Minn Kota i-Pilot Link Wireless Remote with Bluetooth

The Minn Kota i-Pilot Link Wireless Remote with Bluetooth (model 1866650) is the redesigned handheld remote for the Bluetooth-enabled i-Pilot Link trolling motor system. The right purchase for two scenarios. First, replacement for a remote that's been lost overboard, water-damaged beyond saving, or had its battery degrade past usable life. Second, an additional remote so two anglers on the boat can each operate the trolling motor independently from their own remote (one at the bow controlling for the front-deck angler, one at the helm controlling for the back-deck angler, or both anglers passing control back and forth depending on who's actively fishing).

Compatibility. Bluetooth-enabled i-Pilot Link systems on the Ulterra, Ultrex, Terrova, and PowerDrive V2 trolling motor lines. Older non-Bluetooth i-Pilot systems use a different remote (different part number) and this remote will not pair with them. Confirm your trolling motor has the Bluetooth-enabled i-Pilot Link system before ordering. The easiest check: if your existing remote has Bluetooth pairing capability and shows up as a Bluetooth device when you turn it on, this replacement is compatible.

The redesigned remote is compact enough to drop in a pocket or clip to your belt, with a bigger full-color touchscreen than the previous generation and a customizable menu so you can put the functions you actually use front-and-center. The dedicated navigation keypad below the touchscreen handles the most-used functions (speed up, speed down, steering left, steering right, Spot-Lock engage, AutoPilot toggle) with positive tactile buttons that work even when the touchscreen is wet or your fingers are cold. Best of both worlds: touchscreen flexibility for menu navigation, hardware buttons for the operations you do most often.

Bluetooth communication is the headline upgrade in this generation of i-Pilot Link. Bluetooth lets the trolling motor system pair with your smartphone via the i-Pilot Link app, which gives you software updates over the air (no special programming hardware required), virtual remote control from the phone (so you can run the motor from anywhere on the boat without picking up the physical remote), and access to system diagnostics and settings that previously required dealer service. Bluetooth pairing also lets multiple remotes coexist on the same trolling motor without conflict.

Multi-remote operation is the i-Pilot Link feature that the second-remote use case relies on. The trolling motor can pair with multiple remotes (this standard remote, plus the Micro Remote, plus the smartphone virtual remote, all simultaneously). Any paired remote can take control of the motor at any time. Two anglers each carrying their own remote means neither has to wait for the other or hand off the device. The motor itself doesn't care which remote is sending the command, it just executes whatever it receives.

The customizable touchscreen menu is the productivity feature that experienced i-Pilot users genuinely care about. Out of the box, the menu has all the functions but you have to navigate to find them. Customize the home screen with the functions you actually use (Spot-Lock, AutoPilot, recorded path playback, Circle Mode, whatever your fishing pattern needs) and they're one tap away every time. Different anglers configure their menus differently based on their fishing style.

Spot-Lock and Spot-Lock Jog are the GPS-anchoring features that the i-Pilot Link system is famous for. Spot-Lock holds the boat over a specific GPS coordinate using thrust vector corrections to fight wind and current. Jog moves the locked position five feet in any direction (forward, backward, left, right) without breaking lock. Both functions accessible from the remote's keypad with single button presses. Especially useful for fishing structure where you want to dial in your position to the foot.

Recorded path playback lets you record a productive trolling line once and then have the motor replay it as many times as you want. Useful for working a shoreline contour, working over a deep structure, or any pattern where the line that worked once will work again. The remote shows the recorded path on its display and lets you start, pause, and resume playback.

Circle Mode is the orbit feature. Pick a spot, set a radius, and the motor circles the spot at the chosen distance while you cast. The remote handles the geometry. you just fish. Useful for fishing structure where you want to keep the boat at a specific distance and let the bait have time in the strike zone.

The lithium-ion rechargeable battery is sized for a full day of fishing on a single charge with normal remote use. Charge between fishing trips via the supplied charging port. Important note: the charging cable is sold separately on this part number. Most owners replacing a remote already have the charging cable from the original remote and don't need a new one. If you need a charging cable, order the appropriate Minn Kota part along with this remote.

Waterproof construction is built for marine remote use. Drop it in the boat's bilge water, get caught in a rainstorm, accidentally splash it during washdown, the remote keeps working. The waterproof rating is for incidental exposure and brief immersion. The remote also floats (briefly) if it goes overboard, giving you a chance to scoop it up before it sinks.

Compatible MFD virtual remote integration is supported on Bluetooth-enabled i-Pilot Link systems. When the trolling motor is paired with a compatible MFD on the boat, the MFD can act as a virtual remote: speed, steering, Spot-Lock, and Advanced AutoPilot from the MFD touchscreen. Useful for the angler at the helm who doesn't want to pick up a physical remote.

What this remote isn't. It is not the Micro Remote (the smaller wrist-watch-style i-Pilot Link remote, sold separately as part number 1866680 or similar). It is not compatible with the older non-Bluetooth i-Pilot system (those use a different remote entirely). It is not compatible with stand-alone i-Pilot (without the Link feature) trolling motors.

2-Year Limited Minn Kota warranty. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.