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Its gonna be one or the other soon but wanted to hear what all you experts had to say about it. I have determined I need a 80 lb unit and I think I want a wireless as well and maybe want a salt motor. It seems to me in my shoping that the Minn Kota is the most available and widely marketed, Some places dont even carry Motor Guide at all. Whats up with that? Interesting to see what you all think.
I have a Motor Guide on my rig have had it since i bought it new in 2000, have had no problems with it it's not a fancy one like you are thinking of getting. Never had a Minn Kota so i can't really tell you about them, but if i have to get another TM i would buy the Motor Guide it has been very reliable.
I have used both and will never go back to Motorguide.
Well reliability is a good thing. Yours has lasted a long time as well so it seems that its durable and well made as well.
why not? What was it about motor guide that you didnt like?
Ive had both, however sometimes it depends on which models you get, how much you invested, etc. I have never had a real good one of any type till I got the TR71 Digital Motorguide that I currently own.Its variable speed and has the metal heavy base.I really like it but think both have good models.Main thing I would suggest to you is make sure you get a variable speed if you are a serious fisherman cause its much better to me than the 5 speeds are.May partly depend on your style too.I like slow trolling and fishing spider rigs sometimes and my motorguide does good for me.just my 2 cents worth. :)
I couldn't have said it any better myself. I currently have a Motorguide Tour Digital 56# (I think it's 56) I can't agree more with, it depend on which model you had. I have had both brands and I've liked and hated some of each. I will only ever own a variable speed trolling motor. The guys who hate one brand or another are pretty closed minded. Just keep in mind that Ford made both the Pinto and the Lincoln and GM made the Chevette and Cadillac. Ya got to compare apples to apples. Before I had this TM, I had a 24V 71# motorguide that wasn't digital and I hated that motor. I tried to go cheap and didn't get a digital. It wasn't the brand, it was the model. Prior to that, I had another motorguide that lasted 13 years without a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoneCrappieFishing
I've had Motor Guide for 9 years, and never a problem, and I've got buddys that have the newer Minn Kota models that have had some problems, but both are very good motors.Quote:
Originally Posted by FishCrazy
I would get what is best suited for yourself, and for sure get one with enough power that would pull you in the wind with a loaded load.
Both are very good motors, good luck with your motor.
crappie cowboy
MAN What a mount you got there cowboy. Im gonna have to come fish with you sometime soon. Real nice fish and nice job on the mount too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by FishCrazy
You're right about that...........now about them scrawny legs. LOL.
If you're going wireless, MK is about the only choice you've got. If you can hold off until early next year, a Terrova with Ipilot looks to be the bomb.
Even having said that, I think MK is the superior motor at the moment compared to MG's digital variable speed. Fortrex is replacing the Maxxum, but you still have a choice in either with the MK. To me, The MG mount choices stink and the MK boards have had a LOT of problems. True, the MK has had it's share of board issues as well, but no to the extent of the MK.
Just my opinion though and it's pure coincidence that I'm 100% right about it.
Wannabe...
I have the MK variable with remote and love it. The only thing I would do different is get the auto pilot option. At the time I didn't think it was worth $200 more but I was wrong. I have the 55lb 12v and I can't add the option on the one I bought. Never owned a MG but I looked at alot of them before I bought. The MK's just looked better built.
I've been runnin a 12Volt, 56 lb thrust Motor Guide on a 17 1/2 ft Tracker
Tournament Deep V for 18 years now and have never had a problem with it!
It sits out in 25 below zero temps all winter (under cover) and runs fine next Spring. My first troller was a Minn Kota and all I did was putz with it every time I went out. The Tracker came with a 28lb Motor Guide and I upgraded to the 56 lb and never looked back!
Here's a new one...Water Snake Troll Motors. I was in a troll motor shop in Beaumont TX getting some work done on an 18 year old Motor Guide and the store owner showed me the Water Snake Troll Motor. He said this troll motor will out perform MG and MK. He said it has four brushes in the head and MG and MK only has two brushes. The extra brushes provide much more torque and the motors are very reliable. I trust the guy because he did a great job repairing my MG and at a very fair price.
Here is the website if you are interested. WATERSNAKEŽ TROLLING MOTORS
I ran Motorguide for years, but switched to MK several boats back. Hard to beat the MK Terrova, and with the I-Pilot add-on, it should be even better.
Well I looked around a lot and finally decided on a MK Riptide 70 lb w/Auto Pilot and Copilot. I think the wireless feature is going to be real handy and the guy where I bought the motor said he couldnt live without the autopilot feature. That IPilot feature looks real nice but it sure is pricy. Thanks for all the opinions on the various features. Helped me to get to the bottom line. Man this boat ownership is expensive.