I just purchased a minnkota Power drive 50 for my husband.
should I buy the co pilot add on or should I have bought the auto pilot model? I have read a lot of negatives about the auto pilots. expert advise needed. thanks.Linda
Linda, Welcome to IDA. Both are excellent features. The autopilot is a dream when it’s working. There have been some issues in the past, but I’m hoping that Minn Kota has solved the AP problems in these newer units. Since you’ve alreay purchased the unit without AP, it seems that is not an option. The copilot is also a great tool. It allows the boater to run the motor from anywhere in the boat, and you can have a second remote to give to a partner if needed. I have one an use it regularly. It’s an add-on feature, so it’s not too late to get him the copilot. Ideally, a person would have both the autopilot and copilot on their rig. 
I have never owned an auto pilot model but can speak
highly of the co-pilot. I have used it on my last
three boats and I’ve never had any issues.
I like the freed up floor space and not having to look
down at a pedal all day.
I carry the pedal as a backup but have never had to use
it.
If interested I have a MK 70 PD for sale in the classifieds under fishing equipment. It has the co-pilot
already on it. I’m selling it because it’s too short
for my boat.
It only has a couple of hours use on it. It is a 24 volt
trolling motor which may not work for your husband.
Good Luck,
Dan
Auto Pilot & Co-Pilot in a perfect world but since you have already gotten the unit without AP, your husband will love the Co-Pilot 
On a side note, if you are ever a single woman again my number is …………….. 
By the way Linda, WELCOME TO IDA 
Auto pilot all the way, simply because you can’t add it after the fact, a co-pilot you can add at any time.
Personally I find the Auto pliot issues to be minor every once in awhile they have some issues, I have yet to experince any problems that haven’t been able to be fixed, sometimes it’s a calibration, sometimes it needed a new compass. Even if I had to calibrate it and change compasses yearly, I’d still buy one without hesitation. That being said my last auto pilot was calibrated once, and the compass was replaced once ( early model auto pilot, so I think there made better ones later on) and I owned it and run it a lot in 5 years.
The other thing too, is you can leave the auto pilot off, you don’t ever have to use it, so even if it got out of wack, it won’t ruin you fishing, you just run it like a normal powerdrive. ME? I gotta have my autopilot after running one for 6 years, I found I rely on it to give me the best boat control possible. The co-pilot I love, and use probably 95% of the time, but honestly I can live without it, it just makes boat control a little easier. After spending almost 1400 on my trolling motor, I felt guilty spending another $200 on the co-pilot right away, so I wanted a couple months then my Daughter( Baby was 5 months old so I really mean wife…) bought it for me for father’s day. 
That being said you sound like a heck of a nice wife Welcome to IDA 
I have a Auto Pilot on 3 different boats and have not had issue. I would definitly rec it.
I have own both types
Would never go without Autopilot again 
Autopilot with he added copilot would B 4 me
The autopilot lets U fish with-out having to watch every move!
Just my opinion 4 what it’s worth
I had a trolling motor with autopilot and liked it alot. Sold the boat and the boat I bought doesn’t have it and I wish it did. If You can return the motor and get one with autopilot. It will cost more but it is definately worth it, especially on windy days.
Welcome to In-Depth Outdoors Linda!!!
I have never owned an Auto Pilot but what I have heard about them is this when they work guys love them, when they do not work guys hate them. I do have the Co- Pilot and love it and would not be with out one again, I use mine more than I do the pedal and like Wade said it makes a nice back up if you have problems with the pedal.
Quote:
like Wade said it makes a nice back up if you have problems with the pedal.
And you will, in all likelihood, have problems with the pedal….
When my copilot remote died after a few years, I was glad I had my pedal. it has a finer speed control which is necessary some times. I don’t have an autopilot but I can think of a thousand times I wish I had one.
If you can exchange it for the auto pilot he just might like that feature. The wireless co pilot can be added at anytime. I use my auto pilot and co pilot every time I go fishing. But everyone fishes differently, so you husband may not want it. You must be thoughtful enough to get on the site and ask questions.
i have the auto pilot plus copilot also and love it. i have the opilot with the cord though. i think this unit is easier to control my boat with than the cordless. just my opinion, the speed control wheel is the cats meow, i run my boat from the back and i still have plenty of cord. just another option to think about, they are also quite abit cheaper than the cordless copilot. however, they are kinda hard to find. not sure why.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
