I have an MinnKota I Pilot Terrova 24V in 16’aluminum boat. When using the anchor lock function in rivers it is great and even OK when wind is a factor. However when I’m on a lake and little or medium wind it seems it wanders a lot and is always re-adjusting. It’s better than anchoring but can be annoying unless you are casting. I’ve not been in a boat with Xi5. Just curious if anyone has used both and is able to compare.
Thanks,
Grey Beard
I’ve used the Terrova extensively and recently been able to use the Xi5 quite a bit. The Xi5 has hands down a much tighter radius. It probably holds within a 5 foot area. The “bump” feature is nice too. After you are anchored, you can click the directional pad to move 5 feet front, back, left, right.
I too have heard the xi5 holds a much tighter radius than the 1st generation iPilot. I’ve also heard the next generation iPilot will be much improved in that reagrd. The second generation won’t be out on the Terrova until next year…but the improvements are said to be in the new Ulterra this year.
Anyone compared the holding radius between the xi5 and the Ulterra?
I’ve had both and there is no comparison. The anchor feature of the xi5 blows the ipilot away. I use that feature more than any other, and that is the sole reason I went with the xi5. The jog feature is incredible. When I anchor on a wing dam, I can hit that twice to move 10 feet to one side. This saves me time, and allows me to spend time casting while the boat is moving.
There are a few things that are a toss up, my understanding is that the gateway kit has helped the autopilot feature be a little less squirely. But, in all fairness, I never liked the advanced autopilot feature of the ipilot either. I always liked the old compass driven version better.
I do look forward to the new remote with a display coming out. There are times where I miss that, but again the gateway kit will display that info on a gen 2 or higher HDS unit.
I installed the gateway kit with my xi5 and I cannot say I noticed any difference in “heading lock” than prior to the gateway kit. Granted, I didn’t notice any issues either. I am not sure what you mean by “squirrely”, but maybe it happened and I thought nothing of it.
At any rate, two years on the xi5 and absolutely love it! The Anchor mode is tremendous, the much lower amp draw for the xi5 vs terrova is also a huge plus as it could make the difference in a day getting cut short on the water.
I have used the Autopilot with my Gen2 Touch and find it works flawless after I got past my initial issues with the SW updates. I am running v4.0. For some reason initially I lost all autopilot features. That was rectified by reverting the xi5 back to original SW version and then updating again. Now it works flawless.
I would like to see a redesigned footpedal as there are a lot of guys who prefer them over a remote and they will not buy an xi5 due to this alone. A flat style with direction arrows to tap would be a huge improvement. Similar to that of the Terrova.
I’ve had both and there is no comparison. The anchor feature of the xi5 blows the ipilot away. I use that feature more than any other, and that is the sole reason I went with the xi5. The jog feature is incredible. When I anchor on a wing dam, I can hit that twice to move 10 feet to one side. This saves me time, and allows me to spend time casting while the boat is moving.
There are a few things that are a toss up, my understanding is that the gateway kit has helped the autopilot feature be a little less squirely. But, in all fairness, I never liked the advanced autopilot feature of the ipilot either. I always liked the old compass driven version better.
I do look forward to the new remote with a display coming out. There are times where I miss that, but again the gateway kit will display that info on a gen 2 or higher HDS unit.
wimwuen, I’m wondering if you had the first generation of the iPilot as your comparison point (I do too and think it needs improvement) – or, were you using the Ulterra with the new processor that is supposed to be on par with the xi5?
I am thinking about switching to the xi5. I do like the jogging feature a ton and would use that more then anything. However I do use the AP on my terrova a lot and wondering on the xi5 how that works as I was reading it was different but not sure the details around that. Anyone got any insight on that?
I was using the 1st gen. The autopilot is not as good as the regular autopilot, about the same as the “advanced autopilot”. I haven’t tried the gateway kit yet, but have heard that it makes this much more accurate.
Having used both, when time came to upgrade I went with the Xi5. Much less drifting in anchor mode, and the jog feature is priceless. Only advantage to the iPilot system was the remote display but it appears they’re addressing that issue.
