Fishing gears like batteries are super important in ice fishing. You have to get something that can stand the temperature and last long.
Lithium batteries like Norsk and Dakota are gaining popularity for this reason. Norsk batteries are lighter, last less but are affordable. Dakota batteries are heavier and last longer but are pricey.
Batteries are sensitive gears. You don’t want a battery that will act up every other day. So which one should you go with for ice fishing, Norsk or Dakota?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you out.
A Quick Summary of the Comparison
| Feature | Norsk | Dakota |
| Build and specs | Lighter, fewer amp hour options | Heavier, more amp hour options |
| Longevity and durability | Lasts less, good with cold | Lasts longer, good for cold |
| Price | Affordable | Pricier |
And that’s the gist of the whole thing. Keep reading below for the detailed breakdown.
Key Differences Between Norsk And Dakota Batteries
The trickiest part of selecting batteries is balancing. You need good quality, longevity, and durability too. Norsk and Dakota- both are high quality and they’re really close too.
So if you’re doing a side-by-side comparison, you’ll have to focus on other factors too.
Build and specs, longevity, durability, and price are the major difference and comparison factors between Norsk and Dakota batteries. Let’s see how these work out in both brands.
- Build And Specs
A little geeky, but these are the basic differences between Norsk and Dakota.
Norsk has lighter batteries and fewer capacity options. Dakota batteries are heavier but their capacity options are also better.
Norsk batteries look like compact size ones.
They’re smaller and lighter compared to other batteries. You’ll get 4 capacity options with Norsk- 7.5Ah, 15Ah, 20Ah, and 32Ah.
The chargers come separately but some websites combine them like a package. Norsk is a lithium-ion battery but doesn’t fall under the LFP class.
Dakota on the other hand is much more decked with options. The batteries come in 7, 10, 18, 23, and 100Ah options.
They also have twin packages of base form batteries like the 14Ah pack (two 7Ah twin battery packs). So you get a better selection range.
Dakota batteries are heavier compared to Norsk but that has to do with the increased capacity. The charger comes separately for this brand too.
These Dakota batteries are LiFePO4 unlike Norsk which means they’re safer and have a more stable chemistry.
- Longevity And Durability
This is the most important point for lithium batteries. Norsk batteries get drained faster and wear off faster in the long run.
You’ll get more hours from Dakota battery and they’ll last longer down the road.
Norsk batteries already have fewer capacity options compared to Dakota. Most of them are lower capacity too, so they naturally don’t last very long. But that’s not the only reason for that.
Norsk batteries are basic lithium-ion batteries.
This kind of battery tends to discharge faster than other lithium batteries.
But the good news is, you can freely use them at low temperatures. They hold up pretty well.
Dakota on the other hand is much more stable.
They have higher-capacity batteries. But more than that, the batteries are LiFePO4 deep-cycle ones.
That means they will discharge slower and you’ll get more working hours from them. According to Dakota’s official website, these batteries will also give you more battery cycles.
This means the batteries will last longer down the road. As for durability, they do really well in the cold but humidity can mess them up.
So you’ll have to store them in a dry place, otherwise, the battery can leak and cause major incidents.
- Price
Norsk is unsurprisingly the more affordable option. Their batteries start from $79.99 and go over $199.99.
Dakota batteries start from $79 and go over $899 depending on the model. None of the websites will let you use coupons.
So unless you’re buying through a different platform and they’re holding a sale, you can’t get them for cheaper.
Which One Should You Go For?
Well, that’s the hard part of this. As you know now, both batteries are extremely close in quality.
And their features are pretty close too. This makes comparing them a lot hard. But choosing one of them? That’s more than hard. As you can already guess, there is no straight answer to this question.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t pick one. In the end, everything will come down to your personal preference.
But if you want an objective decision, you’ll have to do some serious pros and cons calculations. Or better yet, make a list and go with the one that checks off the most boxes on it.
If you’re looking for something familiar and want an affordable option, Norsk is the best option.
Their batteries are lighter but have less capacity compared to Dakota.
You won’t get much lasting time from them but if you’re going to use them for a short time, they’ll work nicely.
If you can spare a little more dough and want something long-lasting, Dakota is the one you’re looking for.
They have lots of capacity options you can choose from.
The batteries are a little heavy but that’s because of the increased capacity. You’ll get more life out of them compared to other batteries.
Overall, Dakota is the better choice between these two. But if you want a more affordable option or something more “mainstream”, Norsk is as good as it gets.
Also Read: Differences Between Battle Born And Dakota Lithium Batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are a bunch of questions people ask about Norsk, Dakota, and lithium batteries in general.
That depends on your preference but Norsk, Dakota, and Amped are the leading candidates.
The LiFePO4 lithium cells are the option. These cells have safer chemistry and last longer than other lithium cells.
Norsk, Dakota, and Amped are some of the best deep cycle lithium battery manufacturers.
LiFePO4 is the best lithium-ion. It has the most stable chemistry, the safest, and lasts the longest.
Final Verdict
Lithium batteries have taken the fishing world by storm and rightfully so. They’re much more convenient, but you have to pick a good one like Norsk or Dakota to stay safe.
If you’re wondering, Dakota, is the better option in the whole Norsk and Dakota lithium battery debate.
But if you’re going for something more affordable, Norsk is one of the best options you’ll see.
