New Trolling Motor Thoughts

[eyra2020]

The garmin force is a awesome trolling motor. And for what all it comes with it is good value.

[Ricochet15]

Thanks for the input. Anyone else have some thoughts?

[RMO]

I bought the ultrex when they fist came out. I transferred it from my Ranger to my Caracal, its been used and abused with no issues.

 

[Macsimus]

I am anxiously awaiting the availability of the Motorguide Tour Pro although I’m not all that excited to be a pioneer. I’ve watched every video on it that I can find and I’m very positive based on the following (IF TRUE):

-It’s supposed to be 9 lbs lighter than the next lightest of all the spot-lock TMs currently on the market
-It has a low profile when stowed meaning that I hopefully won’t have to have my travel cover modified
-If the electric steer fails, the TM is still usable and you’re not dead in the water (definite plus for tournament fishing)
-No separate GPS puck required
-Comes with a remote (not extra cost)
-One of the videos stated that it will work in my current Tour mount which would be nice as I would keep my Tour 109 for backup until I have confidence in the new Tour Pro
-Zero gravity lift assist
-Can be stowed/deployed even with a broken lift cable
-Full 360 breakaway

HOPEFULLY, it will be quiet and the new lower and prop design will allow improved weed resistant operation! It can’t possibly be any worse in the weeds than my Tour 109.

CONs:
-it’s not brushless
-the 24v/36v option of some of the others would be nice
-the head is hideously ugly but I’m willing to live with that given all the pluses

QUESTIONS
-Does the HD model have a temp sensor?
-Will it require future software updates?
-Warranty length?
-Will the HD model work with my HDS Gen 2s?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ricochet15]

I’ve been researching and I’m leaning towards the Ghost or Tour Pro. I like the head not pivoting and the extra not having the extra cables twisting on them. Not sure if I should go the Ghost route or wait and see on the Tour Pro.

[eyra2020]

The mg tour pro does have a nice latch system I think.
i think the brushless options are very neat, BUT from the research I have done I think the ghost is not as advertised in the thrust category and underwater sound. I hope they all work out and no one gets a bad run of them.

The ultrex will always be the standard just because it’s had its bugs worked out and it does a great job.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Wait… there’s more… it depends on you, your style and budgets. If your tight on budget, then get what you choose from this offering.

If your not quite sure, spot lock isn’t that necessary for your fishing style, and you could afford another nickel of features, then take your time and figure out what you really want.

[eyra2020]

Lightly used ultrex’s are splashing the market now for good prices

[1stinLA]

I made up my mind about August that I would wait on the Tour Pro. My old tour edition is just slap worn out, and it is not cost effective enough to rebuild again, and the Motorguide units do not keep you to one brand of electronics, though they hook up to Lowrance easier, and with more features. I know Minn Kota has gotten better over the years, but I still have the bad taste in my mouth from the original power drive models, and the Garmin, and Lowrance models basically make you run their electronics, as does Minn Kota.

[knuckle]

I’ve used motorguide for years and am currently waiting for the new on to show up at the dealership. The cable drive is the ultimate reason for me sticking with mg. I’ve tried the fly by wire Tm’s and do not like the feel or “ jerkiness”.  Metal foot control is also a major reason.

[Cajunhunter67]

If the new Motor guide Pro has delayed power build like the Minn kota it may be my next TM.

I like the way the MK has a slight build in power when the power button is pushed.  Instant full power leads to jerking and i like the smoothness of the MK. In fact I had the earlier MG tour, than switched to the MK Maxxum. My wife loves the MK. says it doesn’t hurt her back like the MG did.

Waiting for owner experience using the new MG.

[SLumpp]

I am looking into a new trolling motor as well.  Motor guide for me is out.  I currently own a x-5, and will run it until I find a unit that does not give me interference in the front locator.  Also currently running Lowrance gen 3 units, looking at garmin.

[oldtimer57]

Brushless motors are good with respect to efficiency.  They use less power and produce more thrust.  Their only shortcoming is that they are basically an “inside-out” motor, the armature is wrapped around the outside of the motor and can’t move. (now called the stator).  The magnetic field (rotor) is now in the middle and needs no electrical connections, it is just a set of strong permanent magnets.  But to make it run, SOMETHING has to switch the +/- power connections to make the magnetic field revolve and drag the magnetic center part around.  That something is an electronic device (could be computer-based or just hall effect transistors to measure angular position of rotor), which adds some extra electronic circuitry above what is needed for the brushed motors.

I’ve flown radio-controlled aircraft (airplanes and helicopters) for a LONG time.  I’ve watched the electric motors get stronger, lighter, same for batteries such as the LiPO types.  30 years ago a R/C electric helicopter were just a dream.  Today this is the preferred method of power, thanks to the efficiency of brushless motors.

Like everything else, as you add complexity, you add additional room for failure.  But the overall effect is a big gain.  And that is just performance.  There’s also the no commutator and associated brushes and wear to deal with.  So a little simpler from that perspective.  A water leak won’t be as bad if you catch it soon enough that you don’t get rust anywhere.  So there’s lots of good with these things.  And like the 4-stroke revolution, brushless is the future for electric motors.

Needless to say, I like ’em.

 

 

[gclayfam]

Basscat,

Buy oldtimer57 a hat with that explaination of the new technology trolling motors!

George

 

[catdude28]

I am totally with OT on this one.  Brushless motors are the way to go with the new trollers.  Not only will they be more powerful, more efficient and quieter, but, they should also eliminate the possibility of graph interference. So, although MG has always made a good troller, that would eliminate them from the mix for me. And until a new brushless Ultrex comes out, which I am sure is in the making for MK right now, it would also eliminate the present models of the Ultrex.

That would leave Lowrance and Garmin in the mix.  Lowrance would not even be a consideration for me, seeing as they have never built a troller before, and, they have a much less than stellar reputation for customer service.

So, if I wanted to be a guinea pig, the Garmin would be the obvious choice for me.  I actually spent about an hour with it at our boat show last week.  Very impressive to say the least. It has some features that are far superior to my present Ultrex, in particular, the lack of cabling between the foot pedal and the motor.  No more broken steering cables. Where I live, Garmin is outselling everybody these days in boat electronics. I imagine their troller will be a good one also.

Personally, I would wait at least a year with the new trollers until the bugs get worked out, as they did with the Ultrex. All of the electronic technology in them will likely lead to some issues. I would also wait for some feedback from regular fishermen as opposed to the biased opinions right now from those who are promoting them.

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