Totally agree. I hear a lot about MK's newer motors having issues. This is sweet and good timing for me, but I am pretty sure they are going to target the bass fishing market first as I'm sure it's the bread and butter. I will be buying a system this coming spring for use on my coldwater trolling boat as an autopilot in conjunction with my gas kicker, and brushless would be great if it increases efficiency. Hoping they make some auto deploy models like the MK Ulterra which has been leading the pack for me. I'd like to have a Lowrance option.
I don't see how a quick release mount would help if the auto deploy/stow failed since the quick release plates (I have them on both my PowerDrive units currently) need to slide inboard. They have a stop that prevents the quick release from going outboard. So if it fails while deployed and it can't stow or move up manually I don't think you can remove the motor with the QR plate. And I was worried about that, so back to the top of the list goes the Terrova.
Thats why I like my Riptide quick release. Its just a square the troller sits on rather than a slide! Granted I dont have to worry about auto deploy and stow. That's too fancy for me.
The mapping on my panoptix is good.
Was it included or do you buy maps separately? And what head unit did you get for the Panoptix? If you don't mind me asking.
That does seem better. It's kind of unwieldy to put the motor on my Sylvan when it's on the trailer and I'm on the ground. Little easier to do from inside the boat though.The more I look the more excited I am about the Garmin system. I have both HB and Lowrance graphs right now and to be honest I'm not completely pleased with either one. I would be more than happy to move to another brand. Does anyone know how the mapping software is with Garmin? I know they are leaders in GPS and maps, but bathemetry may be different. I want the best bathymetric charts out there. I know with GPS's the Garmins use a different vector file for maps than HB and Lowrance. I am sure that is by design. I don't think that Navionics works with Garmin but I may be wrong.
Just an update to this old post, I have ordered and it may possibly be in today, a Minn Kota Ulterra, 36v, 112lb thrust, 60" shaft, with i-pilot link.I seriously looked hard at the options from both Garmin and Lowrance but it is clear they don't have any interest in anything other than the bass boat/deck mount market. I can't use a motor that is a deck mount with a rope retrieve on my extremely deep V boat. Motorguide has a nice option but I think I am sold on the functionality of the i-pilot and would like the networking of the graph. Unfortunately I am married to Humminbird for a graph but I think I will just get a simple Helix 10 Mega with GPS only, and down the road I will get something Garmin offers for a second graph that I can add Panoptix to for hardwater.Taking quite the chance on Minn Kotas most expensive, problematic, and complained about motor, but if it works I will be a very happy man. I would love to be able to keep my bow enclosure on during the colder part of the season and operate the motor from the cockpit. We will see...