Warranty on the I pilot seems to be pretty good. Got to use mine yesterday for a broken remote. Couple of tiny pieces of plastic that hold the remote battery cover in place had broke. Not to happy that the replacement remote will have the same poor design flaw but they had no problem sending a new one out free of charge. Still I would much rather have a product that is reliable than a good warranty.
Only advantage to the iPilot system was the remote display but it appears they’re addressing that issue.
At this point for me this is pretty much the only reason I haven’t switched to mg.
I have also used both and didn’t have a good experience at all with the mg. my buddy put one on his new boat. There was a software issue that kept the trolling motor searching for satellites even when not deployed. So when it was deployed, it was unable to find the satellites and the motor would just spin around in circles almost belt raking the power cables.
I am told that this issue is now fixed by a software update.
About my 1 yo terrova. This spring I had to have the motor replaced due to a water leak. It was clearly a manufacturing defect where the o-ring seal surface was badly damaged during machining resulting in a leaking housing. Basically a clamping mark on a seal surface.
I’m not totally pleased with the anchor lock but it is still useful.
word is the new gen of ipilot will be just as tight at the xi5. but having used both (the xi5 only twice but really i’ve not had my ipilot long) that for me is the only advantage and it really wasn’t that big of a deal for how we typically fish. i can easily jog on the ipilot “manually” i guess so that wasn’t a big deal either.
not having the screen also seemed disadvantageous.
both systems were not linked to any other electronics.
It looks like both will be addressing those issues so it will be interesting in the coming years.
You will be happy with either one really, they’re both quality motors and both will really change the way you fish. Just today I anchored over a school of sunfish and I was able to use the jog function to stay right on top of the school as they moved around a mid lake hump. My nephew approved the Motorguide!
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This should answer the question about MG electronic anchor
If its as good as the video then its insanely awesome. I don’t believe the video though. How would a strong wave action from the right side be compensated for it if the motor is pointing straight off the bow, regardless of current? Unless he has a talon down I call BS on that video. If it works that well I will make the switch on my next boat. The video just doesn’t seem legit. Granted- I’ve never river fished but IMO if current is equal to wind in the opposite direction you wouldn’t need anything to keep you in place, the motorguide appears to be doing little to nothing to help position the boat, unless the rear of the boat is anchored.
The video looked legit to me. If that video was shot from a second boat, you would see it was on the level. Both companies are improving their products and it will only get better
I am thinking about switching to the xi5. I do like the jogging feature a ton and would use that more then anything. However I do use the AP on my terrova a lot and wondering on the xi5 how that works as I was reading it was different but not sure the details around that. Anyone got any insight on that?
Carver, aside from the anchor mode being absolutely awesome the cruise control and “heading lock” are great features as well. This would be similar to autopilot on minnkota.
The MG does use GPS lock to “splash” virtual waypoints in a path ahead of you when you use heading lock. Should you decide to adjust your heading slightly, it splashes a new set of waypoints and continues on its merry way.
After doing the pinpoint gateway to connect to my HDS units, I could honestly care less if they ever had a remote with a screen on it. For starters the current remote works just fine. If you are using cruise control or heading lock you are able to determine this by LEDs on the motor itself. When turning cruise control on the default is 1.0MPH. Adjust in .1MPH increments for each + or – you press.
Now, with the gateway, this is where it becomes totally awesome and really unlocks the power of this integration.
I can touch a random spot on my HDS and have it navigate TO that spot, anchor at that spot, etc. I can also have it follow a route that I have saved in my HDS. Once you display the autopilot control pad on the HDS panel, turning on or off various features is so easy and way more simple than a big clunky remote with a 3 inch screen. You can set your specific speed you want and set the cruise control. Just type in the value and click OK, its really that simple.
The motor is amazing but what has really brought it to the next level is the integration with Lowrance. I can sit at the console using my trolling motor and just tap my screen to make adjustments or I can use the remote.
I know I mentioned it before, but many guys don’t even think about it, max AMP draw for an 80# xi5 is 38 Amps. A comparable Terrova is 54 Amps. That’s a big difference. Granted, I don’t know many folks that would be using peak for long, but at the end of the day all those extra amps add up to more heat build up in your batteries.
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