Using an Older Minn Kota Auto Pilot

Hello - the boat I recently purchased came with a Minn Kota Auto Pilot – MOM CON does anyone have any information on how to use it? It had an older Eagle Finder - but that doesn't work and I am curious to use it because the Minn Kota Auto Pilot does operate. I wrote to Minn Kota requesting an owner's manual - not sure if that would have much in it. Anyone have any suggestions? I heard that you could buy an electronic adapter and it would work with a newer iPilot - but Minn Kota told me that there was no way to upgrade this unit. I have a Humminbird 859ci Hd Di Combo Down Imaging Tm Transducer. I also have a Lake Master SD card. So, I was curious on how to use all of this stuff. It's a bit new to me - I have only been Pan Fishing and now I am trying to take things up a notch. LadyLuvs2Fish

Big Musky12 Just wondering why you think the older Power Drives cannot be upgrade to an ipilot?

Thank you - I am going to look into this Middleton1 - I have a baby brother who I want to "one-up" when he comes to Wisconsin this august.. I want to catch Walleye and show him his sister can get it done.. I also clean my fish much better than he does - and my Walleye breading - well, let's just say, it's a little bit of heaven.. Thanks!! I will check this link out!!

You can convert an older Powerdrive V1 trolling motor to use the Ipilot. I think that's what you are asking. It involves buying a new circuit board. The step by step instructions are here: http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175029&highlight=convert+powerdrive I did this with my 2003 Powerdrive V1 and it works great. The investment $500 total, with the ipilot and circuit board. Minnkota does not endorse this, that's why they said it wasn't possible. You can get circuit board here: http://www.northlandmarine.com/MinnKotaQuickRef.htm

Thank you for the clarification, that is what I needed to know. I has seen a forum that showed someone who upgraded his older unit to make it into an iPilot, but I think mine is too old - it's pre-2007 and Minn Kota told me that they couldn't upgrade it. I want to learn how to operate it and gain more experience in trolling, I am hoping to learn to catch Walleye and I understand that they tend to be on the move - so, that's why I was asking. Besides, it came with the boat, I'd like to use it. Take care & thanks for helping me out.

basically you point in the direction you want to go and it keeps you heading for that point