Minn Kota I Pilot

[ACAMACIAN]

I am looking for peoples opinions on the I pilot option on the Minn Kota trolling motors. How well does it work and, Is it worth the extra money. The hold position function I would think would be a great feature if it works like it says.
Curious as to why motorgude does not have this option.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
ACAMACIAN

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I used it many years ago and added the copilot feature to it. I could sit in the back ofthe boat and fish all day without walking to the bow. One of the best trolling motor features I've ever had.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I used it many years ago and added the copilot feature to it. I could sit in the back ofthe boat and fish all day without walking to the bow. One of the best trolling motor features I've ever had.

The i-pilot has been out for maybe 2 years only?

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

There has got to be more people out there who have this option. Also how responsive is the remote feature. Someone told me it was slow or hesitate.

ACAMACIAN

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

MinnKota electric steer motors have a "soft-start" feature that allow the motor to start rather slowly, then pick up to the selected speed. This is so you aren't jerked off your feet when you hit the "Go" button. All electric steer motors are a just a bit slow but that is a matter of perception. Slow to one person is not slow at all to another.

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

Now that makes sense Silvertip. I was told they were at the downside of a damn and when the water flow changed they couldn't adjust fast enough as they could with a foot pedal. And started to get sucked in to the damn, blamed the unresponsiveness

THANKS

ACAMACIAN

 

[bassman284]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I have the copilot and can't see any difference in response between the foot pedal and the remote.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

If you get sucked into backflow from a dam you have some issues and a slow trolling motor response is not one of them.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

The I pilot is rather new. The autopilot along a compass heading is not and has been around for a long time. Almost the same technology with a new name. Just my opinion. The copilot feature added did not have much delay. What it did have was a moment of doubt. You always wondered for a split second if the head heard the remote and then the boat would move. Turn response was almost instant.

 

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I can't say anything about. I am getting all set to buy one though in the next month or two. After doing much reading about it, I'm probably going to buy the Terrova with the I-pilot. I decided to get the Terrova, because I would have the foot controller also. I will have the best of both worlds (remote and foot control). Kind of expensive, just hope I come across a sale???

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I hope to be buying one soon also, and you are right they are not cheap. There really isn't any local sellers that carry these motors around here so I will probably have to order from Cabelas or BPS. The problem I am having is I would like a 52" shaft 80lb thrust with the I pilot but they don't seem to make them. Or I can't find it. I may have to buy the I pilot seperately, which costs more again. If you find a sale let me know... lol

ACAMACIAN

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

Here is a long thread from people that use the I-pilot. http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fish...8366-minn-kota-i-pilot-questions-answers.html

 

[199675hpforce]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

All I can say if you have never had the autopilot or copilot feature of older ones you dont know what your missing. New ipilot takes those advantages and steps up it's game. I liked the AP,CP and was 100 percent happy. Will ipilot make me 120percent happy I dont know yet. Im ordering one pretty soon. Going with 55pound thrust on 1600 crestliner superhawk. I can run 48inch shaft on my boat, but im ordering 54inch. If your running 17ft lund fisherman go 54inch maybe 60 if its like lund barron. I would go 24volt on mine however then I need two batteries in boat and really not a ton of extra space and float weight limmits add up fast think 700 not including motor. My last boat could easily take the weight was unusual deep V 17ft. You dont really need foot pedal that reminds me I have new wireless foot pedal I need to sell.

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I read a lot of the long thread by bhile which got me thinking on how my wiring is in my boat as I have a switch now on my pedal to change from 12 to 24 volt. Not sure how I need to change this yet.
It did confuse me on whether the foot pedal will still work if I buy the I pilot seperately. I have a 20.5 ft javelin fish and ski and have a johnson trolling motor on it now. I went and measured it today and it measured about 45'" from center of prop to bottom of head so I am beginning to think I don't really need the 52" one. Decision decisions!!

ACAMACIAN

 

[mystro]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I think a few people here are confusing the *new recently released "I-Pilot with the "Co-Pilot"..they are totally different systems. The I-Pilot has a built in GPS and memory feature whereas the Co-Pilot does not.

 

[Splat]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I got a awesome price on my terrova a few years ago from cabelas in the bargain cave area. I got a refurbished one for a few hundred bucks off, looks like new, runs like new, just came with a shorter warranty. May want to check it.

Bill

 

[CrappieLimit]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I have had the Minn Kota PowerDrive v2 iPilot for a year. I have up graded to the Terrova iPilot for the foot control + hand control. Do yourself a favor and go with the Terrova from the start. When jig pole fishing for crappie, you don't want to have a hand on the remote all the time. iPilot is a major upgrade from the auto pilot and I have not experienced any of the sudden compass issues with the electronic steering turning in a circle. The GPS spot lock is the major feature that makes the price worthwhile. When trolling as soon as I set the hook, i hit the spot lock button. Then I land the fish without worry of drifting off or into obstacles. The iPilot hand control is not as user friendly as the co-pilot buttons. Get the version with the US2 to reduce interference from the trolling motor to the fish finder. The trolling motor low speed settings will generate noise in your fish finder.
Good luck.
ps. any one want to buy a good Minn Kota PD\55\54"\12 volt\ipilot?

 

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

I just installed a Terrova 55# with I-Pilot on my 21' pontoon boat. Took it out this past Saturday and tried it out on the lake, The wind was blowing about 15 mph. All I got to say is Wow. It worked exactly as advertised and when I hit the spot-lock button, it held the boat in place. It was kind of wierd at first watching the motor turn, accelerate and deaccelerate all by itself. I'm very pleased with the purchase, even if it is expensive. I think I-Pilot will be a really nice option to any fishing boat. And no, I don't work for MK.

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

That is what I did I purchased the terrova 80 with I Pilot from trollingmotors.net. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I am looking forward to it.

ACAMACIAN

 

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

Re: Minn Kota I Pilot

A friend of mine just bought a new Lund boat with the 80# thrust. He hasn't had a chance to try it yet, but I'll bet you both have a smile on your face when you do.

That is what I did I purchased the terrova 80 with I Pilot from trollingmotors.net. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I am looking forward to it.

ACAMACIAN