About to upgrade looking for information to help decide on I pilot link or I pilot. Any advice would be appreciated.
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About to upgrade looking for information to help decide on I pilot link or I pilot. Any advice would be appreciated.
I think the Link version is only for interfacing with Humminbird gear.
The link is designed to hook to compatible Humminbird units with lakemaster maps. You can set it up to follow the contours of the lake. I have used both and I’ll stick to straight ipilot. The link controller is much larger, requires a battery that has to be charged and most won’t last all day. So you carry a spare or use a charging cord and rig up a power source to charge in boat. Main thing is do some reading on all the features it offers and see if it makes sense for you and your kind of fishing.
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/suppo...d-i-pilot-link
What are the differences between i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link? – TrollingMotors.net
There are quite a few options depending on what model TM you are looking to buy or fishfinder(s) you currently use or plan to use. Besides those with built-in traditional US2 transducers, they now have ones with built-in Mega Down Imaging (MDI) transducers. The Link option offers ability to network with compatible Humminbird units for additional storage of Nav data (waypoints, spotlocks, itracks, etc.) and Follow The Contour (FTC) with Lakemaster HD maps or Autochart. Also, the TM can be controlled from the fishfinder or remote.
If you don't currently have Humminbird unit(s) or intend to use them, then probably would recommend basic Ipilot with/without US2. Spotlock and other TM standard features would still be available in the Ipilot models.
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/learn...versal-sonar-2
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/suppo...ilt-In-MEGA-DI
I just this spring purchased the ulterra with mega down image transducer. I wanted ipilot link. I have since used to go and follow the Contour.Along with the spot lock, I can't even begin to Express how great the improvements over my Terrova. In a ten mph head wind spot lock dead on and stayed on. I was never able to get back to my waypoints until the go-to of this unit. Yes it's a bit pricey but I would do it again. My terrova was a great unit, but the spot lock was a bit trying. I am running a Helix 9 at the bow, a Helix 8 at the console.
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I prefer the Ilink over the ipilot version. As far as the remote it is now much smaller with the gen 2 versions, it is rechargable and if you leave the backlight on at all it will run down before you can fish all day, turn the backlight off and it will last all day for 2 days. Doubt I will ever buy an Ipilot, I have become used to the arrow showing the direction the boat going in being displayed. I do use the "follow the contour" some, especially along a dam where the contour doesn't had hard turns in it.
It comes down to you wallet, do you want everything out of the most important tool in the boat? I do.
I struggled with that decision a while back, I bit the bullet and got the ipilot LINK and upgraded to a Helix 8 Mega SI+ to go with it. No regrets!
I am very GLAD I did that. I love it how the depth finder shows your autopilot heading on the screen while trolling cranks, I can fine tune my course to make sure I cruise right beside a marked brush pile instead of ending up going through it. I also like the ability to control the trolling motor with the depth finder, just in case I happen to forget my remote.
I'm still learning how to use all the features, just last weekend I played with the "circle" feature where you can set the trolling motor to circle a spot at a specified distance - that's a super handy feature if you bass fish too and want to circle the sweet spot on a main lake ledge.
I believe the LINK is one of those things that if you don't have it, you'll never know what you are missing and life will go on just fine....but if you do have it you'll absolutely love it.
I upgraded from a powerdrive with copilot to a terrova iipilot. Great investment. Spot lock, cruise control to maintain/increase/decrease boat speed with current and wind changes are great features. You can record and follow tracks letting you just fish without touching the trolling motor possible. All with the remote.
I'm sure link allows all of this, allows for depth finder interface and follows contourz making it even better. But, I'm very satisfied with the plain ipilot.
I would like to be able to spend more time fishing and less time maneuvering around. There is nothing wrong with using the remote control if I have to. I fish for a large variety of species and want the best for for me. I fish fresh and salt water. So any information is always welcome. Again thanks to all of you. I plan on getting rigged with the ulterra and hummingbird helix 9 at the bow and 10 or 12 at the console.
I have a Helix 8 and can run it at the bow, or at the helm. Since getting it in April, I have yet to sit on the bow.......I've gotten to where I pretty well fish from the back of the boat just using the remote. I fish multiple species as well, Sunday evening I was below KY Dam in heavy current and with the spot lock I was able to stay on a sweet spot on top of an old cofferdam, I simply used the "jog" feature to fine-tune my position on it. These trolling motors will change the way you fish, and make it so much more relaxing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hendog79
You mention saltwater, are you opting for the riptide that's for salt?
Yes the riptide dont want to void any warranties that come with it. Too much money being spent on this equipment. Lol