Thread: News on updated i-Pilot for 2012

Is the US2 version compatible with most DI units available ? Does it work well or it better to use the ducer that comes with your unit?

Thanks, Jason, for bringing us a heads-up concerning the i-P2--especially the MSRP of $449. In my opinion, the i-P is the best invention for crappie fishermen since the brushpile!!! The "Spot-Lock" feature, alone, is worth the cost of the i-Pilot. Everything else is a bonus. I've logged somewhere between 1200 and 1500 hrs. with my Terrova/i-Pilot and there's no question that this combo has helped me catch more fish than any other gear I've ever used.

The i-P2 price represents a $50 (12.5%) increase over the MSRP of the original i-P. Will i-P2 be worth the wait and an extra $50? Maybe, but many potential buyers would be smart to grab any kind of "clearance" offer as the original i-Ps are sold out.

For me, the i-P2 would be a better choice--but mostly because Jason says the rubber cover on the remote will be "more durable." I'm now on the 3rd replacement cover. Even though the parts and labor have been covered under M-K's warranty, I've spent at least $50 running back and forth to the repair shop for 3 replacements in 18 months. I'm told that most users have had little or no problem with this rubber cover.

For many i-P purchasers (especially those with a tight budget) the original i-P may be preferable to the i-P2--because the new features don't represent big improvements in an already great product! Moreover, most of the improvements are in the remote, and Terrova/i-P buyers may prefer using the foot pedal for most i-P controls. Looking at Jason's list of the most significant differences vs the current i-Pilot, here are my thoughts:
- a 20% larger LCD display [I have good vision and no trouble viewing my display]
- larger, more durable, and more tactile function keys [I have fat fingers & key size is not a problem; durability of the rubber cover is important; relocation of the "bunny button" would be an improvement]
- remote is slimmer and has a more ergonomic design [Except when I'm running to another location, I'm holding and using my remote all day. I have short fingers & have no problem with the size and feel of the remote]
- access to the battery compartment is also improved [Battery should last much longer than a year for most users, so this is of little concern]
- 6 recorded tracks (an increase from the original i-P's 3 tracks) [If you do a lot of long-line trolling, this might be useful, BUT (unless I've missed something), you can't save tracks and spots--when you power down the unit, the session is erased. The ability to to save and reload these data to/from a SD card and manipulate them on a PC would be a REAL improvement]
- 6 spot lock locations (an increase from the original i-P's 3 spots) [I use this feature on every trip, but rarely need to lock more than 2 spots at any one location]

Buy now? Wait 'til later? You can't go wrong buying an original i-P & the sweeter the deal, the faster I'd snap one up!

Any idea what the price increase will be for a Terrova 80lb 60" US2 with i-pilot pre-installed? most places normal retail on this is $1399 for the current model.
Corker makes a good point. maybe I will see if I can find the current model on clearance somewhere.

Originally Posted by jimp

Is the US2 version compatible with most DI units available ? Does it work well or it better to use the ducer that comes with your unit?

No, the US2 transducer supports the frequencies used in traditional 2D sonar. It does not support the high frequencies (455 kHz and/or 800 kHz) used for Down Imaging. To get a DI image, you will need to use the transducers that come with the DI units; you can still use the US2 transducer with the DI units, but you will only get access to 2D sonar, not the high resolution DI image.

Originally Posted by Jason Halfen #511

No, the US2 transducer supports the frequencies used in traditional 2D sonar.

...rendering US2 worthless to high end users who have high end gear in all categories.

Originally Posted by Jason Halfen #511

No, the US2 transducer supports the frequencies used in traditional 2D sonar. It does not support the high frequencies (455 kHz and/or 800 kHz) used for Down Imaging. To get a DI image, you will need to use the transducers that come with the DI units; you can still use the US2 transducer with the DI units, but you will only get access to 2D sonar, not the high resolution DI image.

thanks for the clear and understandable answer. I am considering a DI unit up front, so good info to have.

Originally Posted by Corker

...rendering US2 worthless to high end users who have high end gear in all categories.

Under those circumstances, DI would be accessible from a transom mount transducer and could be shared with all DI-capable units through ethernet networking.

A transom-mounted DI/SI transducer doesn't give me what I want. I'm up front and a transom-mounted transducer is 16' behind my TM and almost 30' away from the water I'm fishing. Sharing a view of the wrong water isn't helpful.