I have had an Xi5 (80lb) for a couple of years. I wish I would have waited for the Ultrex. The Xi5 is great for spot lock but having foot pedal is not very natural. Like others I don't use the foot pedal very much. Once spring is over and I start fishing points and off shore it is fine but running down a bank with the remote and timber is frustrating.

They (MG) have a new TM coming out soon, might wait before buying.

I have an Xi5 that i bought a year before the Ultrex came out. I love the Xi5 but the foot control is harder to use than cable steer. I want my next boat to have an Ultrex but will it support all my Lowrance electronics?

If they would make a spot lock version of their old steel shafted motor I'd be all over it.

It might be, a pro on fb had a video saying that he was testing a new motor and they know guys weren�t happy when they discontinued the Tour models. Whatever he had covered on his boat was a full sized motor and not like an Xi model.

I prefer the MG mount over the fortrex mount, I�ll be awaiting something new.

An ultrex will not connect with a Lowrance, never will. IF MG comes out with a new trolling motor is questionable, but I know for a fact that Lowrance is coming out with a new one, that may be worth the wait, if nothing else maybe it�ll bring the price of an Ultrex down.

Mike McCelland Facebook page, new motorguide being tested. No time frame given on a release date though.

I have been through 2 xi5 motors. Here is what I found:

- The mount is the major problem that causes other issues. It's very flimsy and just can't stand the big water.
- Deploying the motor is not easy. It requires a hand and foot to deploy (foot to press the release lever)
- Stowing the motor in my opinion could be dangerous for some people. You literally have to lean over the front of the boat, press the release then pull the motor up by hand (it has no rope)
- Spot lock worked great on it
- It is more reasonably priced than an Ultrex


I now have an Ultrex and would NEVER go back to an xi5. I'm anxious to see the new Lowrance trolling motor. I'm hearing it's price point is going to be a little less than the Ultrex.

Its like a chuck steak and the Ultrex is a ribeye.

How hard is the Xi5 to lift? I went from MG to Fortrex because of the lift assist and composite shaft. MG now has composite shaft but i dont know how hard it is to lift compared to the old MG mount. It looks like you just grab the head to slide it in but havent seen any videos on pulling it out.

I'm not young (58) and it isn't that big of an issue for me to lift. Once you get the hang of it I wouldn't say that is a complaint that I have about it but it is definitely different than a typical pull the cord trolling motor.