i-Pilot Link?

[Chode2235]

What, no discussion here on the i-pilot link? Looks awesome, and I wish I had a HB now...

From their secret unpublished HSOforum:

INTEGRATED GPS TROLLING SYSTEM

With i-Pilot® Link™, your Humminbird® and Minn Kota® communicate with each other to take command of your boat. Together, they give you the power of automatic boat control and the ability to create, store and revisit productive spots and paths—all while retaining the original i-Pilot functions. And all with unparalleled GPS accuracy. It’s the missing link to better fishing.

THIS IS I-PILOT® LINK™, THE GAME CHANGER IN BOAT CONTROL.

The interconnectivity between technologies allows for simple, push-of-a-button operation from either the i-Pilot Link wireless remote or the Humminbird fishfinder, and supports i-Pilot Link’s many exciting new features.

THE I-PILOT LINK REMOTE CONTROL

i-Pilot Link’s wireless remote features a full-color LCD screen to display your current function, user menus, GPS signal strength, prop status and battery state. Powered by a rechargeable battery, the remote is waterproof and it floats. The i-Pilot Link system can learn multiple remotes for added flexibility.

THE IPILOT TROLLING MOTOR HEAD

i-Pilot Link installs simply: Just replace the top of the motor head, activate your remote and you're ready to fish

FEATURES

FOLLOW THE CONTOUR

i-Pilot Link’s unique Follow the Contour feature directs the trolling motor to follow a specific depth contour that is displayed on a LakeMaster digital GPS map. The chosen contour line can be automatically followed in either direction. In addition, anglers have the option to offset a certain distance from a chosen contour line allowing them to present the bait to a specified depth.

Follow the Contour can also be offset from the shoreline so anglers can automatically follow a path at a set distance from shore. *Follow The Contour feature available only on i-Pilot Link enabled LakeMaster SD cards. To check the availability of LakeMaster maps for your fishing area, visit lakemaps.com/ipilotlink.

FOLLOW THE CONTOUR

If you’re fishing at a certain depth, i-Pilot Link can keep you on it automatically. With a LakeMaster SD card in your Humminbird, Link will follow any contour you choose—in either direction—for as long as you want.

Contour Offset: You can also stay a set distance from a depth contour or the shoreline by activating Contour Offset. Set your boat a certain distance from either a selected depth contour or the shoreline, and cast to it all day long.

GO TO

The Go To feature steers the boat to specific locations such as waypoints, Spot-Locks and iTracks. These locations can be recorded either from the fishfinder or from the remote. Up to 2,500 waypoints and Spot-Locks, and 50 iTrack locations can be stored in the fishfinder.

SpotLock: If you drift more than 5 feet away from your selected fishing spot, Link will take you back. You can return to your spot later with Go To.

Waypoints: Return to your favorite existing waypoints—or new ones you create and store—with Go To.

iTracks: Record and store trolling paths up to 2 miles long, then retrace them any time with Go To.

GO TO ITRACK

iTracks are specific trolling motor paths (up to two miles in length) that have been recorded and stored so they can be re-tracked upon request. Anglers can record productive trolling paths such as weed lines, shorelines and river beds then automatically retrace them at any time with i-Pilot Link’s iTrack feature.

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COMPATABILITY

MINN KOTA COMPATABILITY

The i-Pilot Link remote features a full-color graphic LCD screen to display GPS signals, remote battery charge, prop status, current function and user menus. The remote also displays important data such as water depth and temperature. Most i-Pilot Link functions can be activated on the waterproof remote or with the Humminbird unit. The remote includes a rechargeable Li-ion battery.

*For full information on compatibility and product availability, visit minnkotamotors.com/ipilotlink.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Wow, sweet!

[reddog]

Chode, You can buy mine.. Theyre proven producers , but dont end with an 8.. The cost is a little steeper that I anticipated for this technology but I can tell you one thing, Im more excited about this, than the 360..

[TrollnDrift]

Im excited, this is why I just bought my new terrova without ipilot so i could get this new rumored version!

[Carpenter]

When can we get it!?!?

[MattL]

I just heard about this today from a friend who works at Minn-kota. Pretty exciting news. As a crazy coincidence my new HDS-10 arrived from Cabela's today. I knew Humminbird would be coming out with this technology eventually, but I couldn't pass up the deal Cabela's had on their HDS Gen 1 units.

