ullterra

are 2017 better than the 2016 and if so, why? I’m talking about the spot lock problem guys are talking about it wanting to throw them out of the boat

Yes the 2017 have a new compass (external puck) that helps with keeping you spot locked on your spot, eliminating the power surges of past Minn Kota spot lock issues.

So I have a 2015 Ulterra, with a 2 year warranty, does that mean they will update and put a new compass in mine?

uncle-glen-1 wrote:

So I have a 2015 Ulterra, with a 2 year warranty, does that mean they will update and put a new compass in mine?

and my 2016 can it be updated?

I read today it could, but the upgrade kit is something like $700+

No you cannot update any older Minn Kota units. IF you ordered I-pilot today and wanted to add Link next year you would have to buy a completely new trolling motor with Link, no upgrading to Link. Gone are the days of swapping out heads to add either I-pilot or Link.
The new units have Blue tooth in the head which will talk with the puck style compass, you can run the new Trolling motor via your cell phone and Minn Kota app, with Bluetooth turned on. As do the new Humminbird units, it goes as far as receiving a text message on the hummingbird screen as well, all via Blue tooth.

I just bought new boat this fall with the ullterra and its a 2016 and the spot lock is going to give me trouble then?

grizzly wrote:

I just bought new boat this fall with the ullterra and its a 2016 and the spot lock is going to give me trouble then?

It will be the same spot lock people have been using for the last 5+ years. Some seem to work better than others

you CAN update your 2016 Ulterra to the 2017 Control head with bluetooth, call Minnkota directly, here’s the Part # 2884167

It’s ONLY $800 for the upgrade. I’ll save my money for the next trolling motor- a motor guide before I pay $800 for the upgrade. I can’t believe they don’t have some sort of trade in deal for the thousands of us who have one that doesn’t perform the way it should- I don’t mean free but throw us a bone. They tell me that my #80 is ‘over powered’ for my boat and that’s why when it comes on blasting at level 10 to correct spot lock that’s why it wants to throw you out of the boat. My boat is somewhere around 3600-4000 loaded up. It’s not over powered by any means.

I suspect they don’t offer trade-in offers because then what do they do with outdated trolling motors most folks wouldn’t want? You’re better off trying to sell your gen1 Ulterra and buying new…

JoeMX1825 wrote:

I suspect they don’t offer trade-in offers because then what do they do with outdated trolling motors most folks wouldn’t want? You’re better off trying to sell your gen1 Ulterra and buying new…

I can agree with that but months old are hardly outdated. I understand but it sure it frustrating. If it worked like it should it wouldn’t be an issue.

Could always go back to an anchor!

Before Motor Guide, MinnKota was the only game in town and people loved it for the most part. Then when Motor Guide realized they had an opportunity to capture some market the designed the better system. Now MinnKota has leaped past them with a new product release.

When Motor Guide first came out with spot lock and job they had issues also. I fished with guys where the motor would simply take off in another direction – software or GPS compass issues presumably.

New product releases happen every year. New warranties happen every year. Every buy a motor, only to have the following year at the boat show or dealer find out the manufacture has extended the warranty? Happens all the time.

Tight lines!

yup, if you want to stay upto date with Technology, you gotta be willing to eat the heavy depreciation amounts…1st world problems though…it’s like complaining your A/C is too cold…

look at iPhones…who wants to buy a used model from last year, when the new year model costs the same price, but has so many additional/new features…

i have a 2016 honda odyssey, i just saw the features of the 2017 and honda said they won’t put those features retroactivly in my 2016!!!! THROW ME A BONE HERE

mike_utley wrote:

When Motor Guide first came out with spot lock and job they had issues also. I fished with guys where the motor would simply take off in another direction – software or GPS compass issues presumably.

The big difference here is that Motorguide fixed the problem on existing units and all production units. Now they work as intended.

