Need advice on trolling motor purchase

Hi folks, my tm died this weekend and I am looking to buy a new one under 500 bucks. I have looked at both the 50 lb minn Kota edge and the power drive v2 with auo pilot. My fishing background includes both crappie and bass. I spider rig and vertcle jig for crappie much of the year but do a lot of bass fishing also. Wish I could swing a ipilot tm, but can't justify the cost to the wife. Also, almost all pro fishermen I see use cable steer (edge), not the electric steer (powerdrive v2), so i want everyones opinion on the best all around tm for me. I have a 1997 javelin 350a, 15.5 long with 50hp evinrude. What are the pros and cons of each and what would you guys buy in my situation? I want to purchase in the next couple of days so I can hit the water again next weekend.

All I can comment on is things that my friend says, he has the Terrova I think. He says he does not like the digital crap he would much rather have a cable steer. He also thinks that the buzz noise while turning the motor spooks fish. Hope this helps.

Have you looked into getting your old one repaired?

There used to be a trolling motor repair shop in Little Rock. You might get it fixed and good as new for a fraction ofthe cost of a new one...

There is a repair man in the flea market at Pine Bluff, he does great work for a reasonable price.

first off...your not missing much with the i-pilot...i have one on a terrova and it hasn't performed as advertised for me however the digital terrova and i-pilot remote control are great for trolling....if you spider rig and troll fish very much, speed control is vital and much easier attained with a digital motor like the pd-v2 plus your battery(s) will last alot longer...i've had an edge too and they are good dependable easy to use motors for the price but a little bit noisier than the pd-v2 and without varible speed

I have had both. IMO go with the cable steer.

I know you're not wanting to spend more than 500. But the maxxum is great. If you are like me and get in the thick of things, stumps, trees, bushes you can't beat the maxxum. I had a 46lb motorguide and the shaft now looks like a banana. The maxxum has the bow gaurd 360 on it so no more bent shafts and broke mounts. If you could find a used one it would prolly be under 500.

I bought a Terrova 80 w/us2 w/i-pilot in Feb-10, Did not like it, Sold it in Mar-10.
I like cable steering for my type of fishing.

FYI if you buy a Powerdrive and add I-pilot, you loose use of the foot petal.

I have the v2 and I miss my cable steer. I also have the left and right foot pedal and I hate it. If I can find someone who will trade with me I def. want to go back to a traditional heel to toe steering.

Another thing to consider on the v2 is the stow and deploy. Deploy works fine but the stow is hard to operate. Other then the occasional rope breaking I would like to go back to the rope for stow and deploy.

If my v2 were cable steer, heel to tow steering and rope stow/deploy I would really like it.

Bass Pro Shops has a Motor Guide 46 lb thrust, 42 in shaft, cable steer trolling motor on sale right now for somewhere around $360.00. This is what I have on my boat and I love it. It is 11 years old and I have never had a major problem with it. I replaced the switch last year. That is the only thing I have ever done to it except charge the battery.