looking to update my electric trolling motor and I see some neat features on the Min-Kota with I pilot remote such as track back and gps. I am curious if anyone has suggestions or dislikes about it. Also they are expensive so if you know of a less expensive place to get one then let me know.
I purchased the 24V 80lb thrust Terrova I-Pilot with a 60" shaft for the new sled last fall. Very nice motor! The back track and gps is a very nice feature (when theres no wind). The only beef I have with it is the size of the I-pilot remote. Its quite a bit larger than my old co-pilot, but thats the price you pay for gps and back track.
I ended up shopping around and buying it on Amazon. Saved $100 (compared to Bass Pro and Cabelas) and the seller provided free shipping.
Thanks Phantom
Is it true that the battery optimizer helps on the battery? Is there advantage other than more power to go 24 volt?
I like mine most of the time. The anchor feature works if the wind isnt gusting. The gps feature works well. I like that I can set speed and direction and hold course pretty well even with a cross wind.
I heard the optimizer is supposed to work really weel. I have no data to support that.
Going with 24V also gives you a longer battery life. I run mine pretty hard bowfishing so its nice to have that extended life for a whole day of fishing.
How big of a boat are you running? Depending on the size it may or may not be worth it to go to 24V.
Im running the 24v with an 18 1/2’ bowrider. My old one was 12v. Big difference. If you try to fish cj in the wind. With it whitecapping good, I can troll effortlesly.
I have a 22.5’ boat and the 24v does really well for me even with a bigger boat. I bought one right when they came out a couple of years ago as my MotorGuide had taken a dump on me. It has been much better than the MotorGuide in terms of lasting all day. I really like the GPS features such as the anchor but I would agree the wind has to be minimal for that. The tracking seems good and I don’t mind the bigger remote. It has a nice digital screen on it which I like and it also floats. I shopped all around and also found mine on Amazon for quite a bit less than Cabelas or anywhere else.
Just bought a Terrova 80 with Ipilot, taking it out for the first time will let you know how it goes.
Unless im bass fishing, I usually control mine with the hand held remote..
OK Love it!!! All day at Strike fighting the wind used 1/4 of the batterys, Also LOVE the spot lock it is the bomb.
How big is your boat? I was thinking about getting one for the spot lock and jigging for macks but not sure quite yet.
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How big is your boat? I was thinking about getting one for the spot lock and jigging for macks but not sure quite yet.
My boat is a 17’ aluminum bass boat, and this motor rocks!!! I wanted one for quite awhile but was not sure, I would buy this again tomorrow, best purchase I have made in years…
Cool, I have been looking at them. Think the on board charger is also the way to go, 15amp per bank, circut breaker, good deep cycle batteries.
What about batteries? What is a good quality deep cycle battery that isn’t 200 bucks?
I’ve wondered about one in a size that would work on my pontoon boat, as well as my 15 foot bi-hull boat. Anybody got advice about that, or a link I could look at?
Just google trollingmoters.net that is a good one!
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