I am choosing "stuff" for a new boat which includes a TM. I am on the fence on whether or not to get an I-pilot or stick w/ a hand control model that i am use to.. I will be usually fishing alone in fast current.
I do not want to get into the gps assisted model because of the expense.
Love my Ipilot. It keeps a course heading while fishing down a line, spot locks to target particular spot. I can drive from the stern so my buddy can fish the bow.
2 small tradeoffs- I wish the spot lock was a lttle faster and when docklight fishing and on a hookup, you can twist a tiller and turn it within 1 second, i ilot takes longer, I just had to adjust my methods a little(I have to have to bow pointed away from the dock and have the preset speed high enough to give me some help if I need it. did I say I love my ipilot, I bought mine from my local store at an $1,050, it wasnt cheap but for what I do, it is great.
have had both, and now have the ipilot. I really enjoy it on my 18' flats boat. I like the spot lock feature in tidal creeks in NW Fl. I like the track setting feature when casting to the grasslines. I have a buddy I fish with who has the exact same boat and a tiller. He is constantly kicking and using his hand to control when bass fishing, as much or more than I have to fiddle with the remote. I also have the foot pedal and it is nice to use the few times I tried it.
That's all I got to say about that..( in a Forrest Gump voice)
Having owned nothing but tiller motors I finally purchased an iPilot version last year. After a little learning curb I found the iPilot to be great and I absolutely love the anchor function.
Fished with guys with Ipilot and they are always F****** with the remote instead of fishing. You can't fish while trying to mess with the remote, but if I hook a fish with the tiller motor I cam just kick it to take take me in a direction away from structure while I fight the fish. To each their own, but I believe in the KISS theory.
I don't have a tm on my boat, honestly never owned one... and this may be a stupid question but why do you not see foot pedal controls like the bass guys use on salt boats??
Just took the ipilot out again today messing around with different features. The 'N' feature is absolutely awesome. You point in the direction you want to go and the motor will adjust itself to stay going that direction. When the creek turns just readjust the motor towards the direction you want to go. If you do it right you should barely be touching the remote. I threw fly while cruising.. I sat down, had a cold drink and re rigged while cruising to next spot. Can't do that with tiller.
Once you learn it you find out how nice it makes fishing the creeks can be.
Especially windy strong current conditions the spot lock is great for that.
Copilot here and will be upgrading to the ipilot soon... once you learn not to overcorrect its pretty nice like others have said barely touch the thing when cruising
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