Motorguide TMs

[Scotty58]

I have a nitro z6. 17'6 length. I have a plain jane 24V motorguide on it right now. I've been looking at the xi5 and the new Tour Pro with the GPS anchor. I know the xi5 is alot cheaper but I was wondering what would I be giving up if I were to buy it over the new Tour Pro? I fish relatively small waters here in central Illinois. Anywhere from 100 acres to 4000. I dont go every weekend now that I have a 3 month old daughter. Should I save the money and go for the Tour Pro or would the xi5 be enough in my situation? Thanks for any advice and help??

[WIGuide]

Personally, I've never used either motor so you'll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt, but if it were me I'd save for the tour pro. Looking at the design of the XI5's bracket, I've used other trolling motors with similar design and they're a pain if you move very often at all. Instead of pulling the rope and and going, you have to grab the head and tilt the bracket while you do so, which doesn't sound that bad but after doing it multiple times a day it gets to be annoying. Another reason I would pick the Tour Pro is it's actually a cable steer motor and if something were to happen to the electric steer portion of it it can actually still be used without. If something goes out on the XI5 you day is ended. For the extra $500-700 dollars I think the differences are worth the cost. 

[mrc.in.wi]

Waiting for reviews on tour pro before I jump in too

[Fishes in trees]

Back in the day, when I was co-angling on the BFL, I had 2 tournaments spoiled because of a " thrifty" boater, who didn't maintain his trolling motor like he should, and the trolling motor broke on tournament day.  Both of those motors were Motor Guides and were " cheaper" than the comparable Minn Kota.   A year or two later, I was in the process of buying my current boat and ran into the regional Minn Kota rep - I'd met him once or twice through the BFL circuit, but didn't really know him or anything like that.  I went practice fishing with him once or twice.   Anyway, he told me that if I ever tore up a Minn Kota Maxxum, through more or less normal use, he'd buy me a new one.   18 years later, still haven't had to call him up about that.   I've worn one out, not the same, in my mind, as tearing one up.  I thought 15 years was pretty good for a trolling motor.

 

Anyway, back to the original post, I wouldn't have a Motor Guide trolling motor - bad memories of them costing me a tournament day still run deep.

[WRB]

It's Ford vs Chevy discussion, take your pick.

I have both Motorguide and MinnKota both are good reliable TM's. The question about MG Tour Pro with GPS spot lock or Pin Point vs Xi5 is a different discussion.

Your 17.5' bass with 24V 80 lb trust motor is the size, so we can settle on that.

What I didn't like operating the Xi5 on a friends boat was the wireless foot peddle and lifting the motor to store it. The foot peddle is nice and easy to use, however the response lags and that bothered me in the wind to control the boat effectively. Felt like a drunk trying to control the boat with Xi5, the power was fine.

My suggestion is buy a spot lock type TM. You don't need to pay more for the GPS depth path  tracking features. I wouldn't restrict my choice to MG or MK both are equal.

I prefer MG smaller size motor over MK, in the water makes little difference.

Tom

 

[12poundbass]

It’s apples and oranges. I’ve never used either, but I had a wireless Motorguide for years which has a lot of similarities to the Xi5. The foot control sucks royally! The response is slow and it’s not as sensitive as a cable steer. Save your money and get the new tour Pro. You won’t regret it. 

[JustinCT]

I've had good success with my MG's never run a MK.  Both seem to be excellent motors.  I'm trying to get the new Tour Pro 82lb with spot lock but apparently MG hasn't shipped them yet.  No one has them in stock, if you find someone who does let me know!

[Junk Fisherman]

I have the Xi5 and it has been a very good motor for me.  Some people complain about the Xi5 pedal but I have no problems with it.  The Tour Pro is a cable drive so it will turn faster than the Xi5 but I have no complaints with how fast my Xi5 turns.  The anchor mode on the Xi5 is excellent.  I don't use the other features but it has the same navigation features as the Tour Pro.  Knowing what I know about the Xi5 and considering the difference in price, I would buy an Xi5.

[K1500]

I have had an Xi5 for over a year and it has been trouble. I have had the pinpoint GPS replaced once and the motherboard and GPS replaced as well. The foot control is so bad I don’t even try to use it. The remote works fine but the functions the motor provides don’t. Anchor mode works good, but the jog function is messed up. In addition, track lock doesn’t really work right. My dealer told me after a few tries at the warranty that I would be better off dealing with motorguide directly. I have to call them on Monday and we will see. I am at the point that a whole new motor is the only ‘solution’. I would buy a minn kota. 

[Big Rick]

I have an Ultrex 80 on a G3 175 Eagle. I fish a real stumpy lake. The Ultrex has been bulletproof for me. I don't abuse my equipment, but I DO use it. That said, your boat is similar to mine and what I have found is that with lighter aluminum rigs the "spot-lock" struggles a bit to keep the boat in place. Wind moves our boats easier than heavier glass ones so the GPS system has it's work cut out for it. I still love it and just make adjustments by insuring I don't put myself in the position that a sudden change in trolling motor direction throws me out of the boat. In glass boats these movements are much more subtle. So, that's something to think about. 

 

All in all, the Ultrex is my single most favorite purchase on my boat. I know nothing about Motor Guide so I can't chime in there. But, I've had years of experience with MK and have had my Ultrex going on 3 years and it's been trouble free and tough as nails. YMMV

[Shimano_1]

I've always preferred motorguide myself but I've ran both with very few problems.  The ultrex is sweet my buddy has one but there have been tons of problems reported from them as well. I would probably go for the tour pro if it were my money and hope its trouble free. Maybe they've got the bugs worked out on the ultrex as well. The cable steer on the tour pro would be a decision maker for me over the xi5