Whether you prioritize comprehensive integration, connectivity, or simplicity, understanding these systems is essential for optimizing your on-water experience. When it comes to modern trolling motors, the navigation systems Minn Kota offers has revolutionized how anglers and boaters interact with the water. Advanced GPS Navigation, i-Pilot Link, and i-Pilot each bring unique features to enhance control, convenience, and precision on compatible motors. This article provides an overview of these innovative technologies, delves into their key functionalities, and compares their capabilities.
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Comparison | Availability | Features | Exclusive QUEST Features | Feature Videos
Comparison
Advanced GPS Navigation brings the most advanced and integrated features. i-Pilot Link emphasizes connectivity and integration and i-Pilot stands out for its straightforward and independent functionality.
Advanced GPS Navigation (2023-present)
- Includes comprehensive GPS features such as Drift Mode, Circle Mode, Dodge Mode, and Routes.
- Features i-Track Offset for more precise navigation.
- Includes enhanced GPS auto-navigation functions like Drift Mode, Circle Mode, and Dodge Mode.
- Includes a redesigned wireless remote.
- Integrates with Humminbird Virtual Remote for seamless control.
- Operates as a consolidated navigation system with Humminbird networking.
- Includes all of the features of i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link.
Bluetooth i-Pilot Link (2016-2023)
- Enables networking connectivity with compatible Humminbird fish finders.
- Humminbird interface allows motor control directly from the fish finder screen.
- Features a full-color touchscreen remote.
- Provides advanced features like Follow the Contour.
- Features essential GPS capabilities like Spot Lock, AutoPilot, and Cruise Control.
Bluetooth i-Pilot (2016-2023)
- Operates independently of fish finders.
- Features essential GPS capabilities like Spot Lock, AutoPilot, and Cruise Control.
- Uses a smaller black-and-white wireless remote.
- Does not support networking or fish finder integration.
- Operates independently of fish finders.
- Provides basic GPS navigation features like Spot Lock, AutoPilot, and Cruise Control.
- Uses a wireless remote with a smaller black-and-white screen.
- Does not include networking capabilities.
Availability
Advanced GPS Navigation (2023-present)
- Ultrex QUEST (2023-present)
- Ultrex (2023-present)
- Riptide Instinct QUEST (2023-present)
- Ulterra QUEST (2023-present)
- Ulterra (2023-present)
- Terrova and Riptide Terrova QUEST (2023-present)
- Terrova and Riptide Terrova (2023-present)
- PowerDrive and Riptide PowerDrive (2023-present)
i-Pilot Link
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Bluetooth i-Pilot Link (2017-2023)
- Ultrex (2016-2023)
- Ulterra and Riptide Ulterra (2015-2023)
- Terrova and Riptide Terrova (2017-2023)
i-Pilot
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Bluetooth i-Pilot (2017-2023)
- Ultrex (2016-2023)
- Ulterra and Riptide Ulterra (2015-2023)
- Terrova and Riptide Terrova (2017-2023)
- PowerDrive and Riptide PowerDrive (2017-2023)
Features
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BackTrack
Select BackTrack to start navigating back through the Current Track, starting with the last recorded track point. The Current Track will be converted to a saved i-Track. While navigating BackTrack, the direction of navigation can be changed using the Reverse menu option. See the BackTrack section for details. -
Boat Scale
Ideal installation for a trolling motor is to have the proper amount of thrust for the size of the boat the trolling motor is being installed on. If the motor thrust is not properly matched to the boat size, Boat Scale can be used to compensate for the mis-match. The default is zero, assuming that the boat and trolling motor thrust are properly matched. For an installation where the motor thrust is undersized for the boat, increase the Boat Scale. For an installation where the motor thrust is oversized for the boat, decrease Boat Scale.
Note: Not available on Legacy Motors 2016 and older. -
Circle Mode
Circle Mode allows you to navigate a set point in a circle, either clockwise or counterclockwise. You can also adjust the circle radius. Circle Mode cannot be activated from the Wireless remote, but the direction of travel and radius of the circle can be adjusted, and the function can be exited using the trolling motor remote. -
Cruise Control
Helps to compensate for the variations in external forces that affect the speed over ground and keeps the boat traveling at an even speed. When Cruise Control is engaged, the current speed over ground becomes the Target Speed. Cruise Control works to control the propeller speed to match the Speed Over Ground to the Target Speed. -
Drift Mode
(Advanced GPS Motors Only)
Select Drift Mode to keep the boat at a controlled target speed when following a desired straight-line course regardless of wind or current influence. See the Drift Mode section for details.
Note: Not available on Legacy Motors 2016 and older.
Click here for Drift Mode Demo -
Dodge Mode
(Advanced GPS Motor Only)
Dodge Mode allows you to temporarily suspend select forms of navigation while allowing you to manually control steering and prop speed to steer around an obstacle without canceling navigation, and then easily resume the previously suspended form of navigation. Dodge Mode is available during Drift Mode.
