Thread: Motor Guide Xi5

If you get the Xi5 with GPS, you can do every function, the gateway nor the HDS is required. The gateway just allows you to see and control it more easily.

My understanding is 1) if you get a non-GPS version you have to add Pinpoint to get the anchor to function, also 2) you cannot use the GPS off your HDS to anchor the Xi5. The Xi5 has two GPS receivers built in, which is why it is pretty accurate.

So if you buy the Xi5 without GPS, it is just a remote controlled tm.

Originally Posted by okhawg

If you get the Xi5 with GPS, you can do every function, the gateway nor the HDS is are required. The gateway just allows you to see and control it more easily.

My understanding is 1) if you get a non-GPS version you have to add Pinpoint to get the anchor to function, also 2) you cannot use the GPS off your HDS to anchor the Xi5. The Xi5 has two GPS receivers built in, which is why it is pretty accurate.

So if you buy the Xi5 without GPS, it is just a remote controlled tm.

This.

I had a chance to go through the whole season last year with my setup. Xi5, Nmea, gateway, Lowrance hds 8 gen 2, hds 5 gen 1, hds 9 gen 3 and point 1 all networked together. Tons of postives and few negatives. Ill start with the negatives, the motorguide quick release bracket is made out of cast alum. My first time out on a windy day buckled down to a Ram mount and it snapped in half (bracket). Postive from that was motorguide refunded me my money. I went with a minn kota quick release bracket and modified it, much more happier. My last negative is sometimes when I go top speed it shuts down but still powers back up after it shuts down (still looking for anwsers). Postives... I caught more fish last season then I ever have in a season and i only fished half a season. My freezer was full and no need get greedy with it. The anchor lock is awesom especially spider rigging, once I located brush I just anchored on it with little error of repostioning. Jogging around brush to find the sweet spots was nice. The Point 1 helped a whole lot with positioning. it took less time locating brush and setting up on structure. Finding structure and able to save the anchor points was crucial, just hitting a button to bounce from different structures while letting fish calm down was nice. Heading lock was a little suspect but really didnt play with it. Really didnt use the recording route, but ill be using that this year to troll crankbaits. Sidescanning and being able to touch the screen and tell the trolling motor to anchor on structure or off to the side is nice also. The key to the anchor lock is wind, no wind it can be a pain from the motor trying to correct it self but at that point the wind is so clam you can manually troll.

Originally Posted by blchandler1981

The key to the anchor lock is wind, no wind it can be a pain from the motor trying to correct it self but at that point the wind is so clam you can manually troll.

Wind or a some current, does make the anchor lock work much better. These in effect, act as a back anchor so the tm isn't fighting everything. Any gps tm will behave the same.

I've been trying to follow this thread, but my techno-illiteracy keeps getting in the way. All I've ever used is the system known as Line-Of-Sight Tracking, lining up a near point with a distant point in one direction and then a near point with a far point in a direction about 90 degrees with the first line. The biggest advantage is the low cost of this system. And I was always happy to use it when I was puttering around the house and my wife told me to "Get L O S T".

Bass pro had a decent deal going on where they had their triple crown promotion. Was able to get the xi5 with 100 gift card, triple points, and free installation. Combined that with the current motor guide rebate and made me decide to make the jump and get one!

Originally Posted by Canuck

Bass pro had a decent deal going on where they had their triple crown promotion. Was able to get the xi5 with 100 gift card, triple points, and free installation. Combined that with the current motor guide rebate and made me decide to make the jump and get one!

First of all, welcome to CDC!

I was in the OKC BP today for a bit, and looked at the Xi5. As usual, might as well been in the store by myself because in 20 minutes nobody came by to answer any questions, so I didn't hear about the rebate or the other freebee's.

Welcome Canuck- is that triple crown promotion still going on?