![]() But if you do plan on frequently hitting the ice, powered augers make punching a hole far more efficient and less taxing than a hand-driven product. If you plan on traveling to a bunch of different ice fishing meccas, or if your favorite lake is a long hike from the trailhead, this is a smart solution. They’re lighter and most break down so you can pack them tight to add to your checked luggage. Hand augers also have the added benefit of being far more travel-friendly. If you’re dipping your metaphorical toe into ice fishing and don’t plan to make it a winter-long obsession, you should consider a hand auger that’ll work well without breaking the bank. There are more variables when it comes to the blade’s diameter-anywhere from four to 13 inches-though an eight-inch hole is wide enough to allow most fish to pass through without issue. But if you’re trafficking on frozen lakes with more than a foot of ice, be sure the auger is longer than 12 inches. Most augers will be long enough to cut through the thickest ice of the season and their lengths don’t vary as much as you’d expect. They’re also often the most expensive, and heaviest. But they’re much noisier, do require carrying gas (and sometimes oil), can flood, and can be fussy to start in low temps. Gas augers are the old-school workhorses, providing longer run times and more continuous, even power. Anglers also report that they start up reliably in the first or second pull-and there’s no risk of flooding the engine. They burn clean fuel (versus gas), and often run quietly, and don’t emit any smoke, making them ideal for fishing in an ice shack. Propane-powered augers afford several benefits. So if you plan a longer excursion, consider packing in more than one battery. ![]() But keep in mind that cold temps sap battery power quickly. A smaller sub-genre of electric augers, you can also purchase an auger that’s compatible with a cordless power drill, which offers a lighter-albeit, less powerful-version of a stand-alone electric device. They’re also the lightest and quietest of the category of powered augers, and the easiest to start. But those wrestling with thick ice (or those who plan to ice fish a lot throughout the season) may want the added heft of a powered device.Įlectric augers don’t handle really thick ice as well as propane or gas augers, but you also don’t have to worry about fumes or spillage. To some, that only adds to the pure-and quiet-nature of ice fishing. But.obviously, hand augers require a lot more elbow grease to cut the hole. They’re lighter than powered augers and don’t require carrying fuel or worrying about an engine dying or getting flooded. Hand augers are the epitome of simplicity when it comes to cutting a hole in the ice. What to Look for in an Ice Auger Hand vs. Bonus: Built-in LED lights in the impact-resistant handles provide some welcome light, especially when you’re drilling in a shed.ĭiameters: 8 and 10 inches | Weight: 24 and 28 pounds, respectively | Warranty: Limited two years A simple power button makes this the easiest powered ice auger to get going, while a deadman’s switch adds some much-needed safety. Twin serrated stainless steel Lazer blades slice through the ice, powered by an electric DC brushless motor with a 15.9:1 gear ratio for reliable torque. An internal “battery management system” improves the battery’s longevity, and the included two-amp charging station refuels the device in 2.5 hours. The 40-volt, five-amp hour lithium-ion battery can reliably cut 100 holes in the 8-inch model on a single battery charge (the 10-inch version will cut 70 holes before dying). While you'll need to pack fuel, the frustration and fatigue factors will be eliminated with this reliable, clean burning option.īlade Length: 42 inches | Diameters: 8 or 10 inches | Weight: 28 pounds | Warranty: Five yearsīattery power and longevity continue to make exponential advances in the tech world, as witnessed in the Lithium 40v Electric Ice Auger from StrikeMaster. This is the auger for a true lover of ice fishing who plans to make the most of the season. Shoppers appreciate that this model is easy to use and provides great value for the price. Plus, it weighs a manageable 28 pounds-light enough to haul it on the ice-though perhaps a bit much for a longer hike to your target fishing spot. A centering ring also makes it easy to use for re-drilling. The four-cylinder 40cc Viper engine kicks on reliably via the mitten-grip starter handle and is powerful enough to cut through the most stubborn and thickest ice. And since it burns clean, you can also use the HC40 in a shack. The fuel comes in quick-release canisters that are easy to find and avoids the messy complexity of using gas, with a quieter-than-average engine. Eskimo’s HC40 brings all the advantages of a propane-powered ice auger to bear.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |