I had Talons and now I have Power Poles. I had first generation Talons and one deployed and would not come back up. Unfortunately I had 24 pounds of fish in my live-well and I was 7 minutes late to weigh-in. Missed out on some serious money. When the Bassmasters was here in Tulsa I talked to the Minn-Kota Sales Manager and he dropped shipped me two brand new Gen2 Talons after hearing my story. I also got the break-away mounts. Never had a problem again. Why did I switch when I got my new Triton? Here in Oklahoma our lakes have rocky bottoms and the straight down deployment of the Talon does not work as well the Power Pole. When I fished at Fork with the clay bottom the Talons works just fine. You need 2 so you don't swing as much in the wind.

I HAVE 1 8FT POWER POLE NOW. MY NEXT BOAT WILL HAVE TWO 12FT TALONS, MAY BORROW SOME MONEY FROM MY CREDIT UNION. TWO 12FT IS A MUST FOR ME.

Thanks guys! Probably get just one because of $$ and I don't fish enough to justify paying for 2.

Go to Youtube and watch the video of airboat going up on the bank and back in the water trying to break the Powerpole. Pretty compelling video.

That was enough to convince me to go with PP. I run two 8's on my Legend. If you can afford two do it but one is better than none.

I'm leaning towards Talons. Mainly because I've got 4 31 series batteries, a new MK charger (it's big), and a gas tank in the way. If I trade boats I'd probably go with pp's because new boats have more room. I have '10 Legend and the tank is in the back. My question is how many of the power pole users have an oily mess around the pumps?

I have never had an issue with with Power Pole fluid leakage -anywhere. If the fittings are mated properly and not in a bind there should be no reason to accept/expect leakage. I think some end up looking that way from sloppy fluid level service. BTW, mine seem to be a "check it and go" thing, not something where I add fluid. (I assume I may have to add some eventually, but haven't so far.)

12' Talon

Powerpole customer service is second to none. They stand behind their products regardless. Of that reason alone, I will never switch. My old boat had a pro series and my new boat has 2 blades. Worth every penny in my book.

I've had 2 Talon 8' for a couple of years. Just switched to 10' Talon and love them. Can't see fishing without them anymore. Love the looks of the lower Talons of the 10'. I'm sure Power Poles are great but some of the advantages of the electric Talons appeal to me. I use the Tilt brackets all the time to get in/out of the covered storage plus it sure is nice when I want to Ski or take the grandkids tubing. The new Talons are so much better than the originals. Lots quieter and quicker.
There is no wrong or right direction. PP or Talons - both work great. Just have to pick what suits you. For me, it's the Talons.