Opinion Needed Ice Augers Jiffy or Strikemaster

Evenflow · 11-19-2009, 08:59 AM

I will be buying an ice auger this year and am trying to decide what to get. Obviously I want the best value for my money and something that is going to start easy, cut well, and be relatively maintenance free. The question is do I get a Jiffy or Strikemaster brand auger? Two models I'm really considering are the Jiffy Stealth STX™ Ice Auger and theStrikeMaster® Lazer Mag™ Xpress Ice Auger. I'm fairly certain I want an 8" auger anyone have any pro's/con's on any of these augers or is there something else I should consider. Thanks! Oh yeah...I need to just buy one already so I stop going and looking at them in the stores and end up buying ice jigs that I don't need!

huskerice · 11-19-2009, 09:06 AM

I have the the Strikemaster mag 2000 and it works great for me.

hankthecrank · 11-19-2009, 09:25 AM

I have had a Mag II 2 HP in a 8" and now have a Lazer Pro in a 8", both being Strikemasters, the Lazer Pro being a brand new auger, I have yet to use it, but if it is as good as the reviews have been it will be a winner. The past Strikemasters and Jiffys both used Tecumseh engines, so the real difference was just in auger speed and rotation. I have seen lots of Jiffys drill and they seemed to be very good, the real reason I originally got a Strikemaster is because it was a used one available to me at a good price. If it would have been a Jiffy I would have bought it just the same. With the ending of Tecumseh, with it brought 2 new engines to the market, one the Solo on the SM, and J with their own engine, problem is there are no reviews that I am aware of for the Jiffy and that is making most people leary of buying them. The Solo engine has been around for quite sometime and there has been a lot of good things said about them. I purchased a SM and I hope it was not a bad decision for the simple fact that the engine is new to the Ice Auger market. That being said you will have to rely on other peoples opinions and judgements and of course the amount of money you want to spend on an auger. Good Luck with your purchase.

Fish Recycler · 11-19-2009, 09:55 AM

Strikemaster!

I've used both but have more experience with the Strikemasters, but the main reason I say this is that Strikemaster has a new Solo out that you should also look at (as Hank mentioned). More environmentally friendly, lighter weight, super German engineering.

They are helping sponsor the Recycled Fish "On Ice" tour this year too, and companies who get behind stewardship / conservation ethics deserve a little extra consideration in my book.

Plus, top notch products.

TheDude · 11-19-2009, 10:44 AM

Strikemaster, strikemaster, strikemaster....

My pops and I have been drilling holes every icy weekend for probably 15 years with the strikemaster we have. This thing has religiously started and continues to displace ice chips. According to my old man (a huge B.S.'er) he can drill 3 holes to every one from a Jiffy.

Also, the customer service from Strikemaster has been amazing through the years. The pull string on the auger broke one year and they had a replacement out in no time, free of charge and that had to be 4-5 years after the purchase date.

Additionally from what I've seen Strikemasters seem more solid, doesn't wobble around while drilling and just seems to be of way better quality... And I would definitely go with the 8" hole; I would hate to lose the once in a lifetime bass because the hole was too small. If that happened I would end up feeling like a real icehole.

hav2hunt · 11-19-2009, 10:51 AM

My dad and I also use the strikemaster and have never had any problems.

It's very dependable(starts in EXTREME cold), and drills holes very fast.

MrPike · 11-19-2009, 11:14 AM

I Love my jiffy, I had a mag2000 and it was a POS. This was prior to Strikemaster redesigning their handles. Every time you set down the Strikemaster, it would drip gas or roll over onto it's muffler. This eventually bent the muffler which then leaked 2 stroke oil around the muffler gasket and all over everything. I wrote to the company, and told them about the trouble.
Thankfully someone stole the auger. I have the 2 horse Jiffy now, and have been very pleased. I prefer the faster transmissions, and the chipper blades in the Jiffy. Mine will throw chips 4+ feet in every direction.

DISCLAIMER - You really are in uncharted waters with the change over of the engine brands by all these manufacturers. The Tecumsah motor on the auger I have has been great. I can't comment, nor can anyone unless they have a new auger, about the new engine brands.

