Terrova Spot Lock

I've been having some issues with my MK Terrova.
Several issues I'm having are (and this has been going on for a while now)

*Spot lock seems to be moving. Let's say I'm spot locked 15'-20' from a stump. After a while, I notice I'm right next to or darn near on top of the spot I'm trying to fish or I'm even farther away.

*Spot Lock just seems to turn off. At first, I thought maybe I hit a button or somehow I accidentally turned it off but I really don't think that's the case. Sometimes it holds for quite a while, sometimes it happens in a few minutes.

*Remote loses or erases saved waypoints. If I save a waypoint, it MIGHT stay saved for a little while but I noticed it will eventually disappear. It may be there for a little while but it's never there 3-4 months later. FYI, I always keep my batteries fresh in the remote, I generally change them when i see and drop from being at full charge.

It's the newer version Terrova and is 4 years old. I'd like to get these bugs worked out, especially the on/off issue and the moving issue.
I have been playing with the boat scale settings and that doesn't seem to help much.
I've been looking for a way to delete or erase everything off the TM and start all over again. I'd guess you'd say I want to restore defaults and go through the set-up procedures again and see if this helps, but I can't find any way to do it.
Is even possible to restore to factory settings.

Any ideas before I go to a repair shop to try to figure this thing out?
Thanks in advance for any help I get.

You might check to see if there are any available updates for your motor and remote ...

https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.c...ftware-updates

Rickie

I have the exact same issues, with the latest updates. The erased waypoints is the worst! Other than those issues it's been good.

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Originally Posted by Veedo

I have the exact same issues, with the latest updates. The erased waypoints is the worst! Other than those issues it's been good.

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Yeah, it pretty much drives me crazy some days. I often wonder if its in the remote.
I may try my buddies remote one day and see if it works any better.

I have an older Terrova (2013 I think) and mine has never held Spot Lock very accurately. I know that one of these days I'm going to have to replace the trolling motor just from age, but it's one of the things I actually look forward to (having a Spot Lock function that actually works).

My Terrova is only accurate to within about 6-8' of target if there isn't at least a 5 mph wind blowing steady from the same direction. I think MK designed it to be used in steady wind.
After about 15 minutes, the Terrova loses its satellite and has to search for about 30 seconds to find the new one overhead. Not ideal, but still better than pulling an anchor every time you move.
Maybe the new versions of Spotlock are more accurate in mild winds. My next one will be an Ulterra. Pulling up the Terrova is getting harder and harder!

The 2019 and newer MinnKota`s have a much improved spot lock the pre 2019`s were general area spot lock only.

Mine tends to wander at times. It does seem to get worse the longer it stays locked. I usually disengage, reposition the boat and set the spotlock back. Certain places seem worse than others. Could be the quality of the GPS signal I get at each place

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Mine tends to wander at times. Certain places seem worse than others. Could be the quality of the GPS signal I get at each place

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I agree with this. I noticed mine acted a little funny the other day when under a bluff in a pretty remote area. Before getting a heading sensor to jog with i'd just reposition at times if i wanted to set up different on that spot because of wind. I'm always late as far as updating goes to see if anybody has issues with an update myself.

Mine hasn't been upgraded either

Or updated:Rofl

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Mine tends to wander at times. It does seem to get worse the longer it stays locked. I usually disengage, reposition the boat and set the spotlock back. Certain places seem worse than others. Could be the quality of the GPS signal I get at each place

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This is me.
Purchased in 2020 so it's the newest version. I've kept up with my updates so I know that's not the problem.
I'll have to pay attention to the GPS signal, I guess that could be part of the problem.

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Originally Posted by crappiemax

This is me.
Purchased in 2020 so it's the newest version. I've kept up with my updates so I know that's not the problem.
I'll have to pay attention to the GPS signal, I guess that could be part of the problem.

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The problem is in the design and GPS features. It was never ready for prime time. I owned 2 Ulterras between 2015 and 2022. The GPS features are same as in Terrova. The 2015 model was in the shop at Minn Kota on 7 different occasions. Those issue were never resolved. In 2018 I bit the bullet and bought the next gen model. It was in the shop twice. While it may have been a little better than previous gen it wasn't by much. Sold my boat in 2022 and moved to Arkansas. Ordered a new boat in 2023 and debated long time about what brand trolling motor I was going to get. I wanted another Ulterra as I have no business now being on a deck raising and lowering a trolling motor. But I wanted a motor that the spot lock worked as it was suppose to. I ran upon an article about Minn Kota new Quest series of motors. So I chose to take another chance on the Quest Ulterra. To say it is a better version of the older series of the spot lock motors from Minn Kota is an understatement. The new Quest series are what spot lock should have been all along. Plus the motor is quiet as a church mouse and has been beefed up mechanically.....the older Ulterras weigh 80 pounds the Quest model weighs in at 110 pounds. There is a drawback to the new Quest series of motors......cost....they are outrageously expensive. I am in no way saying go out and buy a new motor. What I am saying is your issues are unlikely to ever be corrected in your motor. I have had mine out fishing 6 trips now. I say fishing but I did very little fishing. I spent most of the time testing out the trolling motor and doing big engine break-in. I have tested spot lock out with wind and on days when the water was like glass. I am very pleased just how good this motor is.


Regards

My Terrova is almost a year old - use it inshore and offshore. They added a lil hockey puc thing - electric compass that's supposed to help it stay on spot - need to hook it up. What I've noticed is that I'll do a 5-10 ft hatch pattern over the spot. I find it great for snapper fishing offshore. Not sure how I'd update it.

I've not updated anything - My Garmin chart plotter wants me to update the lake maps section. Just gotta save waypoints to a chip before updating. Guess I'll use "active captain for that".

I had a Rhodan but replaced it with Terrova after 2 yrs trying to get it to work regular. I'd do the Terrova again but mine is pretty new.

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Originally Posted by Blue Tin

My Terrova is almost a year old - use it inshore and offshore. They added a lil hockey puc thing - electric compass that's supposed to help it stay on spot - need to hook it up. What I've noticed is that I'll do a 5-10 ft hatch pattern over the spot. I find it great for snapper fishing offshore. Not sure how I'd update it.

I've not updated anything - My Garmin chart plotter wants me to update the lake maps section. Just gotta save waypoints to a chip before updating. Guess I'll use "active captain for that".

I had a Rhodan but replaced it with Terrova after 2 yrs trying to get it to work regular. I'd do the Terrova again but mine is pretty new.

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That puck has nothing to do with spot lock. That is for the jog feature.


Regards