spot lock

So I'm starting a search for a new TM. My current TM is a 12v cable steer MG which has "issues". It still works but it's days are numbered.
Originally I was going to look for any cable steer that has spot lock. I was hoping to stay with 12v.
Well, that just doesn't seem to be available so I guess I'll revise my search and since spot lock is what is prompting this search I'm wondering who has the better spot lock (MG vs MK) or are the both comparable. I do know MK has improved their spot-lock but that's about all I know.
Have any of you guys compared the 2 on the water?

I'll look at other features later.

Thanks to all who reply

I have an Ultrex. It’s spot lock is as good as I think it can get.
1’ or less with a steady breeze.
I’d say 2-3’ with variable breeze.
No breeze turn it off you don’t need it.


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I’ve got a terrova 12 volt and it’s worth every penny. Paid $1400 for mine last year, only complaint I have is it doesn’t come with a foot control (about another $150 I think.) Once you start using it, you’ll be glad you bought it. No worry about getting blown 200 yards off your spot on a windy day as your getting a fish in and getting reset with the spot lock.


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I got a Terrova from BBG back in the spring and could not be happier. I don't know anything about MG, but my MK is everything I expected it to be. Give Brian at BBG a call. He will treat you great.

I went through this in late spring. I won’t say one or the other, but I’ll give you some great advice. Call Brian @ BBG Marine and let him guide you. You will also get the best price.

you can get terrova, no pedal 12v for $1100 TYD...

Bought the 12 volt 55 pound Terrova with the foot pedal. Shortly after I ordered the I pilot upgrade. Spot lock is awesome. I do still have the foot pedal hooked up. I was shooting docks off of the back deck. The motor kept the boat very steady. Used the buttons to jump to a new Spotlock 5 feet away. it does a great job. I should have done it a lot sooner

I'm familiar with Brian @ BBG as I bought my Lowrance electronics through him years ago.

None of my friends are using any motors with spot lock so that's why I'm here.
I do know initially when MK came out with the spot lock it would wonder around and if I remember correctly it was maybe a 20'-30' area. I do know that when MG added the anchor feature it was much more accurate than the MK so MK made some pretty good improvements.
Have any of you guys ever dropped a marker buoy (as a reference point) and then hit you spot lock just to check the accuracy?
I've heard from 1 MG guy who said his was accurate within a few feet.

So is my MK. Two friends are going to buy MKs after fishing in my boat and seeing how efficient it is. You will not be disappointed with the MK, and probably not the MG either. Fishing is so much more relaxing with Spotlock.

There is a you tube video comparison of the MK and the MG against a marker bouy. Both looked good. I think the MK did a little better.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

There is a you tube video comparison of the MK and the MG against a marker bouy. Both looked good. I think the MK did a little better.

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I was looking for just that the other day.
You wouldn't have a link would you?

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Bought the 12 volt 55 pound Terrova with the foot pedal. Shortly after I ordered the I pilot upgrade. Spot lock is awesome. I do still have the foot pedal hooked up. I was shooting docks off of the back deck. The motor kept the boat very steady. Used the buttons to jump to a new Spotlock 5 feet away. it does a great job. I should have done it a lot sooner

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So is your foot pedal wireless?

I have the 12 Volt Terrova that came with pedal. Its not wireless it connects via an electrical cable.
Had used cable drive for years, thought I needed the pedal.
First off, it is steered by an electric motor so the response time is a good bit slower than the cable steer.
Secondly, once you get used to using the remote you will likely not use the foot pedal. Mine has not been hooked up in years.
Mine is an earlier vintage spot lock but I never had the fluctuations that some apparently had. If you have wind blowing like crazy, sure it will rock back and firth but mine was more like 5-10' and in more quiet breezes it held at 5' or less.
I love mine. Best accessory I ever put on a boat.

I’ve never used my pedal. It stays in my box as a back up if the remote quits.


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Originally Posted by crappiemax

So is your foot pedal wireless?

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No it is wired.

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

I was looking for just that the other day.
You wouldn't have a link would you?

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I will see if I can find it and oost a link

I have seen several posts on the bass and walleye boards about to that video. I am a MK fan, but what many on those boards say is that MK made the video and was not quite above board with it. Most believe the MG version is more accurate, that MK has just about equaled MG with its newer model, and that the main difference is the vastly better remote of the MK. IMHO

Here is the Link to the one I watched. YouTube

I can't say weather it is a commercial or not.
I can only speak for the Minkota as I have not used or been around the Motorguide
As for the foot pedal the wired version was what I wanted. If the I pilot section failed I could still use the foot pedal to continue fishing

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

As for the foot pedal the wired version was what I wanted. If the I pilot section failed I could still use the foot pedal to continue fishing

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After I got used to the remote I thought I'd keep the pedal as backup. I've gotten careless about putting it in the boat though and need to start back doing that.

