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Posts: 79
| I want to hear your opinions . I am going to purchase a new trolling motor it is between Terrova #80/US2 or a Maxxum Pro 80/US2. Pros and cons or can I not go wrong with either. I like it for Muskie fishing and for walleye if that matters.
Thanks
Edited by SHEEPHEAD 8/6/2007 7:37 AM
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Wow, that is kinda a tough one. However, seeing that I have run a Maxxum for many years prior to switching to a Motorguide this year, I would have to say the Maxxum hands down. There reliability is hard to beat. The thing about the Terrova is that it's still fresh on the market and it really hasn't been put through it's paces yet, I would like to hear more peoples opinion and there experience before I personally would go out and buy a $1000+motor, but that is me. |
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Posts: 227
Location: Southeast Wisconsin | Depends on what style of motor you want. I never understood why musky anglers liked the cable driven motor with that gigantic pedal, but some people do I guess. I havent heard any bad things about the maxxum, you just have to pick what style you want..
The terrova on the other hand is a dream come true for me. Low pro foot pedal with a 20' cord and optional wireless foot pedal, not to mentuion the co pilot option. I havent had any problems with mine yet, but thats what the 2 year warranty is for..
I havent used a maxxum before, but have used several motors with differnt cable drive systems and hated every one. I know the maxum doesnt have your classic cable drive anymore, but its all the same to me if you cant move the foot pedal around like the terrova/PD.
I say go for the terrova.. |
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Posts: 79
| When I do purchase a 24v is it best to get 2 new batteries or can I use the one I have now and buy just one more the other battery is going on 4 years old? |
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Posts: 86
| I had a MG Tour82 on my used BassCat boat I picked up this spring. Second trip out the power went out(wires shorting in the unit I think) and when it started working againg the pedal came apart(screw on the back cable wheel came out). I had a trip planned for the following weekend and wanted to pick up a Terrova but NOBODY had them in stock. I ended up with a 70lb PowerDrive with Autopilot without the Universal Sonar. I still have the MG and plan on having a shop repair it. My observations are as follows:
1.Powerdrives deployment system is a joke, I know the Terrova is better so this shouldn't be a factor anymore.
2.I miss the instant response of the cable drive.
3.I don't like how far over the bow the MK has to be mounted in comparison to the MG.
4.I like the battery guage on the MK.
5.I thought I'd keep the MG for a backup to the MK but now I may just go the other direction.
6.I wish I had gotten Universal Sonar too. I was in a hurry and went off my memory of it's compatability and quality....wish my memory had been better cause it works.
7.I thought I'd like not being locked into a bow position like with a cable drive pedal....but I found that's where I put my wired pedal so that really doesn't make a difference.
In summary, if I had it to do over I'd go with the Maxxum Pro with US2 but that's just me. Here in KY I've found it difficult to work around the tree stickups with the slow response of the Powerdrive so that plays a large role in my decision.
Ohh, almost forgot, my BassCat has a recessed pedal area at the bow to accept a large cable drive pedal so this helps with the decision. This keeps the top of the pedal at floor level for ergonomic comfort.....and you don't look like Captain Morgan up there on the front of the boat!
Edited by Rolex24 8/5/2007 10:05 AM
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I totally depends on a bunch of things including what type of fishing you do. If you like to fish miles of weeds and are comfortable with a motor that just goes in the direction you want it to go, then the Terrova is great. If on the other hand you like to fish rock piles in the wind and need very accurate control in order to get baits right in the hot spot then Maxxum for sure. I just replaced my Power Drive with a Maxxum for this very reason. I didn't realize how much I missed my old cable drive until I got it installed and used it. |
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Posts: 574
| Rolex24 - 8/5/2007 10:00 AM
1.Powerdrives deployment system is a joke, I know the Terrova is better so this shouldn't be a factor anymore.
Our first day on Mille Lacs a few weeks ago the Terova deployed itself at about 38 mph. Needless to say the indestructible composite shaft was not so indestructible.............Snap.
Other than that, its seems nice.
