Thread: Moto Guide XI5 Owners

I have the Xi5, battery life hasn't been a problem (remote or the tm's). I very seldom use the foot control, even casting, the hand remote works like a charm for me. No indicator on the handheld, but I've learned from use what's what, so I seldom look at the remote. I will absolutely buy another one with my next boat. With the Pinpoint, you can set routes and never mess with the tm on a fishing leg. It really is nice to fish for 30 minutes in the wind and never think about the tm.

okhawg has some good points that I did not mention. My post was pretty critical without pointing out good points on the xi5. I fish 2-3 days a week for at least six hours running the TM. Often will do 8 or 9 hours. I have never drained my trolling battery's. I change out the fob and foot control batts twice a year and never had an issue on the water. I put a small toggle switch on foot controller so I know when it is powered up. I can use the hand held fob or foot controller together switching between the two as needed which is normally bass fishing close to shore cover or flipping the banks. Yes, it will search gps setting on spotlock on windless days but I just adjust my setting with foot control plus unless fish are really deep sitting on top of them on windless days is often not good anyway. I mentioned losing power in my other post, I should have said directional control. Never gave it a thought until I saw the other post. That happened when I was under dense tree line cover and under a bridge. I still have my mk maxxum and I often wish I still have it mounted on my boat and would if I only fish for bass. At age 69, the freedom the xi5 offers me over constant twisting/turning operating it the mk is better.

Originally Posted by Whaler

okhawg has some good points that I did not mention. My post was pretty critical without pointing out good points on the xi5. I fish 2-3 days a week for at least six hours running the TM. Often will do 8 or 9 hours. I have never drained my trolling battery's. I change out the hand held remote and foot control batts twice a year and never had an issue on the water. I put a small toggle switch on foot controller so I know when it is powered up. I can use the hand held fob or foot controller together switching between the two as needed which is normally bass fishing close to shore cover or flipping the banks. Yes, it will search gps setting on spotlock on windless days but I just adjust my setting with foot control plus unless fish are really deep sitting on top of them on windless days is often not good anyway. I mentioned losing power in my other post, I should have said directional control. Never gave it a thought until I saw the other post. That happened when I was under dense tree line cover and under a bridge. I still have my mk maxxum and I often wish I still have it mounted on my boat and would if I only fish for bass. At age 69, the freedom the xi5 offers me over constant twisting/turning operating it the mk is better.

Whaler are you able to switch between the hand held remote and your foot control without having to kill the power to the trolling motor then powering back up?

I'm considering the xi5. Most of the time I fish alone and think the spot lock would work well for the way I fish. Anyone that has tried to sit on top of a brush pile on a windy day in an aluminum boat can relate.

I would like to see one in action before I buy though.

Originally Posted by justinp61

I'm considering the xi5. Most of the time I fish alone and think the spot lock would work well for the way I fish. Anyone that has tried to sit on top of a brush pile on a windy day in an aluminum boat can relate.

I would like to see one in action before I buy though.

This is the key get on the water with both motors if possible and see pros and cons. In my area we longline more often than not. When I talk of battery life, mine is running constant all day, using autopilot, cruise control and sometimes tracks.
I have fished two days with out charging my batteries due to slips without electricity. Check out all moving parts, strength, especially shaft and if you are going to troll definitely compare remotes. Not having a screen hinders your mobility in the boat, the screen makes you more versatile. I can be helping with a fish at the back of the boat and no my speed without turning around and can adjust to suit needs.

AS I ALREADY SAID ,I DO MORE BP FISHING THAN ANY OTHER STYLE FISHING AND KNOW SO FAR NOTHING ELSE WILL MATCH XI5 FOR STAYING ON PILES,MY FRIENDS NOW HAVE CHANGE TO THESE FROM MK BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR SPOTLOCK,OTHER THAN THAT MK IS MUCH BETTER BUT CABLE FOR WHEN I USE TO BASS FISH WAS THE BEST BUT GETTING OLD NOW.AND AS FOR SITTING OVER BP AT TIMES IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH CRAPPIES,I CAST TO PILES FIRST THEN MOVE STRAIGHT OVER THEM .I NEVER HAD BATTERY FAILUE ON TM OR HAND HELD YET IN THE 2 YEARS I HAD IT.MY ADVICE IF U ARE A TROLLER STYLE GO WITH MK BUT IF U LOVE TO SPOTLOCK ON OR NEAR A SPOT THAN IT IS NO CONPARSION XI5,WE HAVE TESTED THEM WITH BOTH UNITS MAKING FRIENDS SELL MK AND BUYING XI5

Anybody else having issues changing from the hand held to foot pedal .I have to kill power on the trolling motor and then plug back in and wait for reboot. (Maybe there's something wrong with mine that needs to be worked on)

I have an Ipilot, considering getting an XI5. The worst time with the ipilot is when you first get it and realize that it will not lock on the spot. After a while on the water you realize certain things that make it work better. Approaching your spot from down wind/current and coming to a complete stop before hitting the anchor. Having a fully charged battery, although the minnkota is rediculously good at saving battery life. The worst thing you can do is motor up to a spot without paying attention to the prevailing conditions and hit the anchor button while your still moving. Your boat will wonder and spin in circles before it settles into an annoying pattern of drifting and motoring back and forth the whole time. I actually find myself yelling at the motor, lol.

That said when conditions are right it works well. Steady moderate wind/ current in a single direction it works great. Variable wind in little or no curent and its worthless. The base motor is too slow and makes adjustments too slowly to compensate for sudden wind gusts.

With all these negatives it has still made fishing much more enjoyable and it has never had a problem on the water. It is miserly with battery use. I still am considering changing over but after reading some of these posts I see that these issues are not only with the i pilot. No wind or current they both have problems. If thats the case I might have to stick with the minnkota.