n.pike, thats not bas, 8 years and never drained the battery stone cold dead.

Who is counting, but I think this is ION Ice season Year 8 and for the first time I had the battery completely die! 

It was probably after about 22 holes. 20 inches per hole. I saw the red light for the first time ever and the Ion stopped. Got a little more drilled. Stopped...repeat, etc. Finally able to finish the hole. Can't complain. The battery has been awesome! But, I've noticed a drop in speed and longevity this year. On my 10 inch, the blades aren't razor sharp, that's when I noticed the holes took longer and sometimes the auger blades slipped due to the lower power from the battery. The 8 inch bit cuts so much better and faster, but today, met it's match.

--A very satisfied ION user.

By the way, Year 7 or is it 8 now with the battery....That's impressive if you ask me. 

Can't wait till it peters out though...would love to get one of those new ones. 

Charged my battery the other day. A good idea a few months before the season. 

Heck, in two months, we'll likely be on the ice! Woo hoo. November 12 last year was my first outing. It was a really early start. 

Strikemaster released a sneak peak of that auger last year but it wasn't available for purchase. Looking forward to see it in action this year. I love my kdrill but it would be great to have a second bit with a smooth blade!

EDIT - reread the description below...serrated blades? Different than chipper blades? Not sure I've seen an auger with serrated blades before.

Just a reminder to charge the battery over the summer once. At least, that's the recommendation I've heard. I charged mine yesterday. Think I'm going on Year 6 now with that battery. Want to get the new one eventually, but no reason to yet. 

fish-I'll drill you a few ION holes anytime. Yeah, your old gas sounds like a tank. But, it is what it is. I'm sure you managed. 

The new Strikemaster you mentioned sounds really cool.

It’s very possible I had one of the heavier gas augers out there as i lugged it up that moving van ramp. I’m sure not all of them are that heavy. But compared to the Ion, it felt extremely cumbersome and heavy. I was happy I had the Ion, and not my friends older gas auger, at that moment.

I will always keep my gas auger, I want my kid to know what I had to grow up using. 10 years from now you won't be able to buy one new.