Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express user opinions?

[mr_jman]

I'm interested in buying a new or used auger for the rest of the season or next year. Depending on when I get it or when a deal comes along. I really like the compact design and other features of the Lazer Mag Express, but I wanted to get some opinions about this particular auger before searching one out.

My biggest concern is always reliability! I want an auger thats not going to fail me! So if anyone has one, can you tell me what you like or dislike, etc. Also, if you have had to do any part replacements or other things out of the normal upkeep? If it matters, I would probably focus on the 8" auger.

[SomethingFishy*]

 Originally Posted By: mr_jman

Is anyone else having or has had a problem with the plastic handles..... Or was this a rare case or set of cases?

Never had a problem with either of mine and we strap them down to the atv.

[jwhjr]

No issues here either with the plastic handles.

[mr_jman]

Yeah, it seemed weird that only one person would have mentioned it if it were really a pressing issue. I do my best to take care of all my equipment! I don't have all the money in the world so I look for a good deal and then just take care of the equipment I own! As long as I get a good auger to begin with, it should last me for many years!

[harvey lee]

I know three different fisherman that have had issues with these plastic handles. They got the metal ones and are now very good.

[Sandmannd]

I've only had mine for a couple of months but haven't seen a problem with the handles. Make sure you don't put pressure down when drilling. If you have to put pressure, then there is something up with their blades and either need to be pitched or replaced.

[paceman]

I have only had mine or this past season. It was nice and light and drilled great. I don't abuse it though.

[NCLaker]

Harvey, did they get a different auger with metal handles, or did they find metal handles for the SM augers to replace the plastic ones?? If they replaced, where did they get their metal handles?

Don't need them, but I am curious since I don't recall this being an available option.

[mr_jman]

I haven't seen any newer augers still using metal for handles. I currently have been using my dads older Strikemaster 2000 still with the medal handles. The one thing about the plastic is that the auger is much lighter. I do most of my fishing by walking where I want to get, so lighter is definitely better in my situation!

[FL SNIPER]

I have a 2006 strikemast auger and had the plastic handle break on me this winter up at vermilion. It broke because I have it in my fishtrap behind the wheeler and the temps were 30 below...I suppose one of the bumps I hit just snapped it. So i got a replacement handle from Strikemaster (had to pay for it since I bought the auger just over a year prior)...it was like $40 delivered to my house in F.L. I suppose they might have given it to me for free if I would have went to their shop in Big Lake because I've heard they've had great customer service but I don't have time for that. About two weeks after that happen a buddy of mine set my auger down and somehow broke the throttle mechanism (plastic again) in the frozen snow....but I had the throttle mechnism off the broken handle from two weeks ago so I just replaced it out and it didn't cost me anything that time. Overall Strikemast stiil gets my thumbs up...I love the auger...just got to be a little gentle with it. Not like Jiffy but twice as light which is worth it to me. Just my two cents. FL

[Duffman]

Just got to remember that brutal cold and plastic never mix. When it gets down well below zero, take the extra precautions to take care of your gear if it contains plastic, and most everything made these days has some plastic in it.

You are not going to toss your $300 GPS in the back of the pickup to bounce around in -20 temps, so why do that with an auger?

I've had a LazerMag since the first year of the plastic handles, and never had a problem with them.

I've learned that if you take care of your stuff, it generally takes care of you.

[Loft]

I have an older Mag express that has the metal handles, and I have a 224 lazer 10" with the plastic handles which is probably 15 pounds heavier then the Mag and I have has no trouble with the handles.

[Wallyeyes]

Just a guess, but the guys with issues with the plastic handles probably aren't the most gentle people with their equipment. Yes, there could be a defect from the molding process, but, I've worked at plastics shops and that just isn't a viable reason the handles broke. Maybe 1 in 5000 will be defective. Plastics molding these days is very well done and it's more probable the handles broke because of mis-use or neglegence of proper care and handling. In essence, don't abuse the equipment and it WILL NOT break. I don't care how cold it gets, these plastic handles don't break from just drilling holes.

[CSP88]

 Originally Posted By: mr_jman

The one thing about the plastic is that the auger is much lighter. I do most of my fishing by walking where I want to get, so lighter is definitely better in my situation!

This is a huge benefit if you walk to most of your fishing spots. After a full day of hole hopping you will truely appreciate the weight savings with the Strikemaster.

[charliepete2]

I have a buddy who broke his. I'm pretty careful with my stuff and have never had a problem.

[FL SNIPER]

I don't normally drag my house around behind a four wheeler so it was learning lesson for me. If I did so on a normal basis I'd probably invest in one of those auger racks...otherwise you're going to run into the cold/plastic situation quite a bit...it is ice fishing after all.

[Duffman]

I wasn't pickin on ya Sniper, just pointing out that BRUTAL cold can kick most plastics little fannys. Yes, it's sort of silly to build stuff out of plastic that's supposed to perform in the cold, but that's just the way it goes I guess.

It's threads like this that might get people thinking during next years cold snaps. Like instead of leaning the auger against something where it might fall and break the handles, they just might put it in a position where accidents are minimal. Or securing it somehow on whatever is your mode of transportation (ATV, Sled, Truck) instead of letting it bounce around.

[dairyman]

Yeah--I bungie strap my strike master in the back of the truck--it does help

[Neighbor_guy]

I was not there when it happened, But I know he takes very good care of his equipment and it was only in the teens for temp. It snaped right at the point were the handle conects to the metal part of the auger. Sheared off cleen. His argument was for $400 it shouldn't break on the second hole. He took it back and bought a jiffy.

