I am getting a new trolling motor looking for the pros and con's of getting one of the I pilot models.only reason I want one is the spot lock feature. I'm dedicating this summer to learning offshore fishing not going to hit the bank at all!

I love the IPilot....it is a different feel from a cable steer that you have to get used to but now when I get in a buddy's boat that has a cable steer I don't like them. It's all in what you get used to. The spot lock feature is awesome!!! The biggest problem I have with it is mounting a transducer to it due to the shaft running through the housing.

Can you use spot lock without a humminbird graph maybe a stupid question but it's early

Yes...one has nothing to do with the other

I have iPilot link on a Power Drive and it is great. You do have to give your self a chance to adjust mentally. But even working the bank is pretty simple once you learn to trust the autopilot. I use most of the features and not just the spotlock. If you are a Hummingbird user then you might want to at least consider the link.

Note: I would recommend going with at least the Terrova because of the foot pedal. The remote is great but there are still times a foot pedal would make things a little easier. If I could have a redo on my boat it would not have a Power Drive on it.

As far as the transducer I purchased a mount from http://fishingspecialties.com/.

Get a MK Terrova with the U2 & I-Pilot (not the "Link") if you do not have Hummingbird. The I-Link only works with Hummingbird. If you want auto deploy get the Ulterra model, lowers and raises without help from you. I have mine for 3 years and absolutely love it. Since I never liked the foot control cable before and always used a hand steer my adjustment time was zero. Get the I-pilot with the foot control and the remote ....... you will use both. The "Anchor Lock" / spot lock feature is what sold me on this TM. While fishing Falcon with guide Billy Tompkins he set us on a spot and clicked the Anchor Lock and we stayed on those fish and caught a bunch without having to worry about drifting off the spot. I used to not o fish in the wind, now the wind is my friend.
The U2 transducer eliminates the need for an external transduce and it functions perfectly with my bow mounted Lowrance HDI Elite 7 sonar, GPS & down scan.
you can actually get a good deal on used Terrovas right now on the TFF since a lot of users are upgrading to the self deploy Ulterra units. If you can kick in the extra money for an Ulterra that would be the way to go. BUT, I am 64 yrs old and have no issues lowering or raising my Terrova.

If not locked in on a brand, may be worth considering the Motorguide Xi5. I decided on this unit, as I hear the anchor lock is superior to Minn Kota and the head unit is much quieter when turning. Just installed last night, so we'll see how it does this weekend.

I love my I pilot. Tough to beat in open water or in windy conditions.

Cons: cannot apply any accessories (puck for side scan/down scan, hydrowave, etc)

I had a terrova with ipilot for about 5 years:

pros - spot lock; using the remote from anywhere in the boat

cons - spot lock (spins you around a lot especially in calm/variable winds); very noisy when turning (and yes, I had it checked at a minnkota service center, who said that was "normal" noise for electric steer); front of the housing has to extend over the bow of your boat (broke the extensions once on my front roller and twice hitting stumps)

I have mixed emotions about it, but I think I prefer the fortrex that I have now.

If you decide to go with i pilot I will sell you mine I just got and put on my boat. Can't get use to the steering!!! I have the 112lb thrust

no problem mounting my di/si on mine

No problem mounting my Hydrowave,,,,,easy to run up the slot on the T/M shaft and get out of the way.
I utilize the U2 transducer in the T/M and it works flawlessly.
The 24v 80lb moves my Skeeter 185 w/o any problem and I can use it all day & some more without running down my batteries.

The new models spot lock is a lot better. I just took a three year old terrova off my boat and installed an Ulterra with pilot.
The new unit keeps you right on a spot. Plus it has auto deploy and trim.
And the new motors are about 75% quieter than the old ones.

I love my I-pilot also, you just have to go out on the water learn the controls. Here is a link on how to install the transducer, don't install per the humminbird install manual.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishing-e...ansducer-mount/

U can easily put a transducer on, u just gotta take the head off the trolling motor, pull the shaft off, run the cable, and expoxy it in the groove on the shaft, easy project.