I am buying a new trolling motor. Is auto pilot a gimmick or a must have?

Anyone else have a Minn Kota auto pilot? It sounds like the only way to go for a 2 time/yr fisherman who doesn't want to put much effort into this. Is it?I am buying a new trolling motor. Is auto pilot a gimmick or a must have?
It's fine for slowly cruzing a bank and tossing lures but even on my slowest setting I like to fish most banks a little slower. I do use it but not as much as others I know.
Let's skip all the fluff and just tell it like it is - the Motor Guide PTSv is the most advanced trolling motor ever built. With five sonar transducers in the lower unit, the PTSv can automatically track bottom contours for true, hands-free fishing. It can follow a specific depth, creek channel or shoreline. Its digital tracking module is fully sealed to guard against moisture intrusion, shock and vibration to ensure long-lasting performance. If you demand pinpoint accuracy in your structure fishing, then PTSv is the motor for you.



I have included a link to their website. It has on it a video clip of the workings of this trolling motor for you to see to believe:



http://sites.mercurymarine.com/portal/pa鈥?/a>



The wireless controller makes course adjustments a snap. If you need to go all-out this is the one to buy.I am buying a new trolling motor. Is auto pilot a gimmick or a must have?
I don't think yopu fish enough to warrant the cost of an "auto-pilot" setup.

I have a foot operated and I do just fine with that. You might consider a cordless foot op. or a longer cord. Depends on your fishing style.

Good luck.
Here's some questions to help you answer YOUR question:



Do you "run %26amp; gun" when fishing? (IE: fish a shoreline at "light-speed" and if you don't get a "hit" move to the next productive shoreline 2 miles away at full speed!)



Do you hate to fish plastic worms %26amp; soft plastics?



Do you hate to Jig-fish or Slow-roll spinnerbaits?



If you answered "YES" to any of these questions then an Auto Pilot might be for you!



Unless your "burning" spinnerbaits for reaction-strikes or "swimming" 1/4 OZ weighted worms or Jigs the "speed" that you use your Auto Pilot feature isn't really "functional", (esp in WIND, WAVES, %26amp; CURRENT).



However, I was in a club tourney with a guy who had this feature and it worked well when "scouting" for fish. We just turned the sucker on and started "hammerin" the shoreline with spinnerbaits until one of us got a fish.



He would then "slow us down" and we would fish that area. (The only problem was he wouldn't slow down for more "juicy" structure like logs %26amp; docks! In my opinion, you can throw 3 different lures at 6 different "angles" before you "pester" 'Ole Bucket Mouth to "take" around a dock!)



IMHO, unless you fish alot of "unkown" lakes and rivers in tourneys' and need a "scouting" feature I would save my money and buy a more powerful (Lb) motor! You just won't use the feature enough. (But you MIGHT need extra LB thrust in rough conditions!)



Hope this helps? Good luck!I am buying a new trolling motor. Is auto pilot a gimmick or a must have?
There was no say of what size boat you have? If you've got a $20,000 Bass boat, then why not go with a more expensive type. Your mention of cost not bein' a factor is somewhat understandable, but one can go with a LOT less inexpensive model trollin' motor, especially what with you bein' a 2x a year fisherman and still get the same results. Minnkota, Lowrance, Motorguide ta' name a few, has a slew of motors that would suit your needs at a much better price ~ think I'd put the extra bucks towards somethin' else? Only my 2 cents, but whatever way ya' go, "Fish On" and have a good one ;)...
It is no gimmick, it works great. Auto pilot adjusts the direction so you can focus on fishing more. If price is no object look into the Pinpoint trolling motor, which is Autopilot on Steroids.
Depends on the type of fishing you are doing. If it's for a transom mount motor and you're always trolling in a straight line then it would be great for keeping you on course. If you have a bow mounted motor and you use it to work weed lines, shore lines, structure, etc, then it would be useless since you can't set a compass course with that kind of fishing (unless you're fishing a straight canal bank like they do in Florida).

I'd bet it won't be long before we see a GPS and chart enabled trolling motor that will allow you to set a course along an irregular shoreline or bottom contour. Now that would be cool!!!