Controling trolling motor with Lowrance coming?

[Wallijig]

I was reading in other forum and guy give hint that Motor Guide XI5 coming out this fall, soon may interface with Lowrance units.
Anyone else hear about this? think it's going to happen?
Wonder what capabilities it may have? Can not wait.
Wonder how long before one will be able to steer outboard via GPS?

https://youtu.be/85LpqahGXvw

 

[Team Colibri]

Wallijig » Today, 07:14[/url]"]I was reading in other forum and guy give hint that Motor Guide XI5 coming out this fall, soon may interface with Lowrance units.
Anyone else hear about this? think it's going to happen?
Wonder what capabilities it may have? Can not wait.
Wonder how long before one will be able to steer outboard via GPS

I have heard a similar rumour as well. Guessing they had to counter the Johnson Outoors owned combination of Minn Kota and Humminbird. (I-Pilot and I-link).

Outboards steered by GPS? That has been around for quite a while, it's called autopilot. Not a cheap solution, but very good for trolling.

 

[Wallijig]

Team Colibri » July 29th, 2013, 1:05 am[/url]"]

Wallijig » Today, 07:14[/url]"]I was reading in other forum and guy give hint that Motor Guide XI5 coming out this fall, soon may interface with Lowrance units.
Anyone else hear about this? think it's going to happen?
Wonder what capabilities it may have? Can not wait.
Wonder how long before one will be able to steer outboard via GPS

I have heard a similar rumour as well. Guessing they had to counter the Johnson Outoors owned combination of Minn Kota and Humminbird. (I-Pilot and I-link).

Outboards steered by GPS? That has been around for quite a while, it's called autopilot. Not a cheap solution, but very good for trolling.

I meaning large 4 stroke/2stroke motor on back of most boats. I wonder how long it will be before one can steer big motors like trolling motors. I understand there not be no thing such as spot lock. But for following set courses would be great. We have here (sure there are other) lot of submerged islands and other obsticals one has to navigate around heading across lake. Guessing should have something integrated into GPS for max speed because I would think that liability though would be pretty high, may not be to safe if number of boats not operated of being closely monitored by pilot going across lake.

 

[Team Colibri]

It's official now, Motorguide and Lowrance will launch their version of the Minn Kota/ Humminbird ILink next year. HDS Gen 2 and HDS Touch will get the software needed through one of the usual free downloads. One might hope that this might eventually become available on the Elite-range too.

Link to pressrelease:
https://www.tradeonlytoday.com/images/stories/web/releases/LowranceMotorGuide0712.pdf

As for GPS on traditional outboards:
Autopilots are not my strongest field of knowledge, but I belive there are versions available that includes a remote controll, thus giving the same flexibility as for your trolling motor. Due to the weight of an outboard, the hydralic pump has to be quite strong (and heavy, and bulky) so I'm not sure having all that under the hood of your outboard would be ideal to begin with. It would also add to the price of the engine, and even though autopilots would be cheaper if they where originally installed in "all" outboards, it would still add quite some $$ to the overall price on an outboard. But at least in theory, it should be doable.