I-Pilot Controller design

Well, I've had my I-Pilot for almost a year now. Yesterday I took my first "shake down" trip of 2011. Had been out a couple of hours and went to use my I-Pilot controller and the left directional button pushed all the way into the unit. I could hear it rattling around in there. I also noticed the rubber pads on the top four most used buttons (direction arrows, and -/+ speed) were showing signs of cracking around the edges. Had to break out the foot control for the Terrova ...first time I have even used it. Upon getting home , I took the controller apart and found the problem to be the set of plastic control buttons that are under the rubber pads. They are molded together and connected by very thin strips of plastic...which is where the problem is. Looks like the connecting strip got weak and broke.

Please tell me that MinnKota has recognized this as a problem and has redesigned this weak link? Who designed this button molding? Must have hired some of those engineers from that school up in northern indiana, lol.

Looks like I will be making a call to MinnKota. Also planning to buy a back up controller. I love my I-Pilot....just dissapointed in the design of this controller.

HHD

Saw somewhere on the forum that minn-k would replace the part in the remote ? or send you a new one ? I think they upgraded the part

That has a 2 year warranty. I'd return it. Hope you kept your sales slip.

My Ipilot's GPS functions have been acting funky. I'm sending the controller in for replacement. They tell me it is a 2 day turn around. Fingers crossed.

You aren't the first one to have a problem. MinnKota realized the problem with a sub contractors product and it has been corrected. I'd contact M/K for repair or replacement. Shouldn't be a problem getting fixed up.

Ok, just got thru calling MinnKota. They were great. Sending me a new "plunger array" and rubber button gaskets for my controller. Very painless, and actually talked to an american (lol), after going thru a couple of auto response questions to get me to the right person. Thanks MinnKota.

I will compare the new array to the old one when I get it...to see if I can see any upgrades to the design.

HHD

same response I got from them, they were great, and appologized for the problem. nice folks

Hey great my man, seems I like Minn- Kota better and better !

OK.... I gotta say kudos to MinnKota. I called them on thursday morning at around 10 AM. I just got my replacement button array and new face plus gasket and it arrived at around 5 pm today (saturday). Awsome CS . This is coming from Minn to southern IN.

Anyhow, the button array still looks to be same dimensions, however is now made out of a white plastic. I am assuming this is a tougher plastic that won't break after a yr.... I hope :-) I am back in business. Thanks MinnKota.

Here's a pic.....

HHD

Good deal right there.