Be sure to keep a couple of back-up batteries for remote on hand too! They are not usually carried in quick stops and gas stations. I keep one in my tackle box too in case I'm on a friends boat and need one.

I need to download the phone app as a backup to the remote.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Here is the Link to the one I watched. YouTube

I can't say weather it is a commercial or not.
I can only speak for the Minkota as I have not used or been around the Motorguide
As for the foot pedal the wired version was what I wanted. If the I pilot section failed I could still use the foot pedal to continue fishing

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Thanks, Jack
About the foot pedal. I think if I decide to go with one of these TM's I'd like to get the wireless foot pedal. From what everyone says it's probably something I'll never use but if I do I like the idea of no wires to deal with.

I have had my Xi5 for almost 5 years...The new motors will have to show me a lot more before I would change..I have seen one motor that was better with light wind & that was a RHODAN.....A c.c member had a couple of videos showing wind & no wind..Impressive..

If your Lowrance is HDS and Gen2 or newer,I'd go with the Motorguide xi5 or xi3 just in case you decide to link them togather down the road. I've have the xi5 linked to my Lowrances,pretty neat set up....anchor lock also works good.

Unfortunately My HDS units are Gen 1 so linking isn't possible at this time and at this point I'm not interested in buying any new electronics.
I think just adding spot lock is going to be a game changer for the way I fish.

One thing I would like to do is use a built in transducer on the TM with my Gen 1 Lowrance.
I'm only using 2d sonar up front and I think both brands offer the built in transducer.
Having the ability to link my electronics in the future is definitely something to think about since I wasn't planning to upgrade my electronics the last 2x I did it. :Rofl

I have the Xi5 and love the anchor feature on it. I run it through my HDS carbon and it works really well. However, I do wish the remote had a digital display on it. I can use the remote to make adjustments from anywhere in the boat but if I want to verify that I made the right adjustments I have to look at my HDS carbon screen. If I had to do it again I would probably go with the MK for that reason alone. I think both are very fine motors now. When I bought my Xi5 it did have the best anchor between the two. I think they are both probably equal these days.

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I use the spot lock, spotlock jog and heading feature the most on mine.

I have the MG and can spotlock next to bridge pilings or channel markers and move very little. I bought before MK upgraded theirs. Next 1 I get will likely be a Terrova only for the added feature of screen on remote showing what your doing. I dont link tm to graphs so no need to worry about that on my side.
On the video it appears they anchored the MG away from the marker. Once both motors settle they both are dang good.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I use the spot lock, spotlock jog and heading feature the most on mine.

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That's good to know. I know most of these TM's have a lot more features than what most of us are interested it.

I like hearing from guys using both brands.

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

That's good to know. I know most of these TM's have a lot more features than what most of us are interested it.

I like hearing from guys using both brands.

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Take what I have said and know that I mostly shoot docks. I will work some submerged structure occasionally. I do very little trolling. If a man did a lot of trolling then being able to have it follow a contour would be great. The one I have I can store I believe 6 spot lock locations and 6 programmed routes. The route feature I have you have to set it to record and drive over the route. Once recorded you can tell the trolling motor to run it as many times as you like with out having to steer any longer

My terrova seems to hold on point with spot lock ,12 volt 50 lb thrust on 14 foot ,about the foot pedal, I do use mine now and then if I fly fish or some times,just casting. I like having both.

I keep the pedal on the front deck. I can tap the anchor lock button on the pedal with my foot and disengage it. Then drive the boat with the pedal. Good when your hands are full fighting a crappie out from under a dock and you need some distance from the dock and get the fish into open water

So how's the noise level on the MK's? I've heard they are much noisier than on the MG.
Any of you guys ever hear them both operate?
Or is this really a non issue to even consider.

I have. not heard both run. The propulsion motor is quiet. You can barely here it run. The direction motor/ servo has a little bit of a whining noise. If I am on spot lock and fishing I don't hear it or pay attention to what it is doing.

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Originally Posted by tcounty

I’ve never used my pedal. It stays in my box as a back up if the remote quits.


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X2


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I use the spot lock, spotlock jog and heading feature the most on mine.

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X2


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