When the salesman at the store you bought it from knows its broken and were its broken before you even get to the counter to return it there is a blaring problem with the product. I am not trying to desparage anyone who has a SM. I have had 2 of them in the past that were great. This one was not. Get one with metal handles. They dont add that much weight.

[anyfishwilldo]

I would personally turn my lazer by hand than buy a Jiffy, metal handle or not. The plastic works great. I have been abusing mine for 6-7 years and no breaks.

[mr_jman]

I don't really want to start a war over better brands or not. Everyone has their favorites and maybe something works better for someone but doesn't work well for others. I guess I would take my chances with a plastic handled auger as I've seen them and it's not like they're poorly made or anything. If they were really a big problem I think the companies would've addressed the issue by now. If it gets cold I can always put the auger on the floor of my backseat. Otherwise I lay it in the trunk of my car and w/o a 4 wheeler or snowmobile I'm not too concerned about going to fast. My feet don't move fast enough to cause a high speed crash or have it fly off of anything! My biggest concern would be going down a steep hill with it on top of my portable suitcase house. Even on the lake I usually lay my augers down with the gas cap facing upwards and the exhaust off the ice. The worst it would do is tip on its side.

[hanson]

I've had my Lazer Mag Xpress for over 5 years now. It has plastic handles. Never, ever had a problem with it.

Everyone talks up a big game with how many holes they've cut, how hard they are on their equipment, etc. This auger has been to Devils Lake ND multiple times, Lake of the Woods, Upper Red, Lake Mille Lacs, Winnibigoshish, Chequamegon Bay, Burntside, Ottertail, Metro area, NW MN, SE MN, South MN. Its probably seen more time on URL than anywhere so it was been through the mill. Back of the truck, in the Otter sled, on my snowmobile rack. It lives with an extension on it half the time. -20 below, -30 below, add some wind chill into that. She fires up 3-5 pulls every single time... never, ever had a problem with it.

You have to take decent care of your equipment or you will break stuff. Not saying you have to baby it but treat it right.

I even got to the point this winter where I put 50 miles on URL in 1 weekend on my snowmobile pulling my gear and never broke anything... nothing! Not even the Coleman Lantern globe or lantern mantles that I had riding in the saddlebag of my snowmobile. I thought I'd seen it all until I pulled that lantern out on the last day and the mantles were still in one piece and lightable considering all the snowdrifts we were crashing through and over on the snowmobiles.

[icehousebob]

Hanson, with all that traveling and fishing, when do you have time to work??

[Neighbor_guy]

I was not trying to start a brand war either. This site tends to be a "mine is bigger/better than yours". I was just trying to give some advice. If the handle on your auger breaks off when you are out on lake of the woods, or on a trip 300 mile from home, yoiu are going to wish you had a metal handle over a plastic one.

[HateHumminbird]

 Originally Posted By: Neighbor_guy

I was not trying to start a brand war either. This site tends to be a "mine is bigger/better than yours". I was just trying to give some advice. If the handle on your auger breaks off when you are out on lake of the woods, or on a trip 300 mile from home, yoiu are going to wish you had a metal handle over a plastic one.

Neighbor_guy:

Your advice is appreciated and noted. At the same time, so is everyone else's experiences with the same product. It's how we determine whether your buddy's instance was an outlier, or a common concern. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and certain augers are better for certain people, based on the way they fish and make-use-of the features of that particular auger.

My personal experience is much like Chris's, and I've even dropped mine on the handle from a vertical position on URL this year (with extension). Never broke, cracked, or had an issue whatsoever. In working ice shows, promotional events, and via internet and local fishing friends; this is the first time I've ever heard of the handles on a Lazer-mag breaking from normal use. It's only the second time I've ever heard of them breaking period (24 miles in an otter sled on rough LOW ice doing 50mph both ways on the handle isn't normal use).

It has become an integral peice of equipment that I trust. For me, that's everything. You don't put on all those miles, and take time off of work, to worry about your auger starting in -30. I've been very happy with my purchase.

Joel

[Bullwinkled]

Regarding plastic handles, last year on Mille Lacs had a senior moment and propped my auger (with extension) against my SUV, It did break the handle when it fell. Got a new one in Big Lake for around 30$ and replaced it. More important is to check your blades. Had one come off this year. Use Loctite and check bolts on blades.

[Down Deep]

I've had a Lazer Mag for at least 10 years and it has had some hard use, drilled lots of holes and has held up well. The only part that has failed was the throttle cable. I am always careful to use non-oxygenated gas and the proper amount of low ash oil. I have always fogged it and run treated gas when the season wains.

[jwhjr]

I may throw some blue Loctite on the bolts for next year. I generally check them each time, but it couldn't hurt.

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: icehousebob

Hanson, with all that traveling and fishing, when do you have time to work??

Monday through Friday, 7am to 5pm.

[fishguyd]

Cant go wrong with a good used SM...or new, just that most people dont NEED a new auger. Good choice, Ive had other brands along the way or fished with others that have, day in and day out, the SM augers are very reliable.

Good Luck

[art321]

Well I'm one of those who had their handles break. Simply set in on the floor of the garage between fishing trips. Took it out a few days later and the handle was broken right where it meets the metal housing. I didn't throw it down but something happened in the garge in those few days. I've still used it and it cuts holes fine. As said you don't have to push down on it to cut holes. This was 4 years ago and it still works great. I'd better get to SM to get it replaced or its going to [PoorWordUsage] out on me good when I'm on LOW or somewhere really remote. If these handles are breaking, and it sounds like a statistical amount are, I think there IS a problem that should be addressed.