Thread: Motorguide Xi5 SW 55 w/gps

Need to upgrade my Pro Crappie trolling motor and depth finder. I’m liking what I’m reading about the Xi5. I want also to get it with the pinpoint GPS upgrade. What I’m not clear on is do I need to buy a Lowrance HDS 5 or higher to get the gps to work or is it just a compatible unit that would offer more abilities. I would drop in at a store but that’s not possible at the moment. Thanks for any help you can provide. Especially if your running one now.
If I need the lowrance that will overload my learning abilities. Thanks

I have the XI5 Saltwater 80lb on my boat. It is not linked to my Lowrance unit. The Motorguide units have 2 GPS recievers, 1 in base and 1 in head so the spotlock and everything else GPS driven is more accurate than the Minn Kota. You get 2 GPS locks at a time helping stay on point. Linking the motor to your Lowrance adds folowing a determined depth line on chart etc. or tracking to a waypoint. I love mine, can hold spot on over a reef in swells with wind or holding spot on in current during strong tide flow. Only downside to the Motorguide I have seen is not having a little screen on remote telling you what is going on.

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

I have the XI5 Saltwater 80lb on my boat. It is not linked to my Lowrance unit. The Motorguide units have 2 GPS recievers, 1 in base and 1 in head so the spotlock and everything else GPS driven is more accurate than the Minn Kota. You get 2 GPS locks at a time helping stay on point. Linking the motor to your Lowrance adds folowing a determined depth line on chart etc. or tracking to a waypoint. I love mine, can hold spot on over a reef in swells with wind or holding spot on in current during strong tide flow. Only downside to the Motorguide I have seen is not having a little screen on remote telling you what is going on.

I have same XI5 as you with a linked HDS9 Gen 3 on the bow. I know Hummingbird/Motorguide can be set to follow a specific contour (depth). I wasn't aware the XI5/Lowrance had this feature. Do you have a link with instructions on setup/setting for the XI5/HDS to follow set depth/contour?

Originally Posted by kevmat

I have same XI5 as you with a linked HDS9 Gen 3 on the bow. I know Hummingbird/Motorguide can be set to follow a specific contour (depth). I wasn't aware the XI5/Lowrance had this feature. Do you have a link with instructions on setup/setting for the XI5/HDS to follow set depth/contour?

Bird and Minnkota have the follow the contour feature, Lowrance and Motorguide do not. About the closest you can do with Lowrance and the xi5 is to make Wpts along the contour line you want to follow on your Lowrance than convert them into a route for the xi5 to follow.

Originally Posted by Central Minn

Bird and Minnkota have the follow the contour feature, Lowrance and Motorguide do not. About the closest you can do with Lowrance and the xi5 is to make Wpts along the contour line you want to follow on your Lowrance than convert them into a route for the xi5 to follow.

Yep...knew all that. Reason I posted the question is OP stated this about his XI5 "....Linking the motor to your Lowrance adds folowing a determined depth line on chart.....". I thought he knew something we didn't.

And if you havent bought yet get in touch with Brian at BBG marine, he spanked every price I could find on them. He has posts in Member Sponsor classifieds section on here. Had motor at my door in 2 days.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/-memb...0khz-699-00-a/

You'll need a lowrance gen2 or higher to link to xi5 also a nema 2000 starter kit and the motorguild gateway kit.

Originally Posted by Central Minn

You'll need a lowrance gen2 or higher to link to xi5 also a nema 2000 starter kit and the motorguild gateway kit.

Yes if you want to link them, but not mandatory to run motor, just more options if linked.