Garmin Force or Terrova and save the cash?

[paleus]

I've got a new Lowe Stinger 175c on order that will be here in July (supposedly, hopefully sooner). It will come with a 70lb 24V Edge installed. I will want to upgrade to a trolling motor with spotlock. I have Garmin Echomaps that I will be putting on the new boat. Is the Garmin Force worth nearly twice the price of a Terrova? The Force is $3,099, the 80lb Terrova is $1,849. I know the Force is brushless and will have way better battery life and will integrate with the Echomaps and will go to waypoints, but is that a huge difference in usability over the Terrova? Are there any other features I am overlooking on the Force?

[gunsinger]

I can't answer your question but, I have to say, I have that same boat and I am insanely jealous.  My Stinger came with a 45lb 12v Motorguide.  It being my first bass rig, I did not know what to look for in a boat.  If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have definitely upgraded to a 70+lb, 24v system with Spot Lock.

Good luck with your boat and your question.

[InfantryMP]

If you can swing it, there is nothing better in my opinion to have total boat integration or networking. I would go with Garmin if I were in your shoes, and can swing it. Plus I believe that re-sale value will be better to. 

 

I just did the same thing with a new ultrex. 

[paleus]

36 minutes ago, gunsinger said:

I can't answer your question but, I have to say, I have that same boat and I am insanely jealous.  My Stinger came with a 45lb 12v Motorguide.  It being my first bass rig, I did not know what to look for in a boat.  If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have definitely upgraded to a 70+lb, 24v system with Spot Lock.

Good luck with your boat and your question.

 

Nice. Do you have any tips since you got that boat? Have you found anything that needed tweaking on yours? I'm going from a 1560 mod-v jon boat so this will feel like an aircraft carrier to me, lol.

 

 

17 minutes ago, InfantryMP said:

If you can swing it, there is nothing better in my opinion to have total boat integration or networking. I would go with Garmin if I were in your shoes, and can swing it. Plus I believe that re-sale value will be better to. 

 

I just did the same thing with a new ultrex. 

 

I am leaning that way. There's also the difficulties with rigging the Garmin transducer on the Terrova, where the Force comes with the right transducer built in. 

[Scott F]

I've got Garmin Echomap depth finders and a Terrova. I use the built in transducer on the Terrova for my front unit, giving up the side imaging capabilities. That doesn't bother me in the least.  The other thing I give up is the ability for the motor to follow a contour. Again, not something that I'd use very often. The Terrova has spotlock and will keep the boat pointed and moving on a heading which I do use a lot. 

For me, the the extra expense isn't justified. As fast as the technology changes, the Force, Terrova and Garmin models all available today will be obsolete and replaced with newer, fancier, more advanced models within a few years anyway.

[gunsinger]

1 hour ago, paleus said:

 

Nice. Do you have any tips since you got that boat? Have you found anything that needed tweaking on yours? I'm going from a 1560 mod-v jon boat so this will feel like an aircraft carrier to me, lol.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the boat.  It'll be a year old on Memorial Day.  I've had a few minor issues.  One where the TM wire shorted out at the fuse near the battery.  It was an easy fix.  Another where the livewell pump won't seem to prime.  I took it to the dealer and they said it was fine.  Told me i just had to crank the big motor and go in reverse a few feet to start the flow.  It works but when I first got the boat it seem to self-prime with out that.  The boat is very stable on the water and I comfortably fish 3 on the boat.  I did swap the front seat for a butt seat for easier TM control.  

[jbsoonerfan]

I went with the Terrova over the Ultrex. I used it for about 9 months or so and then bought an Ultrex. If you think for one second that you would prefer the Force, get it now.

[paleus]

46 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I went with the Terrova over the Ultrex. I used it for about 9 months or so and then bought an Ultrex. If you think for one second that you would prefer the Force, get it now.

 

What did you not like about the Terrova?

[jbsoonerfan]

The foot pedal is awful. It is basically flat and takes a lot of getting used to. It takes more pressure to turn the motor than it should. The response time is also pretty slow. The deploy system isn't too bad, but stowing it is a PIA. If there is a good chop on the water, you stand the chance of getting tossed in trying to bend over and grab the head to pull it out of the water. If you aren't using a HB graph and need to attach a transducer, good luck. Here is a video of how "neat" it is 

 

[Scott F]

2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

The foot pedal is awful. It is basically flat and takes a lot of getting used to. It takes more pressure to turn the motor than it should. The response time is also pretty slow. The deploy system isn't too bad, but stowing it is a PIA. If there is a good chop on the water, you stand the chance of getting tossed in trying to bend over and grab the head to pull it out of the water. If you aren't using a HB graph and need to attach a transducer, good luck. Here is a video of how "neat" it is

For me, the foot pedal on the Terrova is the best part! I absolutely hate those ridiculous, tall pedals on cable steer motors. I operate the Terrova foot pedal with just my toe and can keep both feet pretty much flat on the floor without having to balance on one foot with the other foot up on top of the pedal.  It all depends on what you are comfortable with and are used to.

[gim]

43 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I absolutely hate those ridiculous, tall pedals on cable steer motors

Are you just placing it right on the floor like the terrova foot pedal? I could see that being way too tall and uncomfortable. The cable drive pedals are more comfortable and easier to use with a recessed tray.

