Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

[ngt]

Not sure if it's worth the extra money. Thoughts? Advantages?

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

I understand a compatible Humming Bird fish finder is also needed to fallow the lake depth.

 

[ngt]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

yes. the combo I'm looking at runs a bit under $3000. riptide st 55 + humminbird 898c hd si combo....a lot of money for me.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

I talked to one person that said I does work nice. I hope to get mine wet today.

 

[bently]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

You also have to buy a specific map chip. I do not like it when trolling as it makes too many course corrections and speed at the bait changes. I use my I-pilot and make a high speed pass where I want to troll which gives me a much better pass through the features in the lake that I want to fish, JMO.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

Got to try out the I-pilot motor today The weather has been not to good in Michigan, but used the anchor feature worked great even with a healthy breeze it kept the boat in the same spot.55lb. 14.5 foot boat.

 

[ngt]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

doesnt the regular ipilot have that though? if the link isnt that great, Ill get a different fish finder and save around $700 overall.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

Sorry I got off the subject, but I hope I was able to help, I couldn't see buying a different fish finder, and the extra cost for the link.

 

[ngt]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

i don't really have a fish finder, more of an old depth finder, so i pulled the trigger on this this morning. i don't get a feature or two because lakemaster maps hates California, but i do like being able to control the trolling motor from the fish finder. hopefully there will be more to it than that and eventually California maps will be available.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

Well done! Let us know how it works for you, will it fallow a certain depth of water from your fish finder?

 

[ngt]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

well, you're supposed to be able to lock onto the contour lines of the Lakemaster maps and then the trolling motor will just follow it around the lake, but they don't make maps for California. There's another map company that it works for, but they only have a couple of lakes within a couple of hours of me, and the lakes I would mostly fish aren't covered. I'm sure eventually the map packs will get more lakes. I hope they get Lake Sonoma soon. I'm excited. Can't wait to get all of this stuff on my boat and get out to play with it. It should all be here by the end of the week or early next week, which will give me some time to mount it all and figure it out, then get out on the water. Wish my friend Steve was around for wiring advice, but I think he's off guiding somewhere.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

So is the only way the motor will follow the lake contour is with a lake map chip? I thought the motor responded to the depth finder also.

 

[ngt]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

It might. I'll have to research that and read up. The only way it can "follow the contour" as far as the lines on the map, is with Lakemaster 2013 map chips, which don't cover California. I tried to call Lakemaster today, but they close at 4:30. I'll try again at lunch tomorrow and see if they're planning on doing California any time soon. There has to be other things that the "link" is good for besides following the contour, which was what got me excited about it in the first place. Oh well. Maybe some day....

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

If you goole I-pilot link, they go into depth on how it fallows the lake contour, but they don't mention you need a map chip of the lake you are fishing to do this, great tool though and so far I am happy with the features that the I-pilot offers, I'm sure they will work out more maps as demand increases.

 

[ngt]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

Hopefully that's the case. I do know that with the link, you can map out routes on your fish finder before you troll them, and then set your trolling motor to follow those lines. If there are accurate contour lines on the navionics maps, maybe I can just make my own route right along them and pretty much get the same effect without the Lakemaster maps. I did email humminbird and they did say the "follow the contour" feature needs Lakemaster maps, but if I can do that myself and I'll go that route. Map chips are expensive. I can also follow the lake contour on my own and mark areas that look good for fishing with "spot lock", then just hop from spot to spot. You can do that with regular ipilot though, but just not via your fish finder. Either way, I can't wait to get out and play with this stuff. Should all be here next week. Then I just have to figure out how to get it all set up on my boat.

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

From what I have quickly read, "following the contour" only works with the Lake Master map chip. This is the "Link" feature above a non-Link iPilot.

A bit expensive for a very cool feature not to be used. I'm not familiar with Lake Master and am not sure how well they cover the country with contoured bodies of water. I've been using Navionics Hot Maps for years and they keep adding to the list each year. Which ever way you decide, you will love the i-Pilot feature (with or without "Link") on your Riptide (I have a Terrova with it). It gives you more time "fishing" than "navigating". Plus I've had excellent service from Minn Kota as well.

Here's a page out of the owners manual explaining the "Follow the contour" feature.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Is I-Pilot Link worth the extra $400 over regular I-Pilot?

So is the only way the motor will follow the lake contour is with a lake map chip? I thought the motor responded to the depth finder also.

Following the map contour lines makes sense.
Consider using the depth finder only, no chart.
You want to follow the 10 foot contour and the finder is indicating 12 feet.
How would it know which way to turn? Is shallower to the left or the right?