Remotes are great for following contours, long lining, pulling cranks, etc. If you are not doing all that, you may not need remote. I have an Ultrex and love it. I like the spot lock feature as well as the remote but I fish a little different than most. I use the pedal a lot but I always have the remote with me. I'm not trying to sway you either way. I think you have to look at how you will fish or what you want to set up for.