Review On the Ion Auger

[Jim Panfish Uran]

After reading plenty of reviews this winter as well as plenty from the past ice seasons I made an uneasy decision to finally buy an Ion. I picked up an 8" Ion w/reverse, not an Ion X. As you all know, these days there are quite a few options out there when it comes to drilling through the ice with something battery powered. Which one to buy depends on which way you fish, or which way you plan to fish. 

 

I chose the Ion because I got a pretty good deal on it, and because the store I bought it from didn't have a 6" K-drill (My original top choice) I walked out the door with an Ion box on my shoulder with $400 less in my pocket. Which was cheaper than $500+ I would have spent on a K-drill, and a quality drill which is required if you plan on not burning through cheaper drills. Yeah it wasn't my first choice but I now feel I made the right choice. I can see how guys would favor a K-rill, Clam's Auger Conversion Kit, Nils, or whatever else there is to attach to a cordless hammer drill. Lots of folks have these high end drills laying around collecting dust so why not use them to drill through the ice? I don't have the luxury of being a contractor and having high end drills laying around. Another reason to be happy about my purchase. 

 

Now let's get to the performance, it's definitely not the fastest auger on the market, let's get that out there right away. I'd say it's comparable to a 10" Strikemaster chipper set up, speed wise. This auger cuts through the ice with ease though, right through the bottom of the hole. There is no slow down or hang up at the bottom of the ice, it cuts right through with ease. I've drilled 28 holes through 26" of ice before it dropped in power on Lake Winnibigosh while chasing tullibees. That's plenty of holes for me, I can even keep the charger in the vehicle hooked up to an inverter and have non stop charging capabilities. It also re-opens holes with ease, pretty darn slick. The weight compared to any other auger I've owned is noteworthy, at 22lbs it's easy to lug around the lake. It's even easy for my girlfriend to drill a line of holes which is a huge plus! 

 

Bottom line is that through all of the hype, the Ion has lived up to its expectations. Sometimes it's tough to separate the hype from the truth, especially in today's in your face marketing schemes. I'd make the purchase again, I'm more than pleased with the ol' green cutting machine. 

[eyeguy 54]

nice report.  I think the only negative I read was ice up when really cold out. which is probably a negative with almost all augers. 

[AlwaysFishing23]

6 minutes ago, eyeguy 54 said:

nice report.  I think the only negative I read was ice up when really cold out. which is probably a negative with almost all augers. 

 

I agree. Other thing is keeping battery's warm. First ice when walking I now when you don't have a vehicle to keep it in can be a pain.

[Cret Jigs]

   Jim ... I drill an area when a fish and on my 2nd year ... Absolutely love my ION.  Also, when drilling out an ice house ... so slick.  I am one happy camper and revolutionized my ice fishing.  I have drilled as many as 40-50 hole in an outing and did not lose juice.   Mine is an 8" ION and went with 8" because of an ice house I occasionally use(hard to not drill an area and fish outside).  So far ... no issues whatsoever but I really make sure my handles are protected when traveling as I have read that they are sensitive but have not experienced any issues so far.  Thanks for sharing your purchase!

 

Cret

[Hawg]

The ice up was only on the first of the new model and Ion replaced them at no charge. Jim, there are always people out there to dispute it but Ion is a great machine.

[Jim Panfish Uran]

Yeah the ice up was on the new Ion-X cast iron dealy, but it was some sort of paint deal they used which since has been remedied as far as I know. I've been using this beast for a couple of weeks now and I'm really impressed still. 

[Ray Berg]

I have the ion x and at first had all kinds of issues with icing up blades Contacted ion they sent me new auger drill with new coating on bottom and that made all the difference in the world. I love it cuts like a dream light weight way easier to handle then the old jiffy.

[MNfan]

Thanks Jim I have been debating my purchase also and now with the 10" option and your report (knowing you through this form for years and your straight forward comments) I will have an ION before the next hard water season. Anybody used the 10" model?

Andy

[Rick G]

1 minute ago, MNfan said:

(knowing you through this form for years and your straight forward comments)

Yep, Jimmy tells it like it is... good or bad 

[Hawg]

MNfan, I think it's been pretty well documented the 10 inch is great for a few house holes but more than about 20 and the battery gets tired. I'm not sure why anyone wants more than 20 or so 10 in holes though. I'm sure the new X battery gets a few more but there have been more negative than positive posts on the 10. I wouldn't mind having one but I've become used to the 8 now, it bugged me at first always being a 9 inch guy at first.  If it's only a few holes you need a 10 is fine. BUT, for all the negative posts I still never see one on E --- cheap.

Edited March 22, 2017 by Hawg

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have had the 8" Ion ever since they first came out. Great auger! No problems at all!

Bought the 10" bit for use in my fish houses. Works great also, but as stated will drill far less holes then the 8" bit will.

I still can drill 15 holes in 20" plus of ice with it with out it killing a battery!

Cliff

[Jim Panfish Uran]

Drilled 26 holes through 18" of ice last night, still didn't drop in power. Sometimes this late season ice can get a little funky, I drilled through some stacked ice last night and it performed flawlessly.  I'd say go right ahead with that 10" especially if you're buying it for a hard house or a wheelhouse. You'll be more than pleased. 

[AlwaysFishing23]

Not bad! Was the ice soft all they way through?

[Jim Panfish Uran]

Sorry for the late reply, but no, the first 5 to 6" was soft but the rest was solid. I've been busy in the woods making maple syrup that I haven't got time to get out. I hope to get out tomoorrow. 

[AlwaysFishing23]

So it was a legit test then. Yum maple syrup nothing better! Stay safe if you venture out. Things are getting sketchy.

[Wanderer]

Welcome to FM Michael. 

[papadarv]

Great report. 

For the curious as to what's inside ION batteries. All small battery packs used in tools, the auger, ion electronics etc utilize the 3.7 V 18650 ion battery ranging from 1500 mAh to latest developed 9800 mAh battery. (9800 is 9.8ah and reason Moose can now get a 9ah for his 20v DeWault). Batteries are wired in serirs/parallel to get desired voltage and current. The packs need a charging PC board as these batteries need constant current to cgaege.

 

Ion 40v auger. 20 batteries 2 seta of 10 in series/parallel

 

Milwaukee 18 fuel 1200ip drill 2 sets of 5 in series. Metal tabs are spot welded you the batteries and charging board on top.

 

15.4 V charging PC BOARD 

 

My diy 15.4v pack before charge board and 12v regulator added. You can buy an 8 pack set from Walmart on line for $11 of ebay for under $10. Just need to be a bit patient for the 4 week delivery