Topic: I pilot trolling motor link to 998

[WI Bad Bass]

I found a 80/US2/iPilot for $900, can I just buy a head unit for the bow, and still use the 998 at the wheel to link to?

[Humminbird_Greg]

Is that an i-Pilot Link model trolling motor or just an i-Pilot?

How are you wanting to link the 998 unit and the trolling motor?  Would this be to use the US2 sonar only or is this for the i-Pilot Link connection?

Are you wanting to use the US2 sonar with this new bow unit or will it use its own transducer?

[WI Bad Bass]

1. Yes it is a Link model

2. The US2 would be used with a bow mount finder, then linked to the 998 so that I can stay on depth, use way points, tell the motor to go to places and anchor. I am seeing there is a switch to go between the two, hope this is real.

3. The 998 will be at the wheel, I think I have to have an HD model to use the US2 in trolling motor.

To the best of my knowledge, when I set a way point I can start at the first one and tell the i pilot to go to the next one.  Then I can control the speed in between them.  I think using the TRACK mode I can also log tracks into the finder that can be set when I go back each time.  I am hoping this is how it works, as I will pre fish and set points and tracks then come back and fish with more time not running the boat.  Thanks

[Humminbird_Greg]

WI Bad Bass,

2. There is a switch.  You will need the Ethernet Switch (AS-ETH-5PS) to be able to connect both units to the i-Pilot Link.  Your 998 will need a connection cable (AS-EC-XXE, where the XX is the cable length) as will your bow mount unit (and possibly an AS-EC-QDE Adapter Cable).

3. Any 998 unit model will be able to use the US2 if you set it to.

You can use the i-Pilot Link to navigate from waypoint to waypoint controlling the speed in between them.  Tracks can also be saved in the i-Pilot Link or in the unit.  Pre fish and mark waypoints and make tracks and you will be able to follow these come tourney day.

So for your bow unit I am guessing that you want to use the US2 sonar only. That puts you in a less expensive 2D sonar only model unit, but it has to be able to be Ethernet connected to the 998 unit.  So for this year that means either the 859c HD Combo, 959c HD Combo or 1159c Combo models.

[WI Bad Bass]

Great help, thanks.  Next thing would be, do you think I can get away with just using the 998?  Or would a second unit for the us2 be best?

[WI Bad Bass]

Ok, lets say I have $2500 to spend.  I feel like I want the i-pilot, but may not need link. I can get a 80# with link for cost, the guy is not making anything, but I take him out all the time.  Then I see I can get the 895C for $600 free shipping off Amazon. If I get the 895 it has everything to use in the water.  With all the cables and other things, I will be over the money I want to spend.  My question is, do I get the i-pilot with out link, and hold off on the 895 for the front. I can use the 998 with both the SI off back and DI off trolling motor.   I have never even seen the SI or DI on the water on these newer finders or been in a boat with i-pilot.  I know going big is not always best, but I am afraid I will want the link and it will cost $700 to upgrade.  I fish a few tournaments, would like to fish more.  I just am unsure of what to spend the money on.  Already spent $1300 on the 998. Thoughts would be good, thanks.

[Bob B]

I personally would go for the link.  There is more functionality and the I-pilot software can be updated through the link.

I bought a terrova with the I-pilot before the link came out and now I would like to have the link.....will have to try to sell the I-Pilot and buy the link if I decide to go for it.

Are you talking about the 859?  I don't know what the 895 is.

The MSRP for the 859ci HD is $599 and you can do better with some of the online dealers.

[Humminbird_Greg]

I would go with the i-Pilot Link first as well.  You can use it with the 998 unit now and add a bow unit later.

[WI Bad Bass]

OK now I am confused. I just spoke with Minn Kota and Humminbird to see if I have to buy everything or if I can just get a head unit for the link US2.  She said that I can not get DI units as they will not work.  So why get the US2, don't I want to use DI? What is the difference of the US2 and DI.  I guess I could not us the US2 and just put the transducer on the trolling motor.  I am going to do more research, but I think I am getting a head of myself.  I have the 998 with SI that will be at the wheel, I am buying the terrova 80 with link and US2.  So what is better, the US2 with the 859ci or the 859ci HD DI?  I just want to fish.  We have a blizzard coming for tomorrow. 

[rnvinc]

The US2 is 83kHz/200kHz 2d only...(there are no DI or SI piezoes in the US2 xducer)...

If you want DI on the TM...you must install a DI xducer on the foot of the TM...

Rickie

[castle rock clown]

Here is my thought on setup for where it sounds like your going with some modification. Mount 998 at wheel on a large ram ball mount so that you can either swivel the screen towards you either while at the wheel it swing it around for viewing at the bow. Now connect bother transducers with appropriate accessory cable and switch transducer either on the head or if also necessary a transducer switch. I just got off the water and while moving lovethe digital side and down imaging, but while stationary I get better results using 2D  sonar. I have to admit I am new to side imaging, but love to compare 2D and digital to mark fish. I lean on the digital imaging for bottom and structure  id. Just a thought, you can always add at a later time once you fun& out exactly what you want.

[ImbUz]

I have gone through much of the above .
here is what I ended up doing, I had a 788c (non HD) and thought I could link it with my newer 998c SI when I upgraded my old iPilot to the new iPilot link..
Wrong My 788 is not HD.
No matter I am now using the us2 with my 788 on the bow and 998 at the wheel ,It seems to make more sense (and save money)
to cruise slowly finding and marking waypoints with SI, and then going back and fishing them.
2d is fine on the bow, and go/to and spot lock work great for fishing
Regards Buz

[WI Bad Bass]

I am leaning towards waiting for the front finder.  Learn how to the 998 SI and then move forward. Thanks