Note: Not available on Legacy Motors 2016 and older.
Click Here for Dodge Mode Demo -
Follow the Contour
Allows trolling motors to automatically navigate along a selected depth contour, ensuring precise and hands-free movement for anglers. Select Follow the Contour to start navigating a selected contour line.
Click here for Advanced GPS Follow Demo-
Follow the Contour Offset
Change the offset when following contour lines. -
Follow the Shoreline
TEST -
Follow the Contour/Shoreline at the Vessel with Cursor
enables the vessel to navigate along a depth or shoreline contour by setting a path using the cursor -
Follow the Contour/Shoreline at Vessel with single button
allows the vessel to navigate effortlessly along a depth or shoreline contour with a single button press. -
Follow the Contour Dodge
Utilize Dodge Mode while following contour. -
Follow the Contour Jog
Utilize Jog while in follow the Contour
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Follow the Contour Offset
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Humminbird Integration
The ability to network with other compatible products.
NOTE: GPS Navigation functions available when connecting Minn Kota Trolling Motor to compatible Humminbird units do not require a built-in transducer connection. -
i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link App
(2017-2023 BT Motors Only)
Minn Kota offers an i-Pilot Link App that can be used to control and update i-Pilot Link on your motor using a Bluetooth® enabled device. The i-Pilot Link App is available for download on iOS devices through the Apple App store or Android devices through the Google Play store.
Note: Does not provide stow, deploy and trim options for Ulterra motors.
Note: Not available on Legacy Motors 2016 and older. -
i-Tracks
Record iTracks for a distance of up to 2 miles. -
i-Track Offset
Offset can be adjusted when recording a track. -
Locked Course AutoPilot
Uses compass heading but also GPS data to correct for cross winds, current and other external forces to keep the boat on the intended course. When Locked Course AutoPilot is turned on, it creates a course that it will follow. When you steer to a new heading, a new course is created. Locked Course AutoPilot will keep the boat on the course in most conditions. When very extreme conditions exist, such as very strong winds or current, the trolling motor may not have enough power to control the boat smoothly. In these extreme cases it may be best to use Locked Heading AutoPilot and let the boat move with the wind or current if the motor is not powerful enough to overcome it. -
Locked Heading AutoPilot
Uses an internal compass to provide heading lock. When Locked Heading AutoPilot is on, it keeps the motor pointed in the same compass direction. If a manual steering correction is made, Locked Heading AutoPilot locks onto the new compass heading to which the boat was steered. This method of heading tracking does not take into account external forces, such as side winds or currents, which can allow side drift. -
One Boat Network App
(Advanced GPS Motors Only)
The One-Boat Network® App brings your Humminbird® and Minn Kota® devices together into one dashboard to give you unprecedented command of your fishing boat. Navigate with Humminbird’s marine maps and then dial in with the app’s digital remotes for select Minn Kota trolling motors and shallow water anchors.
Note: Not available on Legacy Motors 2016 and older. -
Spot-Lock
Uses a single point as a reference for the spot you want to stay on. Around the Spot-Lock location, Advanced GPS/i-Pilot Link/i-Pilot uses an arrival circle to determine prop speed and direction. If Advanced GPS sees it is within the circle, it will adjust the motor speed to zero. If Advanced GPS/i-Pilot Link/i-Pilot sees it is outside of the circle, it will control motor speed in an attempt to get the boat back into the circle. Note: Spotlock was refined in 2017 and heading sensor was added.
Click here for Spot-Lock Demo -
Spot-Lock Jog
Use Jog while Spot-Lock is engaged to move 5 feet from the engaged Spot-Lock position. Spot-Lock Jog is only available with a heading sensor.
Note: Not available on Legacy Motors 2016 and older. -
Speed and Steering
Control Minn Kota Trolling Motor Speed and Steering from a compatible integrated Humminbird FishFinder.
Exclusive QUEST Features
- Heavy-duty platform construction from the ground up
- 24/36V dual voltage compatibility in a single motor
- Greater thrust and torque (compared to MK brushed motors)
- Quieter (compared to MK brushed motors)
- Longer shafts up to 100” (reinforced with carbon fiber)
- Ability to update QUEST Motor Controller software
- Physical One-Boat Network Button on the foot pedal
- Prop Stow Orientation - "Auto Park" (Prop Left/Prop Right)
- Straight Ahead on Deploy (On/Off)
- Motor LED Brightness Control
- Built In Heading Sensor
- ECO Mode (Reduces max power by 20% to reduce overall current draw to aid in extending battery life)
- Trolling Motor Battery Monitoring (HB units, app, and Remote)
- Error Codes (Provides diagnostic codes to aid consumers and service centers in troubleshooting
Feature Videos
Minn Kota's Reinvented Spot-Lock vs. the Competition Video
Minn Kota Drift Mode Overview & How To with KVD Video
