More Garmin Force Woes

[bobby b.]

As indicated in other posts, I'm on my third Force motor in 16 months since I got the new boat.  It has been working well for about 3-4 weeks since the 3rd install by professionals.  Yesterday around Noon, the foot pedal showed an error on the graph indicating I needed to contact Garmin Support.  Before calling I investigated myself determining that everything worked other that I could not adjust the speed on the pedal - I could adjust speed from the handheld and from the graph.  Called Garmin and new Pedal will be here Monday.  I will likely install this myself but will contact Garmin if any software install is required.  Reimbursable charge to my credit card - $466.  I noted that retail on the Pedal is $330 with the cable.

So everything other than the mount will be new (or refurbished).  I'm now thinking this thing is unreliable (at least for me) and also what I will do when the warranty is over in 2 1/2 years from now.  Maybe Garmin will figure it out by then.  Because I like the Livescope and the Graphs, I could get a different brand of troller with the universal 2D transducer since I basically just use the 2D and Livescope on the Bow.

[fishinwrench]

Adding computer control systems to outboards was such a grand success 🙄 that they elected to add them to trolling motors and everything else on the boat too. 

I'm happy to say that the only computer in either of my boats....is my cell phone.  

[fshndoug]

Wrench you are like a computer ,Don't sell yourself short.

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

...is my cell phone.  

Flip??😂

[m&m]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Adding computer control systems to outboards was such a grand success 🙄 that they elected to add them to trolling motors and everything else on the boat too. 

I'm happy to say that the only computer in either of my boats....is my cell phone.  

Johnson 150GT runs forever if you take care of it. 
Mike

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Ive had mine out 10-12 times now and im a little disappointed.  Im comparing it to the old Motorguide xi5 i had.  The remote for the Garmin is so delayed, i was trolling cranks last week and it is so delayed it made it hard to steer without constant adjusting. I finally just made it go straight and used my outboard as a tiller to steer and that worked great. Also one of the arrow buttons sticks so you let off and it sticks down and you get to go in a circle.

Next is the battery life, i expected more from this new brushless fancy crap they are advertising. After 4 hours my battery light was red. This is with new batteries. My old Xi5 would go 6 hours.  

Foot pedal is a little quirky due to the big buttons at the back that are impossible not to hit with your heals unless you are a size 8 shoe.

Lastly, hit spot lock and it throws it in reverse about 10 feet, and then wonders around a lot more than my Motor Guide did

[bobby b.]

1 hour ago, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

t is so delayed it made it hard to steer without constant adjusting

I noticed this as well using the handheld - I found that the Trolling motor control panel setup on the Console graph works better for fine adjustments - I also played with saving a track first and using it to troll - also I note that it holds a constant speed very well for trolling - I've had no trouble with battery life on the troller and I'm using ordinary priced ProGuide lead acid batteries - I have had problems with the Livescope draining my starting battery.

Overall I still like my whole Garmin setup just wish the trolling motor would stop breaking.   

[Bill Babler]

Mine works perfect on either foot or hand held fob. 18 months with nary a glitch.

I will now knock on wood. 

I will point out there has yet to be built a trolling motor that will compete with the Motor Guide Xi5 as far as GPS lock or fast quiet operation , in and out of that lock.   Nothing even comes close. 

 

[Champ188]

On 9/25/2021 at 4:33 PM, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

Ive had mine out 10-12 times now and im a little disappointed.  Im comparing it to the old Motorguide xi5 i had.  The remote for the Garmin is so delayed, i was trolling cranks last week and it is so delayed it made it hard to steer without constant adjusting. I finally just made it go straight and used my outboard as a tiller to steer and that worked great. Also one of the arrow buttons sticks so you let off and it sticks down and you get to go in a circle.

Next is the battery life, i expected more from this new brushless fancy crap they are advertising. After 4 hours my battery light was red. This is with new batteries. My old Xi5 would go 6 hours.  

Foot pedal is a little quirky due to the big buttons at the back that are impossible not to hit with your heals unless you are a size 8 shoe.

Lastly, hit spot lock and it throws it in reverse about 10 feet, and then wonders around a lot more than my Motor Guide did

Did I misunderstand or are you saying you can only fish 4 hours before getting a battery light? WTH? Regardless, I have to say this is one time that I'm happy to be a simpleton. My 8-year-old Fortrex is still purring along like a new one and being a shallow-water guy, I can be hard on a TM. 

I do hope Garmin treats you guys right on warranty/repairs and that your fishing trips stop being interrupted by technical difficulties. 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

1 hour ago, Champ188 said:

Did I misunderstand or are you saying you can only fish 4 hours before getting a battery light? WTH? Regardless, I have to say this is one time that I'm happy to be a simpleton. My 8-year-old Fortrex is still purring along like a new one and being a shallow-water guy, I can be hard on a TM. 

I do hope Garmin treats you guys right on warranty/repairs and that your fishing trips stop being interrupted by technical difficulties. 

NO.... that is with constant trolling cranks for walleye. IT lasts a day bass fishing just fine and all the lights stay green. I was just comparing it to my Xi5 i used to have when i trolled cranks a lot