with the E40. I don’t drill a ton of holes on an outing and the weight savings is a bonus since I’m a walker out on the ice too, no matter the ice depth. I wanted to have the best, but sometimes best might not be the right tool for the job.

[hardwater diehard]

I went with the E40, it just came yesterday for Scheels. I looked at the Ion, and went with the Eskimo mostly due to cost. I’m walking out everywhere, so a little less weight was a plus. Where I’m at we usually see a maximum of 12”-16” ice thickness, with the amount of holes I drill, I don’t need the extra battery capacity of the ion.
Can’t remember if it was a podcast, or video, but I did hear an interview with someone from their parent company, there are several differences between the Ion and Eskimo. Different motors and batteries, blades and cutting head are different, etc. sounded like the E40 is the Toyota and Ion is the Lexus.

I’m replacing a Strikemaster 24v with the E40.

The 45:00 mark


https://www.facebook.com/AlexTimmFishing/videos/3169960139980405

[jrjach75]

The 45:00 mark


https://www.facebook.com/AlexTimmFishing/videos/3169960139980405

That was what I was remembering, there was a clip of just that question and answer floating around, but was definitely from that video you have linked. I did a lot of research before I ordered the E40, saw way too many videos to remember where that was from, thanks for posting

[glenwyo]

Like a lot of people, I switched from a gas auger to an electric drill about 6 years ago. While I will use the drill and 8 inch auger most of the time, I wanted to get something to turn a 10 inch auger for lake trout. I got a real good deal on the Eskimo E40 with a 10 inch composite auger bit. I have never owned an Ion so I can only give input on the E40. I had a chance to try it out last week on 7 inches of good, black ice. Weighing only 14 lbs, it is very easy to use for hole hopping, which is what I do a lot of. The auger blades are a newer design and they call them "turbo" blades. They look like regular flat blades but also have a sharp, outer edge on the blades. While they might be a little more efficient than the regular flat blades which I have used on an 8 inch Pistol bit, there doesn't seem to be a noticeable difference. Of course, I'm going to feel more resistance with a 10 inch auger versus an 8 inch. I thought the auger was easy to handle and didn't feel awkward while drilling holes. I drilled 25 holes through 7 inches of ice and had 3 out of 4 bars remaining on the battery. Now I'll see how it holds up over time and how it does with thicker ice.