Torrova or P.D.

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12-14-2011, 01:07 PM
Fishorhunt

Torrova or P.D.

I hope this topic hasn't been beaten to death but, I did not find what I was looking for in the search section. I am going to be in the T.M. market later this spring. I know that I will go with Minn Kota as they have always had great luck with them. I also know that I want the I-pilot in 55# thrust on my 16 ft flat bottom boat. What I don't know is what the difference in the Power drive and Torrova is? I would like to have a foot pedal so that I can use both methods and from what I have gathered from the Minn Kota web site both have foot pedals. Am I correct on that? If all things are equal, 55# thrust, I-pilot, and foot pedal which of the two is the better option and why? Thanks for the help. Fish or hunt.
12-14-2011, 02:03 PM
Crappie Buster

Wish I could help you, but I'd like to hear the response to this question myself. Good question.
12-14-2011, 02:37 PM
lcookie

You will not have foot pedal with the power drive. Unless you mod your setup. I would go with the terrova as it is suppose to be a litttle more heavy duty than the power drive and the foot pedal is stock.
12-14-2011, 02:56 PM
Hunterjt

Well I have a terrova 80 now ipilot mine came with remote and foot pedal and I can use remote without disconnect the foot pad. Pd with I piolot unit comes with remote only from my research and not compatable with the foot pedel. remote took its place. There are some PD that come with foot pedel but its not i piolit. All in all it really depend on your type of fishing. If you troll alot open water then PD may work for you but if you stump bump and circl here and there you may want foot control. All on you. I went out last week with mine and never tought the foot control and i thought i couldnt fish without a foot control but once i found the buttons it was pretty kool. Hope this help and please correct me if im wrong folks. This is just my research maybe i miss something. good luck in your choice. And please do your research on feedback what people are saying about the interferance maybe you can get the right FF/TM combo that works great for you.
12-14-2011, 06:17 PM
Dutch552

I'm putting a Terrova 80 on my boat this winter with iPilot because I still need the foot pedal when I'm not trolling. With the PD motor it is one or the other, but not both. Thers is a very helpful member on the board that makes a switch that allows one to switch between the iPilot and foot pedal-you can use the search feature to try to find the posts with it mentioned. The PD is a very good motor but I prefer the foot pedal layout of the Terrova and the old version of the PD was infamous for going through foot pedals if they got wet because they did not waterproof them very well. MK may have changed the design of the pedal but it is something to consider when looking.
12-14-2011, 06:30 PM
wilbur

That helpful member you speak of would be Canepole
12-14-2011, 10:00 PM
Jason Halfen #511

If you have the opportunity to buy either one, buy the Terrova. It features:

Easier stow and deploy than the PD V2
Very robust foot pedal design with heel/toe and left/right button steering options
Opportunity to use both the i-Pilot remote and the foot pedal for motor control when the i-Pilot is installed
Terrova was engineered with the i-Pilot in mind....and it shows
12-14-2011, 10:08 PM
Cane Pole

The only thing I don't like about the Terrova is they don't make it in a smaller thrust version. Oh, and the clunk foot pedal that would sink my Jon boat.
12-15-2011, 06:02 AM
Don G

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

The only thing I don't like about the Terrova is they don't make it in a smaller thrust version. Oh, and the clunk foot pedal that would sink my Jon boat.

I agree. Is rhere an older, smaller version that will work on the Terrova?

Maybe this one?

http://store.minnkotamotors.com/prod..._V2_Foot_Pedal
12-15-2011, 07:08 AM
Shellback

One point to consider if you use a bowmount sonar. A V2 motor with an I-Pilot using an external transducer will have a tendency to wrap the transducer cord around the motor when using Spot Lock. If you have the built in transducer, no problem. On the Terrova motor there is a channel in the shaft which allows you to run the transducer cable inside the groove and eliminate the tangling issue. I have V2 motor with no built in transducer, and haven't found a fool proof way to eliminate the wrap around problem. I have given up on it and I'm now sonar blind when in the front seat.
12-15-2011, 10:02 AM
HARLEYBOY

