Okay, I'm getting ready to make a choice.

Another question though is this: I'm running the large LSS-2 transducer on my Fortrex for the Side/Downscan imaging. Will the large transducer fit on the Ultrex lower unit housing? Also, will the built-in transducer work with Lowrance HDS units? And will it require a special adapter cable?

Absolute vote for adding the Ultrex. I have most bells and whistles on my '18 ZX250 and the ONE item I could not live without is the Ultrex. I love my twin poles, and 3 large graphs, but the Ultrex is the ultimate, particularly if you fish offshore.

Last winter I put an Ultrex on my 2009 Skeeter ZX225 and have been singing and dancing ever since. The perfect upgrade!

upgrading to a spot lock TM is worth whatever dime you want to spend on it. I just put an Xi5 on my 2000 Scout flats boat. If your heart is set on an Ultrex.. go for it. I fished today and was able to fish at all only because I had spotlock. If there ever was a game changer.. that is it.

BD

Get it! You shouldn't even be wasting time on here asking about it. I love mine!

If you are keeping the boat, get the Ultrex.

I have an even bigger transducer than the LSS2 on mine. I have the Active Imagining 3in1. I bought a transducer sheild to make it look better, but whatever floats your boat will do the job. The Fortrex with US2 is the same motor unit as the Ultrex with US2. I don’t know about the Ultrex with HDI transducer built in. Probably a different shape, but still doable.

The Ultrex with US2 does require an adapter to work in the Lowrance HDS “blue” input. The Ultrex comes with a long cable to get to the Lowrance, but the fitting is different. The adapter is about 12” long. It has the US2 plug on one end and the blue Lowrance connector on the other end. It’s about $20-$30, depending on where you buy it.

The Ultrex is currently available in 4 configurations per voltage/length.

I’d suggest getting the basic/basic unit. It will do everything you need. Power steering, spot lock, cruise control (auto pilot), and save spot locks. It will come with a simple remote, if you can download the Ultrex app on your phone and use it as a secondary remote, if you wish.

The only thing I can’t help with is which voltage and length. 36 is better, but costs more if you have to start adding batteries. The 45” is great on most mid to smaller boats. The longer ones are good for longer boats that tend to bounce a lot on bigger water. You need to leasure your mounting location to waterline distance and make sure the prop centerline of the trolling motor is at least 18” or so under the surface.

Be careful of the “Ultrex mount will hold a fortrex” stuff. It used to be the case on the first and second year Ultrex units. The new ones with the new logo on the mount will not hold a Fortrex. There is two mounting centering pins that prohibit that from working. It’s a product “update”’that squashed that option.

I put an Ultrex on my 2005 TZX 190 right after they came out. Wouldn’t want another boat without one.

Let’s assume you have no front graph .......will the ultrex still have spot lock ? Or do you need a compatible gps unit to make that work ?

I put an Ultrex on my '99 Skeeter and I love it. Best 2k I ever spent. Can't tell you how much it's done for my time on the water.

The Ultrex has its own gps built in. No graph necessary to spot lock, save waypoints, or auto-pilot to those waypoints.

Cool that’s the answer I was looking for thanks

My Ultrex came with a GPS puck that mounts separate and the TM uses the puck as a direction finder. The puck has an arrow that you align with the CL of the boat. I've never heard one person say they regretted buying a Ultrex and I've not had one issue with mine. When you can anchor down in 50' of water with spot lock and stay within a 3' circle, well what more can you ask.

I've been using spotlock trolling motors for several years. Back before the ultrex came out and everyone on here seemed to think it was a useless upgrade. I have tried talons and they were nice but nothing has been as useful as spotlock to make fishing easier. I put it on a small 14' v hull and paid more for my electronics than the boat cost. Worth every penny. Ill take an old boat with spotlock any day over a new boat without.

With new models coming out soon, there may be some used units hit the market soon that would make it even easier to bite the bullet.

I put a Ultrex on my 1996 Champion 221.Absolutly LOVE It!Once you get it,You will wonder how you ever did without it!