iPilot Link for a Lowrance User

Greetings from Granbury.

Looking to upgrade my Edge trolling motor to a Minn Kota with iPilot-Link. I have wo perfectly fine Lowrance HDS 5 and HDS 7 Elites on the boat now and don't want to invest the cash to replace those as well.

So, I'm thinking of an older model Humminbird just to run the iPilot, nothing else.

Will the US2 operating the Humminbird interfere with the signal for the Lowrance Elite?

Anyone done this? Any suggestions or a better idea that won' break the bank?

You are just gonna want to use the Hbird for mapping /gps only. My suggestion would be to find a new or used Hbird that has Ethernet capabilities. The cheapest route would be find a unit that is GPS/Sonar combo. You will not need the transducer. But you will need to turn sonar off on the unit. Then all you would need to do is run an ethernet cable from the I Pilot link to the hummingbird unit.

Thanks, 44 Diesel. I'd like to use the tracking along contour lines too. Does that work without SONAR?

yes, just requires lakemaster chip....all you are gonna need is a GPS signal

The minimum size HB that can be networked is going to be an 800 Series. The smaller ones will not do it.

Not true. There are a few 700 series HD models that are ethernet compatible and can run I-Pilot link as well. They just require the ethernet adapter cable.

the smallest and oldest unit would be 788 hd and 798 hd si, might be hard to find

Thanks for the input. I may just get the standard iPilot and when it's time to upgrade electronics, get the link adapter too.

Scott

if you are looking for a used terrova I will be selling mine early next month...getting an Ulterra

If you buy new, I think it is cheaper to get it complete. The link add on is around $750 alone. There's one for sale in the trade section for around $400 (link head only) if you find one used without it.

I'm getting some conflicting/unclear information, can I use an iPilot Link as a fully functional but linkless iPilot system and add the Humminbird in a year or so?

You can use the I pilot link without a Humminbird and will function just as the regular I Pilot will. You do not need a Humminbird unit for the ipilot link to operate but will miss out on all the networking features. Most people don't want to spend the extra money if they don't have or any plans to get a hummingbird unit. In your case I would wait for the new and improved I Pilot link trolling motors to come out and get one of them. The ipilot link is cheaper if you buy one factory installed instead of upgrading later. Then you can get the hummingbird unit when time is right for ya

Thank you, gentlemen. Going to wait for the new models, they're supposed to have improved spot lock too.

The newer ones are starting to ship. As mentioned above, it is less expensive to get the link pre installed than install it later. The motor will function fine without the link installed until you get the Bird you want. The US2 will require an adapter to the Lowrance and then when you change to a Humminbird, you just get a different adapter if you want to use the sonar on the Humminbird. The US2 is sonar only and doesn't have any DI or SI capabilites.
Let me know if I can help.
John

Thanks, John. that's the route I'm going - get the iPilot Link and upgrade electronics next year. I'm hearing the link will work with the 2017 Helix 7