MinKota V2 Powerdrive 70# Thrust 24 volt

[jdstraka]

Here is my question.
Last fall I replaced the auto pilot 40# thrust on my lund with the MimKota V2 Powerdrive #70 as it finally shot craps so I took it into an authorized minKota repair shop and spent 209.00 dollars getting it repaired and only used it once then it gave up the Ghost for good and the repair shop said Bend over cause they only put a 60 day warranty on repairs,Sorta like a taillight Warranty deal as soon as they can't see the taillights on your car after you turn the corner the warranty is POOF,LOL

I miss the auto pilot and I was told that I could switch it to auto pilot if I wanted to and lose the foot control at a later date and it was an easy fix. Well I checked at Basser Pro and they have the kit and seems simple enough to me but the Kit costs $399.00 dollars,Sorta steep I'm thinking but I gave up the smokes 16 days ago and that saves me right at $250.00 a month so I'm thinking might as well reward myself after puffin on them suckers now for 50 years.
I'd like some imput on whether you think the Extra $399.00 dollars is worth the Bang for the buck ?? I plan on doing some Power Drifting this year for catfish instead of just letting the wind decide which way I should go,and sometimes there is little or no wind on the lakes as we all know.
Now one last Question I will be replacing all 3 batteries on the boat this spring as them baby's are 5 years old and getting week and don't hold a charge very good any more. What brand of batteries do you folks recommend that have held up good for you? I have in the past just used Deep Cycle Wally World Batteries,Thank You and looking forward to your guidance and sugestions.
J.D.

[puddle jumper]

I miss the auto pilot and I was told that I could switch it to auto pilot if I wanted to and lose the foot control at a later date and it was an easy fix. J.D.

???
Hey John, Are you refering to the I Pilot??? If you are the I pilot is awsome... well worth the extra,, I just purchaced a I pilot power drive and love it, its the best money I have spent on my boat,,, as for the foot pedal, you can NOT get a foot pedal with the I Pilot on the Power Drive the "Trevola yes" only exception I know of this is a individual who is making a conversion out of his house...however only used mine a few times but i dont ever see me needing a foot pedal again,,, the hand control is awsome...
PJ

[keepitsimple]

You got 5 yrs out of a wally world battery? I'm lucky if I get 3. I'm at a cross roads of whether to put much money in my boat, to the point of almost that time for the new boat plunge. I'm going the auto pilot route and not the I pilot with optima batteries, have heard no complaints on either

[Mac-b]

JD, I use the AGM batteries and as you know, I'm on the water at least 200 days a year and use the trolling motor every time. So, I'm putting 800 hours of use on my batteries each year. Normally I got two years with the wet cell batteries, if I was lucky. Now, with the AGM ones, I'm on my third year plus and they are still working the way they were intended.

As for the auto-pilot kit, I would go with it, but I would also have the co-pilot controls.

[BigBird]

i love my ipilot and dont need any foot control. it depends if you want to put more money into your motor or invest in a new one. i have a 55lb and i got mine on sale for $230 off. i lucked up on the right weekend they were on sale so jumped on it with both feet.
you will like the ipilot either way but admittedly i use the autopilot on my ipilot when drifting so it wont take me backwards in the wind to be correct to the exact tract.
MK just released the new and improved version with the white buttons so make sure when you purchase that you dont get the old model.

[Kat Scratch Fever]

I am also fixing to take the i-pilot plunge,looking into getting the power drive v2, 70#, 24v , 60in shaft for my Tracker Targa 18...Just hope it will be enough thrust for that big boat on the ohio river,it can get windy & cappin at times!! I'm also lookin into AGM batteries fir it...Lighter weight? Last longer then Wet cell? ect.

[catfish_hunter01]

JD go to action batteries or your GM dealer get an AC Delco or else go get an Interstate. I got an interstatte from that store next to Nebr Furniture and it did great.

[BajaCoop]

I have been running energizer batteries from sams club for a year and they seem to be working well. From what i read they are re-branded interstates.

[Phil Washburn]

J.D.,the best always cost more. go ahead upgrade your troller. interstate batteries are best.

[brian88b]

Anybody running blue tops ??? Do they really last alot longer ??? The prices are ridiculous, they outta come with a blonde, ipilot, and side imaging for what they cost, lol.

Also is anyone using onboard chargers, mine has maintinance mode supposed to prolong the life of your batteries too, opinions ?? Only had mine since last april