Thread: motor guide ix5/Rhodan hd gps/Minkoda i pilot

Don G,did you have to turn your boat in a circle before you were able to use the motor guide ix5?(to calibrate it)

This is from another forum, I don't know if it's correct or where he got his information.

"Last weekend was able to see the new Xi5 with pinpoint trolling motor. While I'm sure things are subject to change, here's what was shared as I understand them.

Xi5 Trolling motors will start shipping to retailers in January.

The existing hardware is fully developed, but there are software developments still in process.. Expected significant software feature update estimated in Aug 2014.

Existing features that do not depend on the software update later in the year:

- Anchor lock with 5 foot creep feature - the anchor lock on the motor guide is controled by 2 integrated Point 1 type GPS Antenna's. That allows more data available for averaging to greatly reduce the GPS Error, and how tight the Trolling motor holds an anchor lock position. Those that have worked with it are loudly proclaiming it is a very tight hold on a position.

- 5 foot creep on anchor position - by pushing a button, anchor position moves 5 foot, left, right, forward, or back. If you want to move 10 feet, push the button twice.

Route Playback - you can record a route (trolling pass), and play it back. Up to 8 routes can be stored, up to 4 miles long each.

Smooth!! Emphasis on you do not own a trolling motor now that is this smooth and vibration free. Extensive effort put into eliminating vibration through precision, bracket development, and everything else to improve the fishing expreience.

Also reported by those that helped develop - do not expect automatic corrections to be so severe they can cause you to loose balance. Smooth power, and by tightening down the variability with the dual Point 1 type gps antenna, it is following the correct line all the time.

Cruise control - set your speed, example 1.1 mph on the trolling motor, and the trolling motor will adjust power levels to maintain that speed.

Foot control - there is both a lanyard fob, and wireless foot control that comes with the motor. I thing I paid more attention to the foot control since I'm currently a cable guy. spring loaded foot control that returns to the center position intuitively. Toe down, motor is turning, let up to center position, and motor quits turning, and maintains the motor position. Then heel down when you want to return to a straight forward heading, and return to center position when motor is pointed forward. Nice big toe tap buttons for anchor lock etc, can control well with foot. I never asked about wireless range effectiveness, or if it needs line of sight?

Locking mechanism - Motor locks first in the horizontal storage position, then locks again when shaft is slide to the "up" position. 2 separate locking mechanisms hold it in place, reducing the potential for unintended deployment.

Future - emphasis put on it will be a "software" update for late 2014 scheduled release to add features. One feature being developed was described, draw a route on your touch screen electronics, store that route, and have trolling motor follow it. They did NOT predict a contour line following software feature.

I'll admit, I picked up on the smoothness of the motor without being able to experience it in the water. If we had softwater now, I would have been more interested in the live auction when they sold the motor for our Youth fishing orgainization funding. The one on display sold at fund raising auction for $1000. IMO, a pretty good buy.

No information was shared as to what the expected MSRP is going to be.

So without fishing with the motor, that's as optimistic as it gets. I was impressed and expect to have one on my boat this year. Which is saying a lot for me as I'm a pretty loyal old school cable drive guy. My trolling motor has never broke, still isn't, and I'm headed to a Motorguide Xi5 god willing."