Thread: Dislikes about I-pilot?!?

I'm considering either a PowerDrive-V2 55 with AP and co-pilot or the same troller but with I-pilot. From those using I-pilot, are there any dislikes, debugging, over-complicatedness, or just any reason why you wouldnt want the I-pilot and wished you had stayed with AP with CP? Right now Cabelas has the PD-V2 55 with I-pilot for @ $100 more than the 55 with AP, and this doesnt include the $150 co-pilot. Any and all thoughts appreciated??

Weather's been so bad, I haven't been able to use mine much, but I would own just for the cruise control, and the finer speed control.

I'm still waiting to get the add on I-pilot for my V-2 AP motor with co-pilot. I think the only complaint I read, was the fellow didn't like the hand controller. Said it was too big and he liked his co-pilot better. I doubt he's had his unit long enough to find out how much better and how many more functions are available over an AP motor.

Originally Posted by gabowman

I'm considering either a PowerDrive-V2 55 with AP and co-pilot or the same troller but with I-pilot. From those using I-pilot, are there any dislikes, debugging, over-complicatedness, or just any reason why you wouldnt want the I-pilot and wished you had stayed with AP with CP? Right now Cabelas has the PD-V2 55 with I-pilot for @ $100 more than the 55 with AP, and this doesnt include the $150 co-pilot. Any and all thoughts appreciated??

Does it come with a foot pedal? My understanding is that the v2 Ipilot renders the foot pedal useless or inoperable.

I dislike that our weather has stunk since before Christmas, and I haven't been able to take my i-Pilot fishing for several weeks now. Too bad....since the Spot Lock function helped us cash in on a killer wing dam walleye bite right as the weather was going south!

Thankfully, next week's weather looks warmer. Once we get back into the 20s, I'll be back on the water with my i-Pilot for more fish like this one.

I put the i-Pilot to the test Sat and Sun. The auto pilot works with the remote and the foot control. The anchor/spot lock feature is a gift from heaven. It held my tr186 on the spot numerous times for several hours in a 20+ MPH wind. The rear of the boat was like a sheet in the wind but the nose of the boat held fast. The tracking feature works as advertised. I tried the Terrova with and without and it is much better with. The fact that the foot control works in conjunction with the remote makes it much better. In 18 degree weather the remote is a problem for me.

I like the remote. I hang mine from the ring on my inflatable. Buttons are easier to use with gloves on.

I was in the same position you're in now trying to make this same decision. After much research, I called MK's factory service center and they told me PD v2 = NO foot control due to the way the i-pilot is "hard wired". The fella I spoke with there was really helpful and straight up with me. I went with the Terrova and i-pilot which is in shipping as we speak.

I have mine on a Terrova

I have tried it all but the tracking features so far....

I have only one minor complaint about the spot lock/anchor feature.... it tends to spin the TM 360* to hold (understandable to a degree) and it wraps the slinky cord all around the shaft... this is tolerable unless you have an add-on Depth Finder Transducer mounted to the TM... then you really have to keep an eye on it, as the TX cable can get caught in the TM Mount.... possible cutting, kinking, pinching of the TX cable is an almost surety if you do not.

Other than that no complaints (planning on moving the TX OFF the TM)

Cruise Control feature is fantastic if you are a troller... allows you to maintain constant speed, adjusting for wind and current changes

Originally Posted by gabowman

I'm considering either a PowerDrive-V2 55 with AP and co-pilot or the same troller but with I-pilot. From those using I-pilot, are there any dislikes, debugging, over-complicatedness, or just any reason why you wouldnt want the I-pilot and wished you had stayed with AP with CP? Right now Cabelas has the PD-V2 55 with I-pilot for @ $100 more than the 55 with AP, and this doesnt include the $150 co-pilot. Any and all thoughts appreciated??

I agree with these people. Even though I have not tried mine out yet I know I am going to like it. Most of the crappie fishing I do is long-lining so the cruise control is going to be awesome on those windy days when normally I would have to keep my eyes on the gps all day...Another great thing when we are fishing the channels in jan/feb is the track record. Once I find a good stretch where i'm catching fish I can record and then let the Ipilot DRIVE ME -AT THE RIGHT SPEED while I catch fish. I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT OUT!!!!!!!:D:D