Tech Edge: Minn Kota i-Pilot Now on Your Phone

Will you hang your phone from your neck now?

The Minn Kota i-Pilot — that fob that swings from your neck and lets you control your trolling motor wherever you are on the boat — is super cool and convenient.

There's no argument there.

You can control speed and direction, lock your boat on one spot, retrace your track and enjoy other remote-control features from the handheld GPS device.

Well, Minn Kota took the next logical step and put it all on your phone.

You can use the fob if you want, or the foot pedal, of course, but now you can do it all from your cell, which is a great idea and one that we've been waiting on for a while.

Want to impress your friends at the ramp?

Launch your boat, drop the trolling motor with Auto-Stow, and remotely lock your boat on a spot offshore while you park your truck.

Then use the app to maneuver the boat to the dock remotely and step onto the deck. Smooth.

• Check out our report about the Ulterra and how stow-and-deploy works

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One other thing that stands out about the new app is you don't have to connect to a computer to get updates.

Johnson Outdoors, the parent company of Minn Kota, is a fast company when it comes to technology, and they are constantly updating product software.

Now, whenever you have data coverage, you'll get pinged if there is a new update. You might even be right on the boat when they add new features.

To make sure your trolling motor is equipped to access i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link via Bluetooth, go to minnkotamotors.com/i-pilot-app. You can download the app there, too.

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