Minn Kota vs MotorGuide ??? Help!!

[Phil Lilley]

I need some help.  I finally gave in and tried using an iPilot system trolling motor a couple of weeks ago and loved it.  Duane was right.... ok!?!?

Anyhow, I've gotten some opinions about both companies, as well as advice on waiting on the new Garmin TM coming out this summer.  But I can't wait on that... sorry.  Spring is here!  Garmin should have known that...

Reliability is a big thing... is it going to hold up?  The self retracting - I heard they have trouble keeping them working.  But I'm old... and I think that's what they made for.

Thanks

[liphunter]

I have had my Terrova for a year now. Pretty much works as promised.  Spotlock isn't perfect, but pretty close. The Terrova is probably  the lower end of Mk's smart motor, but I really like. Doesn't auto deploy, but does have lift assist. Here is the mistake I made when I bought it. To please my financial manager, I passed on the I-Link. Told myself that I wouldn't use it. Big mistake! If I would have made that purchase with motor. About  $350.00, now realizing I would really like that feature. We are talking closer to $800.00 to upgrade. Probably isn't going to happen. But what do you expect from a guy who can't catch fish on an A-Rig! lol

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Ive had th Motorguide Xi5 for 4 years now and love it. Spot lock i dead on. Not auto deploy though. Only issue i had was a motherboard went out while it was under warranty.  IT was a horrible experience trying to get the part. I got the run around about it being on back order of 2 months. Then i finally got mad and called and called and somehow they found a motherboard and sent it out to me.  I will by Minn Kota next time just because of customer service. Or may check into the new Lowrance troller that is coming out soon

[BilletHead]

18 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

  Duane was right.... ok!?!?

 

           Yep Duane is right 

  I have the terrova and like it. So far my spot lock is dead on.  I think it is all I need as I don't spend much time on open water so don't need the I-link . When I need that I suppose I will fish with liphunter when he upgrades . As far as auto deploy I have heard horror stories about them getting stuck and actually witnessed that on the Spring River last week. Three guys messing with one on a boat trailer and it was deployed. They were pulling and twisting and gawking at it like a tree full of owls. I am betting it was stuck. Again I am new at newfangled trolling motors.  I think you should listen to your friend @duckydoty ,

  BilletHead

 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

ANother thing, i have used the Terrova and the pedal is much easier to use than the motor guide pedal. The Xi5 foot pedal is pretty tough to get the hang of. 

[Seth]

I bought an Ultrex this winter and it's amazing! Unless you go the Ulterra route for the remote stow and deploy, I highly recommend the Ultrex as it allows you to keep your cable steer foot pedal as well as giving you the I-Pilot features. Having to lean down and deploy a Terrova sucks....

[Quillback]

I've been researching the Minnkota products myself, still have a Fortrexx and I'm too cheap to upgrade, but I sure do like that spot lock, one of these days I'll pull the trigger and get an Ultrexx.

You may know this, but the built in transducer is apparently only compatible with some of the newer Humminbird depth finders - they have a list on the Minnkota website.  At least that's my understanding from what I have been reading.

[Seth]

3 minutes ago, Quillback said:

You may know this, but the built in transducer is apparently only compatible with some of the newer Humminbird depth finders - they have a list on the Minnkota website.  At least that's my understanding from what I have been reading.

That's if you get the model with the built in down imaging transducer. The down imaging transducer is only compatible with the Humminbird units that have mega imaging. The model with the US2 transducer is still available and will work with any 2D sonar unit. You just have to buy the proper US2 adapter for your graph.

[liphunter]

Yes Steh. Mine worked with the US2 transducer. But didn't much care for the 2D. So like a number of people. I blew that off and went with attaching my own transducer. One thing I really enjoy about spotlock. Is when I have to retie. I need everything these old eyes will give me. I don't have to worry about where the boat is when I am trying to see that little hole and that invisible line.

[Seth]

7 minutes ago, liphunter said:

Yes Steh. Mine worked with the US2 transducer. But didn't much care for the 2D. So like a number of people. I blew that off and went with attaching my own transducer. One thing I really enjoy about spotlock. Is when I have to retie. I need everything these old eyes will give me. I don't have to worry about where the boat is when I am trying to see that little hole and that invisible line.

Being able to retie or move around the boat without being blown off a spot is incredibly handy. No more do I have to gripe about the wind blowing the back of the boat towards where I am trying to fish. I simply spot lock the trolling motor and go fish off the back deck of the boat now. This has been very beneficial lately while crappie fishing around docks on Lake of the Ozarks.