Topic: i pilot link on a 999

[kerryd15]

I believe the link uses the GPS in the head of the trolling motor correct? Is there a way to adjust the speed that the motor uses during spotlock? i was on a small lake with a 15 mph wind. trolling into the wind, caught a fish, spot locked. and fished the area for a few minutes. The trolling motor was swinging sideways, overshooting the spot just terrible. i finally shut it off when it had the cord wrapped around the head shaft 2 complete revolutions, the boat was actually pointed down wind it went off that far!! I have the link hooked to the 999. I am using an external gps puck on the 999 located at the back of the boat by the ducer for more accurate mapping with autochart. could the i pilot be getting any gps data from the 999 or the external puck? Its like it was getting multiple gps info. i have a 16 foot aluminum boat with 2 people fishing, both in the back- behind the steering counsel. It was swinging 10-15 feet off the spot in all directions. I have 7.46 in the 999 and 2.15 in the I link. this is the first time using this setup. just got the 999 and the i link this winter. any help appreciated.

[kerryd15]

Wow, nothing? Maybe my trolling motor is too big.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Sorry kerryd15, I was hoping that someone else with more iPilot Link knowledge would have posted to your questions.

When using the Spot Lock function, the i-Pilot Link is using its own GPS Receiver.  It never really uses the unit’s GPS Receiver for controlling the boat/motor, rather it does use the saved GPS position data (tracks, waypoints, etc.) that may have initially come from the unit’s GPS Receiver.

Make sure that both your 999ci HD Si unit and the i-Pilot Link’s Controller and Remote are running the latest software versions.  There was a software change for this for the i-Pilot Link two software versions ago, so if you are running the current version you should have them as well.  There are some suggestions in the FAQ pages of the i-Pilot Link manuals you should look at.  Other than that I don’t know what to suggest for the overshooting problem.

[rnvinc]

Sorry Kerry ... I don't have a Terrova to offer much info ...

I have read that the spotlock works better with the boat pointed into the wind ... And even re-applying a new spotlock when the boat seems to settle in ...

Rickie

[kerryd15]

Thanks for info. Have a powerdrive with aftermarket link. Hopefully get more experience this weekend.

[bobcoy]

My understanding of waypoint or spotlock is if you set that point with the HB unit, It will use that units gps position and send that position to the ipilot controller to position to that spot. If you hit spotlock on the ipilot remote, the ipilot gps records and positions using its gps numbers. The boat would have to double back to get on your spotlock if the unit is used to set the spot. You also have to understand if you are moving forward and you press spotlock on the remote-by the time the remote transmits to the controller and the controller calculates your position you have overshot your spot and the momentum of the boat has to be slowed and then reversed to go back. The more still you are makes that less violent of a correction and the boat settles down quicker. Like Rickie said a second spotlock when it settles down might help. Bob

[N9Phil]

Spot Lock works great on a calm day.  When there is wind or a lot of chop in the water then it is a challenge to hold your spot.  If I remember right, the GPS is accurate within  + or - 5 feet.   Therefore you can drift 5 to 10  feet before getting off your GPS setting.  I have had times where I am not paying attention and for some reason I lost my GPS signal and I have lost my Spot Lock setting and have to reset.   If I am in a situation where It is windy or have a good chop, I find that if I put an anchor over the side along with the Spot Lock I am able to hold my position pretty well.  I look at it as Spot Lock is a great feature to have available but at the same time it might need a little help in some situations. 

[kerryd15]

Ok, makes sense. I only set the spot lock with the remote. I was trolling at less than 1 mph. For ease of explanation, the wing was out of the north, it held well for first. Few minutes then started swinging east to west. Is there any safety set in so that the motor doesn't steer more than 360 degrees in one direction. Really concerning that the steering motor could start pulling wires. I want to put a transducer on the trolling motor and if it steers too far in one direction it could cut the ducer cord.

[bobcoy]

The motor will unwind before it wraps 3 times when in spot lock. Another tip I can give is make sure your big motor is straight or the boat will keep fighting the Minn Kota. Bob

[born 2 fish]

You should also try to be compleatly stopped when you hit spot lock for the best results.