Thread: Lowrance SPOTLIGHT Update

I like to move around when on the water. A few more years and I will be "spot locked" for eternity.

If you'd originally said Spotlock on the Terrova sucked, i wouldn't have replied as I can't agree more.

Originally Posted by Okie Bob

Stymie, I wasn't joking and I certainly wasn't putting anyone down. Not intentionally anyway. I was simply referring to the 'spotlock' feature. MK makes some great products and I currently have a cable steer Fortrex and love it. BUT, (isn't there always a but?) when any manufacturer advertises something, they should be held accountable when the product doesn't perform as advertised. I spent a lot of money based on their claim that spotlock would hold within a 5' radius. If it did, I'd be one happy camper and recommend it to the world. But, it doesn't, it can't and it won't! Period! That is false advertising and MK should be held accountable.
I haven't tried the new MG with the same spotlock type feature but, I'm betting it won't hold as advertised either. And, for us verticle jigging crappie guys it won't work either.
As Gene said, cable steer is the only way to go.

Originally Posted by Don G

Okie Bob, Gene & I have the MG Xi5. Gene is old and gets worn out after a day on the cable steer.. We are trying to like the MG and we both agree that the MG does a much, much better job than the MK as far as spot lock. It seems like the stronger the wind, the better it works.

We will be giving updates as we use the MG more.

Keep us up to date on the Xi5. I looked at one and the price is reasonable.

Originally Posted by Don G

Okie Bob, Gene & I have the MG Xi5. Gene is old and gets worn out after a day on the cable steer.. We are trying to like the MG and we both agree that the MG does a much, much better job than the MK as far as spot lock. It seems like the stronger the wind, the better it works.

We will be giving updates as we use the MG more.

Don, im interested in noing which would perform best, using the spotlock function.also, I would like to no how accurate the spotlock would be in fairly windy condissions. also, can these electric steer trolling motors be operated manually, similar to a cable steer?

Spotlock can only be used with a cable steer trolling motor. So you would have to have a Fortrex or other cable steer model by MG or MK.
If you want spotlock you have to have an electric steer like a Terrova or the new MG with the Pinpoint 'spotlock' feature.

The "Spotlock" fundtion of any GPS based system is going to be directly related to the inherent in-accuracies of consumer base GPS...

If the EPE of the GPS is only accurate to within 5-15ft ....no consumer based GPS system can be expected to perform any more accurately...

Rickie

Originally Posted by kosmo

Don, im interested in noing which would perform best, using the spotlock function.also, I would like to no how accurate the spotlock would be in fairly windy condissions. also, can these electric steer trolling motors be operated manually, similar to a cable steer?

kosmo, I have owned 2 MK I-Pilots and recently bought a MG Xi5. genc & I bought them at the same time and have been comparing notes while fishing together.

It is no contest which is best on spot lock. MG wins this hands down. I have been told that the MG has 2 GPS signals that it uses. Also, in my observations, the wind is a friend of the MG. It seems to work better in the wind. It does some searching when in a dead calm situation.

I would like a remote like my I-Pilot had that gave you readouts on screen. The MG is faster turning and doesn't make as much noise turning as the MK. I think the MK is quieter on high speeds.

Maybe genec will add to this post.

Originally Posted by rnvinc

The "Spotlock" fundtion of any GPS based system is going to be directly related to the inherent in-accuracies of consumer base GPS...

If the EPE of the GPS is only accurate to within 5-15ft ....no consumer based GPS system can be expected to perform any more accurately...

Rickie

Rickie, I understand about the inaccuracy of GPS but, the following is cut and pasted from the Minnkota website:

Spot-Lock works like an electronic anchor, holding the boat in place. If the boat drifts more than five feet from the Spot-Lock location, i-Pilot will activate the trolling motor to keep the angler on the designated spot. It automatically corrects for wind, waves, current and drift. The “recall” feature for Spot-Lock provides the ability to return to that specific location at a later time. Up to six Spot-Lock locations can be stored at a time.

On the same page if you click on 'features' and then click on 'spotlock' you'll see an automated video of a boat moving to a spot
marked by a X inside a 5' radius, drifting to the edge and then moving back to the X. I defy you to duplicate it.

My point is that MK can NOT perform as advertised under ANY conditions, repeatedly. IF it performed to spec even 50% of the time I'd probably be singing it's praises!