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Need help deciding #13264808 08/30/19 01:19 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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I know I’ve been asking a lot of questions about trolling motors lately but I need help deciding on a tm/fishfinder combo.

Boat: stick steer aluminum 15’

Looking at a terrova 12v. Can’t afford the ultrex.

Can someone explain the i-link feature and if it’s really necessary? If I’m watching the graph and see something I like can I set a way point and the trolling motor will automatically go there? Without the link is there any other way to take gps from your graph and plug into into the terrova? Or at that point are you stuck just trying to position yourself as good as you can?

Next “problem”, if I do the link feature the smallest shaft is 54”. That’s really long for a flat bottom boat.

Also, being stick steer and driving the boat from the front, my graph will be right there anyway. So no separate bow graph, and imo no need for universal sonar 2 feature. However, the model without universal sonar doesn’t include link or a foot pedal.

Is the wireless remote good enough to not need a foot pedal? Can a foot pedal be added as a separate accessory?

Finally, if I do the 45” shaft, which would fit better, again no link, does have foot pedal, but only comes with the universal sonar I don’t need.

All the combinations listed im getting from minn Kota website.

Terrova 55lb, 54” shaft, no pedal, no universal sonar, ipilot but no link, msrp $1199
Terrova 55lb, 45” shaft, with pedal, with universal sonar, ipilot but no link, msrp $1529
Terrova 55lb, 54” shaft, with pedal, with universal sonar, with link, msrp $1899

I’m having analysis paralysis!

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13264821 08/30/19 01:25 PM
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the skipper Online Content
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The link isnt a must have, especially if you have a GPS graph. Get where your going and just hit spot lock. I had a link version ultrex that I never even hooked up the link because you dont really need it. I would also get the foot pedal and the 45" in your case. With a terova you might want the universal sonar because it's not the easiest motor to run transducer wires on.

Re: Need help deciding [Re: the skipper] #13264827 08/30/19 01:29 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by the skipper
The link isnt a must have, especially if you have a GPS graph. Get where your going and just hit spot lock. I had a link version ultrex that I never even hooked up the link because you dont really need it. I would also get the foot pedal and the 45" in your case. With a terova you might want the universal sonar because it's not the easiest motor to run transducer wires on.



Thank you. That’s helpful. I’m new to all this bass fishing stuff so bear with me please.
My plan was to just have the side image transducer mounted on the transom of the boat. Will It make a big difference not having transducer up front?

Ideally if I could get away with not having link, I’d get that cheapest option (add a foot pedal assuming that’s a possibility??) and leave more money for the graph. That’s also assuming the 54” isn’t going to stick up so high It interferes with fishing.

Last edited by wh2004; 08/30/19 01:33 PM.
Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13265771 08/31/19 03:39 AM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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Gonna bump this one time.

Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13265840 08/31/19 10:22 AM
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I have a stick steer boat. I have a Helix 10 Mega SI with a 12v 55lbTerrova on the front and two 12' talons in the back. Transducer is in the back. I use the Talons 75% of the time (maybe more) to hold the boat (but I fish mostly shallow water). I use the spot lock occasionally. I never use the foot pedal (don't even have it installed) and use the handheld remote all the time. I did get the iPilot link but honestly don't use the link much at all. The only thing that annoys me about the setup is that the transducer is 12' away or so from the Helix (I have a 17' boat) so I feel that the image isn't accurate from where I am. I don't understand why Humminbird doesn't have a software feature that lets you correct the offset from the location of the transducer to the location of the Helix unit....or if they do someone please tell me how to do it! All of that being said, I would go with the non-iPilot link setup but with spotlock. I have a 55lb motor on the 17' aluminum stick steer and it is plenty. Had a 45lb Powerdrive V2 motor on a 15'6 fiberglass ProGator stick steer and that was plenty. I love the Talons and if I was picking where to spend money I would save on the trolling motor, get a decent graph and definitely get the Talons (people have had a few on sale in the classified here for pretty good deals IMHO recently).

I think if you are looking to save money you would be pretty happy with the Powerdrive V2 with iPilot mated with a Helix graph.

Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13265841 08/31/19 10:31 AM
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Also I cut the shafts down on both the Powerdrive and the Terrova because they were 54" and way too long. You can do it without cutting the cables relatively easily as long as you are careful. There are some youtube videos that will help. I cut mine down to where the head barely sticks up above the mount and the head is just below the hull.

Last edited by jvc58dke; 08/31/19 06:03 PM.
Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13265935 08/31/19 01:06 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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Thanks jvc

Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13265968 08/31/19 01:39 PM
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Terrova Rip Tide iPilot doesn't come with a Footpedal. I tried using the remote ONCE while following the shoreline contour. I was with my Nephew and the next day he showed up with a foot pedal he bought me so he didn't have to listen to me rant about what a PITA it was.
Fighting a fish while you are drifting straight into a stump trying to find the correct button on the remote is not fun. I use the foot pedal if there is a rod in my hand.

Remote is Awesome when you aren't fishing on the move because you can move around the boat and do other things while controlling the boat.

Last edited by ReelSlow; 08/31/19 01:42 PM.

GOD is good!
Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13265993 08/31/19 02:04 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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That makes sense. I definitely want the pedal.

With the link feature-
Say I’m idling around scanning and find a brush pile I want to fish. Can I set a waypoint on the graph and the trolling motor will take me back to and spot lock me on that waypoint?

Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13266181 08/31/19 06:06 PM
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Yes, you can do that the iPilot link. If you want to use the remote with the foot pedal installed I think you have to go with a Terrova (I think the Powerdrive is an either or deal).

Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13266198 08/31/19 06:29 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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That’s really my biggest reason for wanting link. I had BlueWave in the past and had the hardest freaking time getting myself positioned over cover I would see on the graph.
By the time I saw It, I had no idea how far behind me It was. I’d set a way point and try to get back on It and couldn’t about half the time.
I sucked at reading/operating It though.

Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13266205 08/31/19 06:46 PM
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I'm guessing you are running a Hummingbird graph? MK will not link to Lowrance. Motorguide Xi5 will link to Lowrance and is a lot less $$$$.


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Re: Need help deciding [Re: bronco71] #13266208 08/31/19 06:54 PM
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wh2004 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by bronco71
I'm guessing you are running a Hummingbird graph? MK will not link to Lowrance. Motorguide Xi5 will link to Lowrance and is a lot less $$$$.


No graph yet. Gotta decide on that too.
How’s the xi5?

Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13266224 08/31/19 07:07 PM
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I've had mine 2 years, no problems except replacing a battery in the remote. I don't use the foot pedal (wireless) so I can't comment much on it, I put a battery in it and set it up and carry it as a spare. Linked to 3 Lowrance graphs with a NMEA 2000 network so I can control it from any graph or the wireless fob. You can go to waypoints on the graph and it will spot lock when it gets there. Can also follow trails saved on the graph. It can be done without a graph but it isn't as easy.


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Re: Need help deciding [Re: wh2004] #13266738 09/01/19 06:12 AM
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The biggest challenge with the stick steer setup and no transducer on the TM is that you have the offset shift issue I mentioned I think where the transducer image is 10' behind where the graph is actually positioned. I have been wrestling with this and vacillate between getting a second graph for the TM. Because I am running a 12v system would be a US2 compatible graph so no SI or MEGA I believe just DI. Would love a HM expert to weigh in if they have other thoughts....

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