Have you checked out Reeds Sports for pricing? They were always the best when I was shopping for ice gear. Though having the option to take it back to a local outfit is also a plus.

ProFishingSupply · 11-19-2009, 04:57 PM

I used a Jiffy Model 30 for years (and years, like almost 15 I think) and loved it, except for the weight. It was a great auger but I move around a lot and drill a lot of holes (through a lot of thick ice up here in MN) and after a while it would wear me out.

I ended up getting a new auger for myself this year. The Jiffy STX was on my short list, and I've got a buddy that's had one for about 4 years and it's been rock solid. But I ended up getting a StrikeMaster Lazer Mag Express, which is another great auger and I think a tad lighter than the Jiffy. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

I'm convinced that Jiffys have been a more reliable for starting in really cold temps. like 0 to -20, but now that both augers are using new engines this year that comparison is out the window.

whisker · 11-20-2009, 05:19 AM

I bought Eskimo and am very satisfied. Drilled a LOT of holes thru 20"-24" inches of ice in northern Nebraska and it hasn't missed a beat.

**MA Machine** · 11-20-2009, 07:55 AM

Whatever you get I would recommend chipper blades. I think they hold up better than the fillet blades in dirty ice and shallow water drilling.

Evenflow · 11-20-2009, 08:37 AM

Well...after seeing this video I think my mind is made up to get a strikemaster!

hankthecrank · 11-20-2009, 10:41 AM

Yea, I was just talking to one of the guys from SM this morning and he told me about this video, great isn't it.

fishhunter44 · 11-20-2009, 10:50 AM

Strikemaster!

Big Johnson · 11-20-2009, 03:20 PM

O'My, I really like that Strikemaster Video...

1tohuntandfish · 11-21-2009, 01:41 PM

My dad has a strikemaster auger 4 sale, check the outdoor marketplace if interested.

DoubleH · 11-22-2009, 10:37 AM

Whatever auger you get, make sure it is a 10inch one!!

TMFLDEM · 11-22-2009, 07:28 PM

strikemaster= lots of platstic. I really dont like the idea of cold weather and plastic on my auger.

I for one have a 3hp 10" jiffy and this is the advice i will give.

1. Do NOT buy a 10"..... 10" holes are a bad deal, the average boot will not fit in a 8" hole, but will in a 10"!! thats an ankle breaking nightmare!! Like i said above, I have a 10" and hate it! It is slower because you are cutting soo much more ice and it is heavier! Think about it, if you are drilling through 2 ft of ice a 10" actually has to cut 48 inches of ice that the 8" doesnt! Another disadvantage of a 10" is that most tip-ups BARELY overlap a 10" hole. I have acctually lost tip-ups down my 10" holes. The only advantage a 10" has over a 8" is that it does give you a little more room for your flasher transducer. I have pulled some moster fish out of a hole in the icse and have never had to have a 10".

2. Get a 2hp.... Since you are buying a 8" auger you do not need that big 3hp motor, its just heavier, and you dont need the extra hp!

3. I like the jiffy's because of the blades...... The chipper blades are more durable! If you hit a small rock or some gravel thats in the ice, or drill through shallow water and hit the bottom, a shaver type blade you will be done, but the chipper style is a bit morre durable. (fish around a public lake that has rock points and you will find that some people love to throw rocks out on thin ice which in turn gets hidden over time)

My jiffy drills soo fast that if you push down at all it will bite very hard and may stick, i have actually had to hold up on it while drilling to get it to drill at its top speed.

Just a few reasons i prefer a fiffy over a strickmaster.

cabbry · 11-22-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evenflow

Well...after seeing this video I think my mind is made up to get a strikemaster!

