|
|
Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | Getting a new bowmount put on this winter. Cable steer or electric steer?
thanks,
Jason |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | There's good and bad things about each of them.
Powerdrive
Good: Tracks straight when your foot is off the peddle. The auto pilot feature is also very nice, especially when you're releasing fish in the wind.
Bad: The foot peddles are notoriuos for going bad. A 2nd peddle is needed if you buy this motor and don't want to lose fishing time. It is also less efficient since it takes power everytime you turn the motor. I also don't like the deployment system. Powerdrive motors are by definition slow to turn. I also find the foot peddle weird. I'm sure you get used to it, but after using cable drives my whole life, I find it hard to use, especially with boots.
Maxxum
Good: It's as bullitproof a TM as you can buy. It's very efficent and very rugged. The deployment system is good. Cable drive motors are by definition faster to turn.
Bad: You can't take your foot off the peddle with the power on w/o it turning. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | A couple of other things:
The powerdrive system had an 18' cord (and wireless co-pilot feature as an option); this allows control of the TM from virtually any place on the boat. Yes, they are more maintenance intensive as a rule - especially when coupled w/ the autopilot feature(awesome system when it's working). The foot pedal is much lower in profile and doesn't need to be attended 100% of the time; that translates into less lower back pain for me.
Cable drives do not require visual verification of your direction; soon your foot will develop a 'feel' for your direction w/o you ever having to look at the motor. PD systems require you to visually double check the direction from time to time. It's all a matter of personal preferance and tailor it to the type of fishing you do the most of.
Maxxums aren't 100% bullet-proof (right Baldy?)
Sorno
Edited by sorenson 11/11/2005 10:55 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 621
Location: Seymour, WI | Switching from cable drive to Powerdrive was the best change I've made to my boat.
Being able to take your foot foot off the pedal and not having to worry about the boat making a 90 swing is so nice. Not having your foot tied to a peddle while you are trying to get a hookset, figure 8 or whatever is a big plus.
Grass, |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | if you go powerdrive .... you basically have to plan for failure and hope it happens when you haven't invested a ton of money on a trip or when you are upwind of a rock reef and the pedal fails. i can't imagine buying a product and having to be a mechanic and have extra parts just to be happy with it. also ... the side to side steering makes you learn a dance that's hard to do in the wind.
the front and back training your foot goes through is satisfied with the motorguide product ... not sure what the failure rate on pedals is for them.
i run a maxxum and yes you work your foot .... it does have a continuous obviously and in many conditions isn't much different than running the others ... the key is when you are getting piss pounded by wind and waves and your investment in the boat is in a tricky spot, you're not wondering or worrying about your tm failing ... you're fishing.
i am considering the motorguide auto motor .... but would never put another $$ toward the powerdrive junk. i'm amazed that company has gotten away with the failure rate on those products and just continues to fix or sell extra pedals to guys who still try hard to say it's a great product without choking on a bad experience.
the last funny sales pitch i got was at Herbie's about how they are the only way and the client has to be in front and yadayadayada .... well during a 5 day trip .... 3 controllers gone bad and equated to half the trip fishing under broken trolling motor situations ... still had a great time, but you can't tell me they work with reliability .... too many "real" experiences with them.
jon |
|
| |
Maxxum or Powerdrive?