Hey thanx for $hitting on this thread.
This does not have a bad spot lock, is it as accurate as those currently sold? probably not, but it’s not bad nor is it $2k+. Minnkota sold tons of these, $850 for nearly brand new is a bargain, this is not the same as the original iPilot either.
The Link system came out three years later as an premium version along with the upgraded v2 ipilot. Unlike the v2 ipilot, the link was and still is software/firmware upgradeble and minnkota has released many updates to improve them.
And it’s not like spot lock is the only feature offer with the link system.
If you aint happy with what you have, you can purchase the bt upgrade kit that is offered for about $1200+- or spend big and purchase new.