I loved my Jiffy STX right up until I saw this video............I am thinking about cheating with a StrikeMaster.

hankthecrank · 11-23-2009, 07:04 AM

I thought I would bring this over here:
Here are 2 links from Strikemaster:forget what the link says it will take you to the right place,
StrikeMaster Ice Augers Strike-Lite 4-Stroke Lightweight Synthetic Power Auger 3HP w/ Lazer Blades
StrikeMaster Ice Augers Strike-Lite 4-Stroke Lightweight Synthetic Power Auger 2.5 w/Lazer Blades
StrikeMaster Ice Augers Strike-Lite 4-Stroke Lightweight Synthetic Power Auger 2 HP w/ Chipper Blade

snowgoose100 · 11-23-2009, 03:46 PM

Just ordered the 10" strikemaster mag as a Xmas present.Hope its as good as sounds.The chipper blade sounded like a better deal and I wanted the extra room for my transducer.

11-19-2009, 08:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Evenflow Evenflow is Wishing I was not at work Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 596 Thanks: 86 Thanked 171 Times in 85 Posts	Ice Augers Jiffy or Strikemaster I will be buying an ice auger this year and am trying to decide what to get. Obviously I want the best value for my money and something that is going to start easy, cut well, and be relatively maintenance free. The question is do I get a Jiffy or Strikemaster brand auger? Two models I'm really considering are the Jiffy Stealth STX™ Ice Auger and theStrikeMaster® Lazer Mag™ Xpress Ice Auger. I'm fairly certain I want an 8" auger anyone have any pro's/con's on any of these augers or is there something else I should consider. Thanks! Oh yeah...I need to just buy one already so I stop going and looking at them in the stores and end up buying ice jigs that I don't need!

11-19-2009, 09:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
huskerice huskerice is heading to All-American Burger!!! Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: south side Lincoln Posts: 436 Thanks: 248 Thanked 153 Times in 99 Posts	I have the the Strikemaster mag 2000 and it works great for me. __________________ An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won't let him do it at home. ~Author Unknown

11-19-2009, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
hankthecrank hankthecrank is Is dreaming of going to the Great White North again. Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Broken Bow, NE NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 290 Thanks: 252 Thanked 155 Times in 61 Posts	I have had a Mag II 2 HP in a 8" and now have a Lazer Pro in a 8", both being Strikemasters, the Lazer Pro being a brand new auger, I have yet to use it, but if it is as good as the reviews have been it will be a winner. The past Strikemasters and Jiffys both used Tecumseh engines, so the real difference was just in auger speed and rotation. I have seen lots of Jiffys drill and they seemed to be very good, the real reason I originally got a Strikemaster is because it was a used one available to me at a good price. If it would have been a Jiffy I would have bought it just the same. With the ending of Tecumseh, with it brought 2 new engines to the market, one the Solo on the SM, and J with their own engine, problem is there are no reviews that I am aware of for the Jiffy and that is making most people leary of buying them. The Solo engine has been around for quite sometime and there has been a lot of good things said about them. I purchased a SM and I hope it was not a bad decision for the simple fact that the engine is new to the Ice Auger market. That being said you will have to rely on other peoples opinions and judgements and of course the amount of money you want to spend on an auger. Good Luck with your purchase. __________________ The only difference between fishing and catching is one fish.

11-19-2009, 09:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Fish Recycler Fish Recycler is spending 20x more time talking about fishing than fishing Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Council Bluffs, IA Posts: 2,099 Thanks: 448 Thanked 700 Times in 267 Posts	Strikemaster! I've used both but have more experience with the Strikemasters, but the main reason I say this is that Strikemaster has a new Solo out that you should also look at (as Hank mentioned). More environmentally friendly, lighter weight, super German engineering. They are helping sponsor the Recycled Fish "On Ice" tour this year too, and companies who get behind stewardship / conservation ethics deserve a little extra consideration in my book. Plus, top notch products. __________________ You can be a Fish Recycler too...let 'em swim. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-19-2009, 10:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheDude TheDude is "very anal about keeping his ice hole clean and free of obstructions." Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seward Posts: 260 Thanks: 33 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Strikemaster, strikemaster, strikemaster.... My pops and I have been drilling holes every icy weekend for probably 15 years with the strikemaster we have. This thing has religiously started and continues to displace ice chips. According to my old man (a huge B.S.'er) he can drill 3 holes to every one from a Jiffy. Also, the customer service from Strikemaster has been amazing through the years. The pull string on the auger broke one year and they had a replacement out in no time, free of charge and that had to be 4-5 years after the purchase date. Additionally from what I've seen Strikemasters seem more solid, doesn't wobble around while drilling and just seems to be of way better quality... And I would definitely go with the 8" hole; I would hate to lose the once in a lifetime bass because the hole was too small. If that happened I would end up feeling like a real icehole. __________________ "Many Men Go Fishing All of Their Lives Without Knowing That It Is not Fish They Are After."

