Minn Kota auto pilot

Looking for some honest input on the auto pilot feature. Planning on trying to upgrade trolling motors sometime this next year and really like what the auto-pilot feature advertises. I do a lot of trolling and would find this feature very useful. That being said, I've heard mixed reports on the auto-pilot's reliablity. Some love it, but others have said that in windy, choppy conditions the unit gets knocked off course easily. That's a whole lot of money to spend on a feature if it's not able to do what it says it can.

Can anyone who has one give me their honest opinion. Do you like it? would you purchase it again? I'm leaning towards the new V2 model with Auto-pilot 70lb thrust.

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Originally Posted by badbrad

Looking for some honest input on the auto pilot feature. Planning on trying to upgrade trolling motors sometime this next year and really like what the auto-pilot feature advertises. I do a lot of trolling and would find this feature very useful. That being said, I've heard mixed reports on the auto-pilot's reliablity. Some love it, but others have said that in windy, choppy conditions the unit gets knocked off course easily. That's a whole lot of money to spend on a feature if it's not able to do what it says it can.

Can anyone who has one give me their honest opinion. Do you like it? would you purchase it again? I'm leaning towards the new V2 model with Auto-pilot 70lb thrust.

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I have used AP motors for years and have found them to be very reliable. This doesn't mean they don't have an occasional brain-fart, but you just have to reset and its good to go. I just mounted a new Terrova and it looks like the real thing--looking forward to trying it out. AP really makes trolling easier.

If you are a troller the auto pilot is the only way to go. I simply wouldnt fish without mine. I have the old model with the white top currently on my boat. It goes off course about 5 times per trip. I chalk that up to being old. So i purchased the new Terrova and cant wait to try it out. Most of the guys in GA/SC have them about 90% of them are trollers.

I will always spend the extra $ for the Autopilot feature. They don't always work perfectly in big chop but are very reliable. It's nice being able to ignore it for a minute while unhooking a fish or re-tying without getting off course.

would not buy one without it. Sure is nice to get up and go to the back of the boat, And the boat is still going the right way.
I use mine in current a lot. Adjust it where it holds the boat against the current and still drift down river. That is where I sure Love the Auto Pilot.
Pete

I love my autopilot and wouldn`t crappie fish without one! I haven`t had much trouble with it getting off course, only if you are in strong wind and not giving it enough speed to stay on course.

I troll flat lines most of the time and tight line the rest of the time and I wouldn't have any thing else. I've got a terrova 70 lb with auto pilot and co-pilot on a 20' ranger center console and it works great, handles wind and rough water with no problem.

Wouldn't ever be without one!

good gosh its a grand! i just looked on cabellas..whew! i got my 55 pwrdrive for like 430 bucks with shipping..i think shipping was free when i got it

money well spent. . . . . . . . .

Every piece of equipment has a few glitches, but the only ones these have are certainly not enough to keep from going with the auto pilot. I have the 80#terrova AP w/copilot and built in transducer and I have been very pleased with it. Get you one, you want be sorry I promise. paw paw perch

I have 8-9 years old one that still works well. It will make you a better fisherman once you learn to use it and trust it to do the work it was designed for. You will spook less fish and get to fish more with less stress. Worth every penny. I will buy another one when the time comes.... not soon I hope.

Just tell me in fisherman's words what that auto-pilot does. My main, 98%, fishing is just getting over a spot and kind of hovering, tightlining or what ever you call it. I either crank the big motor or hi-speed the TM to my next stump etc. I don't follow a track or anything like that so how do you guys use an auto-pilot?

SteveJ, for the fishing you described I'd say a standard TM works fine.... I've started doing a lot more long line trolling and trolling crankbaits and at times fish by myself. The autopilot feature allows you to point the TM in a direction and it will continue on that course without any input. It' s expensive, but only a few hundred dollars more than a new 70lb thrust version. Judging from everyones input I'd be sorry for not holding out till I can afford the auto pilot. Guess I'll keep the old OMC going until then. Thanks everyone for your advice.

Brad I had forgotten you too had an OMC, great TM's huh. But they are going to give up one of these days hopefully before I do and will have to replace. My buddy has a motor guide which I can not get use to the foot pedal so it will be a MK, just trying to plan ahead.

Your right about the OMC has been a good one, but is getting some age on it. 17 years to be exact. It will be a while before I can afford an upgrade, but like you just trying to plan ahead and get informed as much as possible.

The only way to go when trolling or drifting.

I have a Minn kota w/autopilot and a co-pilot on it and I use it for trolling or when casting a shore line. I also have my original Johnson trolling motor I bought with the boat in 93. I use this one for position fishing over stumps,brush or around trees because of the quick responce from using a cabled foot pedal. I have both mounted on a quick release slid mount and can change it out in a minute if needed.