Super User NHBull Posted January 13, 2018 Super User Posted January 13, 2018 Folks, I know I have been to this well before, but the dealer wants to start putting the boat together next month. I had decided in the Ulterra for 2 main reasons,......auto deeploy and ease of trimming.. Getting older with a few health issues, both reasons are appealing. My hesitation is that I would like a good pedal control and the reviews are mixed. This brought me to the Ultrex which has a great reputation for pedal control and also has the remote control, but lakes the 2 other features. I know there are a few guys like me here and are looking for some input. How much do you use the remote vs the pedal. Is the Ulterra a problem waiting to happen with the moving parts AM I missing something I should be considering Thanks in advance....Al Quote
moguy1973 Posted January 13, 2018 Posted January 13, 2018 I don't have either but I do know that I've read about using an external transducer on the Ulterra is a pain trying to run the cable for the transducer to the motor head. Due to the gear track needed for the motorized mechanism you can't run the wire down the side of the trolling motor shaft. Not an issue if you are just going to use the Universal transducer that is included inside the trolling motor though. Quote
Super User NHBull Posted January 13, 2018 Author Super User Posted January 13, 2018 11 minutes ago, moguy1973 said: I don't have either but I do know that I've read about using an external transducer on the Ulterra is a pain trying to run the cable for the transducer to the motor head. Due to the gear track needed for the motorized mechanism you can't run the wire down the side of the trolling motor shaft. Not an issue if you are just going to use the Universal transducer that is included inside the trolling motor though. There are aftermarket guides that run the cable along the outside of the shafts with clearance to get it over fixed mounts Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 13, 2018 Super User Posted January 13, 2018 I use the remote 100% of the time on my Terrova. Next TM, for my old crippled azz, will be an Ulterra. After the initial run, I haven't heard of any issues with either motor 1 Quote
Super User MickD Posted January 13, 2018 Super User Posted January 13, 2018 I have an Ulterra with one year on it. Have had no problems. I love the remote stow and deploy because I too have shoulder issues. I've heard the spring assisted stow/deploy are nice too, but you cannot stow and deploy from anywhere in the boat. I do not regret my spending the bucks. One guy I know who drives very fast and hard on Lake St Clair (bass boat) has had mulitple failures of the belt which drives the stow/deploy. He has cobbled a support strap for the head so the stresses of the hard wave hits don't get transmitted to the belt. I really believe that if one drives sanely that this will not be a problem. Minnkota tells him he is the only one who has reported a problem. Now you know all I know about the Ulterra. Regarding the foot pedal, all I use it for is steering adjustments and now and then speed. Mostly I operate from the remote. 1 Quote
Super User NHBull Posted January 13, 2018 Author Super User Posted January 13, 2018 37 minutes ago, slonezp said: I use the remote 100% of the time on my Terrova. Next TM, for my old crippled azz, will be an Ulterra. After the initial run, I haven't heard of any issues with either motor Thanks, I am solo 90% of the time and needing new hips, having 8 knee surgery's, tearing the quad off a left knee, torn Achilles, reconstructed shoulder,and bad back, the Ulterra has its appeal Quote
Russ E Posted January 13, 2018 Posted January 13, 2018 it depends on what you have used in the past. I have used cable steer for over 30 years, so I went with the Ultrex. in regards to the auto deploy , the ultrex has the gas assist, so it is relatively easy to lift. I like being able to lift it in a hurry if I get into junk, which happens frequently in the waters I fish. in regards to auto trim, I don't recall a time where I needed it. I only use the remote control if I am retying or landing fish. then it is usually only to deploy spot lock. 1 Quote
Super User MickD Posted January 13, 2018 Super User Posted January 13, 2018 The power trim is almost infinitely easier than turning a knob on the shaft and adjusting the depth of the motor. I use it a lot in the rocky areas I fish. NH, go with the motor that gives you the most functions from the remote. It will work even from your wheelchair. :-). Sounds like it's time for you too to go the easy way. 1 Quote
BigAngus752 Posted January 14, 2018 Posted January 14, 2018 There are aftermarket guides that run the cable along the outside of the shafts with clearance to get it over fixed mounts Can you point me in the direction of one? I've yet to find one anywhere. Thanks Quote
