Minn Kota - PD/AP/US

[NJ_Stump_Grinder]

Anyone have any of the Powerdrives?

With Autopilot or Universal Sonar?

I'm buying a new bow mount this summer and thinking about the 70 or 80# with the PD/AP/US features.

I'm set on Minn Kota, but not sure of the reliability or pros and cons of the available features.

Any help would be appreciated.

[fishin_fool]

I fish a lot of tournaments and Minn Kota right now is the preferred trolling moter on most boats.They had a problem with the circut boards on the 24 volt 5 speed models but to my understanding they have corrected that problem.There were 7 Motor Guides fail during tournaments last year and 2 of them in our club are still having problems after being repaired

[Cephkiller]

I just got a 50 PD and have had no problems.  The only disadvantages I see are the lack of a breakaway mount and there is no tactile feel to the steering like there would be with a cable steer model.  The feel can be overcome.  I've only used it 4 times and I am pretty comfortable with it.  The mount, however, is a little scary.  I've hit a few stumps already and the composite shaft has done the job, but I am concerned about it's long term durability ???  Has anyone used one of these for a while?  How is it holding up?

Oh, I just remembered.  If you don't get the universal sonar, stowing and deploying is a bit of a hassle.  The shaft has to slide down through the mount every time you do it.  I have a problem with the transducer cable getting caught.  Has anyone found a better way to route the cable?  This is an issue I never considered when I was shopping.  Had I known, it probably would have been the deal-breaker :-/

[Cephkiller]

*BUMP*

[CBedo]

I have the 55PD with Copilot.  I love it.  I decided against the universal sonar, mainly because I didn't want to have to add another temp sensor.

By the way, the copilot (remote control feature) is pretty nice.  I wondered how much I would actually use it, and as it turns out, I use it most of the time.