Motor Guide Xi5

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I got out on the water today and overall i like it quite a bit, only probalem is my humminbird 597 di doesnt work properly, i know the down imaging wont work with the built in trans but the 2D doesnt work properly depth is all over the place and the auto chart doesnt work. I had this prpoblem before when i baught a trans just for 2D that they said would work. It did the same thing and then i got the one that has DI and 2D and it worked perfect but that one isnt gonna work on the wireless motor

[Bird Watcher]

Finally worked out all bugs on the autopilot. It's been a lengthy project. I don't know how much it would cost to have a technician install it, but I'd probably price it out next time. First things first, had to set up a NMEA network in the boat since I didn't have one already. After that is done, you have to buy the pinpoint connect module. I also put a second touch unit on the dash, mostly because I found one 30% off on Amazon during Christmas but also because I wanted the extra screen space to accommodate the autopilot control. It was a little bit frustrating trying to figure out how to sync and update all of my units, but I finally figured it out.

Took it to the water last weekend, I could barely operate it enough to function. Came home, studied what information I could find online from motorguide and lowrance. It would really help if there was an operation manual somewhere, anywhere, for this thing. I can't find one

Anyway, went back to the lake with it Today. Finally figured out all of the functions this afternoon. It's been a little frustrating getting to this point, but all I can say is wow! Once you learn to operate it, the boat drives itself!, THE BOAT DRIVES ITSELF!! Pick out targets on the side scan and tell the boat to go anchor on top of them. Back up your sonar to something you saw 100 yds back and tell the boat to go anchor on it. Plot a path along a contour and tell the boat to navigate it. Set your speed. It's pretty awesome.. Kind of blows me away really.

And yes, it did make a difference in catching fish. I can honestly say that I don't think we would have caught any of the ones we caught without it.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I can't wait I get mine set up like that. I have a hds7 at the dash now I'm going to move to te front. I debating on getting a HDS 10 but it isn't touch. How important would yiu say the touch screen is with the XI5? I'm with you on the hard to find info. Seems like not many people have them linked up to their Lowrance yet

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I can't wait I get mine set up like that. I have a hds7 at the dash now I'm going to move to te front. I debating on getting a HDS 10 but it isn't touch. How important would yiu say the touch screen is with the XI5? I'm with you on the hard to find info. Seems like not many people have them linked up to their Lowrance yet

[Bird Watcher]

I'd go with the touch..especially for controlling the trolling motor. I really think it would be a little frustrating trying to navigate with the original HDS unit I had. Actually, I put the original HDS unit I had up on the bow and only use it for traditional sonar now. Being able to navigate sub menus and toggle pages, place your cursor, plot a route, etc. by touching the screen is such a convenience and a time saver...gets you back to fishing quicker instead of playing with your graph. Just my opinion.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

That's what I figured. I'm gonna put mine up front for sonar as well. Guess I'll save some pennies up for. Touch

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Finally got out and did some bass fishing and Crappie fishing.. I pretty much trolled cranks this winter. I will have to stay i will never fish without one of these motors now. I could hit the anchor mode just of a brush pile depending on the wind and my buddy and i sat there and i caught crappie until we were tired. That thing keeps you dead on the spot. just amazing. Cant wait till i actually link it up to my lowrance.

[Bird Watcher]

Well, to be honest with you, I'm having a little bit of trouble with mine. its 99% great, but it's the 1% that I cant get right that I'm obsessing over. When I plot out a route to navigate on my chart, I tell the motor to navigate it, it always skips the first 3 route points and tries to navigate to the third.

I'll also say that almost every trip to the lake I feel like I'm playing IT tech while I fish. Reset data sources, power cycle, select defaults, configure device, it gets old. I guess it's to be expected when you run out and buy the first generation of something, but I'm getting a little frustrated with it.

Lowrance isn't much help either if you call them. I did install it all myself and I do have multiple displays, nmea 2000 network, all that stuff so I realize that there could be room for error. Just wish I could turn it on and go fishing.

[Smalls21]

have you tried contacting MotorGuide? I know the Xi5 does have a reflash available

[Bird Watcher]

have you tried contacting MotorGuide? I know the Xi5 does have a reflash available

No, I haven't. That's a good point. I'm going to try a couple other things that I've thought of from the Lowrance side and if I still have no luck I'll try that.