I-Pilot modification

I would like to see the I-Pilot operation changed to allow the user to control the speed at which the units moves to a stored anchor point. If you are moving along spider rigging for instance and hit several fish and want to anchor on the spot with the anchor lock, once you hit the anchor set, the boat moves forward for a few seconds while the sensor kicks in and engages the return to the spot you marked. When it does, it moves at the 10 speed setting which is wide open and if you have several lines out you get one heck of a tangle. As it approaches the location it slow down and slowly moves into position, but I would like to be able to control the return speed all the way to avoid the tangles. Anyone else like to have this??? Minnkota, are you listening????

I am always for more control!

If you overshoot your spot then it will have to turn the boat around which needs a lot more power than manually controlling it until you get close. I usually let the boat coast a little bit and get pushed back before I hit spot lock.

Yes it can be annoying. But there's lots of things I wish my electronics or trolling motor could do. I'm not sure if I'd want to pay the price for those features. I'd have to think every little option manufacturers place in a product ups the cost. Can't imagine them trying to program a unit to return to a spot lock with a slow gentle turn so as not to tangle lines. I'd advise flipping a buoy over the shoulder and controlling the motor manually. That's what I do, and still get tangles some times. LOL!

I would bet Cane Pole would have an idea on how to do this.

Buoys are boat magnets down here, don't own one. I agree with the speed of the adjustment and its not only when you go past it, when a big gust of wind comes thru you are in trouble. Wide open 90 degree turn with a 101 can cause a problem. If the top speed setting were half the thrust of the motor then that would be a major help to the spotlock, don't think many of us are having to run out trollers at half throttle to maintain position, maybe in a river or sumpin.

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Originally Posted by Buzzsaw

I would bet Cane Pole would have an idea on how to do this.

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Thanks for the vote of confidence, but with this technology, it is pretty much as Shellback stated. It is not impossible, but is doable. Oil platforms would work, but they would require some pretty long poles, but way a troller it could be. J/k

The next time you set the spotlock, also mark the spot with a waypoint. on the control, later hit "Goto" it will ask ,"waypoint or route" hit "waypoint" navigation will automatically start to that waypoint (the spotlock) and you can control the speed. This only works with the Ipilot link. Hope this helps.

I agree, but I want a complimentary new control after the change. lol

Well, I tend to fish a lot. Last year I was the outing director for my local Muskies inc. chapter, and I have set up many of the club members humminbird units. I had an Ipilot and upgraded to the link unit as soon as it became available. I consider myself a student of marine electronics.

i BELIEVE THE iPILOT WAS BETTER THAN THE iPILOT LINK. i NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM AS "BAD" STAYING ON A SPOT WITH THE OLDER VERSION. THE IPILOT LINK IS TOO FAST, OVER SHOOTS THE SPOT THEN OVER CORRECTS BACK & FORTH, THEN IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE WIND YOU ARE SCREWED! ALSO I THINK THE COMPASS WAS BETTER THAN THE GPS WHEN SETTING ROUTE TO FOLLOW. JUST MY OPINION.

Have you got the latest update in your I-Pilot Link? They came out with an update that improved the spot lock a lot.

How do you update it?

I have a ipilot and now the link I don't spider rig yet so this may not be applicable but when I am in route to some where and want to anchor I shut it down and then when almost stopped and then anchor so it doesn't try to turn boat around to get back to the spot it was at. It requires a little planning first. If you are hung up this doesn't help much, but best to kick it off and go back and retrieve hang up , not perfect but does a lot of things that are helpful.

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Originally Posted by arkansasbowhunter

How do you update it?

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You register it on the Humminbird web site just like you would a Humminbird unit. There should be some directions you can follow from there.
http://www.humminbird.com/Support/

no one can see a clear soda bottle use as a bouy .

You ain't diving deep enough.

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Originally Posted by Brn2fsh

The next time you set the spotlock, also mark the spot with a waypoint. on the control, later hit "Goto" it will ask ,"waypoint or route" hit "waypoint" navigation will automatically start to that waypoint (the spotlock) and you can control the speed. This only works with the Ipilot link. Hope this helps.

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I assume this is with a link to the DF. I just have the original I-Pilot, it is not linked to my DF. I guess the smart way to do it is to hit the anchor lock and soon as it loads, cut it off and readjust your position so you don't go spinning around. Kind of hard to do when you have 3 or 4 rods jumping at the same time.

Easiest way is to shut down the TM and throw a marker out.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

I assume this is with a link to the DF. I just have the original I-Pilot, it is not linked to my DF. I guess the smart way to do it is to hit the anchor lock and soon as it loads, cut it off and readjust your position so you don't go spinning around. Kind of hard to do when you have 3 or 4 rods jumping at the same time.

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Most of the time I move anywhere from .02-.04 mph with my bow mount anyway. If you have a humminbird, you can target a waypoint (place an imaginary bulls eye on the gps with the waypoint in the center of the target) and slowly work your way around the target manually. This is a good way to find that "Spot on a spot" . The only time I move faster is when I'm pushing cranks, or switching spots. Yes, I do have the Ipilot link.

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Originally Posted by Superx10

Easiest way is to shut down the TM and throw a marker out.

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I paint my markers black to make them less noticable