MinnKota has integrated their iPilot trolling motors, which use GPS navigation to automatically guide your trolling motor, with select HumminBird depthfinders. Now you can control your trolling motor through your fishfinder in addition to the supplied remote control.
For example you can use the Spot-Lock feature, which holds the boat in one spot using GPS. In fact, Spot-Lock locations will now appear on your HumminBird unit, and you can store up to 2500 locations (as opposed to the current 6 in your remote.)
Trolling paths up to 2 miles in length can be recorded, stored, and retraced later. This is the same functionality as today, but you can now do it through your Humminbird unit as well. Plus you can record up to 50 tracks now.
A new feature is called GoTo - you can select stored data (Spot-Lock location, waypoint, or trolling paths), and the trolling motor will automatically take you there. Plus you can control the speed you travel as well.
Another new feature is called "Follow The Contour" (available only with Lake Master maps) - you can select a contour depth on your map via your Humminbird, and the trolling motor will automatically follow it in any direction you wish. Not only that, you have the option to follow a contour several feet away from it, so you can cast or troll to the exact depth you want. This is also useful if you want to follow the shoreline but maintain a set distance away from it.
Note that the remote and Humminbird unit are now connected, so many of the features can been accessed through your remote as well. This means you don't need to run to your Humminbird whenever you want to change a setting. You can also see depth and water temp on your remote too.
MinnKota hasn't said when this will be available yet, but I'll let you know as I know more.
Glenn
