Are fish finders or GPS units needed for trolling motor?

[BackwaterBassin]

I was looking into buying a minn Kota Terrova, and my buddy told me that you need to have a hummingbird, or something of that sort for the trolling motor, otherwise things like spot-lock, and routes won’t work. Now I don’t know if this is true so I thought I would come to you guys! And help would be greatly appreciated!

[Scott F]

Spot lock and routes are part of the built in GPS on the Terrova, no depthfinder needed. I use the built in transducer to connect my Garmin. You can record routes on the Terrova and it will run those routes again, without being connected to a depthfinder.

If your Terrova has the optional iPilot Link, you can connect it to a Humminbird and the motor will follow contours and find waypoints on the depthfinder but it isn't needed for spot lock. 

[Jig Man]

Like Scott said the I pilot will do most of what you want.  There are a few enhancements that you add with I pilot link and a hummingbird.  I just got the Ulterra and run Lowrance units.  I am totally happy with it and what it can do.

[BackwaterBassin]

Alright, thanks for letting me know, also what is the difference between co-pilot and ipilot link?

[Scott F]

Co-Pilot is a wireless remote that controls speed and direction on Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motors. iPilot adds GPS to trolling motors that provides spot lock and auto pilot along with speed and steering controls. iPilot Link links the trolling motor to Humminbird depth finders to let the motor follow depth contours and control your trolling motor from the depth finder.

[BackwaterBassin]

34 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Co-Pilot is a wireless remote that controls speed and direction on Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motors. iPilot adds GPS to trolling motors that provides spot lock and auto pilot along with speed and steering controls. iPilot Link links the trolling motor to Humminbird depth finders to let the motor follow depth contours and control your trolling motor from the depth finder.

Doesn’t the i-Pilot have a wireless remote too?

[Scott F]

IPilot and iPilot link both have wireless remotes. There is even an Android or IOS app for your phone that lets your phone become a remote for Bluetooth equipped Terrova’s and Ulterra’s. 

[slonezp]

On 9/4/2018 at 6:03 AM, Jig Man said:

Like Scott said the I pilot will do most of what you want.  There are a few enhancements that you add with I pilot link and a hummingbird.  I just got the Ulterra and run Lowrance units.  I am totally happy with it and what it can do.

There are more than a few enhancements and IMO they are worth the expense.