TryHard, it seems you and I are swimming in the same lanes a lot. Curious why you are thinking Ultrex vs Ulterra? Noticed Shut Up and Fish also went with Ultrex. The auto stow/deploy is really tempting me for a few reasons.
1. Less cables in the way 2. Ain't getting no younger - leaning over the bow, over my Livescope, around my dual-millenium chairs, to raise/lower my Xi5 is a big reason 3. Having Helix's - I can take advantage of the IPilot Link (either Ultxxx would of course) to find/mark/deploy/go to without ever leaving the console
When the day comes where a TM keeps my sammich cold....wow
TryHard, it seems you and I are swimming in the same lanes a lot. Curious why you are thinking Ultrex vs Ulterra? Noticed Shut Up and Fish also went with Ultrex. The auto stow/deploy is really tempting me for a few reasons.
1. Less cables in the way 2. Ain't getting no younger - leaning over the bow, over my Livescope, around my dual-millenium chairs, to raise/lower my Xi5 is a big reason 3. Having Helix's - I can take advantage of the IPilot Link (either Ultxxx would of course) to find/mark/deploy/go to without ever leaving the console
When the day comes where a TM keeps my sammich cold....wow
I'm still a spring chicken so the manual deploy hasn't been a consideration. I have a bass boat, and my perception has always been that the Ulterra was designed for a hull that sits higher in the water. I badly want to switch from Lowrance to Hummingbird is why I haven't looked at anything outside of Kota.
I've got a Triton TR186 too, but that auto trim feature on Ulterra is nice. I think I'm on the edge of the 45 vs 60 shaft though. I've got my LiveScope and my SI/DI on the same pole and wish I could get an Ulterra w/US2 to save the cost of the built in ducer I can't use because my Gen1 won't support the Mega stuff. Anyways....my fridge is running fine, knock on wood, and I'm leaning heavy towards the Ulterra and might take the leap here soon.
One concern I have is how the foot control works. I do bass fish, but not much. Like you are doing, I was considering a high school captain deal and that would mean more bass fishing. I do not like, at all, the foot pedal on the Xi5. The Ultrex has to be the winner there. In fact I have a Fortrex that I swap for my Xi5 when I get on a bass fishing run. I guess I need to read some more reviews on the foot pedal function of the Ulterra. I'd like to end up with one TM.
I've got a Triton TR186 too, but that auto trim feature on Ulterra is nice. I think I'm on the edge of the 45 vs 60 shaft though. I've got my LiveScope and my SI/DI on the same pole and wish I could get an Ulterra w/US2 to save the cost of the built in ducer I can't use because my Gen1 won't support the Mega stuff. Anyways....my fridge is running fine, knock on wood, and I'm leaning heavy towards the Ulterra and might take the leap here soon.
One concern I have is how the foot control works. I do bass fish, but not much. Like you are doing, I was considering a high school captain deal and that would mean more bass fishing. I do not like, at all, the foot pedal on the Xi5. The Ultrex has to be the winner there. In fact I have a Fortrex that I swap for my Xi5 when I get on a bass fishing run. I guess I need to read some more reviews on the foot pedal function of the Ulterra. I'd like to end up with one TM.
Choices....choices...
Good problems to have, for both of us.
I've decided on the 52" shaft when I upgrade. The 45" shaft won't keep the prop down in rough water, and the 60" sticks up to high for my taste when fishing shallow. That 52" seems to be "just right" for the way I operate.
