Minn Kota vs MotorGuide ??? Help!!

[BilletHead]

1 hour ago, Quillback said:

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.

 

1 hour ago, Seth said:

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.

         Jeff I am having trouble right now with this issue. I bought an adaptor that the website says will work with my unit. A Helix 5 DI GPS. So I could not get it working. Did the support deal with Minnkota. They had me download an update so I installed that and still no go. Contacted them again with more questions. Last contact they said GEN 1 units wont work but the Minnkota site said the adaptor I bought would work?  Still trading contact with the support people. We will see.

  Seth that is all I need up front but doesn't seem to work on all 2D units. Hoping for the best. Talking to Duane he doesn't even use a unit up front anymore. He doesn't even use the front of the boat. Watches his big unit in the back and operates with the handheld remote back there. 

   BilletHead

[liphunter]

6 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

Talking to Duane he doesn't even use a unit up front anymore. He doesn't even use the front of the boat. Watches his big unit in the back and operates with the handheld remote back there. 

I am of no help with that issue. But I find myself doing a lot of what Duane said. 

[BilletHead]

4 minutes ago, liphunter said:

I am of no help with that issue. But I find myself doing a lot of what Duane said. 

            If I cant get this deal resolved I may have to get with you on how you mounted your transducer and ran wires to keep untangled. Not able to upgrade at this time. I know I don't really need a front unit but I spent the bucks for the motor and want to use all features.

  BilletHead

[nomolites]

I have had an Ulterra since the first gen with I-pilot link.  I love it but won’t deny early bugs - covered quickly and at no cost by MK - their customer service is stellar.  The first qualifier is MK and Lowrance don’t mix..Humminbird only.   Also, can really only run 2D sonar on them without some crazy looking workarounds for other ducers, at some point I’m sure that  will change...I have a Helix at the helm as well and 2D suits me fine up front and I can spin that unit on the ram if I want to see wide.  The foot pedal will never be the same as a cabled unit but all the other features far outweigh any negatives.  It does behave like a woman at times, but I have learned her quirks and I think I will keep her 😉.  The ONLY way I would run anything else(Ultrex) would be if I was strictly a bass fisherman and worked docks all day long...the cabled pedal is hands down quicker/more responsive.  For big water fishing auto deploy is priceless, and vertical fishing structure it is simply not going to be beat.

Mike

[nomolites]

56 minutes ago, liphunter said:

I am of no help with that issue. But I find myself doing a lot of what Duane said. 

When trolling or bottom bouncing this is my method as well...

Mike

[ZigJigman]

I had an Ulterra, same reason you are looking at Phil. In the White River, as you know, the depth changes can be quick and often. You can be fishing along and all of a sudden it get shallow and you need the trolling motor out of the water quick. The Ulterra doesn’t do it quick enough. Also, I had a lot of problems with the plastic gears inside the raising/lowering/ turning mechanism. They can’t take very much abuse and they strip. I had to have mine fixed three times, luckily under warranty. As soon as the warranty was out I sold it and got an Ultrex. They have a rope that you can pulll up with lift assist and it’s out of the water now!! The spot lock and the jig feature are great!! Customer service with Minn Kota was great too.

[fishinwrench]

Typically Minn Kota makes better motors and control systems, but Motorguide makes better mounts and shafts.

If you run alot of rough water, or you are routinely bumping into stuff.....go Motorguide.

[Seth]

2 hours ago, BilletHead said:

 

         Jeff I am having trouble right now with this issue. I bought an adaptor that the website says will work with my unit. A Helix 5 DI GPS. So I could not get it working. Did the support deal with Minnkota. They had me download an update so I installed that and still no go. Contacted them again with more questions. Last contact they said GEN 1 units wont work but the Minnkota site said the adaptor I bought would work?  Still trading contact with the support people. We will see.

  Seth that is all I need up front but doesn't seem to work on all 2D units. Hoping for the best. Talking to Duane he doesn't even use a unit up front anymore. He doesn't even use the front of the boat. Watches his big unit in the back and operates with the handheld remote back there. 

   BilletHead

Hmm...I'm not sure on that one then. I'm running an old 728 bird on my front deck with the same cable that you should be using with your Helix 5. That same cable (MKR-US2-8) should work with all core and Helix units according to the website.

https://www.minnkotamotors.com/learn/technology/trolling-motors/universal-sonar-2#HB

[Seth]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

Typically Minn Kota makes better motors and control systems, but Motorguide makes better mounts and shafts.

If you run alot of rough water, or you are routinely bumping into stuff.....go Motorguide.

Really? That's the opposite of what I've heard from guys I regularly interact with about fishing, but I understand that you also work with fisherman for a living so you deal with a lot more people than me. I've heard of far more Motorguides having a shaft get bent from striking something too hard. I'm not sure I've heard of anybody that I know experiencing this with a Minnkota though. I'm not sure about the mount quality. My Maxxum mount felt more solid than my Ultrex mount, but I can't say I've had any issues with the Ultrex mount so far either and I've been in pretty rough stuff so far. The bounce buster and shock system of the Ultrex mount is nice to have.

[BilletHead]

13 minutes ago, Seth said:

Hmm...I'm not sure on that one then. I'm running an old 728 bird on my front deck with the same cable that you should be using with your Helix 5. That same cable (MKR-US2-8) should work with all core and Helix units according to the website.

https://www.minnkotamotors.com/learn/technology/trolling-motors/universal-sonar-2#HB

           I know Seth and I sent that question to the same guy I have been talking to for the last few days.  In his last reply he said mine was probably GEN 1 and wouldn't work but your link I know says the adaptor will work. So far no answer from them. That stupid little wire adaptor I hope isn't 36 bucks down the tube,

  BilletHead