Motorguide??

I want to upgrade my trolling motor soon and the spotlock feature is the main reason. A motorguide product has never been on my radar but it’s starting to sound as though their spotlock is a bit superior to Minnkota. My issue is I have HB electronics and like the link feature to follow contours.

What I thought was an easy decision has gotten a little muddy.

What are your thoughts? Is the Minnkota spotlock lacking or is it a few isolated problems and possibly even some operator error?

Thanks in advance for shedding some light.

I put the Minn Kota Terrova w/I-pilot on my new MX 2025 along with Lowrance Gen 2 HDS units. (not touch screen)

So far, I haven’t had any major issues with the spot lock.

When you first hit spot lock, it tends to take a moment or two settling in but for me, once it settles in, it pretty much is right where I want it and it stays there.

I have had some minor issues but nothing major. Seems like when I hit spot lock the first time each day, it kicks out pretty quickly. I hit it again and no more issues the rest of the day. To me, like many other piece’s of equipment, it has little quirks that you get used to. Nothing much to make a big deal out of though.

I just swapped out my 24V Terrova with I pilot for a Motorguide 36V Xi5 with pinpoint. I’ll let you know Monday how I like it.

I heard the same comments about the spot lock features being a little tighter but we’ll see. I do like the fact that there is a spot lock on the pedal, it beats feeling around for the remote when you are fighting a fish. My Terrova served me well for 5 seasons though.

My new Xi5 just got delivered today. Too bad I have to wait another 3-4 weeks before my new boat is done. Dean said that he really liked the spot lock on his, as I’ve heard from a few other people as well.

My biggest gripe about my ipilot anchor lock was the fact that it would get blown so far off the spot, then set itself to a high speed setting like 8-10 to get back.

Thanks guys! Fancaster, I’ll be anxious to hear what you think!
This is a big investment for me and I want to get it right.

Thanks for the info, I’ll take all I can get!

I upgraded from Gen 2 ipilot to ipilot link last year and maybe its just me but I very rarely use any of the added features of the link system. If I go with another Terrova it will just be the Gen 2 ipilot.

Link remote is GIANT but does have a rechargeable battery but if I am fishing all day using the remote the charge will not make it through 2 days.

Feed back on the Motor Guide… Please

I really think it is way too early to call on the total comparison just quite yet. I do have to give the advantage to spotlock to Motorguide thus far. I did also just get some software updates done to mine for enhancement but yet to use it on a lake application yet. The lack of a screen on the remote really hasn’t been an issue thus far, and I thought it would.
My thoughts are that this will trigger improvements on both brands which makes us in the end all winners. I also will predict that if you are a lowrance guy, you may weigh heavier on motorguide and if bird, the terrova will probably be your overall best bet. Time will tell !

Thanks Dean. I think my best bet is wait a year and see what next years models bring. Keep an eye on here for reports on both and pull the trigger at the 2015 Sportsman Show and save some $$$.

Time to hit the road for up nort!
Good luck this weekend gentleman.

Right away I can see I’ll miss the Minnkota auto pilot. I should probably read the manual though.

FWIW, I rarely used the record-a-track etc. on my terrova Ipilot. Just the spot lock and auto pilot.

Scratch that about the autopilot. The Xi5 has “headinglock” which is pretty much the same thing. The spot lock is definitely much tighter on the motorguide and you can even move it ahead in 5′ increments. My only complaint with the Xi5 so far is that there is no speed readout on the remote so I sometimes forget where I am at (2?-4?-6?) speed-wise. Again, I have nothing against the Terrovas but for me, the Motorguide is superior. Especially if you are a Lowrance person as you will soon be able to link them up. My $.o2