I have to turn on my xi5 first, wait for the GPS light to come on, then turn on my NEMA network, wait a few seconds for that to power up, then power up my Lowrance Ti-9. If I do this in that order then I have no issues with the integration with the Lowrance Ti-9 fish finder and I can control the xi5 from my fish finder. If I do this in that order then it shows up or connects to my Lowrance unit. The Lowrance Ti-9 also displays what the xi5 is doing, its set speed, or cruise control speed, and the mode it is in. I can also do everything the remote can do on the Lowrance display. I can also make custom routes on my fish finder and have the xi5 follow that route, all from the integration with the Lowrance Ti-9 fish finder. If you can get your xi5 to reliably and predictably connect to your Simrad fish finder then I think you will quickly forget that the remote doesn’t have an LCD display that conveys what its doing and then you will like the simplicity of that remote. My Xi5 has on occasion done some wacky things however, which I believe happens when its cloudy out and you are more likely to lose your GPS signal. If the GPS signal is lost or weak then it can have a mind of its own. Make sure your wiring from your batteries to your trolling motor is 4 gauge and the connections are all solid, especially with salt water use. I have had my Motorguide xi5 since spring of 2019 and it has been very reliable for me. I also paid about $1700 for it back then so it is a good budget trolling motor considering that. If it was one of those $3600 trolling motors then I might have a different opinion but it is quite affordable in comparison. I also store my xi5 indoors so its never left out in the weather, and I use a quick release mount, which was one of the best investments I made for removing the Xi5 quickly. I use my xi5 almost every weekend from April through September for 4 years now and its still going strong. Recently I purchased 2 Lowrance HDS live units on sale at Cabelas, and 3 Dakota 60 AH Lithium batteries. I fish the Saco River in Maine which can be demanding on a trolling motor, and my Motorguide Xi5 has no problem holding my 1400 lb 17-foot bass boat in position for hours there. All in all my Xi5 has been good to me. It has some quirks and setting it up isn’t all that intuitive at first but once you master those quirks it obeys your every command.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

That was a very in depth explanation. Thank you very much! I will definitely use this as a guide my next trip out. I have pretty much worked out all the issues I have had with it except the integration with my Simrad unit. If thus works I will be very happy. Again thank you so much for taking the time to post all that great information. Tight lines 🤙 🎣

Thanks for the review, I'm currently shopping to upgrade, very helpful.

Great review. I'm thinking about buying a Carolina Skiff (same as yours) and will probably go with Minn Kota. I like the sea deck you installed. I live in Myrtle Beach and plan to fish the Waccamaw River and ocean inshore. I've been looking at all your videos and they have been very helpful!! Thanks

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Doug, Thank you very much. I am glad you are finding my videos beneficial. I really appreciate the feedback. I have more have more reviews on the way such as no drill rod holders, simrad bottom machine, trim tabs, troll control on the 90 hp Suzuki an open water test and more.

Excellent video, brilliantly spoken and honest and clear. We would love to see the 6month / 12 month follow up review.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

Hi Joanna, Thank you. I plan to upload follow up videos to the MotorGuide as well as the Carolina skiff, SeaDek and Seasucker products. I apologize that haven't dropped sooner. You can look forward to seeing them soon. Thank you for watching. Tight lines 🤙 🎣

Thanks for the insight. Considering MinnKota vs. Motorguide. Leaning toward an 80lb. thrust 24v saltwater MinnKota for integration with Humminbird fishfinders/chartplotters and reliability...

I had integration problems with my XI5 and autopilot feature on my Lowrance until I figured out the nmea network has to be powered up last, after your machine and XI5. Installing an inline toggle switch to the hot wire of the nmea power source did the trick . You can also run the network power to you console switch if you have one that can be dedicated to the network power. Before you go through this extra step, you can test the solution first by pulling the inline fuse from your network power source, power up your simrad, then motorguide , then network by re-installing the fuse. This should do the trick, if so, install the toggle switch as a permanent fix.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

Great information! 👍 I will definitely give that a shot. Thank you very much. Tight lines 🤙 🎣

Thanks for the video. I also have a MotorGuide Xi5 that I have had for more than five years. Since I am on the water 3 to 5 days a week, I thought I might look at a few video reviews as I think about the inevitable. Over the years, I have had both Minn Kota and MotorGuide motors and have had only minor problems out of each brand. After seeing your video, and one other, I think that I might stick with MotorGuide. It has a few quirks (It loses its anchor point about twice a month and goes crazy trying to find it again. It also drifts from its anchored position a bit more than I like.) but I really like the small, simple and intuitive remote.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

I just may have gotten a temperamental one...lol. When it works it is great! I just seem to have issues with this particular one more frequently than I did with my old Minn Kota.

@dcbz6596

Жыл бұрын

@@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing Now that several months have passed, what is your updated opinion of the MotorGuide Xi5? My trolling motor's GPS module is developing a mind of its own and I will soon have to either repair or replace it. If you were buying another trolling motor today, would you buy another MotorGuide or return to Minn Kota? Thanks in advance for your consideration of my questions.

