MK ipilot Boat Scale PSA

Hello friends, just wanted to share my experience in hopes it may help someone else.

I bought a 55 lb MK Powerdrive for my 1436 jon. Overkill, perhaps but it was the cheapest trolling motor with spot lock. Spot lock is why I purchased.

First few trips out I was very disappointed in the performance. It was windy sure, but over corrected constantly and violently! Almost knocked me out of the boat lol.

After a couple weeks of wondering what I’d wasted my money on, all I could think was maybe my boat was simply too light for the gps sensor to keep up.

BINGO! Apparently there is a boat scale feature in the remote where you can go up to +\- 2. Set it to -2 and am now satisfied with the performance. Seems to hold within 5-10 ft in 20 mph wind. About spot on in calm waters. I am now satisfied. Can’t wait for them to go deep again!

Tight Lines,
SA


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Boat scale is the key to happiness

I adjust mine depending on people & gear also.

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never heard of this does MK talk about this on their site or explain it,

It's been discussed on here several times. Here's a video link...
Enhance Spot Lock performance with i-Pilot Link Boat Scale Setting - YouTube
Also don't forget to calibrate your boat's bluetooth puck and TM for increased spot-lock accuracy.


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According to MK the puck is only used when using the “Spot Lock Jog” feature. It has nothing to with the accuracy of the actual “Spot Lock”.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by butlerrd

According to MK the puck is only used when using the “Spot Lock Jog� feature. It has nothing to with the accuracy of the actual “Spot Lock�.

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That's incorrect. MK says "The Minn Kota Heading Sensor provides boat heading information to a Bluetooth compatible i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link equipped Minn Kota motor. It contains a compass that senses the boat’s heading. The heading is used by the i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link system for navigation features such as Spot-Lock Jog." Not just the jog feature.
I installed my new I-Link Ulterra without the puck, just using the external AS HS GPS puck. Spot lock and heading navigation were not accurate. I added the Bluetooth HS puck that came with the TM, calibrated it and all was right with the world.
Here's a video link on the increased accuracy after calibration...
How To Make Minn Kota Spot Lock More Accurate (Simple Fix) - YouTube

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6

thank you slowhand

I have spoken to MK and also this is their information.

Attachment 400447

As noted, your info comes from their website, in "Overview", which is what it is exactly, an overview not all the details.
My quoted info came verbatim from the 1st page of the manual that comes with the heading sensor. This manual can be found on their website here...
https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoo...ing-Sensor.pdf
Have a great day on the water.


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Mine's been on a shelf in the garage all this time.... If I had only known..... :banghead

Thanks slowhand! It'll be installed soon!