- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Motorguide Xi5 vs. Minn Kota Ipilot
Posted on 9/25/20 at 10:49 pm
Posted on 9/25/20 at 10:49 pm
Does anyone on the board have experience with either or both of these? looking for something that will hold me on the spot when I'm fishing, and I've heard good things about both.
Furthermore, is it easy to find a used model of either, and would you consider installing one? What is the smallest you would use on a 23-ft day boat? Any help is appreciated.
Furthermore, is it easy to find a used model of either, and would you consider installing one? What is the smallest you would use on a 23-ft day boat? Any help is appreciated.
9
Posted on 9/25/20 at 10:50 pm to jrobic4
Cable steer capable or not?
Nevermind just saw you were putting it in a bay boat. I have an ultrex.
Nevermind just saw you were putting it in a bay boat. I have an ultrex.
This post was edited on 9/25/20 at 10:54 pm
Posted on 9/25/20 at 11:01 pm to jrobic4
quote:
have experience with either or both of these
I have lots of time on an ipilot, its the best fishing accessory a person could possibly buy. I haven't taken my anchor out the locker since I put the ipilot on the boat.
What size depends on how you use the boat but I have a 36v on my 24' kenner and I dont think the 24 would cut it. I use it offshore very often and on spotlock the trolling motor is often running on 7/10 to hold station. A 24v might be able to do it but the battery life would be horrible. 23 is a lot of boat and the 36v is the only option IMO. I had a 24v on my old 18' boat and it was a good match for that.
Buy it, you won't regret it.
Posted on 9/26/20 at 5:03 am to jrobic4
Paging RingLeader!!!
Posted on 9/26/20 at 8:45 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I'm confused as to whether you have to hook it up to a GPS to hold it onto a spot or not... Also, I'm looking at GPS's right now, and I want to make sure whatever I buy will allow me to use the spot lock...
Posted on 9/26/20 at 9:16 am to jrobic4
I bit the bullet and did ultrex with 100 amp-hr lithium batteries.
Could not be happier. I have trolled for hours and hours and I don’t think my state of charge has gone below 70% with starting at 100%
Could not be happier. I have trolled for hours and hours and I don’t think my state of charge has gone below 70% with starting at 100%
Posted on 9/26/20 at 9:19 am to jrobic4
Plenty good used i pilots out there, even some ultras with warranty. 2cool & the hull truth are sites to cruise. No need to have connectivity for spot lock, game changer for sure.
Posted on 9/26/20 at 9:31 am to jrobic4
With the ipilot the GPS is built into the trolling motor, no external accessories needed. The new ones come with a heading sensor that you'll need to mount somewhere, but its all included.
Posted on 9/26/20 at 11:32 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I didnt realize it was built in to mine until a few weeks ago when I asked on here. Since then Im not even using my power pole as much. It is literally the best thing ever created IMO. Mines the 36v on a 21 foot Frontier.
Posted on 9/27/20 at 10:58 am to jrobic4
I bought an ipilot 2 years ago and have had nothing but trouble with it.
Has been in shop 6 times in 22 months for various reasons, including replacing the main board 2x.
Warranty has been worthless and minn kota customer service was terrible.
Just my .02
Has been in shop 6 times in 22 months for various reasons, including replacing the main board 2x.
Warranty has been worthless and minn kota customer service was terrible.
Just my .02
Posted on 9/27/20 at 6:26 pm to blueboxer1119
I’m going through the same evaluation now. I currently have a 24V system, I think if I went 36V I’d have to consider Lithium batteries for the weight. My camp partner just installed an iPilot himself in an afternoon, loves his so far, my neighbor got the Motorguide version and loves his. I can say from being on boats with them this summer, it’s a game changer
Posted on 9/27/20 at 9:05 pm to jrobic4
Def need a 36V with that size boat. I think both brands are pretty close, I have a MK Ulterra cause I wanted the auto trim.
Like everyone says it’s a game changer, I think simply because it’s so easy to stop, check out a spot and then move. I don't spend nearly as much time in a spot not catching fish and am willing to move until I find them. I also have a power pole but a cajun anchor would work to keep the boat positioned for better casting. The wind will always flip a boat around with wind/tides if you only have one of them in use.
Like everyone says it’s a game changer, I think simply because it’s so easy to stop, check out a spot and then move. I don't spend nearly as much time in a spot not catching fish and am willing to move until I find them. I also have a power pole but a cajun anchor would work to keep the boat positioned for better casting. The wind will always flip a boat around with wind/tides if you only have one of them in use.
Posted on 9/28/20 at 6:50 am to jrobic4
I'm waiting for the MG Tour Pro.
Posted on 9/28/20 at 7:34 am to KemoSabe65
quote:
2cool & the hull truth are sites to cruise
I don't know why I've never seen 2cool anywhere or heard of it. I went and had a look and it's pretty much everything I've been looking for boating/fishing forum wise. thanks
Posted on 9/28/20 at 11:57 am to jrobic4
I have the Ipilot. No issues on the T-motor but have gone through 2 remotes @ $185 a piece.
This post was edited on 9/28/20 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 9/28/20 at 4:28 pm to jrobic4
Like others have said, the GPS is built in, and you definitely need 36v. See link below for a sizing guide. Anyting over 21' will need 36v.
Trolling Motor Sizing Guide
You said you were looking for a new GPS unit. Do some research, because certain brands can integrate with certain trolling motors. I have a Lowrance HDS and it can connect to the Motorguide Xi5 through a separate cable/system. You can draw paths/routes on your GPS for the TM to follow or tell it to move to a point and anchor. I don't have the cable, but I wanted to make sure it was capable if I wanted to add it in the future.
Trolling Motor Sizing Guide
You said you were looking for a new GPS unit. Do some research, because certain brands can integrate with certain trolling motors. I have a Lowrance HDS and it can connect to the Motorguide Xi5 through a separate cable/system. You can draw paths/routes on your GPS for the TM to follow or tell it to move to a point and anchor. I don't have the cable, but I wanted to make sure it was capable if I wanted to add it in the future.
Posted on 10/9/20 at 10:01 am to shadowlsu
Any chance that an XI3 would be sufficient? Also, how does one determine the length of shaft they should go with? I'm not really sure the total depth of my hull, but I know it's a fairly shallow draft...
Posted on 10/9/20 at 11:56 am to jrobic4
I purchased the Ulterra 80# thrust about 6 months ago. I have a 19 ft. Blazer Bay and it's plenty. Best purchase ever for my boat!
I think the rule of thumb is 80# thrust is sufficient up to a 21-22 foot boat. I would probably go with the 110# for a 23 foot with a minimum 60" shaft.
Also... Hummingbird units can control Minn Kota's and Lowrance units can control Motorguide's. Typically, Louisiana is Lowrance/Minn Kota heavy.
I think the rule of thumb is 80# thrust is sufficient up to a 21-22 foot boat. I would probably go with the 110# for a 23 foot with a minimum 60" shaft.
Also... Hummingbird units can control Minn Kota's and Lowrance units can control Motorguide's. Typically, Louisiana is Lowrance/Minn Kota heavy.
This post was edited on 10/9/20 at 12:00 pm
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News