Using Autopilot with Bluetooth i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link (2017-2023)

When in AutoPilot, i-Pilot/i-Pilot Link keeps the trolling motor pointed in the direction you want to go. Each time the wind or water current moves the boat off course, AutoPilot senses the change and steers itself back to the original heading. The AutoPilot direction is set every time a steering change is made. To change direction, steer until the Control Head points to the desired course. AutoPilot will pull the bow of the boat around and correct automatically until the boat is moving in the direction you chose.

• AutoPilot Modes
• Legacy AutoPilot
• Advanced AutoPilot
• Set the Default AutoPilot Mode
  • Set the Default with i-Pilot
  • Set the Default with i-Pilot Link
• Engage Legacy AutoPilot or Advanced AutoPilot
  • Engage AutoPilot with i-Pilot
  • Engage AutoPilot with i-Pilot Link
• Disengage Legacy AutoPilot or Advanced AutoPilot
  • Disengage AutoPilot with i-Pilot
  • Disengage AutoPilot with i-Pilot Link
• Resources

AutoPilot Modes

Two different modes of AutoPilot are available, Advanced AutoPilot and Legacy AutoPilot. Both are collectively referred to as AutoPilot. There are distinct differences between the two AutoPilot Modes and how they control your boat. Both Advanced AutoPilot and Legacy AutoPilot are valuable tools the fisherman can use for accurate and precise bait presentation. We highly recommend getting on the water and trying both Advanced AutoPilot and Legacy AutoPilot in various fishing situations and applications. With experimentation and time you will find which AutoPilot Mode works best for you in any given situation.

Legacy AutoPilot

AutoPilot uses an internal compass to provide heading lock. When Legacy AutoPilot is on, it keeps the motor pointed in the same compass direction. If a manual steering correction is made, Legacy 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 a side wind or currents, which can allow side drift.

Advanced AutoPilot

Advanced AutoPilot not only 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 Advanced AutoPilot is turned on, it creates a course that is will follow. When the user steers to a new heading, a new course is created. Advanced 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 Legacy AutoPilot and let the boat move with the wind or current if the motor is not powerful enough to overcome it.

Set the Default AutoPilot Mode

Please note that in order to change the AutoPilot Mode, you will need to use the full i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link Remote. The app or Micro Remote will not provide this functionality.

• Set the Default with i-Pilot

  1. Press the Menu Up and Menu Down buttons until the Options Menu appears at the bottom of the display screen.
     
  2. Press the Left Softkey to select the Options Menu.
     
  3. Press the Menu Up and Menu Down buttons to navigate to the Autopilot Mode menu option.
  4. Press the Ok button to select the AutoPilot Mode menu.
  5. Press the Menu Up and Menu Down buttons to navigate to the AutoPilot Mode desired. Use the Ok button to select it. The circle to the right of the selected AutoPilot Mode will become solid when selected and the corresponding icon will display on the bottom of the display screen wen using AutoPilot.
     
  6. Use the Right Softkey to Close the AutoPilot Mode menu and return to the home screen.
     
  

• Set the Default with i-Pilot Link

  1. Press the Home button.
  2. Scroll through the Content Area using either your finger or the Screen Navigation button to find the Options button.
     
  3. Select the Options button using either your finger or by pressing the Ok button to open the Options Menu.
     
  4. Once in the Options Menu, scroll through to find the AutoPilot Mode option, and select it.
     
  5. The AutoPilot Mode options appear. Select either "Legacy" or "Advanced". The circle to the right of the selected mode will be colored in green when selected.
     
  6. To exit the menu, select either the Back button
     or the Home button.
  

Engage Legacy AutoPilot or Advanced AutoPilot

• Engage AutoPilot with i-Pilot

  1. Press the AutoPilot button on the remote.
     
  2. The Legacy AutoPilot or Advanced AutoPilot icon will display on the screen.
     
  3. To adjust the desired heading, manually steer the motor to the new heading. i-Pilot will automatically lock onto the new heading.
  
  

• Engage AutoPilot with i-Pilot Link

  1. Press the Home button.
  2. Scroll through the Content Area using your finger or the Screen Navigation button to find the Autopilot button.
     
  3. Select the AutoPilot Autopilot button using your finger or by pressing the Ok button.
  4. The AutoPilot Active Band will appear in the Content Area. Either Legacy AutoPilot or Advanced AutoPilot will be engaged depending on the AutoPilot Mode selected.
     
  5. To adjust the desired heading, manually steer the motor to the new heading. i-Pilot will automatically lock onto the new heading.
  
  

Disengage Legacy AutoPilot or Advanced AutoPilot

• Disengage AutoPilot with i-Pilot

  • Press the AutoPilot button on the remote to disengage AutoPilot.
    

• Disengage AutoPilot with i-Pilot Link

  1. When AutoPilot is engaged, scroll through the Content Area using your finger or the Screen Navigation button to find the Autopilot button.
     
  2. Select the AutoPilot button using your finger or by pressing the Ok button. The AutoPilot Active Band will disappear from the Content Area.
  3. AutoPilot can also be disengaged by selecting the AutoPilot Active Band and then selecting the Cancel button.
     
  

Resources

• i-Pilot Product Manual
• i-Pilot Link Owner's Manual