Minn Kota V2 Power Drive vs, Terrova mini review

I recently picked up a 55 lb Terrova with iPilot (w/out the iPilot link) and I am sure impressed…I have only had it out once but I noticed so many features that are better than my V2 power drive. Too name a few:

1. I really like the remote control that hangs over my neck vs. the clunky Power Drive foot pedal. It doesn’t help I have size 13 1/2 feet either; I always found it difficult to adjust both direction and speed with the power drive foot pedal.

2. The Terrova deploys so much nicer and even “locks in” when the power is off.

3. The spot lock feature works great and I can see many applications where this will be usefull.

4. Both the autopilot and advanced autopilot work wonders; I found the regular compass auto pilot might work a little better because it doesn’t have to adjust itsefl so much.

I haven’t tried the gps tracking system so I can’t comment on that yet.

I know a lot of you guys have said how nice the Terrova (including the iPilot) is compared to the V2 power drive. Now I wonder how I was able to fish so long w/out one.

I geuss my point is that if you have a V2 Power drive and are considering upgrading I think it is $$ well spent.

The only feature that you mentioned that isn’t available with the v2 powerdrive is the Terrovas deployment system. I have a v2 with Ipilot, and can do everything else you mentioned.

The two big selling points to the Terrova over the V2 are that you can use the foot pedal with the terrova when the ipilot is installed, and the deployment system.

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The only feature that you mentioned that isn’t available with the v2 powerdrive is the Terrovas deployment system. I have a v2 with Ipilot, and can do everything else you mentioned.

The two big selling points to the Terrova over the V2 are that you can use the foot pedal with the terrova when the ipilot is installed, and the deployment system.

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It is true you can get the V2 power drive with iPilot but the Terrova deployment system is 10 times easier than the V2 power drive and worth the upgrade by itself IMO. I can say this after using V2 power drives for ~20 yrs.

The other nice feature of the Terrova vs. V2 power drive is the improved foot pedal design with the Terrova. I never liked the new V2 power drive foot pedal design and prefered the older one better.

In the last four seasons using my PD2 with I-Pilot I have never thought about wanting to use the foot pedal so If I had a terrova It’d hide the foot pedal anyway As far a deployment that is a problem but a little lithium grease does wonders

I agree that the deployment is better, and probably worth it. I just didn’t want anybody getting the impression they couldn’t get the Ipilot features on the V2. Also, the V2 has only been out for about 4-5 years. There have been several itterations of powerdrives dating back to the old white headed models, to the V1’s (which had the major foot pedal issues).

If I were buying new, I’d spring for the Terrova without a doubt. If you have to decide between upgrading your V2 to an ipilot or not having ipilot at all, I’d say upgrade it. The Ipilot is worth it either way.

I did the upgrade from 70 lb. PD V2 to 80 lb. Terrova Ipilot this spring and love it. Much easier to deploy & park in cradle. Smoother & quieter operation when autopilot makes course adjustments. No regrets!!

In my case, I had a 2 yr old V2 Power Drive and wanted to upgrade to the iPilot…I found a Terrova w/ iPilot and universal transducer that was 3 months old on Craigslist for ~$400 off a new one; I then sold my Power drive and ended up spending $550 total to upgrade.

I thought this was the better way to go then trying to do a V2 Ipilot upgrade for $450. For $100 more a got a 3 month old Terrova with everything I want…Gotta love Craigslist. Now I just need to find a 40 hp motor to upgrade my 25 hp.