Shopping for new Trolling Motor

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by sweets

I guess I'm the only odd-ball with a motorguide. I replaced my riptide 101 with a Motorguide xi5 GPS SW. Basically the same thing as an ipilot but motorguide's version. The anchor setting is the ticket and I don't think I can go back now that I've used it. The only reason I went with motorguide over Minn Kota is I'm able to hardwire the motorguide directly to my lowrance unit with the Pinpoint kit....and I got the $250 Pinpoint kit for free. I've also heard that the ipilot will kick on full throttle if it gets out of position with the anchor setting where the xi5 is supposedly supplies smooth power to reposition the boat if needed....I've never fished with the ipilot but that's from reports I've read online. So far I'm pleased with the xi5....my only complaints are I wish it had an LED remote to show power like the ipilot. If you're looking for a good used trolling motor u might want to contact Superior Trolling motors in Lafayette. I went there to get a mounting kit for my xi5 and they had a wall of used trolling motors....most looked to be in mint condition too.

Ive heard good things about the xi5 too. I dont find the ipilot will kick into full throttle on anchor.

[sweets]

I came really close to buying an ipilot. I'm sure I would not have been disappointed with one. The anchor settings and track recording is worth the price alone. The new Ulterra with autodeploy looks sweet but too much coin for me to justify spending.

[alphaman]

Yep slight push in then down

[mr crab]

Gotta push in then down

[Crawl79]

For the type of fishing i do the ipilot is the ticket. anchor mode works great when I am fishing shell pads offshore and the fish are moving from one corner to another. Setup a drift and when I get a bite I can quickly hit anchor and hold position. Use it fishing offshore to hold off structure as well.

Early in year when beating banks for reds I will store a track and replay the track multiple times when fish are concentrated on the same bank.

[Jman121799]

I love my 112 riptide with ipilot, takes a lil bit of getting use to, only bc i was so use to using a hand control, but once younget the hang of it, its awesome. Will never go back to a hand controlled unit

[cajun bill]

spoke to MK tech support today to ask them if they knew of a "fix" and I was told that the "push in/push down" is a safety feature to prevent accidental deployment. It's pretty obvious that I am the problem and I just need to perfect my methods. I'm guessing that to deploy, if I would use my right foot to catch the indentation and push in, then press down immediately, and use my left hand to grab the shaft or head, it would deploy fine. To stow, I should probably use my left foot to push in, then down and use my right hand raise the shaft and stow it. BTW, I was also told that the Ulterra is only available for freshwater at this time, but they expect to soon have a saltwater version.

Damn, I sound like an engineer.

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by cajun bill

spoke to MK tech support today to ask them if they knew of a "fix" and I was told that the "push in/push down" is a safety feature to prevent accidental deployment. It's pretty obvious that I am the problem and I just need to perfect my methods. I'm guessing that to deploy, if I would use my right foot to catch the indentation and push in, then press down immediately, and use my left hand to grab the shaft or head, it would deploy fine. To stow, I should probably use my left foot to push in, then down and use my right hand raise the shaft and stow it. BTW, I was also told that the Ulterra is only available for freshwater at this time, but they expect to soon have a saltwater version.

Damn, I sound like an engineer.

I'm on the right foot left hand program all the time