Ahead of its time!!!!!!

[Ed Carlson]

Wireless on-board data integration systems are indeed well along the road to market. In the works from several key sonar/gps manufactures. It's been in R&D for a few years already and will likely take a couple more years to hit the market running at any level.

For the whole network from sonar to navigational drive, sticker shock will likely be a issue. It takes time to get the price down to acceptable consumer market levels. You will see it instituted in stages as you do most things that bring on a major change in systems philosophy.

The challenges are easy to understand. Think of all the user related challenges you face now with Wi-Fi or cell phones in day to day life....then try to put this capability into an unstable marine friendly environment...and manage that data at a speed the end user finds reliable and user friendly..and then..implement it at a cost Joe Fisherman can justify purchasing. Nothing to it, right?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Wireless on-board data integration systems are indeed well along the road to market. In the works from several key sonar/gps manufactures. It's been in R&D for a few years already and will likely take a couple more years to hit the market running at any level.

For the whole network from sonar to navigational drive, sticker shock will likely be a issue. It takes time to get the price down to acceptable consumer market levels. You will see it instituted in stages as you do most things that bring on a major change in systems philosophy.

The challenges are easy to understand. Think of all the user related challenges you face now with Wi-Fi or cell phones in day to day life....then try to put this capability into an unstable marine friendly environment...and manage that data at a speed the end user finds reliable and user friendly..and then..implement it at a cost Joe Fisherman can justify purchasing. Nothing to it, right?

This just in: sticker shock already is an issue!

[My_Key]

This just in: sticker shock already is an issue!

Oh come on, $2000 for sonar and $1300 for an iPilot equipped Terrova isn't that bad is it? My boat would double in value if I had it equipped with the 'best'.

[Down Deep]

I think that the price for the latest and greatest is outrages. 2 years ago when I was equipping my new boat I looked at all types of electronics. I electronics and trolling motors i selected was approaching $3000 plus tax. After some careful consideration I decided that approach was just plain dumb and decided to go with a used 1 year old 90lb Power Drive US-AP I got from some guy who said he was upgrading for $650, a $500 dollar Color Lowrance and kept my portable Garmin Map. With some basic map reading skills and some well earned fish locating experience & knowledge I seem to be able to locate fish in some huge unfamiliar water. Now this is just my opinion and everyone has a right to theirs, but unless someone is doing some big time tournament fishing it is quite possible to catch lots of fish with some medium priced electronics. The latest and the greatest soon becomes last years model and ancient in two or three years. I'd rather put the extra money in good rods, reels, rain gear, etc.

A good fishing buddy of mine picked up bought a PinPoint in 1999. We never could get the bottom mapping feature to work right, but the motor was built like a rock. He used it for 7 years and the motor is still getting heavy use on his son's boat.

PS I hope my post passes the new FM standard for diction, sentence construction and correct spelling.

[Esox_Magnum]

When done I'll have more money in electronics on my boat than what I paid for it....Can't help it, I'm a gadget freak but have been buying thrifty. Went with an HDS5 and DSI instead of HDS8 and 10 with LSS but did splurge for the Terrova. 100+ days a year on the water I get my moneys worth.

[RumRiverRat]

All the corrections to grammar in this thread forced me to post the following.

[Sonicrunch]

PS I hope my post passes the new FM standard for diction, sentence construction and correct spelling.

You have done well grasshopper.

[TooTallTom]

Oh come on, $2000 for sonar and $1300 for an iPilot equipped Terrova isn't that bad is it? My boat would double in value if I had it equipped with the 'best'.

That's actually kind of my plan. Buy a cheap boat (check), fix it up to my liking when I can afford it (in terms of time and money), hang electronics on it that are worth more than I paid for the boat (check, and counting).

I figure that, within classes, boats are basically just platforms for fishing from. The gizmos help me find, and keep me on, new places to put that platform. Plus, I can spread the expense out over several years.

[TooTallTom]

And hi-fives all around for the posting skillz. But, I'm kind of scared by Grammar Nazi Cat...

[Sportland_Bait]

It is too bad Minn Kota didn't buy them out. The ultimate trolling motor would be a combo of the Terrova/iPilot/Pinpoint technology. I wouldn't be all too surprised if that is the next step by one of these companies.

Jason Erlandson