I-pilot Track Question

[kopper36]

Can I record tracks with the trolling motor stowed or does the trolling motor have to be deployed (upright)?

TIA
-kopper

[CarolinaJim]

I'm assuming a gen1/2 ipilot and not link. If it is terrova model you have to deploy to get the power to come on, you can slide the depth collar down so it is not in the water I'd also make sure uit is pointing straight forward. This is how I do it with my Power drive model, while not needed to get power it does provide best gps reception.

[kopper36]

Thanks Jim. I didn't think of the depth collar method - doh. I have not decided on the PD2 70 with reg ipilot or stepping up to the 80 Terrova with link. Have to decide whether its worth the extra $600 and then convince my wife it is if I do - lol. I do have a 798HD or so that makes it a tougher decision.

[Bulls Bay]

Can I record tracks with the trolling motor stowed or does the trolling motor have to be deployed (upright)?

TIA
-kopper

Your on the right track.........deploy with it up via the collar..........I leave mine touching the water so the transducer for my 798 is in the water..........With the link however you record it with the 798 and change it to an I track and it will run it from the unit.....

[Shellback]

Thanks Jim. I didn't think of the depth collar method - doh. I have not decided on the PD2 70 with reg ipilot or stepping up to the 80 Terrova with link. Have to decide whether its worth the extra $600 and then convince my wife it is if I do - lol. I do have a 798HD or so that makes it a tougher decision.

I think one of the most important features of the Link model is it's ability to follow contours of a Lake Master chip. Unfortunately Lake Master doeasn't cover any of the lakes I fish, so it isn't a good investment for me. Before investing in the Link, better make sure your lakes are covered by mapping, and how much more that's going to cost you.

[kopper36]

Shellback, that is the main reason I would go with the link over the reg ipilot. The LM chip does cover most lakes I fish. The only bummer is I just bought my v3 chip a few months ago and will have to get v4 to work with the link. I suppose I may be able to sell the v3 chip and recoop a little.

Thanks all!

[CarolinaJim]

With link you can go to chart screen create a bunch of way points on a particular contour and have it follow it. So while not as easy or automatic as follow the contour you can still achieve the same thing.

[Bulls Bay]

I think one of the most important features of the Link model is it's ability to follow contours of a Lake Master chip. Unfortunately Lake Master doeasn't cover any of the lakes I fish, so it isn't a good investment for me. Before investing in the Link, better make sure your lakes are covered by mapping, and how much more that's going to cost you.

Its biggest feature is the ability to store more than 16 tracks and spot locks with the use of just the remote by storing them on the sounder.........
Any track that you have recorded on the sounder can be converted to a track that can be downloaded and followed with the trolling motor.

The Lakemaster chips are nice and do allow the "Follow the contour" feature but not having a Lakemaster chip does not affect any of the other features available with I-Pilot Link....

I always had a hard time remembering what Track "a" vs "b" etc.......without a cheat sheet LOL It sure is alot easier to see it on the graph and follow it.......

Read up on the link...........and make an informed decision before you make a decision........with the 798HD already it would be a no brainer for me to spend the extra money now instead of $800 later to upgrade it.........

[kopper36]

Read up on the link...........and make an informed decision before you make a decision........with the 798HD already it would be a no brainer for me to spend the extra money now instead of $800 later to upgrade it.........

Thanks for the info. That's sorta my thinking too plus the additional 10lb of thrust will be nice too.

[Bulls Bay]

Thanks for the info. That's sorta my thinking too plus the additional 10lb of thrust will be nice too.

That sounds like a choice between PowerDrive and Terrova? Definitely the Terrova........better stronger head.......easier deployment........I just switched.....and cursed my self for all the years of dealing with the PD LOL.....