Which one would you buy

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userhot09

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I'm looking to buy an Electric Trolling Motor, built in Sonar and GPS. Can't make up my mind between the new Xi5 by Motorguide or the Terrova with I-Pilot by Minn-Kota. Any input is much appreciated.
 
Teamster

Teamster

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Re: Which one would you buy

I guess it boils down to which electronics are you planning on using???

The Minn-Kota is compatible with Huminbird and the Motorguide is compatible with Lowrance,....
 
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userhot09

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Re: Which one would you buy

Teamster said:
I guess it boils down to which electronics are you planning on using???

The Minn-Kota is compatible with Huminbird and the Motorguide is compatible with Lowrance,....
Click to expand...

mmmhh.. didn't know that, I'm running Lowrance is that mean I can't buy Minn-Kota,

just finished talking to Mercury and found out that I can't run Lowrance with Minn-Kota, gggrrrr
 
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kahuna123

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Re: Which one would you buy

quess who owns mercury and motorguide, I wouldn't buy anything that's not NEMA 2000 compatible.
 
Teamster

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Re: Which one would you buy

The xi5 is supposed to be very good,.......

My tournament partner just bought one for his boat and is very happy so far,...I'll get to use it in two weeks at our first tournament of the year,...
 
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userhot09

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Re: Which one would you buy

Teamster said:
The xi5 is supposed to be very good,.......

My tournament partner just bought one for his boat and is very happy so far,...I'll get to use it in two weeks at our first tournament of the year,...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comeback teamster. I am sooo confused about what Motor to buy. I've heard that the Xi5 is much quieter than the Terrova however one of our tackle shop had a sale on this past weekend and I put money down on a Terrova but can get out of it if I choose to do so. maybe a few more replies on here helps me make up my mind. Also one of the problem I'm having is ..I am running Lowrance and if go into the Minn-Kota I would need to buy Hummingbird....more money again
 
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Teamster

Teamster

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Re: Which one would you buy

The number one reason my teammate bought the xi5 was the compatibility with Lowrance, He didn't want to go with the Humingbirds,...

Now he can use the Lowrance to plot a course on the trolling runs and let the xi5 follow the way-points,....

I'm looking forward to using the anchor feature for jigging in river systems, It should make things easier,..

A video
 
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userhot09

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Re: Which one would you buy

well, it looks like I have to go with the Xi5 even though it'll cost me $ 300 dollars more than the Terrova but since my Electronics are Lowrance I'll save on buying a new Fishfinder.
I like to thank everyone who chimed in especially Teamster, love that last post with Video, it helped making up my mind for sure
 
Teamster

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Re: Which one would you buy

The xi5 has an internal gps that will allow you to use the anchor mode,....And store a limited amount of plot trails by putting in waypoints,...

Using the Lowrance allows you to use all of your waypoints and see them on a screen to plot trails,...
 
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userhot09

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Re: Which one would you buy

one item is still not clear to me... Why is it that they can call the Unit it comes with a Built in "Universal Transducer" when in fact one can't run every Depth/Fishfinder with it ????
 
Teamster

Teamster

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Re: Which one would you buy

The sonar might work with a bird, But the gps and mapping wont,...

The folks that own MinKotta also own Hummingbird,...And one of the lake mapping gps chip companies,..

The folks at Motor Guide have partnered with Lowrance and the gps mapping chip thing they have,....

At least that is the best I can try to explain it,....
 
ondarvr

ondarvr

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Re: Which one would you buy

I have the i-pilot and a Lowrance, the transducer is compatible, that's not a problem, you just can't use the GPS in the FF to control the motor, I don't use mine that way so it doesn't matter. I use the GPS in the motor, it stores routes and positions on its own. If I upgrade to a Humminbird it would be for the 360 feature, it seams like it would work better than sidescan to pinpoint fish.

I really like the Minn Kota, it works very well, I haven't used a MG so I have no idea how they compare.
 
dingbat

dingbat

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Re: Which one would you buy

Simple solution to the proprietary cra$.....Garmin supports both motors
 
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userhot09

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Re: Which one would you buy

well..... I pulled the trigger.. Bought the Xi5 Sonar/Gps by Motorguide today all thanks to your input...somewhat anyway lol. Now all I have to do is wait till the ice disappears on the Lakes. At least it gives me time to get to know the unit a bit better.
Thank you to everybody for your input

Paul
 
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ondarvr

ondarvr

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Re: Which one would you buy

Yes, keep us updated on how it performs.
 
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userhot09

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Re: Which one would you buy

yes , sure will but it'll be a few weeks for sure since we have still have lot's of ice on the Lakes

Paul
 
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