*I would love to hear which Auger is the best option for your style of fishing?* LINKS FROM VIDEO: 🔗 Eskimo E40 Ice Auger: at.fish/EskimoE40Auger 🔗 Ion Alpha Plus Ice Auger: at.fish/IonAlphaPlus8 🔗 StrikeMaster 40v Ice Auger: at.fish/SM40 👉 Sign-up for the FGTN Newsletter at at.fish/Newsletter - get no-fluff updates on gear releases, reviews, comparisons, and deals every few weeks.
I think it depends on your use if speed or whatever is a good thing or not. If your drilling in a permanent house and don't want snow all over the floor, speed is not a good thing. I have the original Ion and I like how it is a slower drilling rate. I've been using it for 9 years and it works great. I can let the snow build up under the house and then use it for hole sleeve banking without a big mess in the house. I think it depends on how you are going to use it for which is the best.
I’ve got the 10” Strikemaster auger and have absolutely loved it. I bought the 8” 24 volt Strikemaster auger for a lighter fast version but honestly have only used it 1 time. Not really any issue with it other than the fact I like the 10” hole. I was not a big fan of the first few gen ion augers. They felt cheap and I had several friends that had them and had issues. Because Strikemaster has been dragging their feet on the 10” composite I decided to buy the Ion Alpha Plus 10”. I must say very impressed. They kinda mirrored the head of the Strikemaster which I love. Feels a lot more durable. Although, I do love the Strikemaster auger the Alpha cuts a lot cleaner hole. Time to sell my Strikemaster augers.
I have had the 40v ice auger for 3 years and love it. My 3 buddies that have used it all went out and bought their own one. Batteries don't freeze up and it cuts great. I have used the Gen 1 ion and was not as happy with the performance. I'm sure all 3 are great but strikemaster for me.
Thanks for sharing! And I agree the SM 40v is great, and was the best for a couple years after launch. Still a great Auger. The Alpha is way better than any of the previous Ion augers fortunately, and the E40 is great too. Can't go wrong with any of them. 👍
I bought the Eskimo E40 10 inch composite. It felt the best in hand, I like the trigger and safety design more. It was the lightest weight and the best looking. I only want one auger and this one will do it all. I have two batteries and I doubt I'll ever use two full charges in one outing.
I've gone through alot of augers in the last two seasons. Backin 2021/2022 i got back into ice fishing. Bought a used eskimo gas auger for $100. Ran decent. Punched holes. Got me fishing. Next season. K-Drill 6" and a Milwaukee M18 1/2" drill. Light weight. Shredded ice. Awesome. Missed the 8" hole. Sold the Eskimo. Got the Strikemaster 24V 8". For the ice fishing I was doing at the time perfect unit. This season doing alot more ice fishing (even though ice hasn't been the greatest). Went all out. Ion alpha plus 8" with 2 batteries. Cant imagine things getting any sweeter. Friend bought the E40 10" composite auger. Gonna do a comparison video soon.
I will be grabbing the E40 composite as well. For Michigan fishing, we don't get that crazy thick ice like Minnesota and Canada so i can deal with a little bit less inches per charge. I can't wait for ice!
Literally answered every question I had. Amazing video. I've been running a DeWalt with a hand auger attached and really wanted to make the move to the all in one. I was leaning Strikemaster, but that weight difference is a deal breaker for sure. Especially when I'm pulling all my gear by hand. Thanks! 🤘🏼
Those alpha augers are almost $1000 up here in Canada. Definitely a big investment for something you might use a handful of times while out fishing. E40 is probably going to be my choice when I up grade
Just purchased the E40 8" composite for under $480 with extra battery from UP NORTH SPORTS thanks to you Alex Timm and your blk fri sale vid. I want to get away from the old jiffy gas and switch to electric for all the obvious benefits. Looked at the clam rig with drill motor and everything else out there I could find while shopping. Unless you are a gear schnob who just has to have the most expensive option, don't get me wrong, love the gear schnobs too, I don't see how you beat the features or this price of the eskimo e40 for all your ice fishing needs. Value !
