Motorguide Ptsv Electric Motor - Good Buy Or Not?

[selous]

Hi Raiders

Researching a suitable electric motor for my new boat (5.3m Mako Max Frenzy), I found these on special at C*abelas

MotorGuide PTSv 109 Motors with Built-In Transducers

No more constant shifting left and right with your trolling motor to stay right on that breakline or creek channel the fish are holding tightly to. The PTSv 109 series is enhanced with MotorGuide's new Pinpoint Tracking System and digital tracking module. Guides itself right along the edge of the contour you're on. Five transducers in the nose cone keep constant track of the depths surrounding the boat and how far out to the side the bank is to make constant corrections and keep you right on track. The easy-to-view 128 x 64 pixel LCD display shows you digital depth, surface temperature and motor status. Includes Pinpoint interference-free network fishing system to link all units in the boat together. The foot control moves as quickly as on cable-driven motors and maintains its position. Lighted directional indicator. Spring-return breakaway Gator Mount. Stainless steel shaft. All PTSv motors are Pinpoint capable with a built-in transducer.

They are reduced from USD $2300 to USD $900. While a 24v would suffice, I think I could live with a 36v at that price. I do like the idea of the digital tracking which actually follows depth contours, shorelines or rivers as opposed to AP on the Minn Kotas, provided it works as advertised. I am going to the states in a few weeks, so I could post it back myself (C*abelas won't ship this outside the USA due to the size.) So at the current exchange rate of the Aussie peso to the greenback, the motor would cost AUD $1420 plus shipping. Allowing say $200 for shipping and $162 for GST, I would be up for around $1782 for this unit.

Now my specific questions

1. Is this a good buy in your opinion?

2. Has anyone used this model or one of it's smaller versions

3. How effective or useful is the Digital Tracking? Does it work as advertised?

4. Does anyone know if the warranty is USA only or International. The Motorguide Australia web address sends you to the American site, and the only warranty information I can find states to take it to an authorised service centre during the warranty period. It does not mention if that has to be in the USA (for one bought in the US)

5. What is Motorguide customer service like in Australia? Turn around times for warranty work?

Cheers

Rob

[jewgaffer]

Hi selous I think you are better off all the way round getting the best price locally for a Minn Kota and I am sure that our sponsor Go Fish Pete will be able to at least match the price or do you a good deal on a Motor Guide if that is a better proposition for you both........Although electric motors are out of my scope, the Big Mako would need at least 75 lb thrust to drive it and having a larger motor puts less strain on your batteries particularly when running linked batteries and they are cheaper to charge at home rather than having an expensive set up just for that purpose on the boat.

Cheers

jewgaffer

[a boat]

Hi Rob, that is an extemely good price and I have used one of those at the last Mercury Expo and they are a good bit of gear. We used to stock and sell Motorguide, but now only do Minn Kota, but a Minn Kota of the same poundage would be ALOT more than that. Mercury bring in Motorguide and I doubt you would be able to just order one of these and get it. It would be a special order they would have to do.

I would call Merc about the warranty and I think you might have an issue if a warranty problem arises and getting spare parts might also be a pain.

You would be happy with the unit if you decided to buy it, but factor in frieght and any dramsa with warranty and spares and then PM me and I can give you the Raider price on the top of the line Terrrova Minn Kota.

Cheers,

Huey.

[jewgaffer]

Hi Rob,...... We used to stock and sell Motorguide, but now only do Minn Kota, but a Minn Kota of the same poundage would be ALOT more than that. Mercury bring in Motorguide and I doubt you would be able to just order one of these and get it. It would be a special order they would have to do.

......I would call Merc about the warranty and I think you might have an issue if a warranty problem arises and getting spare parts might also be a pain.

.....You would be happy with the unit if you decided to buy it, but factor in frieght and any dramsa with warranty and spares and then PM me and I can give you the Raider price on the top of the line Terrrova Minn Kota.

.......Cheers,

......Huey.

Good on you Huey definately the Terrova Minn Kota all the way mate ay When I have my back surgery shortly I'll be thinking different then I'm sure.... and I'll be getting back into my fishing three days a week.......I'll get the special price from you later and have your mechanics alter the bow rail a bit to set it up on the bow.

My boat is a nice side console and the pro Minn Kota set up would add more value to my boat as well....

Cheers

jewgaffer

[selous]

Hi selous I think you are better off all the way round getting the best price locally for a Minn Kota and I am sure that our sponsor Go Fish Pete will be able to at least match the price or do you a good deal on a Motor Guide if that is a better proposition for you both........Although electric motors are out of my scope, the Big Mako would need at least 75 lb thrust to drive it and having a larger motor puts less strain on your batteries particularly when running linked batteries and they are cheaper to charge at home rather than having an expensive set up just for that purpose on the boat.

Cheers

jewgaffer

Thanks Jewgaffer

I figured out I'd be looking at 70+ lbs thrust. These ones are 36v & 109lbs thrust!

I have spoken to Go Fish Pete at Dural, I am a club member there, but the Minn Kotas have just gone up 20%. The cheapest he can do it for with my club discount is $2800 for an 80lb Terrova, which is over $1k more than the Motorguide. If I had known what I know know, I could have bought one during the GoFish Birthday sale a couple of weeks ago saved 20% and beaten the 20% price rise.

I would prefer to buy locally but a thousand bucks is a lot of money that could be used for something else.

Cheers

Rob

[The Iceman]

Motorguide W75 Wireless /48" Inbuilt Lowrance Transducer

You might want to have a look at one of these

[selous]

Hi Rob, that is an extemely good price and I have used one of those at the last Mercury Expo and they are a good bit of gear. We used to stock and sell Motorguide, but now only do Minn Kota, but a Minn Kota of the same poundage would be ALOT more than that. Mercury bring in Motorguide and I doubt you would be able to just order one of these and get it. It would be a special order they would have to do.

I would call Merc about the warranty and I think you might have an issue if a warranty problem arises and getting spare parts might also be a pain.

You would be happy with the unit if you decided to buy it, but factor in frieght and any dramsa with warranty and spares and then PM me and I can give you the Raider price on the top of the line Terrrova Minn Kota.

Cheers,

Huey.

After chatting to Huey, I couldn't pass the Minn Kota by at his raiders price. Sure I might have saved a couple of bucks with the Motorguide, but I'm happy with the deal from Huey and I won't have to worry about customs or warranty issues.

One more thing ticked off the list to fit out my boat.

Thanks Huey

Rob