Looking for Minn Kota iPilot Link / HB compatible cheapest manner

I am looking to buy a Terrova 80 and am debating on whether I would really use the Link feature. I can clearly see the benefit but most of my fishing is small lakes +/- 250 acres. I mostly want the record a track function and spot lock. 3-4 times a year I go to walleye lakes and troll and that's where I can see it being very useful, locking in on a certain depth from the topo GPS.

I am new to all this fishing stuff, bought my boat last year and bought a 688DI without much research, but price was good at the time. What is the cheapest HB I need to get into a the Link feature. How much do they go for? I assume the least expensive route for me would be a 798? I need to figure the $300 more for Link feature on the trolling motor and then the added price for a different HB. See if I think it would be worth it.

Thanks

According to their website any Ethernet capable unit. Note: networking 3 or more units and/or accessories may require you use an Ethernet switch.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/iPilotLinkCompatibility/

Yea, I am trying to figure out which of the HB's that are compatible are the cheapest for me to buy. Used or otherwise.

Cheapest way would be to keep an eye out for a 98 series Ethernet capable unit .... a used 858 CI would probably be the cheapest.

For a new unit, it would be the Helix 9 sonar GPS model, but the DI GPS model wouldn't be too much more and would give you some great DI. I've seen the sonar GPS model for a little over $500 and the DI for a little over $600.

For no more than you would use it forget the link. Get a terrova with Ipilot. It will record up to 6 tracks and has spot lock. You get the link it's controller is big, cumbersome and has to be recharged. I have used both and like the Ipilot better. If you walleye fished all the time then I can see the benefit but not for a couple of times a year. Then you don't need another depth finder. Save yourself a lot of money.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/perso...ingbird-859-a/

If you can wait a while, Minn Kota will be coming out with the new units with improved i-Pilot systems.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Who-We...at-ICAST-2016/

If not, we have the Terrova models in stock with i-Pilot and with or without LINK. We also have some Humminbird 859ci HD DI / KVD units left at a close out price.

PM me for more details !

Brian

To take full advantage of the "Link", it has to be used with a Lakemaster card, and the lakes you fish need to be covered by Lakemaster. Something to think about.

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Originally Posted by Shellback

To take full advantage of the "Link", it has to be used with a Lakemaster card, and the lakes you fish need to be covered by Lakemaster. Something to think about.

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I think that is partially true. If you are using a unit with auto chart on a body of water and made your own map the I Pilot link could be used????

I'm saying this because I plan to do just that on several old gravel pits around here.

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Originally Posted by mildot1

I think that is partially true. If you are using a unit with auto chart on a body of water and made your own map the I Pilot link could be used????

I'm saying this because I plan to do just that on several old gravel pits around here.

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This is true! The Minnkota/Humminbird link can be used on any body of water. The new systems blow everything else off the water, just be patient.

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Originally Posted by mildot1

If you are using a unit with auto chart on a body of water and made your own map the I Pilot link could be used????

I'm saying this because I plan to do just that on several old gravel pits around here.

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All of the Autochart products (Autochart PC, Autochart PC Pro, Autochart Live) create fully functional Lakemaster mapping products that have the same functionality as regular Lakemaster map card products ...

Rickie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brian@BBGmarine

If you can wait a while, Minn Kota will be coming out with the new units with improved i-Pilot systems.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Who-We...at-ICAST-2016/

If not, we have the Terrova models in stock with i-Pilot and with or without LINK. We also have some Humminbird 859ci HD DI / KVD units left at a close out price.

PM me for more details !

Brian

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How much price difference between the 2?(today's terrova w I pilot vs tomorrow's terrova with improved I pilot?

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Originally Posted by SLARUE

How much price difference between the 2?(today's terrova w I pilot vs tomorrow's terrova with improved I pilot?

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ON average, I would expect a $200 increase per unit but we'll see where the final numbers come out at.
Brian