It does tell you to slide the collar to the head each time while driving, but it didn't seem necessary til then.
I cant stand the maxum pedal, so I'll buy another powerdrive myself |
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Posts: 86
| Jason,
Same thing happened to my brothers powerdrive about two years ago on Reystown in PA. Scarred the crap out of him. Damaged the motor but if I remember correctly MinnKota repaired it for him. Guess it was a common occurence. If I'm running and gunning it's a pain to lock the coller down every time. It would be nice to have a retaining pin that snap locks just above the latch when stowed that way your collar that sets the depth would be constant. Oh well live and learn.
I've got a solid week on the water coming up in Canada. That should give me a chance for a final shakedown and decide if the Motor Guide is going back on. I like the MG pedal but I've never used the Maxxum, what don't you like about it? |
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| I went from PD's to Maxxum's back around 2001 and never had a problem, although I did miss the Auto Pilot from time to time. But I did get tired of standing on the cable-stear pedal, get's a little fatiguing on one's back on long days.
That being said, I purchased a Terrova this spring after seeing on at the MPLS. show. So far so good. I am very pleased with the performance. I love the foot pedal options, the stow-deploy is much more user friendly than the previous PD, models but not as nice as the scissors styly launch of the maxxum. Response on turn time is fast, smooth and fairly quiet. I would buy another one tomorrow if needed, and recommend them to anyone who wants that style of motor.
Now...if they only built the Terrova on a scissors style launch...THEN they would have a something to be proud of.
Nothing written in stone here...just my thoughts based on past 6-7 years experiences with about 5 different motors.
Mark
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Posts: 79
| Thanks for all the opinions. I am going for the Terrova #80/US2. I will have her hooked up for this weekend.
Edited by SHEEPHEAD 8/6/2007 7:49 AM
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| I put a Terrova on my rig in June and really like it. I could do without 90% of the pedal, as I only use the back end of it, but other than that, it is great. As Mark mentioned, the turn response is very good, and the new magnetic switches should last longer than the micro switches in the old pd. The stow and deploy is a dream, and the universal sonar is 'ok'. Ok as in not as good as a regular transducer, but similar to the original universal sonar as on mr. brown, so no major dissapointment. Other than the bulky pedal, the only other thing I don't like are the super bright lights on the pedal and the motor base indicating power, constant on and auto pilot. I had to put some tape over them to keep the bugs away, and to be able to see at night. If you are originally a power drive guy, I think you'd like it. |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | I perfer my Minn Kota 70# 24V bow mount hand steer. I can keep my 21' Stratos Bassboat on any structure in up to 3' waves and be fishing too. I have a foot switch to control the speed between casts and a handle extension. It takes all the beating I can give it. It is a breeze to deploy and stow. I've had it 10 years now. The only reason I would think about getting a new one would be to get the built in transducer because I have snapped 2 off the bottom now.
Edited by Jomusky 8/6/2007 9:13 PM
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Posts: 227
Location: Southeast Wisconsin | LOL at Reefs "light" comment. The first few nights I used it I thought commercial jets were gonna try landing on my boat..The best solution Ive found for that so far is to put a little square of transparent prizm tape over the lights. It still allows you to be able to see the lights comfortably. There a little tough to see during the day, but still visible..
Ditto on the foot pedal..
You definitely wont be dissapointed with this motor though!! |
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| My Terrova has been replaced once so far the new bracket on the front has released and snapped the shaft.
Now I am waiting a repley because the head of the terrova inside the gyro or something has come loose and the auto pilot light comes on and starts blinking.
 Alot of money for such a design. I'll let you know |
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| I have a Terrova 80# Auto Pilot with the US2. I love it. The only problem is the lights on the unit and the footpedal are too bright at night and interfere with focusing on incoming lures at night. They are quite a nuisance. I have resorted to putting black electrical tape over them and putting a pinhole in the tape to see the auto pilot and "on" lights. That has helped alot. The footpedal is quite user friendly, but has a bit of a wide footprint. The Terrova is heads and shoulders above the Maxxum in my opinion. |
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Posts: 61
| A lot of people like to run their boat from the back, which is another reason why the PD/Terrova will always be my motor of choice. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I was over at the Motor Clinic the other day. The tech said there were a few more bugs to be worked out the the Terrova and to wait another year or two if you wanted to decrease your chance of problems.