Congrats on your purchase! You made a smart choice with the E40. Now go catch some big ones! Glad you found the videos helpful. I agree, the E40 is hands down the best value electric auger out there right now
I bought my 40V strikemaster in fall of 2020 for $525 before inflation from bass pro. It’s light to me and cuts through ice easily I don’t have to push down on it I let it do the work, also like the led lights under the handle, but I would have definitely looked at this Eskimo. Cool comparisons. Thx.
I have a friend with the Strikemast 10 inch. He is lucky to get 6 holes with one battery through thick ice. I have another friend with the Ion Alpha gen three. That thing is a beast. It eat ice for lunch. 65 holes through thick ice. But it dosnt like cold air. -45 it gave a few problems.
Scheels prices are killer see if your local dealer will price match deals just picked up a strike master 40v 8 lite flite for 399 they had it listed for 649.
liteflite 8in with a milwaukee m18 drill. i also still put a good old lazer 6in bit with my milwaukee drill when panfishing. I have a quick disconnect on the augers to disconnect for transport and going from the 8in to the 6in . is the auger blade on the E40 the same as the pistol bit?
I have a strike master 40 volt ice auger and my dad has a ion 40 volt. We did a test as to see who's is faster we did 5 holes, in 18 inches of ice. The strike master was done while the ion was still on third hole, because it was hard to start hole. We switched augers same results. We waited a couple days and tried old holes same results. The ion had trouble starting holes. I'm still a strike master guy due to what we tried.
Interesting! It was the Ion Alpha or Alpha Plus I'm assuming? How old/new were the blades? (This is the first of this type of experience I have heard from anyone between the two, including my own experience, I have all 3 of these augers)
I really think im gonna sell my strikemaster steel 10" and get the ion alpha composite 10" this year. Part ofnit is i really like the color. That weight difference is also a huge reason.
I ice fish a ton and never thought that $600 was expensive for an ice auger. I think about it this way you save so much money when running an electric ice auger since the only things you'll have to replace is the battery after years and years and the blades after 5-7 years
I should've bought a livescope when the first came out. They were $2,200 and at the time I had thousands of dollars that I could spend whenever I wanted. Now that they went up in price I'm kinda kicking myself
Dont care what auger you use as long as your out fishing. Ive got both strikemaster models and love them both. My buddies have the ion augers and they are nice too. Put em all together and we can figure out the fish
Weight is the big factor for me. I don't need to drill 100 holes, and I'm not in a race, but I don't have wheels or trax, so I have to walk. I have a 6" hand auger, but getting too old for that. My old 8" electric Strikemaster is slow and weighs about 30lbs it seems. Time to upgrade. Have to justify it to the wife though. Too bad I didn't see this before Christmas.
How much ice did you test them on? What auger bits were you using? I haven't heard this feedback from anyone else yet or experienced it myself, so I'm curious as to the scenario. Thanks
Weight Cost Holes per charge Speed was always a dumb number on the auger wars. Even in the 2stroke days. Its a fluff number manufacturers use to sell products when in reality having a hole drilled 0.5 seconds faster doesnt really help anything. is so low on the priority list its not even an issue.
I actually totally agree with you, unless we are talking twice as fast or faster speed really isn't that big of a deal, unless of course you are a tournament angler for panfish or something like that with a 6" bit
*I would love to hear which Auger is the best option for your style of fishing?*
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
🔗 Eskimo E40 Ice Auger: at.fish/EskimoE40Auger
🔗 Ion Alpha Plus Ice Auger: at.fish/IonAlphaPlus8
🔗 StrikeMaster 40v Ice Auger: at.fish/SM40
👉 Sign-up for the FGTN Newsletter at at.fish/Newsletter - get no-fluff updates on gear releases, reviews, comparisons, and deals every few weeks.
I think it depends on your use if speed or whatever is a good thing or not. If your drilling in a permanent house and don't want snow all over the floor, speed is not a good thing. I have the original Ion and I like how it is a slower drilling rate. I've been using it for 9 years and it works great. I can let the snow build up under the house and then use it for hole sleeve banking without a big mess in the house. I think it depends on how you are going to use it for which is the best.
I picked up an 8" E40 Composite, today. $459 and it came with a second battery, free! Can't wait to use it, tomorrow morning!
Where did you buy at that price with an extra battery?
Sportsman's Warehouse
Thanks for all the reviews you do for all of the ice fishing gear. It truly helps with the decision making.
