Humminbird/Terrova Link question

A few questions for IDO! I just picked up a new Terrova with Ipilot Link. I’ll be linking it with a Humminbird 798ci SI HD. I also have the latest map chip from Lakemaster 7.0. I am not planning on adding another Humminbird fish locator (yes emphasize planing).
My first question would be, in order to use the “follow the contour” feature, do I need to utilize the US2 transducer on the Terrova? Or can I use the transducer at the back of the boat?
The second part is, if I do need to use the US2 transducer for the follow the contour feature, how can I switch between the 2 transducers? I love my side imaging!
Thanks in advance! I do appreciate it.

You do not need to use the trolling motor transducer

Ok, cool! Is their an advantage to using the bow transducer?

Well, you can follow where you are going, or where you have been.

The contour feature has nothing to do with the actual depth. It follows the lines on the contour chip. I would use your side imaging transducer that came with your graph.

Dave maze wrote:

The contour feature has nothing to do with the actual depth. It follows the lines on the contour chip. I would use your side imaging transducer that came with your graph.

Ok, thanks! How does the Hummingbird communicate with the Terrova? I assume a networking cable? If so, any recommendations as to where to get one?

Thanks again,

It will require a network cable. Make sure your terrova and graph have the appropriate connections for the cable. You might want to call humminbird with your model and serial numbers for both the tm and graph to ensure you get the correct cable and adapters.

Inside the Terrova box there should be a ethernet cable, but based on compatibility list on Minn Kota’s site, you’ll need the ethernet adapter cable to work on your Humminbird unit.

https://www.minnkotamotors.com/iPilotLinkCompatibility/

https://www.humminbird.com/Products/AS-EC-QDE/

Like Dave said, follow the contour has nothing to do with the transducer. It is controlled by the Humminbird via GPS location. You’ll love the new Terrova and Link. The new spot lock is amazing.

One word of caution, unless they changed how it works (my link is am earlier version) it follow the contour exactly, so if you have very irregular contour lines it does a whole lot of course correcting (unnessisarily as far as I was concerned). Thought it would make a great ‘auto pilot’ for trolling but the only times I tried it the contours were so irregular I gave up on it in short order before it ate all my battery. Now I just run the actual auto pilot and cruise control and make course corrections manually.

All great info guys, thank you all very much! I am glad that I asked! I assumed that the Terrova transducer used the Lake bottom (along with the Lakemaster chip) to follow the contoured of the lake. It never occurred to me that the gps would be the big component to the puzzle. I have to wonder, why one would even bother with the US2 transducer?

You will need to update the software on three things and in specific order.
1) Your 798
2) the Terrova
3) the handheld fob
in order for them to communicate properly and utilize the Link functions.

all software updates should be in your “My Humminbird” account on Humminbird.com assuming you have everything registered.

Mr Sticks wrote:

I have to wonder, why one would even bother with the US2 transducer?

To get an accurate depth reading and 2D sonar image at the bow, which is important if you’re fishing up front at the bow, rather than use the depth and sonar readings from the back of the boat.

reddog wrote:

You will need to update the software on three things and in specific order.
1) Your 798
2) the Terrova
3) the handheld fob
in order for them to communicate properly and utilize the Link functions.

all software updates should be in your “My Humminbird” account on Humminbird.com assuming you have everything registered.

Why do you NEED to update the software to utilize the Link functions? I installed a new Terrova with Link last year, combined with a 899 and it worked flawlessly without any software updates.

If I recall the was an update that fixed a crashing bug on the “8” series, if memory serves correct that one came out in 2014 as I saw the warning about it while up in Kab so I just disconnected my 788 from the network till I could get the update in, just in case.

On the US2, the most useful it has been for me is vertical jigging, one guy fishes off the back and one up front and if you have the sensitivity high enough you can each watch your own jig.

blank wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>reddog wrote:</div>
You will need to update the software on three things and in specific order.
1) Your 798
2) the Terrova
3) the handheld fob
in order for them to communicate properly and utilize the Link functions.

all software updates should be in your “My Humminbird” account on Humminbird.com assuming you have everything registered.

Why do you NEED to update the software to utilize the Link functions? I installed a new Terrova with Link last year, combined with a 899 and it worked flawlessly without any software updates.

I dont know why, but thats what the instructions in your IPilot software says//
Instructions:
Save this Controller (fishfinder)software to a 32GB or smaller SD card and install the SD card with the updated software files into the Fishfinder card slot.
Fishfinder Update: The Fishfinder will recognize the new software. Follow the dialog box instructions to confirm software installation. i-Pilot Link Update: The software will be updated automatically. It may take up to two minutes for the software to be detected on the network, and the Fishfinder will display on-screen dialog boxes to indicate that the update is in progress. NOTE: You may notice that the i-Pilot Link will disconnect and then reconnect during the software update. This is part of the update process.
When the i-Pilot Link software has been updated, the new software version number will be displayed on the Fishfinder Accessory Test View.
To finish updating the remote and controller, proceed to the software update information for the i-Pilot Link Remote.

Download Print

Thanks, to everyone replying to this post. The last few questions I have on this subject was in regards to me switching from a Navionics card over to a Lakemaster card. I purchased the latest Lakemaster card (7.0), but I don’t have the boat here at home just yet, so I am also wondering if it is possible to power up my Humminbird from my computer just to verify (ok to play around a bit) it is all working.
Last question is how do I know if the Terrova and Link have the latest updates on them already?

There is a button or two on the terrova remote that will tell you which version number is currently in your current remote.
https://www.humminbird.com/support/myhumminbird/?Redirect=/support/myhumminbird/my_equipment/ . My recommendation is to spend some time reading. put your current equipment into myHumminbird. Is your garage or basement warm. Get out a 12 V/ 24V battery and temporarily hook everything up. By the time the time open water fishing begins you should be an near “expert”

Just an update on this post:
I got what was a 12v trolling motor wiring system converted to opperate the new 24v Terrova. I updated the 798ci HD with the latest software. I now have the Ipilot link connected, and the Humminbird recognized it.
I have the new Lakemaster chip installed, although I haven’t been able to understand the simulation mode. I thought it would be like a display at one of the stores, but maybe not? Any help would be great on that.
Last thing I did was pare the heading sensor to the Terrova, but without the boat in the water, I obviously can’t calibrate the offset.
I also have not turned on the Ipilot remote yet, but I will today!

Thanks again for the help and support! I very much appreciate it.