Hello Motorguide

[CaptainMusky]

Introducing the all-new Pinpoint

MotorGuide’s proprietary Pinpoint GPS technology – available either integrated with select models or as an easy upgrade. Pinpoint uses an ultra-precise GPS receiver and precision control algorithms for incredibly accurate performance. A compact, easy-to-use remote controls these Pinpoint features:

Anchor

• Holds boat position on a fixed GPS coordinate

• Stores and recalls up to eight positions

• While in Anchor mode, the directional controls can be used to move the boat in 5-foot increments in any direction

Heading Lock

• Navigates the boat to a specific compass heading

Route

• Record and playback up to eight routes of up to four miles each

Cruise Control

• Hold a GPS speed while navigating a heading or route

Also, Motorguide partners with Lowrance to deliver enhanced GPS Navigation Interface for Xi5 wireless trolling motor

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

MotorGuide, a trusted fishing brand with more than 50 years of engineering and manufacturing trolling motors, is partnering with Lowrance, a world leader in marine electronics to create PinpointConnect. The new, user-friendly interface, scheduled for release in Spring 2014, integrates Lowrance HDS®, Gen2 and Gen2 Touch fishfinder/chartplotters with MotorGuide Pinpoint® GPS navigation available on its new Xi5 wireless trolling motor. Pinpoint GPS delivers on-target location accuracy that enables anglers to precisely position their boats and achieve optimum boat control.

“Providing users with the tools that help them catch more fish and enhance their experience on the water is a priority for MotorGuide. That’s why we partnered with Lowrance to create PinpointConnect, a seamless interface that connects HDS Gen2 displays with MotorGuide trolling motors,” said Ben Curtis, category director for MotorGuide.

With connectivity to the Xi5 MotorGuide wireless trolling motor featuring Pinpoint GPS and PinpointConnect, HDS Gen2 and Gen2 Touch users will be able to easily perform the following navigational functions directly from their chartplotter display: visualize PinpointGPS navigation, set anchor at current location; set, recall and navigate to waypoints or the cursor, plot a course or recall a trail; and maintain a current boat heading.

PinpointConnect will adapt to any existing Pinpoint GPS-enabled MotorGuide trolling motor allowing it to be connected to a compatible Lowrance device. When installed, PinpointConnect enables anglers to see and control Pinpoint GPS navigation functions within the high definition screen technology available on Lowrance HDS® Gen2 and Gen2 Touch electronics.

Finally, another option for a trolling motor over Minn Kota. I hadnt considered Motorguide until this announcement. Eager to see where pricing falls.

[BartmanMN]

I wonder what chip it will work with?

[CaptainMusky]

That's a good question, but from what I read, I cannot find any details on that so far. What I didnt see are comments about "follow contour" (which doesnt interest me anyway), but I did see mention of "plot a course or recall a trail". So, to me this means it will follow something you put into it vs something a "chip" is telling it. That is the way I read it anyway. At least for the "PinpointConnect" feature.

The Pinpoint model would appear to be very similar to the iPilot but you can record more trails and plots with Pinpoint than iPilot currently. I dont believe you can have the motor "slide you over" when anchored either with the iPilot. That seems kinda nice.

Not dissing Minn Kota because I have been a loyal customer for MANY years. I am just happy there is another option for how I choose to control my boat (never wanted a cable drive).

[Savage Brewer]

The winner here is the consumer.

MinnKota can charge anything they want because they do not have legit competition.

Now someone else is stepping to the plate!

[CaptainMusky]

The winner here is the consumer.

MinnKota can charge anything they want because they do not have legit competition.

Now someone else is stepping to the plate!

Sums it up perfectly. Not that I have any significant complaints about my Minn Kota, but I have heard nothing but good things about motorguide. So, yes, this is a win win for the consumers.

[TR21HP]

So basically Motorguide and Lowrance are providing the same service as the Minn Kota/ Hummingbird system. I used to think competition was good for the consumer but if you look at pricing it will be just as expensive as the other and it will be another 6 of one and a half dozen of the other.

[CaptainMusky]

You do bring up a good point since minn kota only works with humminbird, and motorguide with lowrance, maybe it isnt as big of a win. You are such a buzzkill. :-)

[TR21HP]

Didn't mean to be a buzzkill. Competition is good, example; side and down imaging. I think that competition has been good for the consumer with respect to quality of product but the price is still crazy for both. This, at least, gives the opportunity for someone who prefers MinnKota or Motorguide to team it up with the graph of their choice without having to try something they didn't especially want to buy.

[CaptainMusky]

Right. As an owner of multiple Lowrance HDS units I will admit that I felt "out in the cold" when the announcement of Johnson Outdoors buying LakeMaster, then the impending iLink with Humminbird.

This offers those of us with Lowrance a similar option.

