MotorGuide Xi5 Trolling Motor Review

Fishing is made easier when you are on the right boat. Quiet motors are important so that you won’t scare away the fish you are aiming to catch. The MotorGuide Xi5 is one of the best trolling motors on the market regardless of the water body you want to fish.

The MotorGuide Xi5 is the best choice for those anglers and water adventurers on a tight budget but are still looking for a high-quality trolling motor.

The battery life is decent enough to last for spending several hours in the water. It also comes with several sizes and thrust options. It guarantees you find the best match for your water needs.

It comes with a wireless foot pedal for freshwater models, while the saltwater models have a standard hand-held remote.

Product Overview

The MotorGuide Xi5 is equipped with universal integrated sonar. It has a preinstalled Lowrance 7-pin connector and uses Lowrance 83/200kHz transducers, making each movement of the boat stealthily quiet and smooth.

Its PinPoint GPS technology provides never-before-seen GPS navigation options. It has three times more defined cruise control, heading lock, anchor, and jog.

This allows easy navigation and more steering control as you move your boat on the water. It has an accurate receiver and two digital compasses that provide clear directions to where you are going.

Moreover, the shaft is durable and can withstand both water and dust. Composite materials used to make the shaft can bend and will not break against tough tides. The lower unit also has a protection circuit that prevents damage.

However, there is one thing that this trolling motor does not come with: adaptor cables. You have to purchase the adaptor cable separately to be compatible with the sonar brands you frequently use. It is compatible with top brands like Garmin, Vexilar, and Humminbird.

Key Features of the MotorGuide Xi5

Power, Thrust, and Size

The power and thrust depend on the size of the MotorGuide Xi5 you are getting. You can choose among a 12V, 24V, and 36V voltage levels. The voltage levels are important because they directly affect the motor’s thrust, which is also available in 3 selections: 55 lbs, 80 lbs, and 105 lbs.

As for the shaft length, you can choose from 45 to 72 in. The different lengths allow you to specifically choose which one fits the size of your boat and the depth of the water you are fishing on.

If you always fish in strong currents, then the best choice is to pick the 36V and 105 lbs thrust. But for calmer water bodies, the 12V and 55 lbs motor will suffice.

Mount

The MotorGuide Xi5 comes equipped with a low profile mount which helps reduce the bulkiness of the trolling motor. This low profile mount makes the motor more powerful, stable and increases speed.

Durable Battery

A durable battery is probably one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing an electric motor. Luckily, the MotorGuide Xi5 has a very durable and powerful batter – with a 105 amp hour trolling motor, the MotorGuide can last a few days before a charge.

It’s also equipped with digital technology with can increase the battery up to 50% – in other words, the battery efficiency can actually increase over time.

Finally, the MotorGuide also comes with a digital display which lets you track the battery power so you know when it needs a charge. This eliminates any guessing or manual tracking and won’t leave you stranded if the battery dies abruptly.

The Display, GPS, and Steering

When it comes to navigation, the MotorGuide motor definitely has almost every aspect covered – advanced bearing system, protective housing, shaft support, all of which help increase the motors efficiency and performance.

The LED dashboard offers an easy-to-read panel that shows anglers’ current status of the key functions no matter what the light conditions are. The battery power also has different color indicators to show three levels of battery life in real-time. Although it does not come equipped with a display, you can connect it with most compatible fish finders or chart plotters.

GPS compatibility allows you to easily anchor your boats position, track courses, lock in heading and speed, which is essentially an autopilot feature.

Additionally, the MotorGuide Xi5 Trolling Motor also uses a variable speed system, allowing anglers to easily control the speed and steering, and a wireless foot pedal to control the majority of the motor functions. All this also helps make the better much more efficient.

Sonar

Finally, the MotorGuide’s sonar transducer is built-in and is compatible with most fish finders and chart plotters as long as you get the appropriate connector cable. The downside of this transducer, however, is that it can only do down imaging and cannot do side imaging at all.

Pros of the MotorGuide Xi5

• Composite Shaft is an all-new innovative shaft that can withstand any adversaries in the water. No matter what the obstructions are, the powerful shaft will only bend but never break. Thus, it comes with a lifetime warranty to prove that it can withstand the challenges of time.
• Wireless Foot Pedal gives more control wherever you are on the boat.
• Next-Gen Digital Technology has 50% more efficient power electronics that improve battery life for longer run time and minimal battery changes.
• Refined Steering Transmission provides a dependable, precise, and quiet performance. The ball bearings reduce friction and water to ensure that wear-and-tear is minimized. It also keeps water and dust out, all thanks to its customized seal protection.
• Fully-Protected Electronics are secured with high-tech coating. It is dust and water-resistant to ensure longevity at its best.
• Low-Profile Mount reduces the bulk of the motor. But still ensures the stability of power and speed.
• Sonar Transducer is built-in and is compatible with most fishfinder and chart plotters as long as you get the appropriate connector cable. The downside of this transducer, however, is that it cannot do side imaging at all.

Final Takeaway

The MotorGuide Xi5 is a decent trolling motor for those on a tight budget. It comes with all the necessary features needed by anglers for fishing.

The improved elements such as the composite shaft and the New-Gen Digital technology are also great additions to why we highly recommend this motor.

The varying sizes available provide anglers the advantage of choosing the right one specific for their needs. So, if you want a strong, durable, and well-suited option, then choose the MotorGuide Xi5.