About to pull the trigger on one. Is everybody still happy with theirs ? Is it better than Minn Kota?
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About to pull the trigger on one. Is everybody still happy with theirs ? Is it better than Minn Kota?
When I was using mine, I was very happy with it. Battery life and spot lock have been great. Haven't used it in a while, either have gale force winds or biblical floods every time I want to fish anymore :banghead.
:hesaidQuote:
Originally Posted by okhawg
Love mine.
Can't help you, Hat. I use a float tube with kickers. They work great, but have limited range.
Haven't seen the Minn Kota in action but have fished a lot with an 80# XI5 and can't wait to get one for myself.
Universal mania has the best prices.......
Thats where I got mine, and the quick attach plate. Best prices by far, then.Quote:
Originally Posted by devonhubb
Yep. Take the money you saved & buy one of these.........Quote:
Originally Posted by okhawg
The BowMountLift - Home
Might have to add a few bucks. :)
Did you guys buy the extended warranty ?Quote:
Originally Posted by devonhubb
Looks good, did you get one?Quote:
Originally Posted by devonhubb
I didn't. Placed my order on 01/15/2016. Got a call from UM on 01/16 to verify shipping & creidit card info. Received the tolling motor on 01/20, via UPS. Package arrived in fine shape. Hopefully I will get it installed today.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Hat55
No. But it is on my wish list.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hat55
Got Xi5 and NMEA 2000 to hook to my lowrance units. Will be installing over the next few days. Running cables.....argggg
Has anyone seen any reviews on the bowmount lift?
xx2?Quote:
Originally Posted by boat49
They quoted me $350 free shippingQuote:
Originally Posted by boat49
There are several reviews on the bowmount lift on Walleye Central. The guy that builds them is a forum member.
A1 Walleye Fishing Website
http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...=bowmount+lift
Last Night And Bow Lift - Walleye Message Central
Thank you sir.Quote:
Originally Posted by devonhubb
Finally got everything mounted and wired. The Xi5 is great! Tied to the HDS units I can control the trolling motor from the console. Spider rigging with it is great and double dipping will be great. I used the handheld remote nearly all the time. Point it where you want to go and set the cruise control. I'm impressed so far but I've only had it on the water once. Even caught a few crappie.
I fished with an elderly friend yesterday that has the 80lb XI5. I normally run the boat when with him. He does not like to use more than one jig at a time and slow trolling is not his thing either. He does however like to move a lot. We fished Saturday in a spot I showed Buck and Allen and caught a lot of nice Crappie. Pointing the boat into the wind and hitting the anchor lock allowed us to work our baits in the area around the boat in search of scattered Crappie. Once that area is worked, would just hit the foward button on the remote twice to move us up 10'. I've fished a boat with an XI5 and one with a Terrova with anchor. The XI5 reacts if the TM moves about 2'. The Terrova was slow to react and at times we were 15-20' from the marker bouy before it fired up. I really like the Motor Guide!
Reaper, that is really great to hear! MG beats MK hands down, no contest, not even close!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Crappie Reaper
Ok, I'm late to this thread, but getting on the Motor Guide web site, I see they have units with built in gps, and some posts where the trolling motor is being tied into the Lowrance units requiring running cable to the front of the boat. I'm speculating that is so the gps in the Lowrance can be used vs the built in models?
You are correct. if you buy the cable that connects an HDS to the XI5, you can program the XI5 to follow a pre recorded trail on your Lowrance. However, the XI5 does have a way to follow its own trail that I believe is up to 4 miles. I haven't delved into the XI5 much past basic operation. I'd buy one based on the basics though.Quote:
Originally Posted by dennishoddy
You can record a trail via the remote also. The HDS makes it easier and you can use any existing trails, already recorded. It is really nice to fish in the wind for 30 minutes moving along at your preset speed and not worry about the tm.
