The ipilot spotlock works best around 5-10mph no gust. Calm or too much wind makes it work a lot harder.
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
The ipilot spotlock works best around 5-10mph no gust. Calm or too much wind makes it work a lot harder.
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
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.
Crappie Reaper LIKED above post
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.
Sooner born, Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner Dead!
Member
Mr Crappie ProStaff
Jigum Jigs ProStaff
Sooner born, Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner Dead!
Member
Mr Crappie ProStaff
Jigum Jigs ProStaff
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
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.