The Great Auger Debate

This auger debate is getting darn right hilarious. Why is gas vs. electric somehow become compound vs. crossbow? Why do people care what others use? What really cracks me up is the justification by both sides to somehow discredit the other side.

Electric crew:

1. Gas/Oil is messy. It's a hassle to mix gas. I don't want to bring a gas can along.

It takes approximately 1 minute to mix up 1 gallon of gas that will last the entire season for the average fisherman. If that’s too tough, you can buy premixed gas. I would guess the average gas guy spends less time mixing gas/filling the tank than electric guys spend plugging and unplugging their charger.

Bring gas along? A gas auger will punch more hole on one tank of gas than an electric will on one charge. I never bring gas along for a single day of fishing.

2. Gas augers are hard to start. I pull the trigger and I’m cutting a hole.

I you truly believe this to be true, you have never owned an Eskimo gas auger. I’ve owned mine for 5+ years, and I would say 90%+ it starts and idles on the first pull. I don’t believe I have ever pulled it more than 3 times to start. The same guys that have crappy gas augers probably don’t take care of any of their crap. If they switch to electric, they won’t charge their battery or sharpen their blades and will likely be using your auger by the end of the day anyway.

3. Electrics are quiet.

Frankly, I think this point is moot. Fish will be spooked by the blades cutting through the ice, not the sound of the motor. As far as residents on the lake? That is part of the joy of lakefront living. And if that is your motivation, I hope you never take a quad or snowmobile on the ice!

4. Electrics are light.

Truth. This is by far the most compelling reason to go this direction. Most options are substantially lighter than any gas option.

Gas guys:

1. As one person on another thread put it, electric guys are “Sally’s”.

That is about the dumbest thing I’ve heard and frankly it deserves no comment or consideration.

2. Electric options are expensive.

Truth. This is the most compelling reason I can see to avoid this route.

Electric augers run in the $450 - $600 range from what I’ve seen. And if you ever burn through your battery, you will likely be in the price range of a gas auger just to replace the battery.

I think you can go cheaper if you set up your own with a cordless drill. But if you want a nice setup (full plate with handles, good bit, good drill), You are still going to end up in that $400 - $500 range from what I’ve seen.

On sale, a very nice Eskimo gasser with a Viper motor can still be had for well under $300.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Why do people care what others do? It is so weird to me.

Electric Advantage:

+ Weight

+ I guess noise, but that is a weak one to me

Gas Advantage:

+ Cost

+ The fact they are always easily ready to go. If you run out of gas, you can be back up and running in seconds. Run out of battery power, not so much. It likely rarely comes into play, but I think about weekend trips or just simply forgetting to charge the electric one!

If I was starting over, I would likely go the electric drill set up so I could then also use the drill to drive shack stakes.  Many times now I'm taking my gas auger and a cordless drill to drive stakes, so I'm really losing on the weight side.  But I'm not starting over and my Eskimo Mako is a very nice rig.  No way I could justify the cost of a drill set up.

For me going to use what I got. Old gas auger that runs every season and a lazer hand auger. Guy just don't got that kind a money to spend on some that he already got and working. My 2 cents.

I've said this before, arguing about augers is like arguing about boat trailers. Who really cares? It's just a hole in the ice. 

It's evolution and change! Used to be a spud bar whacking at ice. Then came a spoon bit auger that never cut, then a hand auger that was always dull. Then gas auger whom we all used and loved! Now electric. Use what you want and don't worry about the guy whom you think is ruining your only chance at a fish! We've all done this a long time and for the most part it works!! The big debate will last a while then fade when everyone jumps ship and climbs aboard just like bow/crossbow. I drive a truck, it will pass anything but a gas station. I usually pass a guy in a Prius and give him the one finger salute. 10 minutes later while filling tank, he's doing the same to me lol

I have the same Eskimo that you have and it is great.  I also have a drill combination and it's great.  

I am also amused by how many simply dig in their spurs on this topic arguing for one type over the other.  I value both. 

Your cost analysis is a bit faulty. You can put together a very good drill combination in the neighborhood of $200-$250. You have to watch sales and if you reference the makos being on sale then you have to give a nod to drills going on sale as well.  You could (maybe still can) get the Rigid Octane with a 9ah battery and charger for $180. Pair it up with a standard mora or eskimo shaver bit for $40 and some sort of adapter.  You don't need a $70 clam plate. You don't need a specialized bit such as the K-Drill or Pistol which run around $180-$220. That's where the costs of a drill combo escalate quickly.  My drill combo as it is configured now set me back $150 for the 750# drill, charger and three 4ah batteries, $40 for the bit, and $25 for the Kovac adapter.....$215 total.  

Yesterday my $215 set up cut more inches of ice on one 4ah battery than a guy did next to me who was running the big Milwaukee Fuel drill paired with the same size of bit and a slightly bigger battery.