Question on new Terrova

Hi guys, newbie here. Last kid in college and getting back into hunting/fishing. For now I’m needing to do the one boat for everything thing dealer. I have a Crestliner Retriever 1860 SC wth Merc 4 stk 60 hp, so you know what size boat I’m dealing with.

It has a plain hand steer bow mounted trolling motor and that’s a major pain. All I hear is “get spot lock” So I’m leaning towards a new Terrova 80 lb 45” or 60”. I’m seeing one with mega down also. Will I be better off getting the I-pilot or just go ahead and get the I-pilot link an be done with it. The more I read the more confused I get. I have a Helix 9 mega si G4n to get started, so it would get me connected far as that goes. I have transducer mounted on back. So wondering if the mega down would be useful on the front. Dang ya go bigger and price gets up there! 😳 Do any of you use the I-pilot link and is it worth getting it. Don’t want to get lower priced unit and regret it but could use the money saved for other stuff far as that goes. I know I’m opening a can of worms when I get into this and it’ll just keep going and going. Just want to get started in right direction. Thanks for any help and sorry for rambling on. 😂

It depends on how you like to fish. With the link you can set the trolling motor to follow a depth contour on the Hummingbird. I have the regular Terova. You can record a track and for the trolling motor to follow. I have not used that feature but it would be great when I am pulling boards in spring. Last year it was pretty crowded so I had to keep the remote handy to correct course. I do not have a transducer in my motor. I like to keep them seperate to make replacement a little easier on the wallet

I don't have the birds, so for me it wasn't worth it. As I understand it, having a link lets you use the graph to control and follow contours. If you wanna follow contours, just record a track while following a conture.....:dono

I tend to use the AP mode w/mine; or I'll 'jog' (5 foot increments) down a bank by pushing it 8-10 times (40 to 50 feet) and fish while it's moving to new spotlock location at which point
I'll hit that jog button 10 more times, etc...

I never record a track and run it back tho...link is good if you want to go waypoint to waypoint, or follow a depth contour, as said--but it's more messing w/electronics to me at that point.

Happy w/ipilot here

Thanks for advice. Wasn’t sure if I’d really ever use the I-pilot link. I’m honestly still playing with the Helix figuring out all it’ll do. Just didn’t want to spend the money and as soon as I got it hear “ you should’ve got the other one.” I can put the excess money towards another helix for either the console or bow of boat, or something else. Are you all running 2 units far as that goes or just one? I want to try and get stuff as I find it on sale etc… through the winter . I’m just kinda figuring out what I really want or actually need.

Buy it now. If not, you'll end up selling your TM next year to buy the full Monty TM.
Been there, done that. Use the linked features all the time. Following a track, contour or a path that you've designed at home and uploaded is wild.
Watch The Technological Angler on YouTube to learn about all the features and how to use them. I bought his DVD on Boat Control to get more in-depth information. Well worth the price.

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If you take time to learn the features of the I-pilot Link, you will never be without one. I use at least one Link feature every time out. Link it to yourHelix and take time to learn it. Lots of videos can help. Check out The Technological Angler videos. Unreal!


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I suggest the Ultrex over the Terrova
Personally don’t care for the mount and the way you have to deploy it.
Ultrex has Lift assist and a cable with a handle. Guess I’m just old school.
Don’t use remote any more since I single pole most of the time.
Convenient while pushing multiple poles but that’s not very often for me anymore.


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I love the link but it really fits for me to push. I set the cruise to maintain speed while moving from waypoint to waypoint when pushing jigs with 8 out in front. If I find them piled up, just set it to circle then continue on path.


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I’m new with my terrova after an auto pilot for ten years. Owned the AP 6 months and wished I had bought the IPILOT. But the link and put them together and call it done. I love the terrova features and will have a Garmin unit soon so I’ll miss out on some of the features. Money we’ll spent.

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Originally Posted by M R Dux

If you take time to learn the features of the I-pilot Link, you will never be without one. I use at least one Link feature every time out. Link it to yourHelix and take time to learn it. Lots of videos can help. Check out The Technological Angler videos. Unreal!


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This is the way.
I vote you get the link.


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I have a terrova with us2 & am very satisfied with it but i knew i wouldn't use the link so i bought it. I have older bird units & even if newer i wouldn't use the link to it's capabilitles so figured there wasn't any use for me to have it.

The link is worth it since you fish birds.

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Originally Posted by catchNgrease

The link is worth it since you fish birds.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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:hesaid

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Originally Posted by catchNgrease

The link is worth it since you fish birds.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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My birds are an older helix 9 gen 1 & a helix 7 g2n.

I have a Alumacraft 165 Competitor Sport. 16" deep v and similar to yours.
I have the Terrova 80 24v, 60" MDI and I-Pilot Link. I also have 2 Helix 9" units. Ethernet, M360, and MLive. All of it linked. But I've been building it for the last couple of years. Adding one piece at a time.
I highly recommend the Link. I never use the foot peddle. I use either the sonar unit or remote. The Heading sensor adds to the accuracy of your sonar units and helps when you map lakes. Following a Contour line, bottom hardness/softness, circle feature, anchor are all great features. When spider rigging, when I set the hook i hit anchor. Holds me in spot while I mess with the fish. once I'm done, then I can continue on my path. Circle works great if you want to make pass round a crib from 50' out or so.

The MDI is great on the bow, the MSI on the transom work as a team.

I wish they had the 54", although the 45" would work. The 60" if about 12"-15" to tall. I keep my trolling motor depth to the same as the prop.

My last Terrova was just I-Pilot. It was great, however I really like the additional features of the Link. You won't regret them.

Hanr3-I’m debating on the Terrova with MDI. Looks like it’s the only way to get Link right now. I found some Terrova model number 1358883 for sale but can’t find any info on that model. Guess I’ll call Minn Kota and ask them. Don’t want to buy something for that much and regret it. So I was leaning on one with the just I-pilot and then mount a transducer on it from another helix on bow. And then hope at some point they will sell the “ Link Heads” again. There some with the original “ big controller “ not micro on eBay., I have enough $ stashed to get a TM and as of now a 10” for front.,may try to save a little more for a bigger screen but dang they get pricey! Thanks for everyone’s advice. I appreciate it a lot!

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Originally Posted by Razor1

Hanr3-I’m debating on the Terrova with MDI. Looks like it’s the only way to get Link right now. I found some Terrova model number 1358883 for sale but can’t find any info on that model. Guess I’ll call Minn Kota and ask them. Don’t want to buy something for that much and regret it. So I was leaning on one with the just I-pilot and then mount a transducer on it from another helix on bow. And then hope at some point they will sell the “ Link Heads” again. There some with the original “ big controller “ not micro on eBay., I have enough $ stashed to get a TM and as of now a 10” for front.,may try to save a little more for a bigger screen but dang they get pricey! Thanks for everyone’s advice. I appreciate it a lot!

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IF you get the MDI built into the trolling motor, you can buy a HB Sonar unit without the transducer. It'll save a couple hundred bucks. The added benefit of the built in MDI is you won't rip transducer cables off when teh TM spins more than 360 degrees. Plus, I've hit all sort of things with my trolling motor. Buried it in muck, rocks, sand, trees, etc. Never had an issue with the MDI. It's well protected. I also use it as a guide to travel up creeks. If the TM doesn't bottom out, my transom won't bottom out and I won't get stuck. I've been thru 18" of water and got to some really secluded spots. MDI and Terrova worked fantastic. I mapped the creek so I can make the trip again, just a little faster next time.
With my boat configuration, I find