Ultrex

[SteveHTN]

Anyone know if MK has gotten these things reliable? I heard they were having warranty claims for awhile, but figured they’ve worked the bugs out by now? 🤷‍♂️ As much as it pains me to spend hard earned money, it pains me more to keep pulling up heavy anchors, so SpotLock seems to be the ticket. I’ve also looked at the new Garmin and Lowrance, both of which have some cool shiz, but idk about unproven motors for $3k.....

[Jamie De Vera]

Have you looked into the motorguide tour pro? Dunno the price point between the 4 but it'es be something to look into. 

[SteveHTN]

I’ll check it out. I do like the new Lowrance, because of the way it pairs with their graphs, but who knows how reliable they are. 

[Mountainman]

Any new tech has bugs to work out and as long as it's an electronic device, it won't be free of malfunction. There have been a few issues with control boards, pedal sensors and steering heads, but by & large, the issues are limited to the earliest models. With a 3 year warranty, it's hard not to have one. Spotlock is a game changer.

[31Airborne]

Steve - Andy nailed it.  There were issues early on w/ the first gen units.  Those issues have been addressed.  I have one on my sled - can't imagine being without it.  Calling it a game-changer is a gross understatement.  It's by far the biggest enabler I have on board.  Worth every penny IMHO.  You won't be disappointed.  B

[SteveHTN]

I had the PowerDrive on my Jon boat couple years back. I absolutely loved having Spot Lock and heading control. Cruise control was pretty dandy as well. Only thing I didn’t like about it, was if I got very shallow, I couldn’t pull the motor part way up to maneuver. I’m hoping Ultrex allows that, like a traditional cable steer?

[pitchin pigs]

On 3/3/2020 at 11:53 AM, SteveHTN said:

I had the PowerDrive on my Jon boat couple years back. I absolutely loved having Spot Lock and heading control. Cruise control was pretty dandy as well. Only thing I didn’t like about it, was if I got very shallow, I couldn’t pull the motor part way up to maneuver. I’m hoping Ultrex allows that, like a traditional cable steer?

It does

[SteveHTN]

8 hours ago, pitchin pigs said:

It does

Awesome. Thanks 

[GlitterRocket]

I dont know of anything on the market at this price point that will have such a instant positive impact to your fishing experience. IMO an ultrex is the biggest bang for your buck you can put on your boat.

[Peck]

On 3/3/2020 at 11:53 AM, SteveHTN said:

Only thing I didn’t like about it, was if I got very shallow, I couldn’t pull the motor part way up to maneuver. 

That's the biggest complaint I have with my Motorguide Xi5. 

Electric steer has been a learning curve as well. Still think I'd prefer a cable. 

You won't regret anything with spot lock. Like everyone else has said, worth every penny. 

[Triton196]

I’ve had my ultrex for over 3 years now. Had a couple of issues with it to start with but they was covered by the warranty and had the boat back in a couple of days. In my opinion the Spotlock feature can’t be beat. If your really serious about fishing it’s worth every penny.

[Tubejig]

I've had 2 ultrex's so far.    I think it's the best thing I've ever purchased.  Spot lock is expensive but I think it's worth the money.  Makes dealing with wind a breeze [pun intended] and staying on target for vertical fishing is so much easier.

Would not want to fish without it but I do fish a lot.

[SteveHTN]

8 hours ago, Tubejig said:

I've had 2 ultrex's so far.    I think it's the best thing I've ever purchased.  Spot lock is expensive but I think it's worth the money.  Makes dealing with wind a breeze [pun intended] and staying on target for vertical fishing is so much easier.

Would not want to fish without it but I do fish a lot.

Oh, I certainly wish I had it during the site tourney Saturday. Those gusts were blowing us off all kinds of great spots. Can’t get the boat to Mr. Cole quick enough. LOL. 

[pitchin pigs]

Plus if you fish solo a lot like me it makes launching, tying on lures, fighting fish etc. so much easier

[SteveHTN]

21 hours ago, pitchin pigs said:

Plus if you fish solo a lot like me it makes launching, tying on lures, fighting fish etc. so much easier

Oh I’m sure. It would be freaking awesome if they added the auto stow/deploy from the Ulterra. Then it would really be the cats meow

[Mountainman]

Still got a 45" 80# 24V in stock Steve........

[BANG]

Andy,  which one do you have? I'm thinking about a non link version 45" 80# model. My power drive foot control is about to drive me nuts!

