Advanced GPS Navigation Heading Sensor Installation, Pairing, Calibration and Dimensions (2023-present)

Updated November 26, 2025 17:18

The Heading Sensor enables the Jog feature and is not required for any other function of Advanced GPS Navigation. When the Heading Sensor is paired and calibrated, the Jog feature of Advanced GPS Navigation allows you to move your boat in 5 foot increments, forwards, backwards, to the left and to the right with a button press on the Advanced GPS NavigationRemote.

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Mounting Considerations

*Please see the Heading Sensor Instruction Sheet for specific mounting instructions
The Heading Sensor needs to be mounted on a flat level surface with the arrow pointed parallel with the keel-line of the boat. It should not be mounted upside down and it needs to be at least 2 feet (24 inches) away from the trolling motor, anything ferrous, and anything that can cause interference. To see if the location you are wanting to mount the Heading Sensor is near something that can cause interference or something ferrous, you can use a compass. Place the Heading Sensor in the location and place the compass on top of the sensor. If the compass experiences interference, the location will not work for the Heading Sensor.

The Heading Sensor also needs a clear line of sight to the head of the trolling motor. If you are not sure about the location you want to mount the sensor, you can use double stick tape on the bottom of the sensor and place it in the location you are testing. Once the Heading Sensor is connected to power, you can try pairing it to your trolling motor and calibrating it. If either the pairing or calibration fails, the location will not work. If the Pairing and Calibration are successful, you can drill the holes and permanently mount the Heading Sensor.

There are some windshields that will prevent the Bluetooth signal from getting to the trolling motor if the Heading Sensor is mounted behind it. If you are going to mount the Heading Sensor behind a windshield, use the method above for testing the location with double stick tape.

Heading Sensor Installation Video

Note: QUEST Advanced GPS Navigation Equipped motors the heading sensor is built-in and there will not be an external heading sensor to install.

This video will walk you through the basics of installing a Minn Kota Heading Sensor.

Powering the Heading Sensor

*Please see the Heading Sensor Instruction Sheet for specific power instructions
The Heading Sensor requires being connected to a 12v power supply and we recommend a 1 amp inline fuse. It does have a minor amp draw and if connected to power long-term, it can drain the battery. You can connect it to an on/off switch to be able to power it off when not in use or for long-term storage (like over winter).

The 22 AWG power leads for the Heading Sensor are 12.5' long.
- Note: Max Voltage: 16.0VDC

Power Draw

The amp draw of the heading sensor during sleep is less than the memory function of a stereo, so there is no need for a disconnect switch.

During active communication (Advanced GPS Navigation controller ON and HDG Sensor LED flashing) the Avg current = 9.9 mA
During “sleep” (Advanced GPS Navigation controller OFF and HDG Sensor LED off) the Avg current = 1.6 mA
During pairing and programming the Heading Sensor draws 15-50mA

Heading Sensor Light Patterns

The Heading Sensor has an LED button light on the top. The light will either be red (older Heading Sensors have a red light) or it will be blue (newer version Heading Sensors have a blue light). The state of the light will tell you what is going on with the Heading Sensor. The Heading Sensor needs to be connected to 12 Volts and we recommend a 1 amp inline fuse. You can connect the Heading Sensor to a power switch and if the power is disconnected, the Heading Sensor will remember the pairing to the trolling motor, calibration and offset when powered back on.

No Light- the Heading Sensor is not receiving power.
Steady- the Heading Sensor has power but is not paired to the trolling motor.
Flashing twice per second- When the Heading Sensor is in Pairing Mode.
Flashing once every 3 seconds- When the Heading Sensor is powered and paired to the trolling motor

Pairing the Heading Sensor to the Trolling Motor (Advanced GPS Navigation, Bluetooth i-Pilot Link, Bluetooth i-Pilot)

Note: QUEST Advanced GPS Navigation Equipped motors the heading sensor is built-in and there will not be an external heading sensor to install. You can skip the Wireless Remote or One-Boat Network App Offset instructions.

Before the Heading Sensor can be paired, make sure that it has been properly installed and connected to a power source. Review the LED patterns that the Heading Sensor communicates in order to understand what mode it is in and to be able to recognize that is has successfully paired once the process is complete.

Connect the Heading Sensor to a power source and verify that the LED on the Heading Sensor turns on for 3 seconds and then turns off.
Power on the trolling motor. Please see the trolling motor Owner’s Manual for instructions on how to power up the trolling motor.
Press the Pair button on the Heading Sensor. Verify that the LED indicates it is attempting to pair.
As quickly as possible, begin to hold the Pair button on the i-Pilot, i-Pilot Link, or Advanced GPS Navigation Control Head.
The i-Pilot, i-Pilot Link, or Advanced GPS Navigation Control Head will emit a beep pattern when the Heading Sensor is successfully paired.
Release the Pair button on the Control Head.
Watch the Heading Sensor to be sure that once it successfully pairs that it starts emitting the LED pattern for normal operation.
After the Heading Sensor is paired with i-Pilot, i-Pilot Link, or Advanced GPS Navigation proceed to Sensor Calibration and Sensor Offset.

NOTICE: If battery power is lost, the Heading Sensor will not lose its Pairing to the i-Pilot or Advanced GPS Navigation System when it is powered down.