11-19-2009, 10:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
hav2hunt hav2hunt is shed hunting 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Island Posts: 290 Thanks: 58 Thanked 217 Times in 67 Posts	My dad and I also use the strikemaster and have never had any problems. It's very dependable(starts in EXTREME cold), and drills holes very fast. __________________ It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change -Charles Darwin

11-19-2009, 11:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
MrPike MrPike is building a house and living vicariously through the forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Blair NE Posts: 267 Thanks: 9 Thanked 48 Times in 24 Posts	I Love my jiffy, I had a mag2000 and it was a POS. This was prior to Strikemaster redesigning their handles. Every time you set down the Strikemaster, it would drip gas or roll over onto it's muffler. This eventually bent the muffler which then leaked 2 stroke oil around the muffler gasket and all over everything. I wrote to the company, and told them about the trouble. Thankfully someone stole the auger. I have the 2 horse Jiffy now, and have been very pleased. I prefer the faster transmissions, and the chipper blades in the Jiffy. Mine will throw chips 4+ feet in every direction. DISCLAIMER - You really are in uncharted waters with the change over of the engine brands by all these manufacturers. The Tecumsah motor on the auger I have has been great. I can't comment, nor can anyone unless they have a new auger, about the new engine brands. Have you checked out Reeds Sports for pricing? They were always the best when I was shopping for ice gear. Though having the option to take it back to a local outfit is also a plus.

11-19-2009, 04:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
ProFishingSupply ProFishingSupply is ready and waiting for the ice to get here! Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minnetrista, MN Posts: 46 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	I used a Jiffy Model 30 for years (and years, like almost 15 I think) and loved it, except for the weight. It was a great auger but I move around a lot and drill a lot of holes (through a lot of thick ice up here in MN) and after a while it would wear me out. I ended up getting a new auger for myself this year. The Jiffy STX was on my short list, and I've got a buddy that's had one for about 4 years and it's been rock solid. But I ended up getting a StrikeMaster Lazer Mag Express, which is another great auger and I think a tad lighter than the Jiffy. I don't think you could go wrong either way. I'm convinced that Jiffys have been a more reliable for starting in really cold temps. like 0 to -20, but now that both augers are using new engines this year that comparison is out the window. __________________ ProFishingSupply.com ..... Catch More Fish Save More Money It's all fun and games until someone loses an 'eye ....

11-20-2009, 05:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
whisker whisker is 100% sure that daylight savings is a dumb idea. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: n.e. nebraska Posts: 521 Thanks: 271 Thanked 400 Times in 139 Posts	I bought Eskimo and am very satisfied. Drilled a LOT of holes thru 20"-24" inches of ice in northern Nebraska and it hasn't missed a beat.

11-20-2009, 07:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is Thawing his brain out 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,995 Thanks: 1,084 Thanked 1,227 Times in 633 Posts	Whatever you get I would recommend chipper blades. I think they hold up better than the fillet blades in dirty ice and shallow water drilling. __________________ The only 2 things keeping me from going pro are skill and luck.

11-20-2009, 08:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
Evenflow Evenflow is Wishing I was not at work Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 596 Thanks: 86 Thanked 171 Times in 85 Posts	Well...after seeing this video I think my mind is made up to get a strikemaster!

11-20-2009, 10:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
hankthecrank hankthecrank is Is dreaming of going to the Great White North again. Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Broken Bow, NE NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 290 Thanks: 252 Thanked 155 Times in 61 Posts	Yea, I was just talking to one of the guys from SM this morning and he told me about this video, great isn't it. __________________ The only difference between fishing and catching is one fish.

