Electric Motor with ONLY remote???

[stick]

I am looking at an upgrade, and I was wondering if anyone is running the iPilot without the foot pedal. I like the thought of the clean floor and no foot pedal, but I have a hard time picturing no pedal. I mostly walleye fish, so that shouldn't be a big problem, but if I'm bass fishing and in and out of spots, might this be a problem?

Anyone have any strong feelings either way?

[Ed Carlson]

If you opt for the Terrova with I-Pilot, you may use either.

The V2 with I-Pilot has the limitation on using one or the other.

[BoxMN]

WE have had MK with auto pilot and co-pilot for several years. While it isn't even as nice as an ipilot, we have not plugged our foot pedal into it since we bought it, other than to make sure it works. The remote is awesome, and even more so with ipilot I am sure. Don't worry about not having foot pedal. If you like one you can use it, but totally not needed. Bass, muskie and walleye usage here. Mainly muskie and walleye though.

[Tator2k]

I heard the V2 is only Remote because of where the iPilot is connected to the system.

[ozzie]

I was looking into buying the ipilot system and debated over the powerdrive (remote) or the terrova (remote/foot pedal) and one thing that was pointed out to me is that where the co-pilot has a small remote easy to handle the ipilot is bigger and won't fit on a rod and might weigh on a person if it is hanging around your neck all day...so I am waiting to afford the terrova to have both options

[Ufatz]

[PoorWordUsage] thing from the beginning. Love the Co Pilot. Imagine the new generation is smoother, faster, prettier,more sophisticated and just plain better.

And more money.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I hear ya on the huge remote. My co-pilot remote works great on my wrist. Don't know how I would run that huge one.

[Esox_Magnum]

I clip my I Pilot remote on a belt loop or D ring on my rain gear, nice thing about having both options is I can adjust during a cast if need be with the tap of a toe and subtle adjustments by remote between casts. Some friends wear theirs around their neck but to me gets in the way, all personal preference.

[minnducker]

Recently upgraded from a Powerdrive (pre-V2) with co-pilot, to a Terrova with I-pilot. I never used the foot control on the powerdrive after installing co-pilot, in fact I've lost it which I realized when preparing to sell the older unit.

The new I-pilot remote control is larger, but very light, no noticeable weight when attached to lanyard or belt loop. Also, with the new I-pilot features, (cruise control and advanced auot-pilot), I don't need to use the remote to change speed or direction nearly as much as with the older unit. Overall, a good trade-off and improvement.

[jwmiller33]

Have the 101 lb Terrova w/ iPilot on my dads Champion. Have yet to use the foot pedal. Once you realize the things you can do with the remote, there is no need to even touch the foot pedal. I understand why some people find it hard to stray away from the foot pedal after that is the only way most people know how to use a trolling motor, but the iPilot isn't your typical trolling motor. It is kind of like taking the training wheels off your bike as a kid. Once you take them off, you never put them back on.

[PerchJerker]

It really depends on how you fish. I have a Terrova with i-Pilot and depending on what I'm doing I'll use the remote --- but the majority of the time I'm using my foot pedal.

If I'm doing a lot of casting, the foot pedal is the only way to go. Even if I'm dragging around jigs or live bait rigs I prefer the foot pedal over the remote. But ---- I am always paying attention to my electronics and tweaking and adjusting the motor ---- if you're more of a set-it-and-forget type of fisherman then maybe the remote is better.

I use the remote for making adjustments (ie. adjusting my spot lock position) or if I'm in the back of the boat, away from my foot pedal and my front electronics. I like the remote but I would not have a motor without a foot pedal and I really disagree with statements like "you'll never use the foot pedal again". In many / most situations I still prefer the foot pedal over the remote.

Hope that helps and good luck with whatever you decide.

[jwmiller33]

In many / most situations I still prefer the foot pedal over the remote.

Key word: prefer. It all comes down to preference. Some people have been using a foot pedal their entire life and I think it will be hard for those people to stray away from using the foot pedal. I don't really agree with the "set it and forget it type of fisherman" statement. Anything you can do with the foot pedal can be done on the remote. Likewise, there are things you can do on the remote that cannot be done on the foot pedal.

I will also add that I fabricated the iPilot remote to be worn similar to a wrist watch. We have two remotes, one is fabricated to the wrist watch style with an elastic band and the other we use when you want to wear it around your neck (mainly used as a backup incase the other remote is lost).

Regardless of how you do it, the iPilot is the bee's knees. There is nothing else out there like it and if you really want to get the most out of your trolling motor, adding the iPilot is the way to go.

[PerchJerker]

Anything you can do with the foot pedal can be done on the remote.

