Thread: Minn Kota I-Pilot, Worth the $?

YES

I broke down and got the i pilot, hoping to get out there and try it this weekend!

Originally Posted by Hydrasport202

I broke down and got the i pilot, hoping to get out there and try it this weekend!

You are going to love it! It does take just a little while to get used to it, especially if there is wind.

I have the iPilot link, and I'm not sure the link is worth the $$ - maybe if I had two humminbirds....but I run maps on an old lowrance, so the link isn't quite as helpful as it could be.

I use the auto-pilot all the time. It works great!! If I could only have one extra feature - this would be it, without a doubt. I do prefer the compass (legacy) mode, instead of the GPS mode. It's quicker to adjust and seems to hold a heading better.

Cruise control is great too, as long as the wind isn't too bad. One thing I've found is that the software really isn't nearly as smart as it could be. For example, if you set a speed of 0.8 mph, the motor speed adjusts to keep moving at .8 mph. Problem is it doesn't care which direction - if you're going backwards at .8mph, it think it's doing a great job. So if gust of wind pushes you sideways or backwards at 0.8 or greater, then the trolling motor cuts off entirely, and there's no way to steer. In those cases I just switch cruise off momentarily and set speed manually. Be nice if it would give priority to your heading instead of blindly adjusting motor speed to obtain target over-ground-mph.

I even use the auto-pilot when I'm trolling with outboard for striper. I set the outboard to straight ahead, put the trolling motor in the water, set the speed to maybe 4, and turn auto-pilot on. It will hold a heading very well, which is especially great when fishing alone.

Originally Posted by blugrasmaniac

I even use the auto-pilot when I'm trolling with outboard for striper. I set the outboard to straight ahead, put the trolling motor in the water, set the speed to maybe 4, and turn auto-pilot on. It will hold a heading very well, which is especially great when fishing alone.

I always wondered if that would work I'll have tottery it next time

Originally Posted by Hydrasport202

I broke down and got the i pilot, hoping to get out there and try it this weekend!

You gonna LOVE IT! It aint perfect and you'll be able to find something to complain about it but still probably some of the best money you will spend on fishing gear.

I-Pilot anchor lock beats the out of dropping and pulling anchors any day. Even if it blows away from a location you can still return if you saved the spot. It's better than adjusting anchors when the wind has moved you

I like both of my I-pilots.