I'm using a tiller style trolling motor and want to switch to a foot pedal type. My question is what type of of foot pedal do you like wire or cable. I have been told that the new "wire" type have had problems with circuit boards not working. Any info on min kota or motor guide would be a big help. I'm looking for a 55# in the $500 range.

It all depends on what kind of fishing you do. I find that the cable controlled motor respond much faster than the ones with an electric motor that rotates the unit.

I do a lot of fishing in high current areas with lot of rocks and shallow areas and prefer the quicker response of a cable controlled unit.

For precise control a cable steer is better. For trolling, the electric steer may be better. It depends on how you fish and the species you target.

I absolutely love my Minn Kota Powerdrive wireless trolling motor. I guess i'm one of the few on here that actually like them. The foot control is alot more comfortable to me than the cable steer foot controls.

Thanks for the replys. I fish for bass 90% of the time. Up here on Lake Erie I need to have control of the boat to stay on humps or over suspended fish when the wind and waves are pretty tough. I don't do much trolling but will work down a weedline or breakwall at a slow pace and fan cast. Not sure if autopilot would be good for that. I hear that autopilot is better for keeping on corse when trolling.

Thanks for the replys. I fish for bass 90% of the time. Up here on Lake Erie I need to have control of the boat to stay on humps or over suspended fish when the wind and waves are pretty tough. I don't do much trolling but will work down a weedline or breakwall at a slow pace and fan cast. Not sure if autopilot would be good for that. I hear that autopilot is better for keeping on corse when trolling.

For your type of fishing I WILL recommend the Auto Pilot. Lake Erie is the perfect place for it. Bucking those waves can be a pain with a cable driven TM since you need to have your foot on the pedal all the time.

I would say cable all the way. I fish erie alot and my MK powerdrive was way to slow. Since I moved to a cable steer it is way better. Also its hard to secure a power drive in rough water. I had one of mine go from stow to running position while running 6 foot waves. ripped that motor right off the boat, and to the bottom of erie.

as for what brand. that is a personal choice. I ran MK for years and had to many problems with them. I run Motor guides now.however I run Tour series TMs that are out of your $500 price range. I do have a MK PD on my small boat and can't wait to get a new cable steer TM for it.  

One more thing if your looking for a new TM and you have the room for two batteries i would highly suggest looking at getting a 24 volt TM. If you don't want to go much past #55 than a #65-70 would be great. the 24volt Tm just runs so much better than a 12 volt. And fishing erie and dealing with that wind up there the more power you have the better. I run a 109# 36 volt on my boat and love it.

I just bought a 55# Minn Kota edge for my tracker pro team 175.  It was $499.00 from cabelas like two weeks ago.  I almost bought the powerdrive but then I read some things I didn't like about them plus I am used to the cable.  If you buy it make sure you get a 60 amp circuit breaker.  You won't know you need it until you go to install it.  I couldn't find one anywhere so I had to order it from cabelas after the fact and wait.  I am happy with the motor so far but only had it for two times out