 

To the OP, I would go with the Force if you are able to. As @InfantryMP stated, having a complete integrated system working as one is a big plus.

[Deephaven]

I am dying to try the Garmin or Lowrance.  The Terrova and other "digital" pedals are awful.  Absolutely zero control.  Moving in X degree increments drives me nuts.  If it weren't for spot lock I'd even pull my Ultrex and get one without the motor as I don't like the lag and the way it turns.  It isn't awful like the other MG or MK I've tried though.

 

As stated above, whatever one you pick I would definitely match up the graphs as well.  Integration is a glorious thing.

[Scott F]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Are you just placing it right on the floor like the terrova foot pedal? I could see that being way too tall and uncomfortable. The cable drive pedals are more comfortable and easier to use with a recessed tray.

Having to cut a hole in the deck of my boat to accommodate a poorly designed foot pedal isn’t an option. I also like being able to move the pedal around. A recessed tray limits you to having the pedal in only one position. 

[jbsoonerfan]

1 minute ago, Scott F said:

Having to cut a hole in the deck of my boat to accommodate a poorly designed foot pedal isn’t an option. I also like being able to move the pedal around. A recessed tray limits you to having the pedal in only one position. 

Yet, 99% of bass anglers use a recessed foot tray. A tray is way easier on your back, even with the Terrova. I have done both, 

[E-rude dude]

20 hours ago, paleus said:

 

Nice. Do you have any tips since you got that boat? Have you found anything that needed tweaking on yours? I'm going from a 1560 mod-v jon boat so this will feel like an aircraft carrier to me, lol.

 

 

 

I am leaning that way. There's also the difficulties with rigging the Garmin transducer on the Terrova, where the Force comes with the right transducer built in. 

Until it doesn’t work. Then what? Wait for repair? I’m just not on the integrated bandwagon.

You are locked into that brand for the life of the boat unless you upgrade everything.

Garmin is hot now, 7 years ago Humminbird was unit to have, before that Lowrance was king. 

12 hours ago, Scott F said:

Having to cut a hole in the deck of my boat to accommodate a poorly designed foot pedal isn’t an option. I also like being able to move the pedal around. A recessed tray limits you to having the pedal in only one position. 

With out a recessed foot pedal tray, get the Terrova. That’s to easy a decision 

[HenryPF]

This is going to be a long read, but I am you! Our needs will be much different. I am upgrading to a Force from a Terrova. Also went from a 15ft jon with edge to 1750 Bass Hawk.

 

Terrova vs. Force

Steering - they are both electric with no cable assist, much different than the edge you have now. Force has a pedal much like the edge (sits high and get uncomfortable using it all day long as one leg is higher than the other as you have no recess tray for the pedal on your boat). There is a lag of the force response which takes getting used to. The Terrova pedal will not fit  in any recess tray (its too wide) but it is much flatter. Terrova being the less fatiguing pedal of the two being lower the floor, but both suck compared to cable steering. Force pedal is wireless, Terrova pedal is wired (think like 8 gauge wire). Both do not have that giant 1 inch cable to steer them, You can move the pedal around on both,.

 

Deployment - are you a spot hopper that jumps from different spot to spot during the day? Makes a huge difference (and the reason I am upgrading to a Force). 2-3 spots per day, no big deal but 10 spots gets old quick. Pulling the motor out of the water is a pain on the Terrova. I have to reach over my fish finders to push the lever and lift it out of the water. It is not heavy (lift assist on both models) but just not fun. Spend time fishing the thick, thick, weeds? lifting Terrova out of the water to spin the weeds off the shaft (not prop) with your hand (not foot control) sucks, especially if you do it every 50 yards or so. Force is easier to do this with the foot control.

 

Spot lock - Hear some problems with the Force on spotlock moving the boat back 7ft vs. Terrova being spot on. Garmin can fix this with a software update.

 

Contour following - you ain't getting this with your echomaps.

 

Remotes - eh, they pretty much the same too.

 

Brushless vs. Brushed - you know brushless going to use less energy and the Force allows you to go from 24v to 36v without spending money on a new motor. Terrova are either 24v or 36v. If your 36v Terrova has 1 of the 3 batteries die on it, problems. Force will drop down to 24v.

 

Transducer - nightmare cabling on the Terrova, it looks cheap and messy. Force is all integrated. Even your edge would be much better to put a transducer on. If you ever want Livesight or similiar on your trolling motor vs. side hand control mounts, Terrova is out of the question unless you want some extra cables running off the bow.

 

Echomap integration - Force hands down. I have 3 echomaps all networked. With force you have the ability to see the down or side imaging from bow or stern transducer. If you get livesight, even the guy at the back of the boat can see it from the console screen while you look at it from the front of the boat too.

 

All the posters mentioned all these things, it all comes down to your needs and the pros and cons. PM me if you want more specifics.

 

 

[paleus]

1 hour ago, E-rude dude said:

Until it doesn’t work. Then what? Wait for repair? I’m just not on the integrated bandwagon.

You are locked into that brand for the life of the boat unless you upgrade everything.

Garmin is hot now, 7 years ago Humminbird was unit to have, before that Lowrance was king. 

With out a recessed foot pedal tray, get the Terrova. That’s to easy a decision 

 

It's not completely integrated, you can take it off. They sell different nosecones for other brands transducers as well.