11-20-2009, 10:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
fishhunter44 fishhunter44 has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Overton NE Posts: 650 Thanks: 11 Thanked 44 Times in 36 Posts	Strikemaster!

11-20-2009, 03:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
Big Johnson Big Johnson is ready to start camping and fishing... Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Columbus Posts: 467 Thanks: 390 Thanked 174 Times in 75 Posts	O'My, I really like that Strikemaster Video... __________________ Regards, Rob Johnson www(dot)robjohnson(dot)info

11-21-2009, 01:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
1tohuntandfish 1tohuntandfish has no status. Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 147 Thanks: 9 Thanked 53 Times in 39 Posts	My dad has a strikemaster auger 4 sale, check the outdoor marketplace if interested.

11-22-2009, 10:37 AM	#16 (permalink)
DoubleH DoubleH is anxious to catch some big bass! Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gretna, NE Posts: 473 Thanks: 4 Thanked 32 Times in 28 Posts	Whatever auger you get, make sure it is a 10inch one!! __________________ I live vicariously.......through myself.

11-22-2009, 07:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
TMFLDEM TMFLDEM has no status. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Western NE Posts: 56 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	strikemaster= lots of platstic. I really dont like the idea of cold weather and plastic on my auger. I for one have a 3hp 10" jiffy and this is the advice i will give. 1. Do NOT buy a 10"..... 10" holes are a bad deal, the average boot will not fit in a 8" hole, but will in a 10"!! thats an ankle breaking nightmare!! Like i said above, I have a 10" and hate it! It is slower because you are cutting soo much more ice and it is heavier! Think about it, if you are drilling through 2 ft of ice a 10" actually has to cut 48 inches of ice that the 8" doesnt! Another disadvantage of a 10" is that most tip-ups BARELY overlap a 10" hole. I have acctually lost tip-ups down my 10" holes. The only advantage a 10" has over a 8" is that it does give you a little more room for your flasher transducer. I have pulled some moster fish out of a hole in the icse and have never had to have a 10". 2. Get a 2hp.... Since you are buying a 8" auger you do not need that big 3hp motor, its just heavier, and you dont need the extra hp! 3. I like the jiffy's because of the blades...... The chipper blades are more durable! If you hit a small rock or some gravel thats in the ice, or drill through shallow water and hit the bottom, a shaver type blade you will be done, but the chipper style is a bit morre durable. (fish around a public lake that has rock points and you will find that some people love to throw rocks out on thin ice which in turn gets hidden over time) My jiffy drills soo fast that if you push down at all it will bite very hard and may stick, i have actually had to hold up on it while drilling to get it to drill at its top speed. Just a few reasons i prefer a fiffy over a strickmaster. __________________ Dane Johnson Last edited by TMFLDEM; 11-22-2009 at 07:32 PM..

11-23-2009, 07:04 AM	#19 (permalink)
hankthecrank hankthecrank is Is dreaming of going to the Great White North again. Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Broken Bow, NE NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 290 Thanks: 252 Thanked 155 Times in 61 Posts	I thought I would bring this over here: Here are 2 links from Strikemaster:forget what the link says it will take you to the right place, StrikeMaster Ice Augers Strike-Lite 4-Stroke Lightweight Synthetic Power Auger 3HP w/ Lazer Blades StrikeMaster Ice Augers Strike-Lite 4-Stroke Lightweight Synthetic Power Auger 2.5 w/Lazer Blades StrikeMaster Ice Augers Strike-Lite 4-Stroke Lightweight Synthetic Power Auger 2 HP w/ Chipper Blade __________________ The only difference between fishing and catching is one fish.

11-23-2009, 03:46 PM	#20 (permalink)
snowgoose100 snowgoose100 is just about to catch Flatheads again Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 467 Thanks: 117 Thanked 142 Times in 112 Posts	Just ordered the 10" strikemaster mag as a Xmas present.Hope its as good as sounds.The chipper blade sounded like a better deal and I wanted the extra room for my transducer.

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