Thanks Thanks:  0
HaHa HaHa:  0
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 24

Thread: I-pilot

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Dickson, OK
    Posts
    489
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default


    Sorry but, I just have to jump in here.
    I bought my first MK PowerDriveV2 with iPilot factor installed when they first came out. For me, it just didn't work out. I fish only brushpiles and MUST stay on top of the to catch crappie. The ad for the iPilot claimed a 5' radius but 50' was more like it. Complained to MK and they had me take it to their factory approved repair in Dallas. All Star Marine were great guys to work with and after 3 weeks wait to get all new electronics for the PDV2 I got it back on my boat and it worked better but not even close to 5' radius.
    Sold the PDV2 when the iPilotLink was announced and bought a new Terrova before the Link started shipping. I also made the switch from Lowrance to HB 1198 and 998 to take advantage of all the iPilotLink features.
    Long story short, none of this worked as advertised, sold it all and purchased a MK Fortrex and new HDS's, a 9Touch for the console and one for the bow.
    I would NEVER buy another electric steer tm. They are too slow to respond and much noisier than cable steer.
    And, in my opinion the iPilot and iPilotLink are NOT good for crappie fishing, at least the way I fish. Bass guys and other types may be able to live with them but, I can't.
    Sooner born, Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner Dead!
    Member
    Mr Crappie ProStaff
    Jigum Jigs ProStaff


  2. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    419
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    The ipilot spotlock works best around 5-10mph no gust. Calm or too much wind makes it work a lot harder.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Dickson, OK
    Posts
    489
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Superx10 View Post
    The ipilot spotlock works best around 5-10mph no gust. Calm or too much wind makes it work a lot harder.
    And where do you find those conditions on a regular basis in OK/TX? If I can only fish in calm water I might not need half the investment I have in equipment!
    Sooner born, Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner Dead!
    Member
    Mr Crappie ProStaff
    Jigum Jigs ProStaff


  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    6,242
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Thanks for the review Bob. I've been looking at the spot lock. I've got an older Minn Kota with electric steer and you're right, they are noisy and can be slow to respond. Not to mention, I've gone through about 4 foot controls since I've had it. It seems dirt can get into it and have an adverse effect on steering response. Taking it apart and cleaning from time to time seems to help. The auto pilot on it has always been worthless as it will wig out and started turning sporadically one direction or the other. Having a transducer mounted on it will make one nearly fall out of the boat trying to get the auto pilot turned off before it snaps the cable.

    Minn Kotas only response to this issue was that the battery was low. Bull hockey! My next TM will be a cable guide. I guess I'll have to be happy with anchors for the brush. I don't like the boat to move while jigging a pile.

    Thanks again!
    Reaper, Where Fish come to Fry

  5. #15
    DrNip's Avatar
    DrNip is offline Crappie.com 3K Star General * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Harrah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    3,898
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    My xi5 is quiet as can be or at least in my driveway it is. Haven't tried the gps yet as I bought the non gps model and have plans of adding it at a later date. Videos show it to be way better than Minnkota's.
    Likes Crappie Reaper LIKED above post

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    419
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Just saying, you need some wind or a good amount of wind. I haven't used or seen a Xi5 used in person to compare. I know the ipilot gets funky in you get caught up in some swirling wind.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Dickson, OK
    Posts
    489
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Crappie Reaper View Post
    Thanks for the review Bob. I've been looking at the spot lock. I've got an older Minn Kota with electric steer and you're right, they are noisy and can be slow to respond. Not to mention, I've gone through about 4 foot controls since I've had it. It seems dirt can get into it and have an adverse effect on steering response. Taking it apart and cleaning from time to time seems to help. The auto pilot on it has always been worthless as it will wig out and started turning sporadically one direction or the other. Having a transducer mounted on it will make one nearly fall out of the boat trying to get the auto pilot turned off before it snaps the cable.

    Minn Kotas only response to this issue was that the battery was low. Bull hockey! My next TM will be a cable guide. I guess I'll have to be happy with anchors for the brush. I don't like the boat to move while jigging a pile.

    Thanks again!
    Reaper, I don't use an anchor, ever. But, I understand why some do. With a good tm and time on the water, you can keep your tm where you need it to be. Personally, I love the MK Fortrex for that reason.
    Sooner born, Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner Dead!
    Member
    Mr Crappie ProStaff
    Jigum Jigs ProStaff


  8. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Dickson, OK
    Posts
    489
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DrNip View Post
    My xi5 is quiet as can be or at least in my driveway it is. Haven't tried the gps yet as I bought the non gps model and have plans of adding it at a later date. Videos show it to be way better than Minnkota's.
    DrN, I haven't even looked at the xi5 and know nothing about it. Could be it's the best thing since sliced bread. And, obviously like MK, I own one. Just not the iPilot/Link for crappie fishing.
    Sooner born, Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner Dead!
    Member
    Mr Crappie ProStaff
    Jigum Jigs ProStaff


  9. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oologah, Oklahoma
    Posts
    6,242
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    To each his own. I've spent plenty of time on the water and when I fish a brushpile, I like to fish it thouroughly and it's impossible to do so unless you're achored off, period. Too many times over the last 40 years I've found a sweet spot in a pile and if off by a foot, the bite will cease.

    It's also an economic issue, some people don't have the boat, or the fuel to run all over a lake just to dip a jig here and there.

    The Xi5 does look impressive as it couples with the Touch system. Thanks Nip!
    Reaper, Where Fish come to Fry

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Tn
    Posts
    4,383
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I've got a Terrova 55 with IP, and like it overall. I longline the majority of the time, so the IP & AP features work great for this style of fishing. I shoot docks some and the spotlock works decent. I use it when shooting docks, and let the boat move around on its own with the IP spotlock keeping me in the same general area, thus I have different angles and such around the dock due to the drifting. The 5' radius as advertised is BS IMO. There are numerous comments about electric steer vs cable steer when fishing brush piles, so it depends on what style of fishing you do the most. I long line so, the Terrova is best for me. I've adapted to the spotlock deficiency when shooting docks.
    GO BIG ORANGE !

    I meant to behave, but there were just way too many other options available at the time.

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP