I also found out, it doesn't have to be in the water to set a track!
I can start it up with the speed set to zero, and set my start point , motor still in the cradle. So I can use my regular motor and steering to create the path (faster than trolling) and then record the end point. Then put the trolling motor in the water and go back to the beginning!

Rainbow,
Great Tip !
I haven't toyed with the path feature yet. Does it save the path after turning motor off, and still be there for the next trip ?

GR

 

I've never even used more than on path?
I always create a new one every time... and I don't 'unplug' the trolling motor, since the remote times out and goes to sleep - and I always plug in the onboard battery charger.

I would think it keeps whatever it is programmed with though, until you record over it.

Oh yeah... and I found out that if you are a bass fisherman, it's not a problem without a pedal either. You're normally fishing along shore in a relatively straight and slow path, and you only have to occasionally point the motor in another direction to follow the shore line.

 

I have wanted to ask how this compares to the Auto pilot models. I think the AP models don't have the "anchor" feature, but doesnt it hold headings and such as well. Just curious about the differences between the two. I would love to hear from someone who has used both.

 

I have used both.

One AP function, is the same in both. The I Pilot also has an advanced Auto Pilot in addition to the standard AP function that operates off of it's own internal GPS module. This allows it to compensate for wind drift, current, etc. I have tried both on mine and both work very well. My test of the Advanced has been on inland lakes, not Erie.

The track back, spot lock, cruise control functions are very, very, nice. My first trip I recorded a track on Salt Fork for about a 1/2 mile along a bank as I fished used the foot pedal. I then used the track back function and set the cruise control and fished back along that bank, with many twists and turns, and never touched the trolling motor.

Obviously the cruise control will only work when you don't have a tail wind that is pushing you along faster than your speed selection.

I used the spot lock fishing a hump with Josh and Fishslim one day and it worked well. We had very little wind that day and it worked well. I think it would work even better if it had some more wind or current to fight.

When I first looked at the remote it gave me some concern with all of the buttons and functions, but after about an hr and reading the cheat sheet as I went it was really easy.

I also really like the ability to use both the foot pedal and the remote. If while using the remote I hit the foot pedal it then takes over full control.

The deploy and stow on the Terrova is light years better than the previous AP Minn Kota I had. I had the Co-Pilot on my previous motor but could not activate the AP from the remote, I had to push the AP button on the motor head each time. With the I Pilot I can perform all functions from the remote except deploy and stow and for that I have Josh

I've only used it a few times but I'm very impressed so far. I have thought back to a bunch of previous fishing days that I could have really used the features this offers to make fishing easier. I was hesitant to spend the cash but now think it was money very well spent

 

Rainbow,
Great Tip !
I haven't toyed with the path feature yet. Does it save the path after turning motor off, and still be there for the next trip ?

GR

Gary,

While I have not tested it yet my understanding is that the recorded tracks are maintained in memory until you overwrite an old track with a new one. So yes you could repeat a track the next day, or month or whenever

 

will this work with any gps unit i just bought a humming bird and this is next on my list before spring

 

will this work with any gps unit i just bought a humming bird and this is next on my list before spring

This does not use your GPS unit on the boat in any way. It has it's own GPS receiver internal to the motor head

 

oh wow i need to read up on this more thanks alot for clearning that up going to have to get me one of these

 

I just did a quick check on Cabelas. For the 55lb model the AP is $730 and the IP is $830. For only 100 bones more, sounds like the IP is the way to go.

 

Call Cranberry Creek Marina. They had better deals on the Terrova than both Bass Pro and Cabelas. 419-433-3932 Just tell them you are an OGF member.

 

If you get a terrova motor not a add-on to a existing motor it will not turn on unless the motor is deployed. You can do the same thing just put it down and don't run it do your track. The tracking function is great, I use it it alot when I am on a pod of fish. The only problem is alot of zig zagging which might help the baits. The only problem I have had with mine is the left arrow broke on the remote (which minn kota sent a new the same day thanks DJ) and the battery meter is not working anymore (which will be fix this winter).

 

minnkota has a good deals on there sight with free shipping

 

I know this is weather dependent, but how much trouble does an I-pilot have maintaining its course ie. lots of small corrections or a few larger more gradual ones. Also is there away to adjust steering sensitivity like on a conventional auto pilot?

 

On auto pilot, there are two modes, advance where it puts a gps point out in the direction of the head and then goes to that. Then there is just auto pilot which it just follow a compass reading and goes that way. Wind and current will push you a little with the second one. Now when you are following a path (track) and it's wind the boat does do a little zig zagging, but it also changes the speed of the baits which I believe helps sometimes.

 

All I have to say is as I was fishing last weekend in the wind by myself, as I walked around the boat to land, unhook, rebait or retie and maintain position with the current point I was fishing I knew I was in love........ I would like to mention that recently I had been having a few problems with the head spinning or the motor shutting down on high power. I called Minn Kota and they were spot on on the solution. The connections had become corroded. I cleaned them up and I'm back in bussiness. I can't wait to use the anchor feature on my favorite spot on the Ohio next week!

 

Ill will be ordering mine in the next few weeks not sure what size i should go with what do you guys think My boats 14.5 crestliner 74 in wide and when we fish we stay out all day I will be having a charger on my boat plus my motor charges thanks and sry for hijacking your thread .