Lightest but best

[mattstark44]

So last season I had the Strikemaster Lithium and was pretty impressed with it.  I liked how light it was.  There was the recall so I got all my money back.  I'm buying a new auger again this fall and trying to decide on either the Lithium or Honda lite from Strikemaster or the Jiffy Pro 4 lite.  I don't want the hand drill conversion plates and I'm 6'5" so don't really want to bend down for the Ion sense they are shorter.  What's everyone's experience with the models above?

[hardwater diehard]

I had a chance to use the ION several years ago ...nice but short ..they do make an extension ..cut well . What was your experience with the SM Lithium Laser ? Why wouldn't you revisit that option ?

[gunnerdog]

So last season I had the Strikemaster Lithium and was pretty impressed with it.  I liked how light it was.  There was the recall so I got all my money back.  I'm buying a new auger again this fall and trying to decide on either the Lithium or Honda lite from Strikemaster or the Jiffy Pro 4 lite.  I don't want the hand drill conversion plates and I'm 6'5" so don't really want to bend down for the Ion sense they are shorter.  What's everyone's experience with the models above?

Look into a Tanaka with a NIls.  I love mine.  I'm6'3" and it's a taller auger and nice and lite.  The Tanaka engine is actually an industrial engine.  They are used on power drills for concrete.

[mattstark44]

hardwater diehard, I'm not ruling out getting the lithium again.  I took it out one morning and it was -5 degrees.  I left the battery on it outside for about an hour to test it.  The battery was drained a little but it did still drill my next few holes.  I don't like the cost of the replacement battery.  I don't know if I'll keep my next auger for more than a few years or not but was thinking if I go to sell it in a couple years people will be thinking that the battery will need to be replaced and the will shoot the value of the auger down.  I have a push mower with a Honda engine on it, 10+ years old and the thing still starts easily on the first pull.  That's why I'm leaning towards the Honda lite. 

[hardwater diehard]

 mattstark44  Thanks for your review ...good point ..the battery life is a good concern ...the IONs have been around a while and don't recall any battery issues ...maybe as the owners pull them out this season that will change ...time will tell . I have an Ol SM Tecumseh 2hp with a chipper blade  ...SeaFoam and Opti 2 keeps her running . Got the Clam Plate too ...6 in SM Laser ..and DeWalt hammer drill .

[mattstark44]

The Lithium cut the ice pretty well I will say that.  I've watched the you tube videos and the Honda 4 stroke seems to cut about the same speed as the Lithium but like I said, 2 - 3 years down the road I might be happy I bought the Honda instead of the Lithium.  My brother and friend both have the Jiffy Pro 4 and they are pretty sweet but HEAVY the older I get the lighter I try to get my set up.  The Jiffy Pro 4 Lite might be the ticket???  but... I believe the Pro 4 Lite has a smaller engine than the Pro 4.  Good thing it's only October and I have a couple months to do some investigating.

[perchslappinmy]

Look into a Tanaka with a NIls.  I love mine.  I'm6'3" and it's a taller auger and nice and lite.  The Tanaka engine is actually an industrial engine.  They are used on power drills for concrete.

X2

[lacquiparlelegend]

So last season I had the Strikemaster Lithium and was pretty impressed with it.  I liked how light it was.  There was the recall so I got all my money back.  I'm buying a new auger again this fall and trying to decide on either the Lithium or Honda lite from Strikemaster or the Jiffy Pro 4 lite.  I don't want the hand drill conversion plates and I'm 6'5" so don't really want to bend down for the Ion sense they are shorter.  What's everyone's experience with the models above?

I bought the Honda lite last year on black Friday. I love it, pulls like nothing and always starts 1st or 2nd pull. Also very light, I bought it in the 10 inch which adds weight but still very light compared to other augers. No smell which I really like for drilling holes in the hard house, and very very quiet. Some people say it has too much plastic and will break but as long as your not careless with it and drop it, the parts will last. Ive had good luck with Honda motors which is why I went with it like you said about your mower, looking to pick up a Honda generator this black Friday. Honda and Strikemaster seems to be the perfect combo to me.

[WolfPack1]

I picked up an 8" Honda lite this past winter, and it is one sweet machine. Starts in one pull all the time, and have never ran out of gas. It's also really light, I do not think you can go wrong with a simple gas 4-stroke.

[mattstark44]

Awesome, thanks for the reviews. I'm going with the Strikemaster Honda Lite 8"  Good luck everyone, bring on the cold weather!!!!

[WalleyeTom]

One season with my 8" Honda.  Easy to start in cold weather , light, etc.  Good buy.

[northernnyice]

I bought a new pro 4 prooane last year and got rid of it. If you dont fish in the extreme cold it would be fantastic. But if it was colder then -10* which is a lot, it was terrible.

[kb]

This will be my third season with the Honda Lite.  When I pulled it out after the first season at the beginning of the second, I found that the motor had pitted, and was useless!  They replaced it under warranty.  No muss or fuss. 

I am very happy with mine.  Its light, easy to start, and does the job.  The drawback is you cant share gas cans if your fishing with others as you run straight gas, and they are all running a mix (in my group)

Good luck

kb

[jwetovick]

Look into a Tanaka with a NIls.  I love mine.  I'm6'3" and it's a taller auger and nice and lite.  The Tanaka engine is actually an industrial engine.  They are used on power drills for concrete.

This really will be your absolute best option and be perfect for you being a bit taller. There is not a better powerhead on the market imo. A 7yr warranty, who else offers that? Hopefully you have not already purchased a diff setup and give this option a hard look.

[bee]

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X3 

[Ranger619]

I'm sure that Nils & Tanaka are sweet. But when able to run the quad I have the Honda Lite and when I'm walking & pulling this year I'll have my Milwaukee Fuel & the Nils 6" bit !! Can't wait & you'll love that Honda if you end up going that route. My brother inlaw had the SM Lithium last year but they got recalled & he really liked it. He'll get it again as soon as they come back out. 

[Micro-Ice]

I have the Jiffy pro 4 propane. It starts on the first pull. Virtually no fumes and no gas to mix. We consistently drilled 150 8" holes per bottle in 30" of ice last year. I added a shut off valve ahead of the regulator to keep from loosing propane that bleeds out slowly while not in use. The lite version seems a little flimsy. To much plastic.

[mattstark44]

Well, I got the Strikemaster Honda 8"  It started up 2nd pull out of the box and first pull every time sense.  I'm really happy with it... It was 60 degrees on Saturday when I got it  LOL so I surely wasn't on any ice.  I look forward to using it.  Thanks for everyone's input.

[Ise De By]

I just picked up the Honda 8 as well,   but haven't taken it out of the box yet,   I also have a Husquvarna 2 stroker, that is super light, and I love that auger, 23 pounds I believe.

[ice dawg]

A few years ago I looked at Ion,  Nils and Strikemaster Honda Lite. I bought the 8" Strikemaster/Honda and have been very pleased with it. Only weighs 23 lbs too.