Trolling motor advice

[Titan]

I'm looking to upgrade my trolling motor.  I do a lot of catfish and crappie fishing as well as bass fishing.  I want a motor that works with Lowrance fish finders (Elite ti2), has spot lock, remote steering, programmable heading with speed control and the ability to follow a contour on a GPS map on the unit.  

 

So far, the only advice I've gotten is the new Lowrance Ghost, but it's three thousand dollars.  I was thinking the Motorguide Xi5 maybe.  Are there any others out there that might work?

 

I don't know much about these newer trolling motors and was hoping one of you guys would be able to provide some advice.  I'm hoping to spend in the $1,500.00 range max.

 

Thanks for the help.

[slonezp]

The only way to get what you are looking for is to break out the wallet.

[jbsoonerfan]

I wanted a 21 footer with a 250 and power poles but only wanted to spend $5,000. Never found one. 

 

$1,500 won't get you very far in the world of these newer trolling motors.

[Russ E]

As @jbsoonerfan mentioned. $1500.00 will not get you much in the way of a smart trolling motor.

I have a minn kota Ultrex and love it.  I chose the Ultrex because It has all of the advanced features, but feels like my former cable drive motor.I can steer it without watching the motor.  It pairs with hummingbird graphs.

I don't care for wireless trolling motors, because there is no feedback on the pedal. You have to watch the motor to see what direction it is pointing.

I paid $2300.00 3 years ago. the same motor now is around $2700.00.

 

 

 

[jbsoonerfan]

BTW, I was not trying to be rude. I went with the Minn Kota Terrova which is "cheap" in the world of smart trolling motors and I am already wishing I would have stepped up to the Ultrex. I can't get used to the foot pedal on the Terrova. Hoping it will come with time, but I have almost thrown myself over board a couple times getting backwards on direction lol.

[ohboyitsrobby]

You're probably not gonna get a trolling motor for $1500 with all those capabilities. Namely because I don't think any other trolling motor that'll link with lowrance other than the ghost. You could probably find something with spot lock in that range but that's about it.

[Goldstar225]

I know how you feel.  I want the features of the ultrex but I'm unwilling to spend the $.  Being the cheap fella that I am I'll keep making do with my Maxxum.

[Titan]

Thanks for the replies!  I think you're correct.  I may be better off saving for awhile longer and getting a Ghost.  I like my Lowrance units and don't want to have to change.

 

 

[gim]

On 1/25/2020 at 9:06 AM, Goldstar225 said:

I know how you feel.  I want the features of the ultrex but I'm unwilling to spend the $.  Being the cheap fella that I am I'll keep making do with my Maxxum.

This is me also.  Got the Maxxum in 2015 before the Ultrex was even introduced. ?

[Titan]

So I've done some looking around.  The Motorguide Xi5 with Pinpoint GPS ($1,429.00) will link to my Lowrance units, has spot lock, heading lock and cruise control.  If you buy the NMEA 2000 gateway cables to connect to the Lowrance unit ($70.00) I think you can set a course on the Lowrance with a series of waypoints and the trolling motor will take you to the waypoints, in line, at whatever speed you set it at.  It won't follow a contour on the map though.  

 

I hope this info. is correct.  If anyone knows I'm wrong on one (or more) of these points, let me know.    

[Tim Kelly]

54 minutes ago, Titan said:

So I've done some looking around.  The Motorguide Xi5 with Pinpoint GPS ($1,429.00) will link to my Lowrance units, has spot lock, heading lock and cruise control.  If you buy the NMEA 2000 gateway cables to connect to the Lowrance unit ($70.00) I think you can set a course on the Lowrance with a series of waypoints and the trolling motor will take you to the waypoints, in line, at whatever speed you set it at.  It won't follow a contour on the map though.  

 

I hope this info. is correct.  If anyone knows I'm wrong on one (or more) of these points, let me know.    

You're right. Your choice depends on how important all the fancy features are vs how important manual control is. The wireless motors will do the fancy stuff as well as the Ghost, Ultrex, Motorguide Tour etc, but for bass fishing where manual control is wanted, especially fishing shallow, it's horrible. When I go to Spain the boat I hire has a wireless motorguide and I am battling against it all week. My Maxxum on the other hand is a joy when I'm casting forward, but a pest when I want to hold in the current and cast downstream. I want an Ultrex, but they're twice the price you can buy them for the the US here in Europe. That ain't happening!

[jbsoonerfan]

This ^^^^^ 

 

I have a Terrova and I HATE the foot pedal. I am somewhat getting used to using it but at first I wanted to go out and buy an Ultrex the day I first used it. I didn't think it would be "that much different" than a cable control. Boy was I wrong. I would buy an Ultrex in a heartbeat if I had the extra coin, but this one will have to do for now. In fact, I talked to a Minn Kota dealer about possibly trading mine in on an Ultrex, so I am still waiting to decide on that. Had I known then what I know now when I was buying, I would have 100% went with the Ultrex.

[Jermination]

9 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

This ^^^^^ 

 

I have a Terrova and I HATE the foot pedal. I am somewhat getting used to using it but at first I wanted to go out and buy an Ultrex the day I first used it. I didn't think it would be "that much different" than a cable control. Boy was I wrong. I would buy an Ultrex in a heartbeat if I had the extra coin, but this one will have to do for now. In fact, I talked to a Minn Kota dealer about possibly trading mine in on an Ultrex, so I am still waiting to decide on that. Had I known then what I know now when I was buying, I would have 100% went with the Ultrex.

Resale value played a big role in my decision to buy the ghost. The 24v/36v dual compatibility alone will make the ghost maintain its value for a long time in the market. I upgraded from a minn kota maxxum so having the ability to spot lock has already been a game changer for me(especially having to damiki rig a fair amount of the time for the browns around here). Not sure how active the ol facebook marketplace is around your guys knick of the woods, but i sold the maxxum for 550 bucks within 6 hours of posting it. Remember paypal will give you 0% interest if paid in full within 12 months. I don't have kids or a wife yet so why not LOL

[jbsoonerfan]

Yep, spot lock makes retying or sitting down for lunch a million times easier.

 

That Dr Pepper looks nice and cold!

[Jermination]

3 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Yep, spot lock makes retying or sitting down for lunch a million times easier.

 

That Dr Pepper looks nice and cold!

LOL love the attention to detail 

[moguy1973]

1 hour ago, Titan said:

So I've done some looking around.  The Motorguide Xi5 with Pinpoint GPS ($1,429.00) will link to my Lowrance units, has spot lock, heading lock and cruise control.  If you buy the NMEA 2000 gateway cables to connect to the Lowrance unit ($70.00) I think you can set a course on the Lowrance with a series of waypoints and the trolling motor will take you to the waypoints, in line, at whatever speed you set it at.  It won't follow a contour on the map though.  

 

I hope this info. is correct.  If anyone knows I'm wrong on one (or more) of these points, let me know.    

I've heard of people having issues with the MG spot lock.  They may have fixed them with software upgrades but I know a friend was looking a while back and ended up going with an Ultrex instead.  He has Garmin finders though and may be upgrading to the new Garmin Force so it works with his finders.