Upgrade Terrova or buy new.

a Helix 9 G4N, 2010 Terrova 55, 54” shaft 12 volt with I Pilot/Spotlock. To use I Pilot link capability with Helix need to upgrade Terrova by install upgrade head, new controller, Ethernet cable, adapter cable, tax and ship say $1000 This would be 2017 technology. New Terrova with I Pilot link has the new touchscreen controller, spring assist on Terrova, Bluetooth capable. Same 55 thrust, 54 shaft 12 volt cost $2000. One offsetting unknown is how much is my existing unit worth on market?

Just thinking out loud here,
If you only make a change once every 10 plus years,,,,

Are you going to change your boat?
Are you going to change your Fish finder?
Or have you already done so?

I would purchase the latest in the thrust and shaft length that is appropriate to the size of your boat and where you fish ie; lake, reservoir or river, AND what electronics that you have or are purchasing soon!

Depending where you’re located your motor is probably worth $700-$900. I would also consider how long it will take to receive the new one especially if you go up to a higher thrust, inventories are stretched thin.

Buy new and take the 24 month warranty that comes along with it.

For that price I’d buy new if you can find it.

When I purchased my second Ulterra ( first had the poor spotlock ) I checked Minnkota service centers for a refurbished model and found one in Illinois had free shipping and saved $800 over a new one.

You should shop around. I recently upgraded my Ulterra from I Pilot to I Pilot Link for about $750 and that included everything including shipping.

Thank you all. My post should have said just bought the Helix 9 GN4 so it is latest model, which is driving the need for I Pilot Link as I really want the follow contour capability. My boat is a 99 Alumacraft 165 Magnum CS with a 70 Evinrude 4 stroke (Suzuki) boat is perfect for me so I am going to keep it till I can no longer fish alone. If I can get 600 for old one, then I go new. Higher thrust another battery, new 3 bank charger, snap on cover no longer fits, and because 24v only come with mega DI, my old Helix 9 GN1 will not work in bow. Can still get US2 on 55.

Why don’t you think your Helix 9 GN1 won’t still work on the bow? If I understand correctly, I think you can still use the MDI transducer for 2D only if your Helix 9 isn’t a DI model.

David Bollig wrote:

Thank you all. My post should have said just bought the Helix 9 GN4 so it is latest model, which is driving the need for I Pilot Link as I really want the follow contour capability. My boat is a 99 Alumacraft 165 Magnum CS with a 70 Evinrude 4 stroke (Suzuki) boat is perfect for me so I am going to keep it till I can no longer fish alone. If I can get 600 for old one, then I go new. Higher thrust another battery, new 3 bank charger, snap on cover no longer fits, and because 24v only come with mega DI, my old Helix 9 GN1 will not work in bow. Can still get US2 on 55.

I bought a new terrova 24V 80# 2 months ago with US2 so that option is still available; I know their inventory is a little tight though like almost everything else.
For your old terrova, you’re probably looking at 500-600. I just bought a 2018 model of the 55# model you have + a heading sensor for 750. Obviously with those things it’s worth what someone will pay.
To your original question, I’d buy new. Doesn’t seem to pencil out to put 1000 into a 10+ year old trolling motor when you could sell it and upgrade to brand new for probably 1500. Things start to go bad in those motors like brushes, steering boxes, etc. that are a couple hundred bucks to fix. Would you put 5 grand into an old outboard if you could buy a brand new one for 7500 with a warranty?

My older Helix G1N is SI/DI, compatibility won’t work for 2D per Humminbird.

David Bollig wrote:

My older Helix G1N is SI/DI, compatibility won’t work for 2D per Humminbird.

If you have the g4n model networked via hub to the g1 you will see everything the g4 does

I suppose the hub is necessary anyway if I go wild in my old age and get new Mega live in near future😊 I may have an old boat but it will be loaded. Im glad my wife spent read posts

hooknfinger wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>David Bollig wrote:</div>
My older Helix G1N is SI/DI, compatibility won’t work for 2D per Humminbird.

If you have the g4n model networked via hub to the g1 you will see everything the g4 does

Gen 1 to Gen 3 or 4 will only share waypoints that is it. If buying the updated head unit only get the one with Bluetooth touch screen remote anything earlier has the lousy Spotlock and it is really lousy.

Thanks, Tom P. You can not get anything beyond a 2017 non-BT hand unit in the Legacy upgrade. I ordered a new 55# 54 inch I Pilot Link Terrova and am putting my old one up for sale. New one everything is BT AND most importantly the software on the Humminbird and the Terrova can be upgraded. Thank you all for your advice.