[Mountainman]

I had a 45" 80lb 24v non Link model, but sold it last week. Give me a call & I can order you one. I can have most anything I order the next day.

[BANG]

What about a Terrova compared to an Ultrex? 

[bronzebackhuntr]

On 4/12/2020 at 3:26 PM, BANG said:

What about a Terrova compared to an Ultrex? 

The steering on a terrova is much slower than the steering on an ultrex. You can get in trouble quick in shallow water not being able to steer out of fast. 

[SteveHTN]

On 4/12/2020 at 3:26 PM, BANG said:

What about a Terrova compared to an Ultrex? 

I had a PowerDrive on my Jon boat, similar to a Terrova, except you could only use the foot pedal, or wire it for the remote with iPilot, not both. It did fine, except for shallow water. If you’ve gotta retrieve a lure, land the boat shallow, or anything else in very shallow water, and need to pull the motor up most of the way, but still have it useful.......better have a push-pole/paddle handy. It sucked for that reason. As far as steering speed, I know it was a factor in the older motors, but mine turned pretty quick, all things considered. That said, cruise control, heading, and especially SpotLock, was the shizneck. But considering you get all that with the Ultrex, while being able to use it the same way as a traditional cable steer, I’d be hard pressed to spend the money on a Terrova. Ultrex isn’t much more. 

[BANG]

I have a powerdrive now, my biggest issue with it is the foot pedal SUCKS! It's the first version I guess(2005) and it's on my jet jon and I first shallow in current most of the time. I wish they made the Terrova without ipilot and just have spotlock and auto pilot for about $300 less than what it cost now.

 

I didn't think spotlock was ever offered on a powerdrive??

I have a powerdrive, foot pedal is what's kicking my butt, that and the 60" shaft sits up in the air about a 18 too high. Only time I've ever got to complain about having a too long of a shaft😲

[SteveHTN]

MinnKora came out with iPilot on PowerDrive a few years ago. Only issue with it is it completely took the foot pedal away, though in your case, that’d probably be a good thing. LOL. You can still get a 24V online, for around $12- $1400ish, depending on what company you buy from. The only real difference between a PowerDrive and Terrova, is the Terrova allows you to keep the foot pedal as well, so you can use either that, or the remote, whereas the Powerdrive is remote only if you have iPilot. Both will also allow you to use your phone via Bluetooth, for whatever that’s worth to you. So in theory, you’d most of the exact same features as an Ultrex, for far less money. BUUUUUUUUUT.......no foot pedal control, and more importantly for me, both Powerdrive and Terrova have to be in the fully deployed, and locked position, to work at all, which in very shallow water is absolutely God awful. Can’t tell ya how many times I’ve pulled a motor halfway up while fishing Cherokee, which Is famous for car sized boulders 20’ off the bank during low water, barely a foot deep. Plus, as BBH mentioned, they’re never gonna turn as quickly as a cable steer, even though they’re much faster than they used to be. Ultrex is a cable steer, with electric power steering assist, so it’s the best of all worlds. They’re just so freaking expensive. But to your original question- I personally can’t recommend Terrova, because it’s not much cheaper than the Ultrex, for the reasons I mentioned above. 

https://mk.factoryoutletstore.com/details/418652/minn-kota-powerdrive-70-with-i-pilot-and-bluetooth-70-lbs.-thrust-54inch-shaft.html?category_id=76785&catalogitemid=384880
 

there’s a link to a PowerDrive with iPilot 

[BANG]

Great info! Are you sure that the Terrova with a foot pedal must be in locked position to work? That would definitely be a deal killer for me.

I have no use for a remote, can't imagine using one with what I primarily do, but I've never used one so I may love it.

[SteveHTN]

1 hour ago, BANG said:

Great info! Are you sure that the Terrova with a foot pedal must be in locked position to work? That would definitely be a deal killer for me.

I have no use for a remote, can't imagine using one with what I primarily do, but I've never used one so I may love it.

Yeah they won’t work unless the motor is fully deployed. The remote is actually pretty daggum awesome. You can set the speed at whatever you want with their cruise control, set a heading,  hit SpotLock, all kinds of cool stuff. Problem is you obviously can’t change anything hands free, so any kind of speed or course correction is a pain. That’s the advantage of a Terrova, and especially the Ultrex, is you can use the foot pedal at any time, and they both also have a remote.