Go with the Terrova,Have had the Pd now have the Terrova 80# love it, sure you will to.
12-15-2011, 10:28 AM
Crappie Gobbler

I had a PD but now have the Terrova. I longline, tightline, jig brush piles, bass fish, striper fish - the Terrova is more versatile with the footpedal and Ipilot combination. The deploy system on the Terrova is alot better than the PD. Also,Terrova seems to be a little more durable and has a faster steering response.
12-15-2011, 10:33 AM
Cane Pole

Terrova was way too much for my 14 foot Jon. Tried one out. Sometimes go big is not good. Foot pedal took up half the boat.
12-15-2011, 08:10 PM
jimp

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shellback

One point to consider if you use a bowmount sonar. A V2 motor with an I-Pilot using an external transducer will have a tendency to wrap the transducer cord around the motor when using Spot Lock. If you have the built in transducer, no problem. On the Terrova motor there is a channel in the shaft which allows you to run the transducer cable inside the groove and eliminate the tangling issue. I have V2 motor with no built in transducer, and haven't found a fool proof way to eliminate the wrap around problem. I have given up on it and I'm now sonar blind when in the front seat.

The HB ducer wire seems to fit in the groove but not Lowrance brand from what I've read on different forums. You could mount the ducer on the transom and run the wire up to the front, you'll be ahead of the picture so to speak, but not blind. this would eliminate the potential for getting all wrapped up, which is what I've done on a temporary basis to see if I like it. You can leave the ducer on the TM and use the spot lock, you just have keep an eye on the wire and if the TM has spun around too much.
12-15-2011, 08:30 PM
SeaRay

Well I am in the same boat as Fishorhunt. I had decided on the 12v terrarova I-Pilot for the reasons listed, but now I am concerned about the interference some are having between the TM and the DF. I have a HB525 on the front and a 300 series color GPS/combo on the transom. I don't want to end up not being able to use the DF when the TM is running. Has MK said anything about this problem or is it not that prevalent? I can't afford to spend $1200 and find out I can't use it half the time.
One thing to make sure of is that you get the new 2012 model which has more and improved features.
SeaRay
12-15-2011, 09:07 PM
papasage

ben reading about the minkota and going to wait till the new 2012 modles come out .have a auto pilot but want newer motor . i will be reading all TM reports till the money gits right .seams like the Terrova is #1 right now .wil be moving it from pontoon to bass boat if i don`t git the outo pilot to work right .
12-16-2011, 08:16 PM
jimp

SeaRay, suggest you contact HB customer service or Hummingbird Greg in the Electronics forum. Lots of people discuss the interference and HB Greg might be able to point you in the right direction to solve your problems. I had my lowrance and a cuda ducers mounted on the TM motor, and did not notice any interference to speak of, my main concern is the ducer wire getting damaged from using the anchor spot lock which is why I moved the ducer to the back of the boat to see if i liked this way. The picture is good on my forward FF now, it was good before, I'm just saving my ducer wire I think, but we'll see in the future.

Cabelas did have the Terrova 55lb 48" shaft for $550 a while back, and that's what I bought, then found a new Ipilot for $300, so I'm set now.
12-16-2011, 09:43 PM
skeetbum

I have the riptide V2 with the auto pilot and it does the job just fine. Mine is 70lb and where I used to loose ground with my previous TM but this one has enough power to hold place in a 20mph wind that I can't fish in. My pedal is like the one DonG posted a link to, and it does OK but it's kinda crowded. AP does very well but the wind blows it off course and needs small corrections. Works extra good when it just barely moves down a shoreline while in search mode. Deploy is a bit of a pain but it's easier since I put armor all on the shaft. I haven't used the terrova so I can't speak of those. For all of my style of fishing the V2 has satisfied me. A couple of guides I spoke with recommended the riptide cuz the boatds are epoxy sealed and had given them excellent service for many years, and they use theirs as much or more than mine sits in the grudge. Just my 2 cents.
12-16-2011, 10:43 PM
jeepguyjames

