Wireless Copilot – Pros and Cons

I’m seriously looking at getting a Minnkota Wireless remote Copilot BF (or should I consider the Corded Copilot?) to replace the foot pedal and am wondering the pros/cons. When using my current setup (65 lb autopilot with US) seems like I’m always looking down at the foot pedal and quite often I’m turning the speed control off with my big foot ! I should add this is my first year using this setup so maybe I just need to practice, practice, etc. Do you need to point the remote to the bow ? Anybodies experience and helpful hints will be appreciated. Thanks alot.

Cons….Absolutly none! The co-pilot is the best fishing gadget on my boat! Cords, never again!

BIRDDOG

my co-pilot has been giving me fits since I bought it. it worked fine for me th efirst few times out and now nothing. i’ve replaced battery in unit. it’s only 4 monthes old. any help with trouble shooting.

The co-pilot works in conjunction with the foot pedal. You can switch back and forth as needed. Step on the pedal and it overrides the co-pilot and visa-versa.

The co-pilot will work from anywhere in the boat. Actually will work from several boat lengths away. You can run it from inside your coat pocket too.

I have had zero problems with my unit. I bought one when they were first released. Well worth the price.

-J.

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my co-pilot has been giving me fits since I bought it. it worked fine for me th efirst few times out and now nothing. i’ve replaced battery in unit. it’s only 4 monthes old. any help with trouble shooting.

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Have you tried re-programming the send/recieve signal?

-J.

I bought a co-pilot this year and I absolutely love it. I have had a few times it didn’t seem to get the signal. I think it might be due to radio interference.

The only complaints I hear is that you don’t know your speed setting…..

Jon,
that has to be the problem. I’ve read the manual and can’t quite seem to get it. I had a graph put on the front of the boat and a new battery. It got goofy right after that.

I absolutely love the wireless remote to the degree that I have not yet even used the foot padal!

TWO birds with one stone!!!!

SteveO…pay attention here!

I’ve had a Power Drive with Auto Pilot for 3 years now and LOVED the foot pedal…even though I’ve had it replace twice…once because I stepped on it hard and (literally) SMOKED it!

I was goning to make a post today about the fantastic service that MinnKota has given me…They replace both foot pedals for me at no-charge…

I bought the Co-Pilot last fall when I up graded to a 74 pdap…this spring it started to act up on me..as in no range. I had to be within 4 feet for it to work right. It would work further back but intermintantly. It was a pain. I replaced the batteries, because that’s what it acted like. No dice…I called MinnKota on Monday…

They asked if I had changed the battery and put it back together right. Some people don’t get the “button pad” hole lined up with the “little peg” inside.

I checked and it still didn’t work. They said it should have a range of 40 feet. (sounds like your problem SteveO)

Sent it in on Monday, it came back TODAY with a new keypad…just in time for our trip this weekend!

It was preprogramed and after the 3 minute installation, I have well over 40 feet of range.

MinnKota has always been great to me and I’ll be a loyal customer of theirs for years to come.

As far as the co-pilot being worth it…it’s like air conditioning (for all you old timers) once you have it, you won’t be with out it!

The co-pilot doesn’t have the “infinite” speed control the foot pedal does…but I haven’t needed it and don’t miss it.

Heres the address for co-pilot repair.
Just include your return address and what’s wrong with the unit. Include both the co-pilot and the remote.

Minn Kota
706 Holly Lane
Mankato, MN 56002
Att: Repair

I really like mine! I use both the pedal and co-pilot.
Thanks, Bill

Yeah the only real con is probably the price I mean what $150 or so, but don’t get me wrong it’s still worth every single penny With an autopilot is almost cheating it’s that nice, my cousin borrowed my boat last week, and came back just raving about how nice it was.

Speed is a tad of an issue in my world at times, you get 11 beeps 1 for off, and 10 for the 10 speeds it gives you, sometimes I find a tough bite, I have a hard time getting the perfect speed with the copilot, but if its really a problem I just switch back to the pedal.

And yes minnkota customer service is just awesome, they have always done better than I expected Heck I pledged my next trolling motor will be a minnkota too, because they were so good to me.

Right on Brian. I tried to re-program today and still having the same prob. My wife bought it as a gift in 03/05.

I’m just going to exchange it and see what happens. I absolutely loved it until it got “funky” on me.

BTW, I know I put the remote together correctly. Still have the same problem. performance is spotty at best

Thanks for all your positive input. I bought one today, will install it tomorrow, and be out on the Croix Monday giving it a good test.

I had “problems” with mine after about a the third trip. It seemed it would work one minute but not the next. The plug between the co-pilot and the motor was loose. I tightened it, worked great, made a run in some rough water, wouldn’t work. The plug kept loosening. A Wrap of electrical tape and it’s been flawless. Might be a easy fix.

BIRDDOG

I just bought a co-pilot and took it out on Friday. I loved it, espically when casting around docks like I was on Friday. It appeared to me you can tell what speed your using by the beeps. I would take down to where it quit beeping and it appeared every beep going up was another speed. My only complaint to my fishing buddy who was with me was that I didn’t buy one along time ago.