Looking to buy one of those gps controlled trolling motors. Does anyone have experience with these and or recommendations as far as brand minn kota I-pilot or motor guide xi-5. Plus what is all this copilot, autopilot stuff geeze… Words of wisdom greatly appreciated this is a big investment.
Thanks 
check your PM.
Love my I pilot, still don’t know all the things it can do if I were educated
It all depends on what depthfinder/gps you have. If you have a newer Humminbird unit, then the ipilot is the best choice. If you have a Lowrance HDS unit, then the xi5 is probably the better choice. I have an ipilot and really love it, but my brother-in-law has the xi5 and put side by side, his works better with the anchor function. Mine tends to drift back and forth more than his does. The xi5 is newer and has a better GPS and will sync with the HDS system. The ipilot is older technology and will work with the ipilot link feature on the hummingbird units (if you upgrade to the ipilot link). They are both very good so far and neither one of us have had any problems.
If I was buying one now, I would get the xi5 simply because I have a HDS7 gen2 touch that would link with it and I could do even more than I can do now. A good example would be that I can now use my depthfinder to find a piece of structure to fish, scroll back on the screen to the best looking spot and mark it with a waypoint. I then have to guide the boat over to it and try to spotlock over said waypoint as close as I possibly can while fighting the wind and current to get into position. If it were linked to my GPS, I could just tell it to spotlock right on top of the waypoint and the trolling motor would just go to it and stop.
I hope this helps, but it will probably just make you want to buy a new GPS/sounder unit as well…
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
You can learn a lot by reading some of the information at trollingmotors.net website technical resources.
http://www.trollingmotors.net/trolling-motor-resources
I’ve been studying up and decided to go with the I-Pilot. Chris at Charleston Marine can also help a lot. I found his price is as good as any and he’s extremely helpful. I’m taking my boat to him in the morning to get the system installed.
Very good post! absolutely amazing how gps technology has changed the world we live. It wasn’t that long ago when the Loran towers were the cutting edge technology…
Thanks for yore support!!
I’ll give a few thinking points. I bought a used motor and it has the old style aluminum bracket that slides in and out. What a PITA to figure out a space with enough room for that bracket. It has me second guessing my used motor purchase altogether. I’m torn between a most basic tiller and all out bells and whistles GPS. The features are cool but I also think there’s something to be said for keeping it simple. If I go tiller it’ll be a Minn Kota. If I go GPS I was leaning towards Xi5. However, I put up a poll yesterday on THT of which motor would you buy. The results so far say 18 votes MK ST Ipilot, 4 votes MG Xi5, 2 votes MK SM tiller. Now, it is a THT poll so you need to take it with a grain of salt since most people there are easily brainwashed by whatever has the best marketing
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/651827-poll-trolling-motor.html
Want to link with a Lowrance get the MG or MK for Humminbird. But I’ve been wrong in the past.
Heard good things about the MG…but will be sticking with MK because I’m linking it to my Humminbird 899.
“I may be going to hell in a bucket. But at least I’m enjoying the ride”
Ok so I picked up a RT55 SP I-Pilot with a 48in shaft. It s kind of a pain to mount because this type of motor needs to hang over the edge further than the standard hand control bowmount. But I managed to drill new holes in the existing quick release mount. Maybe this weekend I will get on the water, get the remote programmed and see how she does. Right now the only potential problem I see is loading and unloading the boat because the trolling motor sticks about 6in off the tip of the bow. But, for the trolling motor that is the best position as it will be on the center line of the boat when in the water. As far as price. The best price I found on this one was at Sportsmansguide.com as a member I got free shipping and got a discount of 10% no taxes. Total price with one year membership was 1002.78. Not too bad based on my research. Still a lot to spend on something that will be dunked in saltwater especially since its only operable with the handheld remote. Better carry a spare battery. Any one got suggestions on an affordable hummingbird that will link to the I-Pilot?
Thanks for yore support!!
If you didn’t get the ipilot link, then you’re better off forgetting about it until you want to fork over at least another grand.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Nah, the link isn’t that much. Just under $700 and then you could sell your Ipilot head/remote for probably $300.
Do they not make the SP unit with Link from the factory?
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoNah, the link isn’t that much. Just under $700 and then you could sell your Ipilot head/remote for probably $300.
Do they not make the SP unit with Link from the factory?
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 JohnsonWilderness Ride 115
Then add in the price of the new humminbird unit, and you’re up to at least a grand…
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Oh, yeah gotcha. I was just thinking he was buying a new unit anyway.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Wow, I feel dumb. I thought if you had Ipilot then it was all inclusive. Well, should have known they are not going to make things simple. Oh well. Im good with what I got. The spot lock should be a big help. No more running back and forth to drop anchor when im alone and don’t have to worry about the wife wrestling with it when she is with me.
Thanks for yore support!!
You don’t need a Hummingbird for the anchor mode to work!
quote:
Originally posted by boatpoorYou don’t need a Hummingbird for the anchor mode to work!
Or a Lowrance. I run Garmin and wish sometimes that I could link my i-Pilot to it. If someone would just come up with a way to link either trolling motor to any sonar/gps…
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
I ordered mine this week too and it arrived yesterday. I went with the Riptide ST 55 ipilot, 54" shaft. Would’ve rather saved a little with a SP, but wanted the 54" shaft. I don’t see myself changing from my 6 month old Garmin, so I passed on the LINK as well. Now to figure out what kind of battery I want.
just got my minn kota with ipilot finally installed last weekend.
I get that the linkage would be convenient, but is it that hard to just make a spot on your gps, go drop your trolling motor and then go back to your gps and “manually” (by using your remote control) guide yourself back to the spot you marked and then engage the anchor feature? I haven’t actually had a chance to use the trolling motor yet, but I can’t imagine it’s too hard
207 CC SeaHunt
Yamaha 150
quote:
Originally posted by Baconwfujust got my minn kota with ipilot finally installed last weekend.
I get that the linkage would be convenient, but is it that hard to just make a spot on your gps, go drop your trolling motor and then go back to your gps and “manually” (by using your remote control) guide yourself back to the spot you marked and then engage the anchor feature? I haven’t actually had a chance to use the trolling motor yet, but I can’t imagine it’s too hard207 CC SeaHunt
Yamaha 150
It’s not that hard at all, but it will take some practice. A good depthfinder\gps combo will make it easier. I usually mark something and then go back to it and zoom in on the GPS as I get closer. It can still be a pain sometimes in a stiff current and/or wind. You guys will really come to appreciate it as you get more comfortable with it.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Hate to hijack the thread but which motor seems to be the best in terms of service and dependability? Thinking of putting on my Shearwater and will probably have to go big (boat is 24’) so figure 36 volt and 100lbs thrust.