I have the PD 70lb thrust 24v on a 16ft deep v and couldn't be happier with it....I dont think you could go to wronge w/either one as long as it's got the I-pilot....and two the universal sonar is a MUST if your gonna put a graph on it....three, the minnkota quick release is a nice option also, my boat stays out side but I store my TM in the garage, easy to mount and easy to use ......
12-16-2011, 10:53 PM
KDAVID1

I have the PD now and kinda wish I had the Terr. One thing about the foot pedal--i didn't think I would like using the remote much but I was wrong. I have hardly used the foot pedal and find myself using the remote even when I am up front with the foot pedal (I just have the co-pilot)
12-17-2011, 09:17 AM
wilbur

I have a powerdrive V2 55 12volt with 2 Bats on a 17ft.bass tracker. I can troll all day without a problem,even pull cranks at 1.5 mph. Whatever you get make sure you get the I Pilot you will love it,I never had a need for a foot pedal. Good luck on your choice.
12-17-2011, 08:12 PM
rtark

I don't understand about this winding the coax up. I have had a Terrova for 2 yrs now and sometimes on spot lock it will start winding itself up, but after a turn and a half, it will unwind it by itself. I figured they all did that. I never did know how it knew to unwind but it does. I leave enough slack in the coax that it can't pull it into.(again)
12-17-2011, 10:07 PM
Cane Pole

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtark

I don't understand about this winding the coax up. I have had a Terrova for 2 yrs now and sometimes on spot lock it will start winding itself up, but after a turn and a half, it will unwind it by itself. I figured they all did that. I never did know how it knew to unwind but it does. I leave enough slack in the coax that it can't pull it into.(again)

It has a compass inside.
12-21-2011, 11:50 AM
Corker

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtark

I don't understand about this winding the coax up.

That only happens with the PD2/iP. Terrova's too smart to eat your DF cable.
12-21-2011, 11:58 AM
shorebound1

I fi had it to do over again I would have gotten a Terrova. I have a PD2 55lb. with added I-pilot.
12-21-2011, 12:25 PM
Cane Pole

My PD2 has never twisted a cable enough to cause damage. However, I make sure there is no twist before I engage the anchor feature and I provide enough slack in the transducer cord for the twist..

PS

Keep your foot pedal clean.
12-22-2011, 09:33 AM
TnT

1 Attachment(s)

Just before the I-Pilot came out, I bought a 24V 70# thrust PD/V2 with Auto Pilot. I tried the co-pilot for a while, but there was too much involved in maintaining the speed that I wanted. So I did away with the co-pilot and the foot pedal and use a hand control to operate the TM. It is wired in just like the foot pedal is, except it is smaller and fits perfect inside one of my rod holders. I can dial in the exact speed I need very easily. I went with the PD over the Terrova mainly because of price. I'm not a tightwod with my money when it comes to fishing, but I try to save $$$ every chance I get without cutting into performance. I have ZERO problems with deploying/stowing my PD V2 and no problems at all with my transducer cable getting twisted up. Then the I-Pilot came out a few months later and I just couldn't justify another $350-400 for the I-Pilot. Granted the I-pilot has features that I don't have now, but I am very happy with the $800 investment I have made. But I am probably going with the I-Pilot if and when I buy another TM. This is a pic of how I replaced my foot pedal and co-pilot with the hand control...

Attachment 76432
12-22-2011, 11:37 AM
blueball

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corker

That only happens with the PD2/iP. Terrova's too smart to eat your DF cable.

first time i saw the ipilot in action was with canepole and while we were anchored he said watch the trans. cord,uwill think its gonna twist it up and break it but it wont.so i watched in amazement as it would get close then rotate the other way,canpole said pretty slick aint it and it was a powerdrive.i have heard of people messing up trans. cables on terrovas also,do as cane says and make sure u have enough slack and no problem
12-22-2011, 11:39 AM
blueball

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

My PD2 has never twisted a cable enough to cause damage. However, I make sure there is no twist before I engage the anchor feature and I provide enough slack in the transducer cord for the twist..

PS

Keep your foot pedal clean.

u watching me :bash i cleaned my footpedal yesterday :santa