Strikemaster 2000 Mag Gas Augers, any good?

[FishDeepCreek]

Seen that Gander Mountain that I go to now has a stock of The Strikemaster Mag2000 with a 2HP Tecumseh, and cut 8 inch holes. The cost is $235 which I thought isnt too bad. Has anyone use or own one, and is it any good? normally the ice on my home lake isnt overly thick until later when it can get up to 2ft thick. I dont want to dump alot of moeny on a gas auger just blew 400 bucks on a Vexilar FL18 Propack. I know there are better models out there. Also I primarily jig fish, hardly ever use tip ups, so I dont need to cut a million holes, fast.

[Mr.Seaguar]

I use a Mag 2000. It works great. Is it as fast as a Jiffy legend? NO. Mine has cut thousands of holes and still has original blade. I would definitely recommend one. I have treated mine with kid gloves. It has only fallen off back of pickup twice while going across lake. I only slam it down on ice to break off builtup ice once per trip. Once I ran out of 2 cycle oil so put some 5-30 in the gas. I also mix my other ratio fuels together and use them up in my auger. I figure it has to average out in the long run, right?
If you took all the fish caught from holes cut by my auger, you would have one heck of a fish fry. One of my buddies has a legend, another has a Lazer mag express. If I had to buy another auger right now, I`d get a Mag 2000.

[Trevor]

I too own a Mag 2000.  I bought it because at the time it seemed like the best value in a power auger.  I still believe that to be the case.  I live in Canada where 3+ feet of ice is quite common come late season, no problem for the Mag 2000.  It's also a fairly light auger.  There are significantly lighter ones out there but you'll spend a lot more.  I'm with Mr. Seaguar, if I had to buy a power auger again, it would be a Mag 2000.  

One last thing.  Strikemaster customer service is second to none...

[GEM_EYE_GUY]

If you go a lot, the lazer Mag is worth the extra $50.  It's a lot less work for the shoulders and arms because two shaver blades drill much smoother than one chipper blade.  I spent an afternoon drilling holes in 54 inches of ice on Mille Lacs. We had a bunch of kids out perch fishing and I probably drilled 50 holes.  My shoulders were still in better shape than when I drill 10 holes in 24 inches of ice with a buddy's Jiffy.

Also if I drill more than 2 feet with a chipper blade, my hole is at an angle.  With a two bladed auger it is easier to keep it going STRAIGHT down.

[Barleydog]

Make it another vote for the 2000!  I love my drill, it's light and that pays off by the end of the day when your sore from hauling a heavy drill around the ice.  Anyways, Gemeye has the right idea, treat it with care and it will last forever!  I use my unit with a 12" extension, and it still does a great job.  Blades really do last forever with a little care.  The only problem I have had with it was cured with some carb cleaner, (dirty gas??)  Operator error I am sure!  Good luck! -Barleydog

[Bob_G]

  I also have the mag 2000. I love it, it beats drilling by hand any day. The only issue I have with it, is a sticky throttle, I bought mine two years ago and I understand that it has been fixed since then. I just need to get the parts and fix it. If you can, get it you will not be sorry!!!

[kenelz]

When I decide to get another auger, I will probably go with the Mag 2000. I have the Jiffy 3Hp 10" its real old and works great, but weights a ton!
At the end of the season I drain the gas, and run the auger to drain the bowl. I had the problem that barleydog talked about in my chainsaws, the old gas had varnish-like strings that screwed up the carb. I use stabil now, but still drain at the end of the year.

[Lobes]

Jiffy's stole the show this year!

[JS]

FishDeepCreek, i have the 2000 as well it's light and reliable and highty reccomend it...But if you are not using tilts and don't need to bore many holes you culd save yourself even more cash by hooking up with a good hand auger. most jiggers i see use 'em and from my experience the Nils Master hand auger is the easiest. i have had the Lazer 8" and the Mora 8". The Nils is faster and leaves you with more energy to fish...and it's on sale from Cabela's....


JS