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Wanting to upgrade my trolling motor. My boat has a 12volt system and I have an older Motorguide 46lb bowmount motor on it now. I am thinking about the Motorguide X3 55lb motor. Is the digital model worth the extra money? I have also read the directional arrow is poorly made and breaks easily. Thanks for your input.
I upgraded from an older Minkota 45 pound to a 12 volt 55 pound I pilot. It has what feels like twice the power
What features are you looking for in the upgrade?
More power? Longer run time? Adding spot-lock? Going from cable to electric steer? Built in transducer?
If you're going to do it, you might want to look at all the options. Lot's of nice features have been added to TM's in the last few years.
I'm doing an upgrade on my TM after the 1st of the year. After really looking around and seeing what's out there I've gone almost 180 degrees on what I was looking at to what I'm leaning towards in the last 2 months.
Basically looking for more power. Spot lock would be nice but out of budget right now.
I bought a Terrova and added the I pilot module at a later time
I upgraded from an older Minkota 45 pound to a 12 volt 55 pound I pilot. It has what feels like twice the power
Well maybe look at models where an upgrade can be made in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by frenchbritt
Adding a wanted feature later is cheaper than replacing the whole TM for the next upgrade.
I'm just throwing things out there.
For most of my fishing life I have been a Motor Guide user but I'm switching to Minn Kota for the upgrade.
If you have any MinnKota service centers around contact them about a refurbished trolling motor when I bought my 2018 80lb Ultera Link model I saved almost $900 and free shipping and no sale tax.
I ordered mine from Minkota 's factory outlet store
I was also a motor guide fan for a long time. 16 years ago I went with an MK pd40lb on an aluminum boat I was running at the time. It treated me well and I’ve stuck with them since without issue. When I upgraded to the TM I have now, I didn’t spend the extra to get into the I Pilot. I bought an autopilot riptide and have wished, many times, that I had gotten the I Pilot motor for the extra options. And I use my foot pedal all the time. When fighting a fish there isn’t a free hand to futz with the Tm.
My point is to go with what you really want. Upgrading down the road isn’t always the way to plan. These motors last a long time and most folks don’t fix something that ain’t broke.
I don't think it's Minn Kota's factory outlet. I think the store is call "Factory Outlet Store".Quote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
If you search for a Motor Guide the same website pops up. They don't misrepresent who they are but a lot of people think they are dealing with the manufacturer and they are not.
Their prices are competitive with others so that's okay but I won't buy from them because their name is a play on words which I feel is meant to mislead people.
Just sayin...
I also agree with Skeetbum, even if it means waiting a little longer to get it, make a list of what features you really want and try to cover all the bases as best as you can.
I've started my search a few months ago and although I'm getting close to picking something I'm still comparing different models and features.
I have the same MG46 as you; if I was changing TM's, it would ONLY be if it had anchor mode/spot lock...
you can get NIB terrova w/spot lock for $1100 tyd...
Spot lock and auto pilot sure make boat control a lot easier.
Spot lock and auto pilot plus a built in transducer are a must for me. I think I'm going with a Terrova.
The display on the remote is what sold me on MK vs the MG. No display on MG's remote leaves a lot to be desired.
Like DockShootinJack said with a Terrova you can add the upgrade (iPilot) at a later date as funds allow.
It may be possible with the MG Xi3 also but I'd check before I purchased anything.
I replaced a Minkota cable steer that a high speed green carp fisherman helped me slam it into the rocks and damage the control head. I replaced it with a standard BT 55 Terova. I had decided i didnt need any of the extras. Two weeks later I ordered the blue tooth I pilot kit with remote ,and heading sensor. Spot lock is awesome. Spot lock jog even more awesome. I can move the boat 5 feet in a given direction and lock on the new spot.
If you get a built in transducer, make sure your graph is compatible with it. Also, some graphs will default to 2d, with the built in transducer. Even if your graph is SI/DI .
My late Dad's version of a trolling motor was what He called "Dunking the Indian", it was an old Feather Brand boat paddle that He used while sitting and fishing in the very front of the boat. He never owned a trolling motor, and lived on the river.
I have an old Motor Guide with foot control and I feel up town. It does all I want in one.
Go with what ever suits your needs, puts fish on the plate, and what makes you happy.
My opinion, save money longer and get what you want. I tried the “get by” route for many years and finally changed over to the buy once, cry once ideology.
I bought just the servo steer trolling motor which I told myself I would be happy with. Then a few weeks later I wanted the other features. I would have been better off to have gotten everything at one time
I just bought a 55lb Minn Kota Powerdrive V2. I was upgrading from the factory tracker 43lb. And was wanting something where I could add wireless later. You can do that with the copilot
Thanks for all the responses everyone. I ended getting the MG X3 55lb thrust. I know it is old school and so am I. Got it mounted and trying tomorrow on LOZ. Hopefully this one will be as durable as my other MG. I am hoping the crappie will cooperate also. Thanks
I hope you enjoy the trolling motor