http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2016/07/05/breaking-news-new-game-changing-trolling-motor-minn-kota/

Electronic Steering ?

A-Jay

Drive it through standing timber, then I'll be impressed. Electronic steer just leaves so much to be desired if you're steering around lots of obstacles and working in tight quarters. 

13 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Electronic Steering ?

A-Jay

Appears to be electric steer with cable like deploy

8 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

\ Electronic steer just leaves so much to be desired if you're steering around lots of obstacles and working in tight quarters. 

Have you used a Xi5?  It turns very fast.  

Just now, slonezp said:

Appears to be electric steer with cable like deploy

It does - I'll be interested to hear what cable steer aficionado's have to say after they try it.

I like my cable steer quite a bit

A-Jay

1 minute ago, slonezp said:

Appears to be electric steer with cable like deploy

I like that part, electric steer motors are always a pain to deploy and stow, the ones I've dealt with anyways. Not sure how they'd do cable steer with spot lock, but I hope someone figures it out.

 

1 minute ago, Junk Fisherman said:

Have you used a Xi5?  It turns very fast.  

Nobody I know has a Motor Guide.

It would have to be instantaneous to be able to steer through timber, especially the old reservoirs that have lots of broken off trees that are hard to see. I'd love to see someone do it though. The spot lock and autopilot type features would be awesome to have, but even the slightest delay in steering is something I personally can't accept.

So it deploys by hand but is electric so it's slow like an electric?


If you liked electric so much but thougth deploying it was hard why wouldn't you just get an Ulterra that has auto stow/deploy and trim?

 

 

 

I just had my Xi5 in stump minefield over the weekend and came away very impressed.

Looks cool, but all the technology means one more thing that can break. 

I have to say, if the steering is as responsive as it appears in the video I'm pretty interested...It looked pretty darn quick.  The pedal looks to be an electronic version of a cable-steer so you have that reference point without having to look at the head.  

I'm a die-hard cable-steer guy and a MotorGuide fan to boot, but this has my attention....IF its as responsive as a cable-steer with the cable-steer style pedal and deployment it could very well be a game changer.  That's a big IF though, I'd have to test drive one myself before dropping the cash on one.  

Official Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE___________________________________________ _________________

Minn Kota® Unveils “No Compromise” Ultrex™ Trolling Motor

Racine, WI (July 8, 2016): Minn Kota® introduces the trolling motor anglers have only dreamed of - a hybrid that merges the body of a Fortrex® with the brains of i-Pilot®, complete with Spot-Lock electronic GPS anchoring and more.

New for 2017, Minn Kota’s Ultrex™ gives anglers the control and responsiveness of a Fortrex, plus effortless Power Steering and i-Pilot® features, like Spot-Lock. Paired with Steering Lock, which allows you to take your foot off the pedal without losing motor heading, Ultrex will change the way you fish.

“We continue to set the bar high for break-through innovations to help anglers catch fish. Ultrex is no exception,” says Brad Henry, Minn Kota Brand Manager. “We’ve combined the reliability and responsive ‘wired-to-the-water’ feel of our tournament-proven Fortrex with the GPS technologies of i-Pilot, i-Pilot Link, and Spot-Lock electronic anchoring. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Ultrex Features:
Power Steering: Ultra-responsive control and reduces steering effort and foot fatigue
Steering Lock: Take your foot off the pedal and keep your motor heading
Ultrex Foot Pedal: Power steering with Spot-Lock and AutoPilot Buttons
Lift-Assist
Fortrex Mono Arm bracket
Coated stainless steel stow/deploy adjustable cable
Bluetooth-enabled i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link
Digital Maximizer
Universal Sonar 2
Composite Shaft
Weedless Wedge 2 Prop

The Minn Kota Ultrex product line-up will consist of numerous i-Pilot- or i-Pilot Link- and US2-enabled combos, including 24-volt 80 lbs. thrust and 36-volt 112 lbs. thrust versions in 45”, 52” and 60” shaft lengths. Product available in late fall, 2016.
Ultrex MSRP: $2199.99-$2799.99.

 

 

So, it is not actually cable steered? 

give me hand controlled any day………………..

The true test will come if you start seeing them on the boats professional bass anglers use.  I realize that these boats are usually provided by sponsors but the anglers probably have a say in what they want too.