That is a big difference, sucks Minnkota couldn’t do that…especially with i-Pilot Link that allows software updates, I understand why basic i-Pilot couldn’t update because there’s no input to do so…

JoeMX1825 wrote:

you CAN update your 2016 Ulterra to the 2017 Control head with bluetooth, call Minnkota directly, here’s the Part # 2884167

Yep 2016 Ulterra only can be updated for $800, as a dealer we were told differently a few months ago in 2017 product training..thanks for pointing this out JoeMX1825.

yep used anchor for thirty years should have stayed with it lol it was cheaper

Did your 2016 also not work the way it was intended and advertised to do? When you touch the gas pedal after taking it out of park does it also go to 5000 rpms automatically causing a safety concern for any passenger standing up?

Then we’re comparing apples to apples. We’re not talking about two perfectly good models a year apart.

Using your customer base for trying out new products instead of ample testing time prior to release isn’t the best business practice and a great way to lose customers for life.

hnd wrote:

i have a 2016 honda odyssey, i just saw the features of the 2017 and honda said they won’t put those features retroactivly in my 2016!!!! THROW ME A BONE HERE

hnd wrote:

i have a 2016 honda odyssey, i just saw the features of the 2017 and honda said they won’t put those features retroactivly in my 2016!!!! THROW ME A BONE HERE

Did your 2016 also not work the way it was intended and advertised to do? When you touch the gas pedal after taking it out of park does it also go to 5000 rpms automatically causing a safety concern for any passenger standing up?

Then we’re comparing apples to apples. We’re not talking about two perfectly good models a year apart.

Using your customer base for trying out new products instead of ample testing time prior to release isn’t the best business practice and a great way to lose customers.

I don’t think they can fix the issue of the 20 to 30 ft circle that your spot lock keeps you in.

But they should be able to correct the point were they decide when the error is large enough to correct.

And the rate of ramp that they control the prop speed during the correction.

The rate of ramp should be intelligent enough to look at the rate of change in the boat position and adjust the rate of change in the prop speed.

It is only software, to me I would look and insist on a software update.

Just got off the phone with Minn Kota. I was informed that the replacement head for Ulterra to update to the new Spot lock was no longer available. Was told by the nice lady in parts dept. that the higher ups decided to discontinue it. So much for brand loyalty. Mine is a 2015 and they already replaced the head unit once already. My warranty runs out the end of June, time to run her through a stump field wide open.

Crappy Fisherman wrote:

So much for brand loyalty. Mine is a 2015 and they already replaced the head unit once already. My warranty runs out the end of June, time to run her through a stump field wide open.

WOW.. yeah that’ll teach em. Paying your deductible and making your insurance pony up $ for your equipment will really make a difference over at MinnKota.

Don’t think I would really do that, might do more damage to my boat than the trolling motor.

Just got an email from them.

” Sorry for the inconvenience, that option was not supposed to be offer. This came from management ”

Guess bottom line is more important than customer satisfaction.

Just an update, Minnkota called me today to find out what was wrong with my Ulterra. It was nice of them to take the time to find out why I was upset. In all fairness they did repair my spot lock and the new one does work. It’s just that it doesn’t work quite as well as they advertise. I was under the impression that it was upgradable for $800.00 and I was willing to pay this for the upgrade. After speaking to them I understand why they do not upgrade. We all know that when we buy a new locator, trolling motor, computer or cell phone that it is probably already old news when we get it. I’m satisfied with the manor in which they treated me.

I guess its a moot point if they stopped offering the $800 upgrade. But just want to point out that a 112 lb 36v 72″ shaft with I-link is 3K. I’m on the verge of ordering one. I got my 9.9 yami longshaft/powertrim for less.

The definition of a boat is.

A hole in the water you throw money into.

I don’t rely on advertising. I’ll read specs and then try and get as much information from folks that use the product, this site is a pretty good source. Not many things perform to claims made in a commercial or brochure. It’s like gas mileage on a new vehicle. I can’t remember the last time I drove in optimum conditions…load, wind, tire pressure.

FWIW I have a MotorGuide and love it.

Spot lock on my old terrova works great. We use it in Canadian waters on Erie for perch. There was a loophole that if you anchored the boat you needed to check into customs, but if you didn’t touch you were good to go. I have to read the fine print for 2017 to see if this is still the case. Otherwise we use it to search for perch. Once we get a good spot we throw the hook. It has been a godsend