Minn Kota’s i-Pilot system has been a foundational GPS technology for trolling motors ever since its introduction in 2007. Over the years, the company offered several versions, beginning with the original i-Pilot Legacy system, which ran from 2007 to 2016, and later the i-Pilot Bluetooth models introduced in 2017. Alongside these, Minn Kota also produced the i-Pilot Link system, which expanded functionality by allowing the trolling motor to integrate with Humminbird fish finders and unlocking additional navigation tools.
In 2024, Minn Kota introduced a new platform called Advanced GPS, designed to replace both i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link by rolling their capabilities into one updated and more comprehensive system. Advanced GPS is available on all the same trolling-motor models, and Minn Kota claims that it features upgraded hardware with improved software algorithms for more precise and reliable Spot-Lock performance. The controller design remains familiar, but now includes two connection cables—one for the motor’s control board and another Ethernet cable for linking to a Humminbird unit.
The differences among the remote controls help illustrate how the system has evolved. The original i-Pilot remote used a small 1.75-inch LCD paired with a button keypad. The i-Pilot Link remote expanded to a 3-inch color touchscreen while retaining physical buttons. Advanced GPS introduces a redesigned 2.1-inch LCD remote that includes four programmable One-Boat Network buttons to streamline access to multi-device functions. Additionally, Minn Kota’s Micro Remote, a compact, screenless controller, remains compatible across all systems.
Feature sets provide another way to understand the progression. i-Pilot offered core capabilities such as Spot-Lock, AutoPilot, cruise control, and basic route tracking. i-Pilot Link added more advanced navigation modes like Circle Mode and BackTrack and enabled full Humminbird integration.
Advanced GPS incorporates everything previously available in i-Pilot Link and introduces several new tools, including Drift Mode—which simulates a drift sock to help maintain a consistent speed—and Dodge Mode, which lets an angler temporarily override auto navigation to steer around obstacles before smoothly resuming the original path. The system also adds the ability to control the trolling motor through the One-Boat Network app, allowing the user to manage Minn Kota and Humminbird devices from a single smartphone interface.
Ultimately, Advanced GPS represents Minn Kota’s effort to unify and streamline its trolling-motor technology by combining the strengths of both earlier systems and adding new capabilities on top. For anglers who rely on Humminbird integration and advanced automated features, it offers a more powerful and modernized solution. However, those who only need fundamental tools like Spot-Lock may find that Advanced GPS includes functions they will never use—and may cost more as a result.