Thanks for the great review. I am in the position of purchasing a trolling motor and so far Minn Kota doesn't have the unit I need in stock with all the parts (Heading Puck). I will just wait for them to build more units (Riptide Terrova 80lb 24v). PS. I have an Sea Hunt Triton 186. Jeff

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jeff, I am glad my review was helpful. I have had my MotorGuide almost 6 months now. I am going to drop a 6 month ownership review in the next couple weeks. Tight lines 🤙 🎣

I appreciate this video very much and I think you did an excellent job, especially since it's not something you do often. Your speech was clear, you didn't have terrible background noise, and you hit the key points that anyone in the market wants to hear. I'm currently choosing between these two manufacturers but there's a $1000 difference so the MotorGuide Xi5 is looking very plausible for my situation. My biggest deciding factor is that the MotorGuide might not work with my Lowrance. If I could be sure it works, Motorguide would be the obvious choice but if it doesn't work, then I might go with the Minn Kota...... So I have a HUGE question - did you try any of the suggested fixes for your integration problem and did any of them solve the problem?

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

Hi Edward, Thank you for your comment. I have worked out most of my issues with the MotorGuide. I still can not get it to reliability interface with my Simrad unit. It really doesn't hinder me much as it's a 16' boat and I have the remote but I did pay for that feature so it is still a negative. I still prefer the Minn Kota remote. You do a lot of guessing with the MotorGuide as there is no display to show what speed your motor is currently running. That being said, it holds a lock better than the Minn Kota. I fish the St Augustine Jetties. We have big tide swings here and I have never had the motor over powered by the tide. Knock on wood I have yet to have my batteries die. Currently running a 24V system. There is also an ongoing issue with one of the locking pins losing its fastener with makes it a major pain to deploy and retrieve when it comes off. I am going to solve that by having the pin machined so the fastener will settle into a Groove and not pop off while underway. If money was the same I would probably lean towards the Minn Kota still, however with a $1000 difference in price its a no brainer for me. I would go with the MotorGuide. The "perfect " motor would be a MotorGuide with the Minn Kota remote and interfaces with my Simrad like it is supposed to. All my opinions and sorry for rambling on. If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to hit me up. Tight lines 🤙 🎣

@edwardkurek6393

Жыл бұрын

@@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing - thanks for the reply - I'm not sure I understand if it works a little or not at all with your Simrad - can you elaborate?

Very interesting review. It helps a lot for this important choice. Looking foreword for the 6 and 12 months review. All the best!

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Emanuele, Thank you for watching and commenting. When the MotorGuide holds its GPS signal it holds solid. The problem at least so far, is that it drops signal far too much. I have another video. "Brutal Conditions St Augustine Inlet". In that video you will see what I am talking about. Tight lines 👍

@emanuelestrano5024

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Well... dropping the signal is quite a problem. I heard that many electrical problems of MotorGuide come from unsized power supply wiring. But I have no direct experience so far. I think that, after summarizing all suggestions, I will go for Minn Kota. Thanks again for your videos! Enjoy my friend!

Can you share a little more information on shaft length and positioning of the trolling motor to minimize interference with the hatches? Also have you considered relocating your trolling motor batteries? I was thinking about putting mine in the right front hatch to help offset imbalanced weight of the gas tank. My 178JLS leans left (no trim tabs). Lastly, thanks for the videos. Your reviews helped me with my purchase.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

6 ай бұрын

I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I have been on the road with work. When I get back home I will get that shaft length for you. Tight lines 🤙 🎣

Very good review. The price difference is about $700 or more if you get a MK vs MG. But everyone says the MG goes whacky. Pretty much every review says that. So I guess I’m going to spend more and get MK. Yes, the intro way too long. You’ve probably corrected that by now with later videos

here in Australia an 80lb motorguide is $1500AUS cheaper than 80lb minn kota. which on would you choose?

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

$1500 is a really big difference in price. In my opinion the Minn Kota wins out over the MotorGuide but not by $1500. I have managed to work with the "short comings" of the MotorGuide so far. When I wear this one out I will switch to Minn Kota but not if it's $1500 more. It isn't that much better.

Great video, but I wonder if the issue issue of working with the Simrad, is a Simrad issue, not Motor Guide? They also work with Lowrance and Raymarine as well. I am looking to buy a freshwater TM, and the Motor Guide has a better config then Minn Kota, and that's a huge almost $400 less unit. Hard choice as I have seen videos with bad luck with Minn Kota as well.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Yes that is a possibility. It could be the Simrad. I am still trying to sort that out. Minn Kota - MotorGuide or Ford - Chevrolet, sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get a bad one. I may have just got a temperamental MotorGuide...lol.

@exmortis4404

2 жыл бұрын

@@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing Very true and thanks for just jinxing my F150! I am seriously looking at a Lowrance/Motorguide setup vs Minn Kota/Humminbird. Both have pros and cons, over all cost is one major negative for Minn Kota. I can save enough money on the Xi5 Trolling motor to pay for 2 Lithium batteries. Not to mention I cannot get I-Pilot Link in a 54' shaft Terrova.

