Digital Steering Trolling Motor

I am getting ready to upgrade to a larger troller. What I currently have is a MotorGuide 12V with about 43 lbs. of thrust. I have 2 questions I would like your input on.

How well do you like the digital steering compared to the standard cable operated foot control?

My current motor has a shaft length of 41". The motor I would really like to buy is a Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 with 70 lbs of thrust. Problem is....the shortest shaft that it is available in is 54". How big of a concern is this?

This is going on a 17.5 Fisher Marine alum bass boat.

I can buy the Maxxum Max 70 with a 42" shaft but it is cable operated, and surprising to me the digital steer is $25 cheaper than the Maxxum that has the cable control.

I am looking for as trouble free operation as possible, and naturally, going with digital steering eliminates cable problems, but how reliable is the digital steering? Any drawbacks to the digital steering that I need to be aware of before this poor man pours out this much dough. :eek:


Looking for suggestions and ideas.......Thanks.

Just got the minn kota auto pilot 55# thrust 54" shaft I love it for trolling, dont get hung up as much when pulling the fish in, stays on tract even if i dont have the auto pilot on does not turn on me when i take my foot off the foot control but for jigging i ll stick with my little boat and hand control