Right?
Just some friendly discussion to pass the time until the hardwater gets here. Thanks for your input Chubsucker, appreciated as always!
Those insulated ion bags are the cat's meow, dads got one for his ion and it works great. I usually keep my spare battery in the back of my vexilar bag, at least blocks the wind and I always have it with me then.
KV… when fishing early ice and walking, you can cut a ton of holes on one 5a battery while just carrying the drill unit and just a bucket. That's when I believe less weight can be an advantage. Lots of guys on this site with electrical expertise. Maybe they have compared generic to factory with like amperage and can chime in on that question. I use the Ion insulated battery bag with a little added foam. It can be carried in or on anything even over the shoulder, works great for me in all situations.
Assuming nothing has changed in performance other then running time, what else is to be gained? All lithium batteries run at full capacity until fully discharged and then shut down. I have one of the old MKE Fuel 18v fuel drill driver kits that came with two 4a batteries and charger, bought it reconditioned and will be starting the 6th ice season on them. Unless you some-how destroy the battery, they are totally bullet proof. My point being now days the Fuel kits come with two 5a batteries. As far as total run time goes it puts you ahead of the game when compared to the 9a.. Lithium batteries are more efficient when kept warm. Easier to keep the off battery warm then one 9a. JMO ... no reason to carry extra weight on the unit when not needed.
Back to the new MKE batteries for this year, finally got a response back from a dealer. 9ah batteries at 2.4# and the 12ah batteries are 3.7#. Fairly significant if you compare it to the weight of the unit as a whole. I still feel like the extra 3ah is worth the 1.3# for someone who doesn't have the 9ah battery like myself...
I was told that a adapter with the gear reducer was in the works to be out this fall, so that you wouldn't have to buy them and then take the shaft off the adapter plate and then install the gear reducer yourself allowing you to use a larger diameter auger. ie: buy it as an assembled unit not having to order a adapter and a gear reducer then put them together saving time and I would hope money.