Carpenter- Sounds like it will be released this fall sometime...

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

How much?

[lutzy]

I knew that was coming when the purchased both companies

[RawHog]

How much?

Seriously. Anyone got a clue?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Now taking bets.

I say $900.00! Which is to much for me

[reddog]

Now taking bets.

I say $900.00! Which is to much for me

$799.00

[BLACKJACK]

Think I'll wait a year for them to work out the bugs, hate being the first on new software/hardware!!! Let them do their testing on someone elses time!!!

[SpecialK]

I keep waiting for Apple to announce a law suit against them for TM infringement for using Ipilot and ILink.

[Kyhl]

I've pondered that also.

They will sue over the radius of a bevel, and they sue over an unlocking motion that is used in every public bathroom stall. But they let this go?

[CaptainMusky]

I think the most useful pieces are the GoTO and the GoTo iTrack. The follow contour isnt really that beneficial at least I dont think so.

It was only a matter of time hopefully it works well and isnt too spendy.

This will not make me switch or wish I bought a bird though.

[Chode2235]

I think the most useful pieces are the GoTO and the GoTo iTrack. The follow contour isnt really that beneficial at least I dont think so.

It was only a matter of time hopefully it works well and isnt too spendy.

This will not make me switch or wish I bought a bird though.

You must not fish rivers much. This would be really handy for keeping on the contour where it breaks from 25ft to 5 ft very quickly. I dont need to be at 15ft, but keep me from going off the ledge.

The site says the price is 799.00 which seems fair, until you figure in the price of the Humminbird.

Exciting stuff, regardless. I do hope this stuff becomes a bit more affordable as these prices on this stuff are getting to be a bit too much. You can easily have more invested in boat electronics than your home theatre system with HDTV and Bluray.

[CaptainMusky]

Here's my point on the follow contour. I find that my tracks I lay down are FAR more accurate than ANY countour on a map chip. GPS % error doesnt allow you to be precise one way or the other so paying that close attention to following a contour or following a track is a crapshoot at best.

So, I find it much better to use my tracks because I will follow what I see on my graph which doesnt necessarily coincide with what the gps contours are telling me.

This makes no difference if its a lake, a river lots of structure or little structure.

I could see the follow contour being helpful on unfamiliar waters, but it isnt going to help me on the bodies of water I frequent.

[Kyhl]

I'd have to see it in person before even thinking about switching electronics.

Like mentioned above, the error on maps is just to great. I navigated a channel last weekend and the map showed that I drove my boat on land.

Also had to cross a road to get to the landing, James Bond style apperently. I suppose I could have landed the boat on the trailer if I had more skill.

This error was on both 2011 Lakemaster and 2012 Navionics chips if it makes any difference to anyone.

[SpecialK]

I would be happier if it would take the depth reading and follow that. i.e. I want to stay in 12' of water based on the depth reading from the sonar, not where the map thinks 12' is.

[CaptainMusky]

I would be happier if it would take the depth reading and follow that. i.e. I want to stay in 12' of water based on the depth reading from the sonar, not where the map thinks 12' is.

Ala the pinpoint trolling motors from 20 years ago.

[SpecialK]

I would be happier if it would take the depth reading and follow that. i.e. I want to stay in 12' of water based on the depth reading from the sonar, not where the map thinks 12' is.

Also, you can offset the map but that assumes the lake has not changed at all since it was mapped.

So yes Capt Muskie, ala the pinpoint.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I would be happier if it would take the depth reading and follow that. i.e. I want to stay in 12' of water based on the depth reading from the sonar, not where the map thinks 12' is.

+1

[TyGuy02]

I would be happier if it would take the depth reading and follow that. i.e. I want to stay in 12' of water based on the depth reading from the sonar, not where the map thinks 12' is.

That's what I was anticipating from this hyped release. Like others have said, this would be the CAT's MEOW if the lake data was 99% accurate, but we all know it's not

[CaptainMusky]

I often wonder where we would be at today if Pinpoint survived. That unit was plagued with problems, but the idea was impressive.

[katoguy]

You guys really got to try using the LakeMaster high def maps instead of whatever you are using. They are really spot-on.