New-and-improved i-Pilot remote...grrrrrrrr!

[Corker]

After several failures of the rubber cover on my Ver. 1 i-P remote control (discussed here), I got one of the new Ver. 2 type (shown on the left.)

The new unit's keypad is re-engineered using hard plastic keys and cover instead of the rubber. At first, I really appreciated the ease of operation of the buttons. I'm learning, however, that there's a downside to the new-and-improved remote--accidental key strokes.

The Ver. 2's keys require a fairly light stroke...so light that the unit will respond to accidental contact. Yesterday, for example, I'm running from spot to spot at power level #8. I left all 8 cork rigs in the water, but swung my rodholders out to the sides to keep them away from the prop. The remote is always on the lanyard around my neck. While autopilot's controlling the course, I'm busy doing other things. Apparently, I leaned into something or the remote got hung up in my clothes, and the SpotLock button was pressed. On the original remote, this could not happen. The new unit proceeded to lock the spot's location and immediately determined that the boat had moved off the mark (because it was running at more than 3 mph toward my next spot). SpotLock took control, did a 180 and throttled up to #10. It's a good thing I was seated and I'm lucky that only one line was caught and wrapped around the prop shaft. After removing the prop and clearing the line, I put the Ver. 2 remote away and used my Ver. 1 backup unit for the rest of the day.

This time it was SpotLock. Other times it's been the Bunny Button and other controls that do things I'm not expecting. Maybe the improvements to the i-P remote control are too much of a good thing. If there's a Ver. 3 in the works, I vote for reduced key sensitivity and some kind of lock-out option for the Bunny Button.

Am I the only one experiencing this problem?

[Don G]

After several failures of the rubber cover on my Ver. 1 i-P remote control (discussed here), I got one of the new Ver. 2 type (shown on the left.)



The new unit's keypad is re-engineered using hard plastic keys and cover instead of the rubber. At first, I really appreciated the ease of operation of the buttons. I'm learning, however, that there's a downside to the new-and-improved remote--accidental key strokes.

The Ver. 2's keys require a fairly light stroke...so light that the unit will respond to accidental contact. Yesterday, for example, I'm running from spot to spot at power level #8. I left all 8 cork rigs in the water, but swung my rodholders out to the sides to keep them away from the prop. The remote is always on the lanyard around my neck. While autopilot's controlling the course, I'm busy doing other things. Apparently, I leaned into something or the remote got hung up in my clothes, and the SpotLock button was pressed. On the original remote, this could not happen. The new unit proceeded to lock the spot's location and immediately determined that the boat had moved off the mark (because it was running at more than 3 mph toward my next spot). SpotLock took control, did a 180 and throttled up to #10. It's a good thing I was seated and I'm lucky that only one line was caught and wrapped around the prop shaft. After removing the prop and clearing the line, I put the Ver. 2 remote away and used my Ver. 1 backup unit for the rest of the day.

This time it was SpotLock. Other times it's been the Bunny Button and other controls that do things I'm not expecting. Maybe the improvements to the i-P remote control are too much of a good thing. If there's a Ver. 3 in the works, I vote for reduced key sensitivity and some kind of lock-out option for the Bunny Button.

Am I the only one experiencing this problem?

Richard, would you please provide a video. I would like to see a replay.

[Corker]

Doodlum was fishing nearby & said the audio track of that video would have to be bleeped out.

[Don G]

Doodlum was fishing nearby & said the audio track of that video would have to be bleeped out.

[jimp]

as the sayin' goes, pics or it didn't happen. Bet that was a wild ride when the IP decided to swing the boat 180 on you. Glad it didn't throw you out, and that could have happened very easily if you had been standing or moving about the boat at the wrong time. I've still got the 1st version/original remote, and I don't use the remote as you do apparently. I sometimes sit at the console so I can watch my "flatscreen" (HDS 8 w/ SS) while LL'g, and will use the remote then. Have noticed my fingertips get sore from making minor course corrections as needed.

Since you have both remotes, why not velcro one up front and one in the back TO the boat, might reduce the # of accidental bumps and such.

[Corker]

why not velcro one up front and one in the back

No, that won't work. I use the remote constantly & it's always around my neck. That adds the advantage of being able to stop the boat & bring it back if I should fall overboard.

[Cane Pole]

No, that won't work. I use the remote constantly & it's always around my neck. That adds the advantage of being able to stop the boat & bring it back if I should fall overboard.

Don't get hung by the neck strap!

I have mine around my neck so I don't loose it. They just disappear sometimes.

[jimp]

I wear mine around my neck as well when at the console, have to wonder if the remotes really are waterproof/resistant or not. Not really interested in finding out the hard way tho. What if you were to attach the remote to one of those keychain retainers that have the retractable string/chain like all the maint guys use to keep up with the 74 keys they need, but wear it/clip it to your shirt collar or some place similar. These will keep it fairly close to the body & on a short leash so to speak, not swinging much and possibly reduce the number of accidental bumps, etc.

[Corker]

I've been inside the Ver. 1 remote several times to replace the rubber cover & I'm sure the unit is waterproof until the rubber cracks (the reason for the replacements.)

Wearing the control anywhere other than around my neck with the standard M-K lanyard will be difficult. I'm slow drifting corks mostly in TMO lakes, so the boat never stops and I'm using the remote constantly. After logging over 2,000 hours with this setup it will be tough to change.

[Good Stuff]

I just purchased the new remote but have not tested it on the water yet. I was tired of having a sore thumb from pushing the hard buttons on the original. Thanks for the heads up!