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DOUGMCGEEP3.
Go with the Ultrex. Ive sold several and had the privileged of running one that I installed. I didnt see the pedal response as slow. In fact, it was as effortless as it could be with no feedback on the footpedal. The motor stayed where you left the footpedal and torque was no problem. The spot lock is great also.With the birds, if youre getting the Helix series, you might wait til after the first of the year when the n2s are released.JohnJones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
BR400 wrote:Yes, I am going with the Humminbirds. What is the difference between the two models?Difference is that the I Pilot Link allows your Birds to talk and communicate with each other. You can actually control your electric motor through your Birds. This would allow you to do such things as set it from the graph to follow a contour, or mark a waypoint and have the motor take you there. There would be other things you could do as well. Of course, if you are a bank beater, you dont need it. In fact, if you are, you dont need an Ultrex. Fortrex is fine for that.
If money isnt a problem, I believe the Ultrex is the next big thing in bass fishing. Not having to worry about staying in the spot you are on is a huge advantage that lets you focus on fishing and not staying on trolling motor. That being said boy they are pricey! Course it might make you not want or need the power poles.
We think open water guys will love the Ultrex. Though we think shallow water angler and river fishermen will be adding to the maintenanace costs. Thats our decision and we find the trolling motor what it should be.
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One thing I would do is to use SI units on console and bow and connect them so they share the images. I have an SI console and a DI bow and find myself walking back to the console at times…The screen sizes are going nuts. I have a 998c si at the console, and a 958c di on the bow. They are (to me, anyway) very large images. I have seen at least one with dual 12″ birds at the console and dual 12s at the bow as well. You can run the price right through the national debt if you go overboard on electronics. The new mega side-imaging stuff does look good, not sure what it will cost.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
I bought a new puma in September this year . I went with Humibirds new Helix models and Im VERY happy with them . I went with a helix 10 on the dash and a helix 9 on the bow . At the dash I mounted the graph on a precision electronics mount I wanted it up a little higher plus i didnt want a big hole cut in the dash . At the bow I mounted the graph on a large ram mount . Everything install was under 3000$ . The only thing that is a bummer is you have to buy two map cards one for each unit . Everything else is linked . The helix 9 and up will work with your troller if you go that route .
I going to pick up my new Eyra Friday and itll have two Helix 12s. I love the 12″ screens and itll be a big change from my 998C which I thought was very nice when I bought my Sabre. Bow is on a RAM mount, console will be on a bracket, not sure which type.The Ultrex sounds cool and all of the reviews Ive read are good. Id like to have one and if money wasnt an issue Id probably get one if I were ordering a new boat, especiallly if I werent getting shallow water anchors. Last edited by C130 on December 14th, 2016, 3:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Just got a jag with he helix 10 DI and helix 7 on bow. Nice but already sent back the 10 because the power button stopped working. We shall se how HB takes care of a brand new unit. I also got the ultrex and highly recommend if you fish more than 4-5 ft of water mostly. The spot lock has already helped me catch more fish.
The Ultrex will be a great tool if you fish a lot offshore. In shallow water it will not take the place of shallow water anchors. Even if it will hold you pretty well on a shallow spot (e.g. a dock), it will do so at the expense of sound to keep readjusting, in turn spooking your shallow fish. As far as graphs, budget will be the determining factor, as bigger screens are better, and more expensive. The ultimate choice in Birds would be a couple of 12 inch graphs, and perhaps even a 360 up front. More realistic may be a Helix 10 DI up front, and a Helix 10 SI at the console. In the 9, 10, and 12, the new 2nd generation will be released in a few weeks, with chirp and mega imaging. The 10, even though the same physical size as the 9, has a larger screen and higher resolution, and IMO is worth the extra dollars.
Ive fished with Speck and hes correct about the Spot Lock feature of the Ultrex. It is awesome!! But as someone else mentioned, its not going to help you with really shallow fishing. However, in open water it is worth every penny.
I fish extremely shallow in thick pads and timber all year. Theres is no way the ultrex is gonna be as responsive or durable as the fortrex. The ultrex doesnt have the bow guard 360 breakaway feature which has saved my shaft from breaking numerous times this year. Im sure it will be the bomb diggity in deep water but its not gonna compare to the fortrex in plowing through the thick stuff. It also is not a replacement for power pole anchors. I turn off my sonar on my graphs almost every time I fish shallow to reduce noise. I have seen what the spot lock technology does to keep you on a spot and it has no place in shallow water. It is constantly adjusting. I will say Its an upgrade from the previous electric steer models. As far as graphs go get the new mega imaging from humminbird it looks awesome and is on my list of upgrades.
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