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I am not on any Pro-staff and have had both Strikemaster and now a Nils and will tell you the Nils is worth the extra money over the Lazer mag just in it's durability. Plus I think the Strike Light is equal in price with a Nils so It's not a price issue.

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when i fisrt asked the question it was for the warranty and the common brakes on the machines. cause they all do! i don't mind pro staff or the common joe. all opinions matter the difference here to me is that you guys are using and abusing these machines. so you know the in's and outs! thanks all for the comments! RYan

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when i fisrt asked the question it was for the warranty and the common brakes on the machines. cause they all do! i don't mind pro staff or the common joe. all opinions matter the difference here to me is that you guys are using and abusing these machines. so you know the in's and outs! thanks all for the comments! RYan

And feedback you will get, no doubt about it. I hope the information shared within this thread will or is helping you make a sound decision.

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Nice comments, but I think Nils has enough Pro-Staff and people here pushing their products for them already. Some people have differing opinions. Nils are nice and may be the best auger, but so is a Strikemaster and like already said, they cost quite a bit less. To me, the high end Nils is not a few hundred dollars better than a Lazer, they are VERY close to equal IMO.

Yes there is a difference and well worth the extra cost. Today you can easily get your Techumse fixed about anyplace, but in a few years you won't be as lucky. The Tanakas have service centers all over the country and Nils has a US store. I have 3-4 places within 30 miles to service my Tanaka if need be.

I'm not a pro staffer or in anyway compensated by Nils. Just a former Strikemaster owner that moved up a notch.

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That is your opinion about the difference worth the extra money. The Strikemaster works good enough for me and I can tell you that I drill way more holes than most fisherman in a season. As far as durability goes, it might last longer, but I will be dead or too old to use it by the time my SM breaks so I don't care about the Nilsy being more durable.

Tecumseh will be around for awhile I think and their parts will not just disappear.

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Anyone that claims they know which auger is "the best" is trying to sell you one or is blindly brand loyal. You can hold that thought for about any product. Seldom is there ever a 'best' in anything what is best for one person may not be best for another.

Some augers cut by chipping and some by shaving there are many factors to consider to help decide which is best for you. Blade life replacement cost etc.

I have had my strikemaster for about 18 years replaced the plug once ? I use Amsoil and it starts on the second or third pull every time -35 below not a issue. I like it but when and if it breaks I will consider other options as well as I know what is the best for me one model year may not be the best the next.

I tried a Nils and while it cut effortlessly it seemed like it pulled into the ice and was difficult to half drill a deep hole and back out some slush and ice. While it may cut faster than others my fear is that in extremely thick and slushy ice you may get it stuck. The Nils is also much noiser than others I have used and I being brand new I was surprised how hard it was to start. But like any motor they all need to be choked and started differntly and you learn as you use it.

I have also used Jiffy and know a resort owner that runs them. If you have a hard house they are much better for reopening holes than the strike master.

You may want to ask those who replied what features they like in the auger they own and how long they have had it rather than which is the best. Maybe consider electric ?

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Man Ryan, you sure know how to get everyone fired up!! My suggestion to anyone buying a auger, but the one you can afford at the time. This is what i did, starting out with 2 strikemasters...now up to the nils. I have to say nils has surpassed my expectations and then some, but the strikelite i still have is awesome too. I am still undecided which one i want to keep. Both great machines.

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The auger that is right is the one that fits your budget and your needs. if you aren't going to be drilling a million holes why spend the extra money? are you on foot or by vehicle-weight could be an issue.

Quite simply the right auger is one that cuts holes in ice. i've seen plenty a person be happy with one that they've found for a hundred bucks

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Simply put. Nils is effortless and the guys who are drilling alot of holes this is the auger for you. And no they are not loud. they are a very quit idling machine. Not any louder in working speed. If Nils was in the same price range everyone would say they are great!!! And yes Tecumseh is not going to be around much longer. You can tell who has actually ran the nils more than just a trial hole. They KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!!

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I saved up and made my first auger purchase, a NILS, I absolutely love it and would recommend anyone to save the extra coin it is well worth it and there is a place in Lake Crystal that is authorized to do warranty work and supply parts and I'm sure there are more to be coming in the area. You really don't have to put any effort into it the hole drills itself and no extension needed with the 48" shaft. Also, the ability to switch between the 8", 6", and 4" shafts fairly easily is nice I was at cabelas and you can purchase the shafts with cutting head for around 90 bucks, I like the 6" but bought the 8" for weekends dedicated to fishing for "eyes".

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I have a 10 inch Jiffy, This is my second Jiffy ( fist one was used, the old style with the single handle out the side, 7 inch), I upgraded to the 10 inch about 12 years ago. I just replaced the blades this year with the NEW style that has the 2 smaller cutting blades on the point(3 blades total). I don't even have to push down on it with the NEW style blades. Yes Jiffy's are heavy, spendy, and most of all RELIABLE. Of 20 plus years of ice fishing, being bounced and banged around in trucks, wheelers and sleds,I have never had a break down. I'll drag my HEAVY AUGER with me every time...I'm a MAN, I love the smell of two stroke smoke in the morning LOL. I'm sure there are GREAT NEW AUGERS out there, but when something works great for me, I stick with it. I just can't see having a WEED EATER Motor on my auger. As far as parts, just because they are not making the complete motor does not mean they will not make parts.

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The strikemasters I had just nickeled and dimed me all the time. Recoils mufflers blades pretty much yearly. My buddy buys a new plastic handle every year for his. Yea the cost is a little more at first, free hand auger and exceptional reliability make it the cheapest in the long run. Not being sore from drilling 100 + holes is the biggest benefit.

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