Need some opinions. Can save some money and a better look if I go with Saltwater Model without foot control verses Freshwater with foot control.
Not sure why one is standard and one isn't.

I have a Terrova w. iPilot and foot pedal. I use the switches on the foot pedal almost exclusively for hands-off steering, speed control, on/off, etc. Can't imagine being without the foot pedal & it's controls.

But not sure about other MK models with foot pedal. They may be different than Terrova.

I got a terrova with ipilot that also has a foot control option as well. I tested the foot control when I first installed the tm to make sure it works. The foot control is about half second delay. The remote is almost instant response. That is last time I used my foot pedal. I keep it in the boat just in case remote craps out. I am sure you can live without the foot control. Its been almost 2 years and I have yet to use it on the water. If you fish in stumps and trees the foot pedal might be an option so you can keep fishing with both hands.

For my style of fishing I use the foot control a lot and especially the toe steering buttons became my favorites

I use both the foot control and the remote. Remote is sometimes easier to use if you are steering around stumps and aren't trying to fish at the same time. I wouldn't want to be without the foot control when I want to make steering adjustments while fishing.

I agree with Doug on the toe steering vs the rocker. The rocker is so stiff its hard to use. I think if they offered a foot pedal without the rocker it would be ideal, not take up as much space.

Stan

The Riptide models will use a foot control just like the freshwater models. I spent the 95.00 for the foot pedal since I have had a remote battery go out and if clients are on fish, I don't want to try and change the battery, so I can just plug and go with the foot control. The other nice feature is the pedal control has a long cord, so I can run it from the helm while a client sits in the front seat and fishes and I don't have to stand on the bow and run it.

I don't think you can use both, I Pilot Link and a foot control. I trust someone will correct me if that is not correct as I have Link but would like foot control too.

The I-Pilot Link that I got came with a foot control and remote. I didn't know you could get one without the pedal but I guess they have packages that don't have it. I wouldn't want to have to depend on only the remote.

Stan

Maybe my terminology is wrong. I am speaking of the link that connects the humminbird unit to the trolling motor so that it will take you to waypoints on your graph.

There is an I-Pilot and an I-Pilot link. The I-Pilot Link has the interface to connect to the Hummingbird. The plain I-Pilot does not connect to the HB. I-Pilot can be added to certain Minn Kota TMs (terrova, Powerdrive, Riptide) but not all. Or you can buy it all together. The I-Pilot only works with the TMs that have electronic foot pedals. It wont work with cable driven pedals.

If you have an I-Pilot Link, you can control the TM with the foot pedal, the remote or from the HB Unit. They all have their advantages at times.

Go to Minn Kotas web site and you can probably get a better idea of what's available.