As far as I know, Minn Kota is the only co. that uses the Maximizer Technology.
You used to be able to buy a maximizer as a stand alone unit, so you could use any trolling motor (Motor Guide) and still get the benefits of pulse technology.
I don't know if they sell it anymore though. Might look on e-bay for one.
It's called the Minn Kota "Maximizer" and has dial to control your speed. You set the trolling motor on "High" and just use the Maximizer to control the speed. It had a coiled 6' cord with the speed dial on the end. I think it even had LED lights to indicate the charge that you have left on the battery. -Hooch-

 

All that the Maximizer is (as far as I can tell) is a variable speed control. You pick up extended battery life because it allows you to run at a slightly lower speed in some instances. At top speed it doesn't extend battery life over the standard 5 speed motors.

Motorguide also has variable speed motors available.

If there's more to it than that, I'd love to know what it is.

 

You know Saildog, that's sound right to me too. I only problem I have with my 5 speed is I'm using the same amount of juice if I only on speed 1. I wonder how weedless the variable speed ones can be. I thought that it used the same amount of power at all speeds so it has the torque to cut through the weeds. Still trying to figure out if it's worth it. If I don't get one with the maximizer, I'll just get a 30 so I can compromise power and battery life.

 

The maximizer pulses the voltage to the motor so you do not use full power at lower speeds. My bow mount has the maximizer and my transom mount does not. they both act the same in weeds when run at lower speeds. at the low speeds weeds will wrap whether you have maximizer or not to a certain degee. The maximize model use 50% less power from the battery at 50% speed, 25% at 25%. this buys you longer running time on your battery when you run continuously at low speeds. If I had to have one motor, it would definately have the maximizer. my 2 cents.

Dave

 

The motor on a 5 speed definitely draws less amperage at lower speeds than it does at higher speeds. I think the main difference is that with a five speed motor you can only run at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. On the variable speed you could operate anywhere. If you only need 32%, that is what you use instead of the less efficient 40%.

It is my understanding (perhaps flawed...I need to study it more) that ALL trolling motors use pulse voltage to control motor speeds. They are relatively simple permanent magnet motors and I've had the bottom ends apart, but never the control units.