Looking to purchase a new trolling motor 80lbs or bigger. Pros and cons please.

Well, you're going to get Ford or chevy here. But I've been driving a Minn Kota for 30 years and never saw a need to switch.

This is the Ford/Chevy/Dodge debate......but i'll add my .02

I had a motorguidge and will never own another one ever again. I'd rather use a boat oar.....or tie a handkerchief to a pole and use it as a sail. Or maybe hang my feet off the back of the boat and kick. It was the single most frustrating piece of equipment i've ever owned. On the foot pedal of a motor guide is a cable. That steel cable was the death of me. Eventually it just snapped. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I took that foot pedal apart to re-attach the cable. Piece of absolute junk.

I now own a fortrex and love it.

MinnKota. I've owned both. The two MG's were junk. All the MKs since then have been golden.

My experience as well

I am a Minn Kota guy as well.

1960 Ford vs modern Chevy.

I currently have a MG, second one I've had that came on boats when I bought them, when I can I will replace with a Minn Kota which in my opinion is smoother, quieter, easier to deploy, easier to stow, and more reliable. I do like that the MG foot control is made out of metal and it takes up a smaller footprint when stowed in my opinion, but that's about it. I also seem to have more issues with electronic interference with MGs than MKs but maybe that's just me. Good luck.

Minn Kota all the way.

Okay, I'll be the dissenter here. I have two MG Digital (one is a back up due to a problem I had on the old one - 10 years old, with the AC I think it is called). I really have not had any problems to speak of other than the AC going out once. The head is all metal, and I have heard, and I am certainly no expert that the MK head is plastic, at least on the bottom half, and if the steering cable breaks it can break the lower part of the head.

I'd say check with All Star Archery and Marine Electronics in Dallas and maybe lob a call into the guy at Lakeside Trolling Motor at Lake Fork to get a service side opinion.

I do love the way MK's look and the apparent ease of deployment, but I can't say I have been unhappy with the MG enough to switch.

the deciding factor for me was the steel shaft vs. the composite shaft. MG having the steel shaft. I have seen it bent to many times and needing repair, where the composite shaft of MK flexes thus not needing to be repaired because it is bent beyond use. Just My .02

I've had both. MK all the way for me.

Well the MG X5 has the composite shaft and a plastic pedal. I do think the minnkota mount makes less noise. They both have problems, but get what u want. Seems like every tournament I fish someone with a trolling motor is having an issue.

My next boat will have a mg on it.

Haven't had good luck with motor guide. Replaced the motor guide with a minnkota about 2 months ago and love it. The motor feels more solid and I think it is quieter.

MK has been more reliable for me, wouldn't own another MG!