I’ve got the 10” Strikemaster auger and have absolutely loved it. I bought the 8” 24 volt Strikemaster auger for a lighter fast version but honestly have only used it 1 time. Not really any issue with it other than the fact I like the 10” hole.
I was not a big fan of the first few gen ion augers. They felt cheap and I had several friends that had them and had issues. Because Strikemaster has been dragging their feet on the 10” composite I decided to buy the Ion Alpha Plus 10”. I must say very impressed. They kinda mirrored the head of the Strikemaster which I love. Feels a lot more durable.
Although, I do love the Strikemaster auger the Alpha cuts a lot cleaner hole.
Time to sell my Strikemaster augers.
I have had the 40v ice auger for 3 years and love it. My 3 buddies that have used it all went out and bought their own one. Batteries don't freeze up and it cuts great. I have used the Gen 1 ion and was not as happy with the performance. I'm sure all 3 are great but strikemaster for me.
Thanks for sharing! And I agree the SM 40v is great, and was the best for a couple years after launch. Still a great Auger. The Alpha is way better than any of the previous Ion augers fortunately, and the E40 is great too. Can't go wrong with any of them. 👍
I bought the Eskimo E40 10 inch composite. It felt the best in hand, I like the trigger and safety design more. It was the lightest weight and the best looking. I only want one auger and this one will do it all. I have two batteries and I doubt I'll ever use two full charges in one outing.
I've gone through alot of augers in the last two seasons. Backin 2021/2022 i got back into ice fishing. Bought a used eskimo gas auger for $100. Ran decent. Punched holes. Got me fishing.
Next season. K-Drill 6" and a Milwaukee M18 1/2" drill. Light weight. Shredded ice. Awesome. Missed the 8" hole. Sold the Eskimo. Got the Strikemaster 24V 8". For the ice fishing I was doing at the time perfect unit.
This season doing alot more ice fishing (even though ice hasn't been the greatest). Went all out. Ion alpha plus 8" with 2 batteries. Cant imagine things getting any sweeter.
Friend bought the E40 10" composite auger. Gonna do a comparison video soon.
You get to filming that video yet?
I will be grabbing the E40 composite as well. For Michigan fishing, we don't get that crazy thick ice like Minnesota and Canada so i can deal with a little bit less inches per charge. I can't wait for ice!
Yeah, I can't wait for ice either! The E40 is going to be awesome, you're going to love it
Literally answered every question I had. Amazing video. I've been running a DeWalt with a hand auger attached and really wanted to make the move to the all in one. I was leaning Strikemaster, but that weight difference is a deal breaker for sure. Especially when I'm pulling all my gear by hand. Thanks! 🤘🏼
Great to hear! Thanks and tight lines this year!
I got my composite 10" e40 for 500$ today so im feeling lile i got a good deal! Great video alex
Congrats on getting a great deal! Enjoy your new e40 and thanks for watching!
Those alpha augers are almost $1000 up here in Canada. Definitely a big investment for something you might use a handful of times while out fishing. E40 is probably going to be my choice when I up grade
Absolutely they are expensive, that's where I think the E40 is going to shine! Still a high end auger but a bit more budget friendly (and lighter)!
I recently bought an alpha 8" for $599 plus taxes and shipping. $673 in all from Ont-Sask
Just purchased the E40 8" composite for under $480 with extra battery from UP NORTH SPORTS thanks to you Alex Timm and your blk fri sale vid. I want to get away from the old jiffy gas and switch to electric for all the obvious benefits. Looked at the clam rig with drill motor and everything else out there I could find while shopping. Unless you are a gear schnob who just has to have the most expensive option, don't get me wrong, love the gear schnobs too, I don't see how you beat the features or this price of the eskimo e40 for all your ice fishing needs. Value !
Congrats on your purchase! You made a smart choice with the E40. Now go catch some big ones! Glad you found the videos helpful. I agree, the E40 is hands down the best value electric auger out there right now
Any blade preference in these augers for re-drilling holes in an ice
shack?
I bought my 40V strikemaster in fall of 2020 for $525 before inflation from bass pro. It’s light to me and cuts through ice easily I don’t have to push down on it I let it do the work, also like the led lights under the handle, but I would have definitely looked at this Eskimo. Cool comparisons. Thx.