I own a Maxxum and like it a lot. I still have some things go wrong from time to time, but they're usually minor. Not bad considering the workout it gets.
I also ran a Terrova for a day and I have to say I like it WAY better then the PD. I'm not a fan of the motorised turning, but it's a vast improvement. |
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| How do you guys like using the Terrova footpedal at night? I ran one this weekend and had a heck of a time depressing the on/off button w/out also unintentionally hitting either the left/right button at the same time. Also, I couldn't see which way the head was turned at any given time since there are no lights up there, so couldn't tell if I was on track. At least w/ the old powerdrive unit, you can turn on the A/P feature and a small light will help illuminate the head and help you see which direction the head is turned.
Other than that, pretty good.
BrianF. |
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Posts: 56
| I had a more difficult time at night, too. The biggest problem was it seems the AP/Constant on lights are too bright. Gotta try some tape over or something. |
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Posts: 227
Location: Southeast Wisconsin | Ill say the same thing I did 7 posts ago..Put some transparant prizm tape (1.49 at any sporting goods store) over the lights.It will cut them down by half (at least) and they will still be visible during the day. |
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| Stay far away from the maxxum.
As stated I don't understand how any musky fishermen like them. Having to always have your foot on the peddle...?????? common' thats brutal! ...and don't even get me started on the "cons on" button located ON THE SIDE....Totally out of reach from your foot.
.....ggggggrrrr, and that stupid TIGHT speed knob that when moved, the whole peddle moves...
...anyhow, no maxxum.
Darcy |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The Maxxum is the choice of so many fishermen it's almost a standard out there. It's a matter of personal preference; many feel the Maxxum is EASIER to use than the PD, AP, or new models.
Try one of both styles in a friends boat or at a retailer, then make your decision. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Darcy, if you adjust the tension screw you can take your foot off the peddle. It doesn't hold it course as nice as an AP, but it's been working fine on my boat for many years that way. |
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Posts: 86
| Well, I got a chance to give my PD a workout last week up on the Kawarthas. Windy all week so the AutoPilot got a work out pulling us down the faces of the weed/rice beds. I could control everything will small speed adjustments and a minor direction correction when the gusts pushed us too far in against the weed line.
The AP feature proved it's worth to me on this trip and the thing used so little juice it was amazing. So for now I'm happy keeping the motor guide for a backup and the PD on the boat. Sure wish I had the universal sonar though, the #*^@ transducer cable makes the stow and deploy that much more difficult. |
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| ohhhh....didn't know that!
...wow would that have made a big difference the other day...rented from Smith Camps and couldn't figuer out if we could adjust it or not...almost thrown from the boat twice!
Thanks fo the tip
Darcy |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | A little glow tape on the head can help in determining pending direction as well. Getting used to the pedal was a bit touchy at night, but save for the fact that it is 10 times as big as it needs to be, I like it alot more than my old PD pedals, and alot more than the new PD pedals.
that said, anyone try any of the after market props for the Minn Kotas, touted to give better battery conservation, and overall performance? a bit skeptical as they are aftermarktet, but I've heard sme good things about these 3 blade jobs. |
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| I have used the Terrova well over 100 days this year.
No problems, easiest trolling motor I have ever used.
If you are having problems with it at night or when ever, just learn to use it correctly. You shouldn't have issues with it.
Just like the PD, most people think there is something wrong with the way it deloys, there is nothing wrong, if you have problems with it, you just don't know how to do it correctly. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Guest - 8/28/2007 9:43 AM
Just like the PD, most people think there is something wrong with the way it deloys, there is nothing wrong, if you have problems with it, you just don't know how to do it correctly.
