Found My Christmas Present - I'm going to have to be REALLY good.

[Walleyedude]

Amazing technology for the Lowrance guys. I want one badly!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gA9BANwoAI

[Rick.]

Wow. That would be really nice. Any idea what the cost might be?

[JohninAB]

Nice. Scared to even think how much this may cost.

[Walleyedude]

Looks like $999 USD, so around $1150 or so probably.

Here's a better link.

http://www.lowrance.com/en-CA/Products/Auto-Steering/

[cube]

I wonder how many amps it draws? The link says 16 amps max but I wonder how much it will draw on average.

With our crowded lakes here it might not be a good thing. A bunch of boats with no pilots watching certainly might be entertaining here in Alberta.

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by cube

I wonder how many amps it draws? The link says 16 amps max but I wonder how much it will draw on average.

With our crowded lakes here it might not be a good thing. A bunch of boats with no pilots watching certainly might be entertaining here in Alberta.

The main outboard or a kicker will be running, so it will draw off the alternator and shouldn't drain the battery, but it is something to consider.

I had that though too. It obviously is no substitute for paying attention and proper operating procedures, but it should be a pretty amazing tool for trolling.

[Sled Dog]

Pretty cool technology. Nice to be able to auto track in water too big for the electric trolling motor. Every year there's something new to make life easier - maybe too easy. The fish need a sporting chance.

[The Reel Deal]

Wicked! Need humminbird to make one now lol.
So handy if you're downrigging in windy conditions with several lines out. this way I can fight a fish and stay on course for everyone else in the boat, since no one ever steps up to take the wheel for me.
The zig zag feature is huge too.

[pikester]

Just wait another year or 2 when I predict they incorporate voice activation control into that platform. That should be the next obvious advancement in technology since it's almost to the point where a guy spends as much time learning how to use this equipment, scrolling through screens, & punching buttons now as he does fishing!

[EZM]

Really cool ...... I have been using my minnkota unit in conjuction with my gas motor to accomplish the same.

Use the gas motor (running and in gear trimmed down all the way with the steering wheel dead straight). Run the i-pilot link ( which basically steers the boat from the front).

Works very well actually.

I saw this idea on Walleye Central and thought I'd give it a try - it works pretty slick and maintains reasonable accuracy ( not quite as good as electric alone, but not far off ).

This product will be pretty cool - with no need to even run the electric motor at all.

[The Reel Deal]

Originally Posted by EZM

Really cool ...... I have been using my minnkota unit in conjuction with my gas motor to accomplish the same.

Use the gas motor (running and in gear trimmed down all the way with the steering wheel dead straight). Run the i-pilot link ( which basically steers the boat from the front).

Works very well actually.

I saw this idea on Walleye Central and thought I'd give it a try - it works pretty slick and maintains reasonable accuracy ( not quite as good as electric alone, but not far off ).

This product will be pretty cool - with no need to even run the electric motor at all.

That's a neat idea!