New MinnKota bow mount motor??? Help!

[WHITETAIL111]

Hey guys Just moved over from Ice Shanty where I'm a regular there.  I have a question.  I'm thinking of a new Minn Kota bow mount.  I'm thinking of a Power Drive V2, but in your opinion is all the extra money involved for the Auto Pilot or Universal Sonar worth it?  Or would you just go with the regular ol bow mount with foot control?  Thats what I'm used to, but all the new technology..ie Auto Pilot and Universal Sonar have me thinking?  I'm just looking for any and all comments about this decision.  If you own one tell me about yours.  Perhaps that could help me sway my decision one way or another.  Money is kind of the factor. Motor and foot pedal ~5bills....add the bells and whistles and your up around 7-8 bills.  Thanks for your help guys.

[Robb]

Hey guys Just moved over from Ice Shanty where I'm a regular there.  I have a question.  I'm thinking of a new Minn Kota bow mount.  I'm thinking of a Power Drive V2, but in your opinion is all the extra money involved for the Auto Pilot or Universal Sonar worth it?  Or would you just go with the regular ol bow mount with foot control?  Thats what I'm used to, but all the new technology..ie Auto Pilot and Universal Sonar have me thinking?  I'm just looking for any and all comments about this decision.  If you own one tell me about yours.  Perhaps that could help me sway my decision one way or another.  Money is kind of the factor. Motor and foot pedal ~5bills....add the bells and whistles and your up around 7-8 bills.  Thanks for your help guys.

That depends on if you troll at all and if you are putting a second fish finder up in the front?

I have the regular Minn Kota power drive with the Co-pilot and it works really good, but a friend has the V2 with the autopilot and universal sonar and for trolling it works excellent! I may invest in one eventually.

Robb

[livinbass]

I had the auto pilot and sold it and got a foot controll.Save your $ and spend it on a good ff gps.I have a humminbird 363 i paid $200 for it off ebay.

[fishlord]

I have a minn kota 24 volt-65 lb thrust powerdrive autopilot with the universal sonar hookup on a 18' boat.This is a great trolling motor.The autopilot to me is a must.If you are useing it to hold possition or even trolling a bank and you have the auto on then you catch a fish you dont have to worry about running into the banK or getting blowed into the bank.Its not 100% but it allows you to take your eyes off where your at and take care of your fish and not hustle trying to maintain your boat and your fish at the same time.
  Thats my 2 cents for whats its worth. I wouldnt want to fish without it
         

[Yukon]

Did anyone ever try out the wireless controlled trolling motors? Seen one at a local Marina, they seem very practical. I think they are made by motor craft.                                                                                                   

[mud_n_fun]

Did anyone ever try out the wireless controlled trolling motors? Seen one at a local Marina, they seem very practical. I think they are made by motor craft.                                                                                                   

I used one in a freind of mines boat a few years back. It was very convienent. No bulky cables to struggle with.
I purchased the motor guide model late last fall and other than dry tests have not gotten it in the water.
I also purchased thed key fob which will work great while moving around the boat.
My dry test showed me this is exactly what I wanted.

[bassranger]

My boat came with the power drive on the front after a year of using it I replace it with a Maxum. I did not like the way the power drive steered way to slow plus the foot pedal was a little weird if you are used to cable steering. The other thing I disliked about it was the way it deployed you have to bend down and actually push the motor out and down the same when raising it I prefer the rope pull on the maxum. I would differently stick with MinnKota as I prefer them over a MotorGuide.