New Trolling Motor Thoughts

The garmin force is a awesome trolling motor. And for what all it comes with it is good value.

I bought the ultrex when they fist came out. I transferred it from my Ranger to my Caracal, its been used and abused with no issues.

Wait… there’s more… it depends on you, your style and budgets. If your tight on budget, then get what you choose from this offering.

If your not quite sure, spot lock isn’t that necessary for your fishing style, and you could afford another nickel of features, then take your time and figure out what you really want.

I made up my mind about August that I would wait on the Tour Pro. My old tour edition is just slap worn out, and it is not cost effective enough to rebuild again, and the Motorguide units do not keep you to one brand of electronics, though they hook up to Lowrance easier, and with more features. I know Minn Kota has gotten better over the years, but I still have the bad taste in my mouth from the original power drive models, and the Garmin, and Lowrance models basically make you run their electronics, as does Minn Kota.

If the new Motor guide Pro has delayed power build like the Minn kota it may be my next TM.

I like the way the MK has a slight build in power when the power button is pushed.  Instant full power leads to jerking and i like the smoothness of the MK. In fact I had the earlier MG tour, than switched to the MK Maxxum. My wife loves the MK. says it doesn’t hurt her back like the MG did.

Waiting for owner experience using the new MG.

Brushless motors are good with respect to efficiency.  They use less power and produce more thrust.  Their only shortcoming is that they are basically an “inside-out” motor, the armature is wrapped around the outside of the motor and can’t move. (now called the stator).  The magnetic field (rotor) is now in the middle and needs no electrical connections, it is just a set of strong permanent magnets.  But to make it run, SOMETHING has to switch the +/- power connections to make the magnetic field revolve and drag the magnetic center part around.  That something is an electronic device (could be computer-based or just hall effect transistors to measure angular position of rotor), which adds some extra electronic circuitry above what is needed for the brushed motors.

I’ve flown radio-controlled aircraft (airplanes and helicopters) for a LONG time.  I’ve watched the electric motors get stronger, lighter, same for batteries such as the LiPO types.  30 years ago a R/C electric helicopter were just a dream.  Today this is the preferred method of power, thanks to the efficiency of brushless motors.

Like everything else, as you add complexity, you add additional room for failure.  But the overall effect is a big gain.  And that is just performance.  There’s also the no commutator and associated brushes and wear to deal with.  So a little simpler from that perspective.  A water leak won’t be as bad if you catch it soon enough that you don’t get rust anywhere.  So there’s lots of good with these things.  And like the 4-stroke revolution, brushless is the future for electric motors.

Needless to say, I like ’em.