Yeah...I never understood why so many people complain about the way the Powerdrive deploys....I've never had a problem with mine. |
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Posts: 86
| Guest - 8/28/2007 11:43 AM
Just like the PD, most people think there is something wrong with the way it deloys, there is nothing wrong, if you have problems with it, you just don't know how to do it correctly.
I must be an idiot then.....cause the PD deploy system is way more difficult than any other trolling motor out there, including the Terrova, that's what you have right Guest? I think the Terrova system is tolerable but if you want to stow and especially deploy several times in a realatively short time span it gets annoying to have to bend all the way down and use two hands and elbow grease just to launch the thing. The cable drive motors with the handle on the cord are just so much easier it makes me wish I could have my PD and easy stow and deploy. Maybe I should read my directions again....I must have missed something in them! |
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Posts: 5874
| The Terrova stow and deploy is effortless. You have to bend over to get the tether for the Maxxum and others cable drives, do you not? There isn't much more effort rquired than that on a Terrova. And the new PD deploy is pretty easy now, too. The old ones can be retrofitted to the new design.
I love my new Terrova. It took very little to get used to the new pedal. Copilot is a great addition at times. Best trolling motor I've ever used. I won't be without an AP ever again.
Edited by Shep 8/29/2007 9:43 AM
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Posts: 86
| Shep, I agree on the Terrova deployment. And as far as the operation of the PD, I'm very satisfied as I mentioned above. I just know that in my case it's far easier to bend over to grab a release rope and stow/deploy that way than to have to manually press down on the release clamp(new style PD) with the right hand and force the motor/shaft forward to deploy with my left hand. I've even "lubed" up the PD shaft as suggested to make it easier to slide through the power head and while this reduces initial effort it quickly wears off.
I'm not trying to start something here, it's just in my case I'd like to have my cake(PD features) and eat it(cable motor style rope release) too! In fact, I would have a Terrova on my boat if anybody had one in stock when I bought my PD in May, I had to "settle" for a PD because I needed it that week(my motor guide had crapped out on me right before a scheduled trip). To each his own and I wish everybody good luck with the products they choose to sink their hard earned cash into. |
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| If you have to put lube on your power drive you simply don't know how to deploy it right.
The power drives deploy in about 1 second, probably the easiest and quickest trolling motor to deploy. |
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Posts: 86
| Guest - 8/29/2007 12:33 PM
If you have to put lube on your power drive you simply don't know how to deploy it right.
The power drives deploy in about 1 second, probably the easiest and quickest trolling motor to deploy.
Cool, could you explain it to me? |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | I've used cable drive trolling motors for many years, and to me they are by far the best. The instance response and the ability to lift the motor part way out of the water when going in to save your favorite bucktail that you just casted on a rock on the LOTWs is easily done with a Maxxum, and hard to do with any auto steer.
However, to try an stand all day on the high peddle must be hard! I sit on in the front on a "butt seat". Right foot on the Maxxum peddle and left foot on the gunnel.
Very stable and comfortable.
I'm close enough to the water for figure-8's so I don't have to move much with a long rod. I'm comfortable all day long, and I have great boat control and I can see where I'm going when I'm heading around a rocky shoreline.
All part of boat design, size and type.
What I do seems to work with the boats I had.
Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 16
Location: Edwardsville, IL | I have a Terrova (AP/US2/co-pilot) and love it. The co-pilot is a big plus because you can just stow your foot pedal and strap the little controller to you wrist (or rod) and go. Was looking at maxxum's but that pedal is just to big. |
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Posts: 2893
Location: Yahara River Chain | Muskie Treats - 8/24/2007 8:41 AM
Darcy, if you adjust the tension screw you can take your foot off the peddle. It doesn't hold it course as nice as an AP, but it's been working fine on my boat for many years that way.
Hey Treats, where exactly is the tension screw??? I have a buddy that has one and he tells me that there is no tension screw. Every time he take his foot off the pedal, it tips and turn to the side. You always have to have your foot on the pedal. And because of this, my buddy is having hip & back problems. Anybody else having these health issues? |
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Posts: 5874
| I think the tension screw is in the front of the pedal base. |
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Terrova or Maxxum Pro