Super User NHBull Posted January 14, 2018 Author Super User Posted January 14, 2018 Can you point me in the direction of one? I've yet to find one anywhere. Thanks I think precision is the company named in the video Precision sonar here is another option One last option 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 16, 2018 Super User Posted January 16, 2018 On 1/14/2018 at 4:14 PM, NHBull said: I think precision is the company named in the video Precision sonar Many many years ago a guy on crappieDOTcom developed the "technology" for this transducer mount on the Minn Kota Powerdrive. He used homemade brackets to keep the cable away from the shaft and ran the transducer cable thru a modified coiled up air line. This is much cleaner. On 1/14/2018 at 4:14 PM, NHBull said: One last option This mount will NOT work for the Ulterra. It is how I have my transducer mounted on my Terrova. I ran my cable up the edge of the groove rather than thru the center. The tolerances where the wire ties connect the cable near the motor are CRITICAL or you will be pinching cables. Been like this for 5 seasons with no pinched cables. I replace the wire ties at the motor base annually and occasionally have to re-silicone near the head unit above the stop. 1 Quote
Super User Further North Posted January 16, 2018 Super User Posted January 16, 2018 On 1/13/2018 at 8:46 AM, NHBull said: How much do you use the remote vs the pedal. About 50/50. For me it mostly depends on where I am in the boat. On 1/13/2018 at 8:46 AM, NHBull said: Is the Ulterra a problem waiting to happen with the moving parts No, never. With the GPS enabled electric steer models, you quickly adapt to s "set it and forget it" style. You don't have to know where the head is pointed all the time...because it's where you left it...but this is also true of Ultrex. Self stowing and deploying is nice. Better as we get older. Being able to trim the motor up for shallow water is, IMO, unbeatble and not possible on the Ultrex. Adding an external transducer is a PITA on the Ultera...and I had my Terrovas set up that way for years. Decided to try the Ulterra without an external transducer...am on my 2nd year...don't miss it at all. YMMV. On 1/13/2018 at 9:38 AM, NHBull said: There are aftermarket guides that run the cable along the outside of the shafts with clearance to get it over fixed mounts Yup, and they work fine. Still a PITA to install, but once on are painless. 1 Quote
OperationEagle Posted January 17, 2018 Posted January 17, 2018 I use a transducer on my ulterra. The cable management is kind of a pain. I tried the air hose thing and it didn’t work for me. I use a spring attached to the cable then attached to the shaft. Works well enough. Every once in a while it gets pinched but not a big deal. Just need to keep an eye on it. You can get three door springs for a few bucks at Home Depot. Quote
Super User NHBull Posted January 17, 2018 Author Super User Posted January 17, 2018 1 hour ago, OperationEagle said: I use a transducer on my ulterra. The cable management is kind of a pain. I tried the air hose thing and it didn’t work for me. I use a spring attached to the cable then attached to the shaft. Works well enough. Every once in a while it gets pinched but not a big deal. Just need to keep an eye on it. You can get three door springs for a few bucks at Home Depot. Not sure I follow, can you send a pic....if not not worries Quote
OperationEagle Posted January 20, 2018 Posted January 20, 2018 I find attaching a pic to be a pain so let me better explain what I do. Zip tie a door spring to the shaft about 6 to 12inches from the head. Deploy the TM so you gauge the proper length of the wire from the deployed position of the transducer to the bottom of the spring Zip tie tie the other end of spring to the cable where the two meet. Done. Now when you deploy or stow the cable it will hold the cable length constant. The spring allows the cable to be wrapped around if needed as the head adjusts due to the gps. Bear at in mind that sometimes it gets pinched as it isn’t stowed. Just keep an eye on it. 1 Quote
JDFMTX Posted April 15, 2018 Posted April 15, 2018 I went from a Terrova I-Pilot Link to a Ulterra I-Pilot Link. I love the auto stow/deploy feature. I added a DI transducer by purchasing a third party bracket that takes care of the cable issue. I still have issues using the foot pedal so I stick with the remote. I use the Follow the Contour feature from my Humminbird Helix most of the time. So far no issues! Quote
sully420 Posted April 19, 2018 Posted April 19, 2018 I have the ulterra and am very pleased. I use the romote/foot control 50/50 basically i use the foot control to steer and the remote to set speed and many time i use both imputs interchangeably. For the reasont you describe i think the ulterra is perfect for you. It should save you alot of hassle and physical hardship and keep you fishing longer and more comfortable. On 4/14/2018 at 7:13 PM, JDFMTX said: I went from a Terrova I-Pilot Link to a Ulterra I-Pilot Link. I love the auto stow/deploy feature. I added a DI transducer by purchasing a third party bracket that takes care of the cable issue. I still have issues using the foot pedal so I stick with the remote. I use the Follow the Contour feature from my Humminbird Helix most of the time. So far no issues! May i ask what product you used? I want to put a transducer on my Ulterra as well. Quote
Super User Further North Posted April 20, 2018 Super User Posted April 20, 2018 7 hours ago, sully420 said: May i ask what product you used? I want to put a transducer on my Ulterra as well. I have used these inthe past, they work great: https://www.transducershieldandsaver.com/product-category/shields/humminbird/ Quote
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