The one thing here though is that one aspect of this is irrespective of which electronics you have. Similar to the iPilot, the Pinpoint doesnt need a graph to work. So in that regard there is direct competition with each other. But looking at the Sonar controlled trolling motor, yeah, those are isolated markets and not directly competitive because of the electronics requirement.

[JohnMickish]

Looks like Lowrance owners will be able to do everything next year I can do this year with my humminbird, except have 360 degree sonar and control your down riggers. I'm not knocking anybody here because as a consumer we are the winners, but it sure looks like Lowrance is just copying Humminbird on their advances over the last few years. I suppose Lowrance did come our with the touch screen first.

[ClownColor]

Looks like Lowrance owners will be able to do everything next year I can do this year with my humminbird, except have 360 degree sonar and control your down riggers. I'm not knocking anybody here because as a consumer we are the winners, but it sure looks like Lowrance is just copying Humminbird on their advances over the last few years. I suppose Lowrance did come our with the touch screen first.

Ha, yeah right. Hds is blowing away the birds now. You forget about that new wifi adapter lowrance has that is opening a hole new world of electronics and fishing...for $250. You can have the 360 si. Lol

[CaptainMusky]

If you want to get petty with who is copying who how about research nmea, Ethernet networking, satellite radio, radar, onboard diagnostics for your outboard. Does humminbird have WiFi? 360 imaging? You can have that at $2000 on top of a $1500 unit and useless if you are moving and higher speeds. Ridiculous. Side and down imaging far more useful.

[CaptainMusky]

Besides this wasn't about lowrance in the first place but motor guide. Finally another option besides minnkota in the power drive trollers with intelligence market. Since motor guide owns the pinpoint patents now I'm very excited for what lies ahead. Those trollers were far ahead of their time. Maybe a rebirth!

[CaptainMusky]

I guess hummingbird is including GPS pucks now because they can't get their internal GPS to work. That's a nice bonus.

[JohnMickish]

Take look at the new Lakemaster program that is coming out this fall. It's gonna be cool. As a consumer I love the fight between the two companies.

[JohnMickish]

Does humminbird have WiFi? 360 imaging? You can have that at $2000 on top of a $1500 unit and useless if you are moving and higher speeds. Ridiculous. Side and down imaging far more useful.

No they don't have WIFI, but I'm not sure what it will do for a guy in the boat? Seriously, what can it do for me?

Guess who had side and down imaging first between Humminbird and Lowrance?

[CaptainMusky]

Lowrance and navionics already offer that. Are you in a bubble? Seriously its funny how some people cherry pick features and think its new technology. Its been out there for a while already. Yes its cool technology but who is copying who?

[CaptainMusky]

I suggest you use Google and a few searches you will find a wealth of information out there. WiFi may not be for you but we have stickied posts all over this site with hundreds of comments about sonar phone. Apparently some think its revolutionary.

With the WiFi from lowrance you can control/view your GPS or sonar with an iPad or view on a smartphone. Not for me either but you could have a "cheap" hds unit like a 5 then use your larger screen on the iPad to control it from elsewhere.

[JohnMickish]

Nope, not in a bubble. I'm not totally up on the latest Navionics and Lowrance lake imaging stuff. Besides the contour lines, will they map out in 3D and also show an overhead view of the bottom hardness? Maybe they do, I don't know. Looking at the view of the lake from a bottom hardness point of view will really make things nice.

As I said, I'm not knocking anyone, both sides have their strong points but we as consumers win in the war.

I know with the new Lakemaster program where you can map your own lake, all of the features of the I-link will work on your home made map as well. Now that is cool.

[CaptainMusky]

You are right they are pushing the envelope and in the end we all win regardless of what brand electronics we choose.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Do you suppose they will be keeping that info that you take the time to discover to improve their chips?

[bobbymalone]

sweet, I know we needed more vexilar vs. marcum, ford vs. chevy, my dad can beat up your dad threads in the open water forum.

Also I hope those playing with freakin ipads in the boat crush a huge wake and get soaked. Everybody has to be staring at a gotdang screen 24/7 or they don't know what to do with themselves.

[Old School]

Fight! Fight! ROFLMAO

[Savage Brewer]

Basically here is how I see it. Without competition, companies will not invest in R&D because they dont have to, also without competition prices never come down.

Does that mean that an iPiloted Terrova will drop in half? No, but it might come down 10% or so.

Also with MotorGuide having their version, this drives MinnKota to develop the next thing.

[CaptainMusky]

I agree. In looking at current comparable models from the two, the motorguide is over $300 cheaper than a comparable Minn Kota. Granted CURRENTLY Motorguide doesnt offer some of the features Minn Kota has, but if you look at a stripped down Terrova and Compare that to an equivalent Motorguide its hundreds cheaper. Hopefully that methodology carries forward to this new line and brings down the Minn Kota pricing. I would think Motorguide would be very agressive with their pricing initially to gain customer base, just my thought.