Agreed, I got mine then too. Its just refreshing to see the technology and options continue to improve, but they all are good augers
I have a friend with the Strikemast 10 inch. He is lucky to get 6 holes with one battery through thick ice. I have another friend with the Ion Alpha gen three. That thing is a beast. It eat ice for lunch. 65 holes through thick ice. But it dosnt like cold air. -45 it gave a few problems.
Was going to buy a ion this year. But when I saw the E40 coming out I’ll save my money. For a upgrade on the sonar.
Good idea!
Scheels prices are killer see if your local dealer will price match deals just picked up a strike master 40v 8 lite flite for 399 they had it listed for 649.
I had ION, but customer service was not good to put it nicely. Switched to Strikemaster and love it.
The Strikemaster has had a composite blade/bit option for a few years now, so there isn’t much of a weight difference if any now.
liteflite 8in with a milwaukee m18 drill. i also still put a good old lazer 6in bit with my milwaukee drill when panfishing. I have a quick disconnect on the augers to disconnect for transport and going from the 8in to the 6in . is the auger blade on the E40 the same as the pistol bit?
for me, when I'm in the market I will get the E40.
How about blades and longevity? My Strikemaster seem to last forever, as long as o don’t hit dirty ice. How is the Eskimo?
I have a strike master 40 volt ice auger and my dad has a ion 40 volt. We did a test as to see who's is faster we did 5 holes, in 18 inches of ice. The strike master was done while the ion was still on third hole, because it was hard to start hole. We switched augers same results. We waited a couple days and tried old holes same results. The ion had trouble starting holes. I'm still a strike master guy due to what we tried.
Interesting! It was the Ion Alpha or Alpha Plus I'm assuming? How old/new were the blades? (This is the first of this type of experience I have heard from anyone between the two, including my own experience, I have all 3 of these augers)
I really think im gonna sell my strikemaster steel 10" and get the ion alpha composite 10" this year. Part ofnit is i really like the color. That weight difference is also a huge reason.
Heck yeah, you are going straight to the best 10" out there! Nice! You're going to love it!
I ice fish a ton and never thought that $600 was expensive for an ice auger. I think about it this way you save so much money when running an electric ice auger since the only things you'll have to replace is the battery after years and years and the blades after 5-7 years
I should've bought a livescope when the first came out. They were $2,200 and at the time I had thousands of dollars that I could spend whenever I wanted. Now that they went up in price I'm kinda kicking myself
Dont care what auger you use as long as your out fishing. Ive got both strikemaster models and love them both. My buddies have the ion augers and they are nice too. Put em all together and we can figure out the fish
Ion alpha plus 8" love it no need for anything else
Hey, if you already have the highest end premium Auger, no need to change it up! I've got one too and love it!
Weight is the big factor for me. I don't need to drill 100 holes, and I'm not in a race, but I don't have wheels or trax, so I have to walk. I have a 6" hand auger, but getting too old for that. My old 8" electric Strikemaster is slow and weighs about 30lbs it seems. Time to upgrade. Have to justify it to the wife though. Too bad I didn't see this before Christmas.
I got the e40 the other day and not going to lie it felt so sluggish compared to my 24v strikemaster....
I love my 24v strikemaster. It cuts good is really reliable it's lightweight and costs only $600 the batteries also dropped down to $98
I only paid $601 for the 10" Ion Alpha Plus (1 battery). Just have to be savy and find them on sale
100% and likewise, imagine what you could find an E40 for on a killer deal!
My strikemaster 40 eats the eskimo for lunch and 💩 it out,glad sheels has a good return policy
How much ice did you test them on? What auger bits were you using? I haven't heard this feedback from anyone else yet or experienced it myself, so I'm curious as to the scenario. Thanks
@AlexTimm 16" of hard clear ice,thise strikemaster lazer blades cut it like butter
Weight
Cost
Holes per charge
Speed was always a dumb number on the auger wars. Even in the 2stroke days. Its a fluff number manufacturers use to sell products when in reality having a hole drilled 0.5 seconds faster doesnt really help anything. is so low on the priority list its not even an issue.
I actually totally agree with you, unless we are talking twice as fast or faster speed really isn't that big of a deal, unless of course you are a tournament angler for panfish or something like that with a 6" bit