To tie the Xi5 to the lowrance HDS Gen 2 units you have to have NMEA 2000 network. Not hard to install at allQuote:
Originally Posted by dennishoddy
That's just the cable that goes to the yellow plug on the HDS Gen 2 touch right? (what I have at the console). I never sit at the console once in the fishing area, always in the front seat, but I'm not as sophisticated at the different techniques some on here are....yet. :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by CHECrappie
Currently have a HB transducer on the front trolling motor, unit on deck by the front seat, and thinking about getting another HDS Gen 2 unit to put in the front to replace it, OR possibly one of the Garmin since they are getting such great reviews on here.
Garmin work with the Xi5?
The XI5 takes it's own cable that connects to the Lowrance. I don't know which connector it utilizes but may connect to an ethernet or hub. I think it's around $250 for the cable alone. Currently the XI5 is set up to work with Lowrance only as far as I know.
Reaper, it is my understanding all you need is the NEMA 2000 bus to connect to the Xi5?????? I'd be surprised if you could use the Xi5 with anything other than a Lowrance HDS but, am guessing any HDS with NEMA 2000 capability would work and you could use either the front or console HDS to control the TM.
I still have my MK Fortrex and will keep it till I get a ride with someone with an Xi5 before I write that check!
Motorguide is offering $100 rebate on the Xi5 right now.
Nice gesture but, I won't take advantage of it until I test drive one. Burned too many times being a first adopter!Quote:
Originally Posted by devonhubb
Pinpoint Lowrance Gateway : MotorGuide Trolling MotorsQuote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
MotorGuide Pinpoint GPS Gateway Kit | Bass Pro Shops: The Best Hunting, Fishing, Camping & Outdoor Gear
Sell the Fortrex asap
What???? Are you kidding me?????? Why buy that 'gateway kit' when all it appears to be is a standard NEMA connection? I already have my Point 1 gps antenna connected thru the NEMA 2000 bus. I'm thinking all I need is another tee????
Pretty sure I bought the NEMA 2000 starter kit from Shut-up-and-Fish for around $50 or close to that.
Anyone know the answer for sure????
I doubt if the ethernet connector will plug directly into the Motor Guide. Notice the plastic housing on the Gateway kit near the XI5? It could be the conversion point. Call SUAF, they should know.
So Reaper, what you are telling me is that I need to spend $1500 for a tm and then another $239 to be able to use it with my HDS's??????? Remember I already have a NEMA 2000 network connected to my two HDS 9 Touches sharing waypoints.
so you can control it from the hds unit also?
You have to have the Gateway to get the info back and forth with the HDS. The Gateway must have magical components in that little box, to be worth what they want.Quote:
Originally Posted by Okie Bob
I guess you could call the Gateway free, if you buy the Xi5 from Universal Mania for $1285 shipped and the gateway for $225 and get the $100 rebate versus buying them at Cabelas or BPS :dono. It'll be $1410 after rebate versus about $ 1650 + tax at the stores. I bought my Xi5 and the removable mount from Universal Mania, and highly recommend them.
cajun fryer, you can control your Xi5 from an HDS Gen 2 or 3. Not sure on a Gen 1. I love my Xi5 for what it's worth, and will put it on my next boat also.
It would be nice to be able to idle my boat over a waypoint and if I want to fish it, hit a button to lock the tm on that spot. How else do you make the tm hold on a specific spot? (gps location)Quote:
Originally Posted by cajun fryer
Or, why else connect the tm to the HDS? Maybe there is somthing I'm missing here?
I think the way you do it is to find the brushpile (for example) with downscan then hit the 'spotlock' function on the tm? Or throw a marker bouy near the brushpile, manuver the boat where you want it and hit the 'spotlock'? Haven't been on a boat with Xi5 so I'm guessing here.
I'm kinda old school but the anchor function still works without being hooked up to a locator is this correct. Been told different things from dealers. I understood it has it's own built-in GPS
Looking at motor guides website, some are offered with a built in GPS, and some aren't. The price difference is a couple hundred bucks.Quote:
Originally Posted by TimY