03-02-2012, 12:33 PM
I noticed that there was a hand full of votes that selected “What is i-Pilot”. So I thought I would take a crack at describing it here.
Here is a short, but good, video describing the i-Pilot:
[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-AzxTzF9Eo&feature=player_embedded"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-AzxTzF9Eo&feature=player_embedded[/url]
First of all, it is an electric bow-mount trolling motor. Yea, I know, there are lots of bow mounts out there so you ask, “what’s so special about the i-Pilot?” I would have to answer that with these two major things:
1) Its main feature is that it has several GPS related features.
2) It is controlled with a wireless remote (like a TV remote).
I am still trying to learn and master all of features but here are my favorite ones:
Spot-Lock … With the press of a button, its internal GPS immediately makes note of exactly where you are (GPS coordinates) and controls the motor to keep you right in that very spot. It does amazingly well too I might say. It corrects for wind or current to keep you within 5 feet of where you press the button. Think of it as an electronic or “virtual” anchor. No longer do I carry an anchor in my boat (even though maybe I should). Because I no longer have to go through the laborious effort of deploying and retrieving anchors all day, I have more time and energy for fishing. It is just so darn easy to move from spot to spot without dropping rope, chain, and anchor. I love it for mack fishing on the Gorge and cuts on the Berry.
Record a Track … The i-Pilot can remember the path you take (up to two miles long) and you can go back over that path (track) back and forth. You don’t have to go all the way to the beginning or end. You can change direction in the track at any time.
Cruise Control … Like cruise control in your car, you can set a desired trolling speed in, get this, increments of 1/10 of one mile per hour!! All while heading in a specified direction.
[url "http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/accessories/ipilot/freshwater.aspx"]Check out this link for more details and videos of each feature.[/url]
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Here is a short, but good, video describing the i-Pilot:
[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-AzxTzF9Eo&feature=player_embedded"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-AzxTzF9Eo&feature=player_embedded[/url]
First of all, it is an electric bow-mount trolling motor. Yea, I know, there are lots of bow mounts out there so you ask, “what’s so special about the i-Pilot?” I would have to answer that with these two major things:
1) Its main feature is that it has several GPS related features.
2) It is controlled with a wireless remote (like a TV remote).
I am still trying to learn and master all of features but here are my favorite ones:
Spot-Lock … With the press of a button, its internal GPS immediately makes note of exactly where you are (GPS coordinates) and controls the motor to keep you right in that very spot. It does amazingly well too I might say. It corrects for wind or current to keep you within 5 feet of where you press the button. Think of it as an electronic or “virtual” anchor. No longer do I carry an anchor in my boat (even though maybe I should). Because I no longer have to go through the laborious effort of deploying and retrieving anchors all day, I have more time and energy for fishing. It is just so darn easy to move from spot to spot without dropping rope, chain, and anchor. I love it for mack fishing on the Gorge and cuts on the Berry.
Record a Track … The i-Pilot can remember the path you take (up to two miles long) and you can go back over that path (track) back and forth. You don’t have to go all the way to the beginning or end. You can change direction in the track at any time.
Cruise Control … Like cruise control in your car, you can set a desired trolling speed in, get this, increments of 1/10 of one mile per hour!! All while heading in a specified direction.
[url "http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/accessories/ipilot/freshwater.aspx"]Check out this link for more details and videos of each feature.[/url]
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