In a world plagued with biased opinions, it sometimes feels difficult to get a straightforward answer. We expect brand reps, pro staffers, and ambassadors to put in a good word when it comes to specific products – it’s kind of their role. We get it – not everyone wants to hear what those individuals have to say. As a result, we set out to get real feedback from real, everyday anglers on their opinions of the Alpha. We wanted an honest review of what they liked, what they didn’t, and why they chose the Alpha to be their auger of choice.
We sat down with Joe Binning, Jimmy Sell, and Jadyn Thomas – avid ice anglers from across the Ice Belt. Each of these people have different backgrounds, experiences and fishing styles, but a number of shared reasons why they choose the Alpha over any other auger on the market.
First Impressions
To get quality feedback, we wanted experienced ice anglers – you know, those with more than a decade of on-ice experience. All three checked that box. And, based on our discussions, they’ve all had experiences with a wide range of augers.
When we first sat down with Sell, Binning, and Thomas we asked to them to think back about those first few holes they drilled and recall their initial impressions. While the answers varied, there were some common themes relating to weight, speed, and smoothness.
According to Joe, the weight and speed were the first things he noticed. He goes on to say, “Coming from a gas auger, I couldn’t believe how lightweight it was for a full-size auger.” Jadyn, on the other hand, was impressed by the cut, “The amount of torque behind the auger is impressive, yet, it still cuts so unbelievably smooth.” Sell shared a sentiment similar to both, noting that the auger was fast, sharp, and lightweight.
Speed and Smoothness
Whether you agree with it or not, auger speed is a top consideration by many ice anglers. In our discussions, speed was mentioned several times by the anglers. In fact, all three rated the Alpha’s speed at five stars. With a cutting speed of 3.4 inches per second, we can certainly understand why. In the words of Jimmy Sell, “It’s way faster than I was used to.” Both Joe and Jadyn agreed, noting that they were fascinated by the overall cutting speed.
Beyond the sheer speed of the auger, the variable speed trigger was also mentioned as a huge plus, especially when it came to drilling holes in permanent fish houses. The ability to slow down the drill and avoid throwing ice all over your shack is a real advantage.
In addition to speed, the smoothness of the cut was a recurring comment. Each of the anglers was impressed with the Alpha’s ability to consistently cut so smoothly – noting that the breakthrough was superior to many other augers they’ve used (i.e. no rough cuts or jarring from the auger). “I’ve used a lot of augers,” says Thomas, “and this thing cuts so smooth. It doesn’t pull you like other augers, you simply let it do the work for you.” He goes on about the quality of the cut, “From what I’ve seen, the bottom of the hole is nice and clean. There’s no rough edges and I haven’t lost a fish due to jagged ice.”
Weight and Mobility
In the age of mobile angling, factors like weight and maneuverability are important considerations. In terms of weight, Binning, Thomas, and Sell all discussed how pleased they were with the Alpha’s overall weight. “It’s lighter than any full-size auger I’ve ever used,” says Binning. “It’s light enough that it doesn’t slow you down, but it still has the form of a ‘real auger’.” According to Sell, he was impressed with the weight and was pleased with how easy it was for his wife to use. Thomas shared a similar thought, stating that “even kids” could use the auger with ease.
When asked about ergonomics, the jury was in agreement, simply stating “It’s perfect.” There were no concerns with vibration or balance and the anglers appreciated how it still felt like an auger despite its lightweight design.
Battery Life, Maintenance, & Convenience
When it comes to the cold, factors like battery life are often a concern. That being said, none of the anglers surveyed had any concerns with the Alpha’s battery life – even in subzero temperatures. In fact, Jaydn is quoted as stating the battery holds up “phenomenally” in the extreme cold. Jimmy went on to discuss utilizing the auger in temperatures as cold as -20 °F with no issues. As anglers that drill a lot of holes every outing, they appreciated the fact that they could get more than 2000 inches of ice per charge.
On the maintenance side of things, the anglers were pleased with how little there was. In fact, they all mentioned that the only maintenance they’ve ever done is charging the battery and checking the blades. According to Binning, it’s “absolutely fantastic” to not have to deal with gas, oil, or fumes.
In terms of convenience, Jimmy, Joe, and Jadyn were beyond satisfied with the Alpha. All three went into great detail about how the auger has helped them on the ice. Thomas went on to discuss how the Alpha has increased his efficiency on the ice, “I can just start cutting immediately. There’s no concerns with my auger starting or waiting for it to warm up.” He adds that he never thinks twice about moving to a new area because of that peace of mind. Sell added to the reliability commentary, by stating it was a big part of why he made the switch to the Alpha in the first place.
The Verdict
After talking with the anglers, the verdict was clear: the Alpha was a true winner. All three were pleased with the auger’s speed, smoothness, weight, reliability, and durability. When asked if they’d recommend to a friend, a resounding yes was found across the board.
We recognize the importance of straightforward, honest feedback. In terms of augers, the Alpha is in a class of its own. Don’t just take it from us, take it from real anglers that have put the Alpha through the motions. Still don’t believe it - then maybe it’s time you take the Alpha for a spin yourself.
