Replaced Ultrex With Force on my Tin Ranger

I replaced a perfectly good Minn Kota Ultrex on my RT 178 Ranger with a Garmin Force trolling motor this week. Since I switched to all Garmin electronics having the Force has several advantages over having the nonGarmin brand. Now I can see my waypoints on the force remote and hit navigate too and it will take me there. I can mark waypoints with my remote as well as save tracks and follow routs. I can control the Force TM from any one of my 3 Echomap chartplotters. The Force also comes with a built in side scan and down view 54 transducer. The Force remote can also be used to redirect the direction the trolling motor is traveling simply by pointing the remote in the new desired direction. Just learning all the other benefits but so far I like the upgrade.

Sounds like a nice upgrade

Bon Temps goes AI. The Crappie are in trouble now.

Very nice upgrade! Best wishes with it!
Bob

Any brand that can link to your chart plotter/finder is one heck of a upgrade, I’ve had my Lowrance’s linked to a xi5 since 2017, turning a trail to a route or create and follow a route is one of my favorite features.

I actually considered the Force before going ahead with the Ultrex with Advanced GPS due to lighter weight and being able to use with my Garmin, although I've been fine with my Ultrex connected to my Humminbird 1199s. All Lowrance, Garmin, and Humminbird have their advantages when paired with their compatible trolling motors, and I think that it is best to buy the trolling motor that works with your fishfinders for the greatest experience.

If I get enough money, I may still buy a Force and a couple of Humminbird quick release mounts so that I can swap back and forth depending on the type of fishing.

You are going to love the trolling motor functionality. I run Lowrance units and replaced my Fortrex with a Ghost, best move I've ever made for fishing. I can select a way point or the cursor on the screen, hit "go to" sit down and pour a cup of coffee, retie or whatever. When it gets to the way point it'll anchor and sit there. Best thing since pockets on bib overalls.

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Originally Posted by justinp61

You are going to love the trolling motor functionality. I run Lowrance units and replaced my Fortrex with a Ghost, best move I've ever made for fishing. I can select a way point or the cursor on the screen, hit "go to" sit down and pour a cup of coffee, retie or whatever. When it gets to the way point it'll anchor and sit there. Best thing since pockets on bib overalls.

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This right here only scratches the surface of what the full fishfinder/trolling integration can provide. Contour follow on my Humminbird/Minn Kota combo has made pulling crankbaits a breeze lately; for those without contour follow, creating a route and recalling it can more or less do the same thing. There are features that my A-GPS Ultrex can do that I haven't tapped yet because my 1199s are too old and have no update to know what they are.

Wow those features sound awesome. I hope it brings you much success on the water.

I finally got out on the water yesterday. The Garmin Force is brushless and much quieter than the Ultrex. The Ultrex did seem to have more power but did suck a lot more juice from my lithium batteries.
I paired the bow chart plotter to my Force and I could switch chart plotter screens 1,2,3,and 4 with the touch of a button.
I also used the waypoint Go To feature although one needs to be certain it’s a straight shot with no obstructions between where you start and where it is taking you.

Bon Temps!!

Wait..... there are bibb overalls with pockets :).....gahlee i wont a Garmin so bad....santa are you listening?

Sent from my SM-N970U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Originally Posted by BON TEMPS

I also used the waypoint Go To feature although one needs to be certain it’s a straight shot with no obstructions between where you start and where it is taking you.

Bon Temps!!

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Yes, this is easy to do with any of them. I accidentally set myself on a path without thinking things through while pulling crankbaits, and then the next thing I knew was that the boat was whipping around hard and running thru my long lines—it was not fun cutting the trolling motor free and then retying several rods.