I have owned 3 Mini Kotas and 3 Motorguides. My last one was a Motorguide. I will never buy a Mini Kota. I owned one of the first Motorguides made. It had a foot pedal, with an electric wire running to a pully in the head of the motor. When you pushed the toe down, it would turn one way and heel down it went the other way. It was tough and took a lot of punishment.

Did you utilize the update that was recently rolled out? It may fix some of the issues you’re experiencing with the Motorguide.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

I was not aware of an update. Do you have any more information about this? Tight lines 🤙 🎣

@omarsheriffkaptan

Жыл бұрын

@@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing I’m sending the link but it’s getting deleted.

Nice vid! Sub’d

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

Great video, I need to get a trolling motor for my new Carolina Skiff, in today’s market, there is a $700 difference, is the minn Kota worth the extra

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

4 ай бұрын

Hi Adam, I prefer the Minn Kota to the MotorGuide but not $700 more. My MotorGuide does the job. The Minn Kota just has some features I prefer. If I were in your shoes, purchasing a new motor for my boat and the MotorGuide was $700 less, there would be a MotorGuide hanging off the front of my boat. Just my opinion. Hope this helps. Tight lines 🤙 🎣

@adamchicoski5284

4 ай бұрын

@@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing Thank you for advice

Yup....either you're getting endorsements (which are all good), or people who've had horrible experiences, something EVERY manufacturer is guilty of. I'm at the point now to where, I'm just going to buy what's on sale, and pray to the trolling motor god's that it lasts. I'm a freshwater guy, so I'd like to think that will help with durability to some degree. But, the ONLY reason I'm buying this is for spot-lock and i-Pilot. Power Pole claims to have an "indestructible" TM, for $5K. And, after the problems I've read, I'd spend it, for the peace of mind. But, I'm not convinced that it's truly that "all that". I've got a chance to save over $2K on a Force, but depending on who you ask, it's the best TM on the market...."when it works". The industry is a mess right now. But, honest reviews like this are still very helpful. But, you're right...the cost of these TM's today are absolutely OBSCENE. Yet, they ALL seem to have some kind of issue.

I have the same boat. cs JLS 162. Me and you may be the only ones that have this boat.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Clinton, Thanks for watching and the comment. I haven't seen another one on the water in my area yet but I bet I will. It is a perfect boat for the St Augustine area especially if you are in a situation where storage is an issue. Going in for it's 20 hour service tomorrow. 😁

@clinttoney

2 жыл бұрын

I bought mine in May last year. I fish Christmas Bay and San Luis Pass. West bay a little also.

@samuelmackey8154

2 жыл бұрын

Nope I have one as well, love it.

A friend just got a new minkota and it came out of spot lock five times in the first hour of use ,,just cut off

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Bobby, I guess it is luck of the draw as things become more high tech these days. I have had nothing but problems with my Motor Guide, other people swear by them and I never has issues with Minn Kota but other people have. Regardless of which brand someone chooses they should not have the issues they have factoring how much they cost and how long they have been on the market. Just my two cents. Thanks for checking out our channel👍

@bobbygreen2291

2 жыл бұрын

@@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing as far as gps goes ,, these malfunctions can be it’s fault , not the trolling motor , you just never know , I would not hesitate to buy either brand but the one most notable difference I’ve seen is the motor guide is generally less sound and vibration, and that’s what a fresh water Fisherman notices first.

What radio do you have?

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

ICOM IC-M42G GPS

🚨 PLEASE GIVE UPDATED VIDEO***

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

24 күн бұрын

Will do. 👍 I will post an updated video in the next couple of weeks.

My message on the other comment thread is getting deleted so here I am. Please go to their site and look for XI SERIES SOFTWARE UPDATE.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

Will do... Thank you

@omarsheriffkaptan

Жыл бұрын

@@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing welcome

Motor guide Xi5!! 😢 Do not spend 2 grand on this motor! I was the idiot that bought 1 it tore up. gps, spot lock went out after a year an I got another one dang if it didn't go out after a couple years also. Not worth it. The foot control also tore up.

Constructive cirtisium: Your intro is WAY too long.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I appreciate the feedback. 👍 I have made an effort to shorten it up on my more recent videos. Tight lines 🤙

kzread.info/dash/bejne/gpqMs8yrnM3MabA.html have you tried doing this update?

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

10 ай бұрын

No, I haven't. Thank you for the link. I am definitely going to give this a shot.

No disrespect but I almost stopped watching before the intro was finished! Wow, that intro needs to be shortened by half man. Just sayin.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Joe, No disrespect taken. I appreciate the feedback. I will definitely take a look at that. Thank you for watching.

I almost turned the video off due to the ridiculously long intro.

@NorthFloridaSaltwaterFishing

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Devine, Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. New to posting on KZread and always looking for ways to improve my videos. On my more recent videos I have changed the intro and made them shorter. Tight Lines 🤙 🎣