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Posts: 469
Location: Downers Grove, IL | I can't make up my mind. What would you pick from these two options.
Thanks, thedude |
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Posts: 1270
| It's not a simple desicion that I would trust a poll to. If you do a lot of trolling the power drive is the way to go, but if you are mainly a caster I would go with the Maxxum. The Maxxum offers a MUCH faster turning system than the PowerDrive but the PD offers a much more compact and lower profile when in the stowed position. Currently I have a PD but am seriously thinking of switching to a Maxxum. |
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Posts: 2024
| As Reelman said, it's a difficult decision to base merely on a poll. The Maxxum has the cable drive steering, whereas the powerdrive does not. As stated this offers almost instantaneous turning ability, and fast turning to boot. But the Powerdrive allows you steer from the back of the boat, you lose the fast turning ability, but the foot pedal is well designed. The Maxxum's foot pedal is extremely bulky and hard to manipulate, but if you only plan on fishing from the front and want maximum turning ability I'd say go with the Maxxum.
I voted for the PD simply because it's served us well and the foot pedal is easy to move around the front of the boat and provides a solid platform for my foot when not using the pedal. Just my .02 cents. |
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | I have a Maxxum 74 and I am not sure if they have changed designs on em in the last few years but the deployment of a maxxum vs. a powerdrive is enough for me to give the edge to the maxxum. There are many other differences between the two the biggest being a cable system vs electric steer, your foot is going to be on the maxxum pedal a heck of a lot more than on the pd, the cable length on the pd is nice compared to the short leash you get with a maxxum, whatever you do Dude get a long shaft depending on your boat. I like my maxxum, you should have seen me peg legging it out on Big Lake in the 2 footers on saturday, by the way bro, plunk down some ching and get some optimas for your power, you will not be disappointed!! |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I just found out I have to replace my universal sonar. If you are considering the univeral sonar, be warned, the part not including labor is $120.00!!! You have to replace the entire nosecone assembly. You cannot replace just the transducer because it is pressure sealed into the nosecone at the factory to ensure water tight. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Muskydr really summed things up good with his post. But I will say, after using the Motorguide PTS on the tournament trail, that trolling motor is AWESOME! But I think you need to wait a few years so that all the kinks can be worked out of that motor. But this PTS is one heck of a trolling motor! But just give it another year or two or make sure you check on the warranty if you decide on the PTS. I would highly suggest you look at it, but the maxxum is hands down indestructable! |
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| i'd like to add i have a powerdrive unit and have replaced the control board each of the last 2 years ($136.00) other than that it works great. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Go with the 80 pound Power Drive, the long cable is perfect and lets you move around the boat very easily.
One thing I would suggest, do not get the universal sonar. Use the transducer that goes with the unit and use that one. |
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Posts: 1430
Location: Eastern Ontario | I went with the power drive as it's a no brainer for me. It has the auto pilot and I would rather spend my time fishing rather then drivng. I've also been using the co-pilot for the last couple of years and it allows you to get rid of the foot pedal and use a finger while casting to do the minor changes needed when using the auto pilot. |
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Location: WI | I am also another one using the powerdrivebut only because of the co pilot, having to fish out of the back of the boat most of the time the Maxxum isnt really a good option for me. I too ditched the foot pedal after replacing it several times in favor of the co pilot, but it is nice being able to bring the foot pedal to the back. If I fished the front the majority of the time I would opt for the maxxum. Thinking of switching to a pinpoint though for next year, but thats for another thread. |
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Posts: 273
| Currently I run a powerdrive and am not completely satisfied with it. I fish mainly rivers and cannot manuver like I could with a cable drive. If you are fishing lakes more so than rivers go with a powerdrive. For swift rivers cables are much better IMO.
Make sure you get enough power for the size of your boat. I have a 1750 fishhawk with 55pd motor and I don't think it is enough when mother nature gets tough.
The next trolling motor I get I am definetly going to look into the motorguides. I want enough power to pull somebody on a tube behind the boat. 
Jeff Hopkins |
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Posts: 284
Location: Fishing the weeds | I've got a Maxxum Pro 101lb. Have had it two years with absolutely no problems. I was warned not to get the internal sonar model before I bought it so, that's nothing new the've been having problems with that for a while. As far as power it moves my Lund 1900 Pro V and leaves a wake. Great on real windy days. Pat |
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Posts: 469
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Can you set the maxxum on one speed and take your foot off the pedal? I've heard that it spins out and I've heard that you can set it so it doesn't. Which one is true?
thedude |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Dude,
You can set a certain speed but you have to hold the pedal in place. And yes the head will spin out if you dont. It usually spins backwards and in turn pushes you backward. |
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Posts: 454
| I love the Maxxum Pro |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | thedude - 5/22/2006 5:34 PM
Can you set the maxxum on one speed and take your foot off the pedal? I've heard that it spins out and I've heard that you can set it so it doesn't. Which one is true?
thedude
There's a screw that can be tightened so it doesn't do this. I tightened this screw after one day on the water because it was a pain. 4+ years of use with my Maxxum and it never spins out of control. I can set it to go in one direction and take my foot off the pedal for as long as I want. It won't turn by itself.
After having used a Power Drive for about 10 years and now a Maxxum for the past 4 years, I'll never own another Power Drive. Boat control is so much better with the cable driven system. But if you need to control the boat anywhere other than the front of the boat, I can understand getting the Power Drive.
