Have had the motor guide wireless digital 55lb bowmount for a few months now, and as you stated the beeping issue was also one of my concerns. Yes it is loud in the shop or shed, however it is not as noticeable when out on the water. I did ask if there was a solution without voiding waranty with no luck, although I am learning to live with it. The foot control it easy to use and the on off button turns the motor on at the last speed set. Does what most other brands do. I find myself using the key fob control from the back of the boat a lot.
I have a transom mount 55lb water snake, so I looked at the WS bowmount at around the $800 mark. The motorguide goes from the prop turning dead slow to flat out in nice fine increments. The MG quick release came standard and the built in battery monitor is also handy, WS and MK the quick release bracket was extra. WS has no remote option, MK remote , auto pilot battery maximiser,etc. were extra.The motorguide cost me $1350 not including a good battery and charger. The composite shaft is strong, I ran the motor up the bank whilst trying to retrieve a snagged lure on my own, the look on my face when the MG shaft flexed back under the boat would have been priceless. The shaft flexed back into position with much relief. I thought I'd broken my new toy however we live to fish another day.
Talking to fellow fishers and getting their feedback the min kodas with foot peddle problems put me off a little, these appear to have been fixed in the latest models just couldn't get an equivalent one for the same price as the motor guide.
As for shaft length I went the longest avaliable as I can use the MG on my 4.8m fiberglass boat or the 385 explorer.
Bought a full deep cycle gel battery $320 and a $150 4 stage charger with dual 10A outputs which can charge two 12 batteries at 10A or one at 20A.
Regards
Rawlo.