The ION X Ice Auger is a updated version of the already fantastic ION 40V Auger. They simply added the “X” to the name to differentiate the two ice auger’s but there are some major differences in the design that make it worth the purchase, such as: new XC5 (5-amp/hour) battery which lasts 60% longer, also, the engineers moved the handles closer to the powerhead making drilling next to walls of your shelter easy, and —
The Ion X ice auger has a completely symmetrical cast bottom which means both blades cut at the same time making for incredibly smooth cuts in the ice. Read our full review and the differences between the Ion 40V original and the Ion X ice auger.
Ice Augers | Introduction | ION X
The sport of fishing is one that can be enjoyed year-round. The avid fisherman doesn’t let a thick sheet of ice over a lake keep him from enjoying the sport. Winter fishing is actually quite popular in colder states; however, fishing on the ice does pose a bit of a challenge.
To create an opening in the ice, one must have an ice auger to cut through. Ice augers are powerful tools most commonly used to drill through the icy surface of a body of water for ice fishing. Think of it as a corkscrew to open the seal of the world that awaits beneath your feet. It is the easiest and quickest method for a more productive day of ice fishing, depending on what type you have!
Video | Introducing the ION X — 40V Battery Ice Auger
Electric, Manual or Gas…Oh My! | Ice Auger Types
There are basically three types of augers available to anglers: electric, manual, and gas. They serve the same purpose, but each of these augers has its own advantage for specific types of fishing styles. A common practice with ice augers is to test the thickness of the ice. It must be at least 3-4 inches thick for it to be safe to walk out on. Since ice doesn’t freeze uniformly, it’s important to check different areas across the lake where you’re fishing for ‘weak spots’ before setting up a fishing spot. A manual auger might be the more suitable option for this job over a powered auger to test the thickness of the ice.
When you’re cutting a hole for ice fishing, getting the hole just right can be very crucial to your outcome. Simply breaking through the ice with an ice chisel or saw is time consuming, especially if the areas you typically fish are relatively thick. It can also be pretty risky if not done properly. One wrong move could cause a break in the ice and this can be disastrous if you happen to be on a thick patch that borders a weak spot. The hole shouldn’t be more than a foot across — between 8 and 10 inches is recommended to minimize the risk of someone accidentally falling in.
The Art of Cutting Through the Ice
Cutting through ice is much different than cutting through soil or any other material. It’s slippery and can be very unpredictable. The thicker the ice layer is the more effort it takes on your part to cut a hole. Most fishermen typically move around to different spots while ice fishing, especially if they aren’t having any luck. Using a manual tool can get tiresome very quickly, so if you’re looking for a more productive solution to drilling an opening in the snow, a powered auger such as gas-powered or electric is the way to go.
There are different methods to ice fishing. Some ice anglers prefer the open lake while others prefer to fish from the comforts of a shelter known as an ice house or ‘shanty’. In some areas where ice fishing is very popular, you can find ice shanty ‘towns’ where numerous fishermen camp out for days on the ice from the comforts of their shelter.
Eskimo M43 | 43cc Gas Ice Auger
Eskimo M43: Weighs 32-lbs. Designed with sealed ball bearings instead of bushings, muffler guard and see-through gas tank.
One of the concerns when it comes to using an ice auger in an enclosed shelter is the limited space and ventilation. Gas-powered ice augers are the most powerful and ideal for fishing areas where ice is typically 2-feet thick or more. The downside is they emit fumes that can be toxic and very harmful if inhaled. These machines are also very loud and can scare away the fish. If you’re neighboring another ice fisherman, they probably won’t appreciate that much. For anglers that opt to fish from a shelter, the two safest types of ice augers are manual or electric.
Spacious Ice Fishing Tent | FatFish 949
Electric ice augers are the happy medium when it comes to power and convenience for the average ice fisherman. These provide the power and efficiency to drill holes in thick ice for a more productive day of fishing. They basically do all the work for you without the ill-effects of toxic fumes or gas.
Their power source comes from a rechargeable battery, typically Lithium-ion. The one downside to these is that they run only as long as the battery lasts. This may not be very helpful for a fisherman planning to spend several days on the ice without electricity to recharge. Backup batteries are always an option, but they aren’t cheap.