True ----- but you have to find the remote (whether it's on your wrist, your rod handle, around your neck, clipped to a D ring, laying on the deck or the console, etc) --- then you have to look at the remote to find the buttons you need. For me that is inconvenient in a lot of situations ---- and not even practical when casting (especially musky fishing). It takes my attention away from my bait and my electronics and that's why I don't like the remote as much as the foot pedal.

It's second nature for me to use my foot pedal. I don't even need to look at it to steer or adjust the speed, and it sits right next to my electronics so it's not diverting my attention from anything. That's why in most situations I'll take the foot pedal over the remote.

[jwmiller33]

I hear ya loud and clear Perchy, and you kind of strengthened my point of some people have been using the foot pedal for so long it is hard to get used to anything else. After one day of using the iPilot I was able to memorize where the important buttons were on the remote (the ones that control the same thing the foot pedal controls; ie turning L/R, incr/decr speed, and engage prop) and make adjustments without having to look at the remote and scan for buttons [and being able to control the trolling motor from anywhere in the boat is the real kicker for me]. To me, it is no different than changing the channel on my tv remote at home. After you do it enough times, it is second nature. Regardless, we are splitting hairs here and I agree with you, it is better to have both the footpedal/remote than just the remote. Certain things can happen like remote battery dying, losing remote or someone else wanting to drive the boat that isn't familiar with the remote that make having the foot pedal as a back up beneficial. My dad used to be like you and used to rather control the foot pedal than the remote until I changed his ways. He is older and I am a lot younger, and I think age makes a big differnce. In general, older folks are more reluctant to technological changes/advances than younger kids, and are more prone to doing things the "old school way" than the new high tech ways. It is a lot easier for kids to adapt to new high tech ways than old folks. My dad still hardly knows how to use his blackberry whereas you could give me the blackberry that I have never used before and within 10 minutes, I would know how to do more things on it than him.

[ozzie]

the remote is great to have until the battery dies or you lose it then what?? o yeah you have an expensive trolling motor and no way to control it........no matter what I would have to have the foot pedal option even if it was there just for security and peace of mind!!

[jwmiller33]

I agree, it is a great idea to get the terrova so you have the foot pedal as backup, especially if someone wants to drive the boat that is unable to adapt to using the remote. It is also a good idea to have an extra remote (we keep ours in the glovebox of the boat) and remote battery. Just like a key to your truck, can easily be lost and good idea to have a spare lying around somewhere. The extra remote battery is very inexpensive and it would be foolish to not have an extra on hand because you know you are eventually going to need it sometime down the road.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I have the I pilot Terrova as well. I use the remote when I want a feature only it has on it. Other wise I prefer to steer and drive with my foot normally.

[broken line]

I just bought the Terrova with Ipilot this spring....the remote is great, and although I have it, I have not used the foot pedal yet other than to test it out.

[Ridgerunnr]

i traded for a buddies v2 70# 24volt with I pilot..no footpedal option...one weekend on the water and i figure it was the best upgrade ive ever done. Cant imagine havin a foot pedal in the boat ever again. I musky, walleye, bass fish ..Love the cruise control option!!!!

[TyGuy02]

I am of a minority since I've never consistently used a foot pedal in the past, but since I got my PD2 with remote only, 4 days of fishing and couldn't imagine a slicker setup. I was worried about this very subject, but went for the PD since my wife would've been casting rapalas at me if I got the Terrova. I could talk your ears off by how impressed I am, saying things that I know you've heard already.

But on the subject of the remote, I would not lose any sleep over having the SETTLE for only the remote, if that's the choice you make. Someone mentioned the weight as a possible issue, NO, not an issue whatsoever. I use the lanlard and it weights less than your lanlard with vehicle/house keys.

FYI, the cruise-control/actual GPS speed feature is VERY under publicized. I don't know if the older models have these features as well, but is very awesome!

[osok]

I agree with JWmiller... The remote rocks with all it can do. I also have the Terrova w/ I pilot and I rarely use the foot peddle. but unlike others I mostly wear mine on the lanyard around my neck, it fits nicely in a pocket on my PFD and is out of my way.

[Dusty]

I have used the I pilot quite a bit the last two weeks and I am not that impressed with the unit. In gusty winds it is not very effective. If you have the cruise control on and a gust of wind gets you, The unit reads the GPS speed so you have to correct manually to get back on course. If you have light or no wind it is a great tool but in 10 to 15 mph wind you have to use manual controls to stay on a tight break line. I have used the record feature a few times and feel that the unit over corrects consantantly. The best feature is the spot lock, I us it all the time for netting fish. I know other folks will have better reviews but this is what I have found in my use. In my stituation I can react faster by hand than the Ipilot can in wind to stay on course.