Aaron |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I've fished both, and prefer the Powerdrive for a couple reasons. I like the low profile pedal, and the steering system.
Both styles have plusses and minuses, and both can, of course, have troubles, that's why Minn Kota has their excellent warranty.
This year I switched to MotorGuide. I'm very happy so far with the wireless remote, but am still adjusting to the foot pedal. VERY fast reaction time, with a bit of a problem with the foot pedal switches being very close together, it's going to take awhile for me to develop the 'feel' for the pedal so I don't have to look at it at all. |
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Posts: 284
Location: Fishing the weeds | Sworrall,
I had one of the wireless controllers for a Motorguide in the late 90's. The thing had a mind of it's own. You would be going along and suddenly it would start going in circles. About threw me out of the boat a few times. I hope you have better luck. Pat |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | This isn't the same system, not even close. This is new technology, and so far so good! There's been some pretty impressive innovations in the wireless world since the late 90's. |
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Posts: 2378
| AWH - 5/22/2006 8:01 PM
thedude - 5/22/2006 5:34 PM
Can you set the maxxum on one speed and take your foot off the pedal? I've heard that it spins out and I've heard that you can set it so it doesn't. Which one is true?
thedude
There's a screw that can be tightened so it doesn't do this. I tightened this screw after one day on the water because it was a pain. 4+ years of use with my Maxxum and it never spins out of control. I can set it to go in one direction and take my foot off the pedal for as long as I want. It won't turn by itself.
After having used a Power Drive for about 10 years and now a Maxxum for the past 4 years, I'll never own another Power Drive. Boat control is so much better with the cable driven system. But if you need to control the boat anywhere other than the front of the boat, I can understand getting the Power Drive.
Aaron
OK, where is this screw? Love my Maxxum, but that head spin thing drives me crazy. Now you tell me I can fix it? Where is that screw? |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | Luke,
I'd have to look at my pedal to be positive, as it's been 4 years since I tightened mine. But I believe if you turn your pedal upside down you should see the screw. If not, let me know and I'll take a look at mine. It's an easy fix.
Aaron |
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| I would second that Motor guide wireless Steve, i love it!! That digital system rules and it reacts rather quickly. Also the cradle lock mount stow and deploy is hands down a better system than trying to strongarm that Minn Kota out of the mount. I attached a ram mount to the shaft also and bolted it to the deck to keep it from bouncing around in the big stuff.
If i was going to go back to Minn Kota after a ten year absence i would have to go to the Maxxum because the power drive pedal does not impress me with the fact that you are replacing it or pulling it apart constantly to clean the contacts.
Both manufacturers make a solid unit , but i have had no reason to switch back over from motorguide.
Dan Burrow |
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Posts: 2089
| Maxxum.Have been using the Maxxum since '98 and haven't had one problem/issue.Instant response and a VERY heavy duty/durable mount.Last year I went to an 80lb.Pro and I love it.The stow/deploy is really nice and as I'm bouncing around in 3'ers on Mille Lacs(running), the head doesn't move at all.Solid and tight.Tomato or tomaaato? Steve |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | deployment and pedal frustrations are two reasons i fish maxxum. oh, and the fact that defective pedals almost cost me a boat a few times ... i won't rant ... have done enough of that. just don't understand why customers love something that has the reliability problems it does and then have to pay for the mistakes made by the company. yeah, i went right back to minn-kota to buy a maxxum after i chopped up the autopilot with a hack saw ...
i'd love to meet a rep. from minn-kota and try to get an honest opinion from them about why they've let all this crap out of their building without taking care of their customers the right way. .... they need competition bad!
just an honest question ... ok, a "loaded" question ... are they owned by Merc? |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sled,
Geeeze, man, you know the no-bashing rules here, come on. No, actually MotorGuide is owned by Brunswick and operates with both Mercury Marine and MotorGuide addresses. Minn Kota is independant of the rest of the marine industry.
As with most products, some folks have troubles, some do not. I have run the Powerdrive and Auto Pilots since they were introduced, without a single issue other than a lightning strike taking out my electric and all the boat electrical in Grand Rapids, MN a few years back. All in all, I liked my Minn Kota motors, and switched only because of my releationship with Mercury. I have never had to replace a single foot pedal, and used the Minn Kotas when I was guiding over 80 days a summer. |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Maxum 74lbs Hand Control Bow Mount is what I have.... very nice, no pedal issues to be concerned with... has the 3x steering so very easy to use... As mentioned above by someone else, dont get the universal sonar, your transducer that come with your depthfinder is a superior unit to the US transducer on the minn kota.... afterall, it was made specifically for your depthfinder unlike the minn kota US one...... |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | my bad ... it may never happen again ... LOL
why is it that motorguide is so strong in the south and seemingly not in the market up here?
when i fished the southern section of the country motorguide was an obviously dominant player in the BASS market |
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Posts: 469
Location: Downers Grove, IL | For those of you who DONT use the Universal Sonar what is the best way to attach and run the transponder cord? I know they make clamps for the transponder itself but what is the best way to run the cords so they dont get in the way? My current Powerdrive has the cord running up the shaft but it's a pain in the A$$ dealing with the slack line. I also have seen a transponder cord chopped in half from the prop. Pictures would be helpful!
thedude |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | I run my cord up the shaft. Just use zip ties wherever needed to eliminate any loose cord.
Aaron
Edited by AWH 5/23/2006 11:20 AM
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Ty Wraps is how I attach the the cord to the shaft.... |
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