ION X Ice Auger | 40V | Best Battery Ice Auger
Features (ION X / Model : 29250):
- 40V 5 amp-hour XC5 Battery : Increases charge capacity by over 60%
- Cuts up to 1600″ of ice on a single charge.
- Cast bottom with centering point is engineered to cut precisely and smoothly.
- Lightweight at only 22 lbs.
- Bicycle-style handlebars put your hands in the optimal drilling position.
- Reverse button which allows you to flush the slush back down through the hole you’ve drilled.
- Comes with an easy-to-connect 12″ extension allowing you to extend the length to 46″ of drilling depth.
- Aluminum handlebars.
- Length : 34″
- 2-year warranty / 1-year battery warranty
Accessories:
- ION Battery Bag (17760): Protect your battery & keep it warm for easier starting.
- ION Replacement 8″ Blades (11735)
- ION Quick release/drill adapter combo (18910) : Quickly switch between auger bits
Overview | ION X Ice Auger
ION electric ice augers are the best of the best and there is much to be said on them that make these an ideal choice for ice fishermen. There are many considerable factors to take in mind when choosing the best electric ice auger and one of them is ease of portability. Typically, ice anglers haul their necessary tools and accessories with them on the ice, whether it’s a sled or a truck. Lugging around a heavy ice auger is not only impractical, it may also require more physical exertion on the angler to operate it. ION has factored this into their 8-inch electric ice auger by manufacturing a power auger weighing at least 40% less than gas powered augers.
This lightweight auger may weigh just 22 pounds, but it’s certainly no lightweight on the ice. Consumers typically think that electric battery-operated machinery are not as powerful. The manufacturers of the ION X took on the challenge to produce this 40V auger with the capability to cut through up to 4-feet of ice all day long.
Video | The Engineering Behind the ION X Ice Auger
Fishermen that shack up in an ice shanty for their sport may have very limited visibility due to the construction of their shelter. This makes getting a precise cut even more of a challenge. The ION X ice auger features two LED lights under the motor to shine a light on the hole you’re drilling so you can see what you’re doing. What’s more, it’s designed with a cast bottom and Straight-Through blades to provide a smoother, clean cut with precision and consistency over leading augers.
Another consideration you have to keep in mind is keeping slush at bay after you’ve made your hole. When you cut through the ice with typical augers the slush can accumulate and cause jagged edges around the bottom of the hole and this can cause your line to fray and pop when you hook a fish. The ION X ice auger has a reverse button specifically to minimize this problem. What this does is flush down the slush to clear it away.
The original ION 8-inch electric auger was a great ice auger to begin with and still available for purchase. The manufacturers added just a few technological advancements to offer convenient features that make the best electric ice auger even better for fisherman on the ice, both in the open and in a shelter. Even the handlebars were designed to be closer to the powerhead to make it less cumbersome to handle from within an ice house. The biggest improvement factored into the newer ION X ice auger is the 40V 5-amp hour Lithium-ion battery. It gives you 60% more charging capacity to give you enough power to cut more holes on a single charge.
The depth of ice in a given area can vary due to a number of reasons from geothermal activity, underwater structures, to wind or springs among many other things. Likewise, re-freezing and thawing can create air pockets that leave ice significantly weakened and porous. The ION X ice auger is 34 inches long to handle common drilling tasks, but it also comes with a 12-inch extension for those particular spots when you need more depth to get a good measure on ice thickness.
Consider a 2nd ION X battery (24510) | Never run out of power
It is said that the ION X ice auger is the only auger any fisherman will need. That’s if it’s well maintained. Although electric and manual ice augers don’t require the maintenance of gas-powered models, they still need to be properly handled and stored to ensure durability. Ice augers were designed for the ice, but storing them without the right care could result in rusting which will hinder your auger’s performance. Always clean the auger thorough and apply WD-40 to the blades before putting away for months at a time.
Ice fishing can easily be enjoyed by any fisherman that enjoys the sport with consideration to regulations set forth by their state. Having the right high performance gear including the best ice auger will help things go smoothly for a calming and relaxing day on the ice.
Original ION 40V | Ice Auger
✓ Learn more about the original ION by reading our full review of it.
Up to 1000-inches on a single charge (the ION X can make up 1600 cuts).
Learn more about all ION products by visiting their site.