Video Walkthrough for Pairing a Heading Sensor with a Trolling Motor

This short video will show you how to pair your Bluetooth-enabled Minn Kota trolling motor with a Heading Sensor. This heading sensor contains a compass that detects your boat's heading and communicates it to your trolling motor to enable the Minn Kota Spot-Lock Jog feature, which lets you move your Spot-Lock location in 5 ft. increments in any direction.

Heading Sensor Calibration and Offset with Wireless Remote

The Heading Sensor must be calibrated once the unit and the motor have been installed on the boat and paired via a Bluetooth connection. Note: If your advanced GPS Navigation Equipped Motor came with a Micro Remote you will use the One-Boat Network App Calibration Instructions below.

Heading Sensor Calibration for Advanced GPS Navigation with the Wireless Remote

Review all safety warnings. Navigate your boat to an area on the water free from obstructions.
Power up the trolling motor according to the instructions provided in the Owner’s Manual. Make sure the Heading Sensor is powered up and paired with the trolling motor.
Turn on the wireless remote for your Advanced GPS Navigation system. Make sure the wireless remote is paired to the trolling motor.
On the wireless remote, press the Menu button.
Use the Speed Down or Speed Up button to find the Motor Settings menu. Use the Steer Right button to select Motor Settings.
In the Motor Settings menu, use the Speed Down or Speed Up button to find Setup/Calibration. Use the Steer Right button to select Setup/Calibration.
In the Setup/Calibration menu, use the Speed Down or Speed Up button to find Calibrate Heading Sensor. Use the Steer Right button to select Calibrate Heading Sensor.
Review all safety warnings. Follow the prompts on the wireless remote. Use the Steer Right button to select Start and begin the process.
Drive the boat in two complete circles. The center of the Dashboard contains a counter that displays the progress.
The progress of the boat around the circular path will display as a percentage completed for each circle while the boat navigates.
Once the two circles are complete, the Dashboard will briefly read “Calibration Successful. Please perform Sensor Offset.”
The Dashboard will then bring up Sensor Offset. Please perform Sensor Offset. Select Start to complete Sensor Offset, or press and hold the Menu button to close and return to the home screen.

Heading Offset for Advanced GPS Navigation Using the Wireless Remote

Turn on the wireless remote for your Advanced GPS Navigation system. Make sure the wireless remote is paired to the trolling motor.
On the wireless remote, press the Menu button.
Use the Speed Down or Speed Up button to find the Motor Settings menu. Use the Steer Right button to select Motor Settings.
In the Motor Settings menu, use the Speed Down or Speed Up button to find Setup/Calibration. Use the Steer Right button to select Setup/Calibration.
In the Setup/Calibration menu, use the Speed Down or Speed Up button to find Offset Heading Sensor. Use the Steer Right button to select Offset Heading Sensor.
Review all safety warnings. Follow the prompts on the wireless remote. Use the Steer Right button to select Start and begin the process.
Use the Steer Right or Steer Left button to point the motor forward and parallel to the keel.
When satisfied with the placement of the trolling motor, use the Speed Down or Speed Up button to scroll to Set. Use the Steer Right button to select Set. The degree of Sensor Offset is displayed at the bottom of the Dashboard.
Press and hold the Menu button to close out Sensor Offset and return to the home screen.

Heading Sensor Calibration for Advanced GPS Navigation Using the One-Boat Network App

From the OBN home screen, tap the Motor menu.
The Motor menu opens the Motor app home screen. Before the Motor app home screen will open, tap Agree on the on-screen prompt.
On the Motor app home screen, locate the Motor Setting button in the upper right-hand corner and tap it.
In the Motor Settings menu, find and tap Setup and Calibration.
In Setup and Calibration, find and tap Calibrate Heading Sensor.
Note: Review all safety warnings. Follow the prompts in the One-Boat Network app. Tap Start to begin the process.
Drive the boat in two complete circles. The center of the app screen contains a counter that shows the progress.
The progress of the boat around the circular path will show as a percentage completed for each circle while the boat navigates. Once the two circles are complete, the app screen will read “Calibration Successful. Please perform Sensor Offset.”

Heading Offset for Advanced GPS Navigation Using the One-Boat Network App

Open the One-Boat Network (OBN) app on the mobile device. Make sure the mobile device is paired with the trolling motor.
From the OBN home screen, tap the Motor menu. The Motor menu opens the Motor app home screen
Before the Motor app home screen will open, tap Agree on the on-screen prompt.
On the Motor app home screen, locate the Motor Setting button in the upper right-hand corner and tap it
In the Motor Settings menu, find and tap Setup and Calibration.
In Setup and Calibration, find and tap Offset Heading Sensor.
Review all safety warnings. Follow the prompts in the One-Boat Network app. If the placement of the trolling motor is pointing forward and parallel to the keel, tap Set. The degree of Heading Sensor Offset shows at the bottom of the app Display.
If the trolling motor needs to be adjusted, locate the Return button on the top-left corner of the app screen. Tap the Return button three times until the Motor app home screen displays.
Use the Steer Right and Steer Left buttons to point the motor forward and parallel to the keel.
When satisfied with the placement of the trolling motor, locate the Motor Setting button in the top-right corner and tap it.
In the Motor Settings menu, find and tap Setup and Calibration.
In Setup and Calibration, find and tap Offset Heading Sensor.
If the placement of the trolling motor is pointing forward and parallel to the keel, tap Set.
The degree of Heading Sensor Offset shows at the bottom of the app Display. Tap Return to close the Heading Sensor Offset and return to the home screen.