Power Pole or New Minn Kota Talon?

[t-bone]

A lot of talk about going under bridges, and getting in garages. Let me know if I'm seeing this wrong, but every picture I've seen of the Talon mounted on a boat, it doesnt stick up as far as the motor. Where is the problem getting under stuff if its lower than the motor?

Mike - I'm with you. Every picture I've seen of the Talon shows that the top is lower that the big engine and I would imagine with the engine trimmed up going into a garage on your trailer, it would be lower. So if you can back it in without dropping the engine, I don't think you'll need to take it off.

[djkimmel]

That's what I've seen too. I believe you can adjust the height on install a little. There's supposed to be a fairly quick release capability - easy on, easy off. Just more of those things I'll check out when I get more firsthand time with one this spring.

I'm like everyone else, I want to buy the most dependable unit I can afford that best meets my needs. Be a while before I can afford anything but at least I'll have some time to get to know the Talon better. And like I said, I've been in boats with Power Poles but not in a situation where I could take video so if someone has one that wants to do some video of it in action later this year, contact me.

I like content that is of interest to all of you.

[independentMike]

Just as a quick note; there has been a big slam campaign going on over the Talon from a group of people (power pole pro staffers?). Since this product is the first real challenge to the Power Pole's market share, it's no surprise. As everything with the Internet, take it with a grain of salt.

[Wolverines]

A lot of talk about going under bridges, and getting in garages. Let me know if I'm seeing this wrong, but every picture I've seen of the Talon mounted on a boat, it doesn't stick up as far as the motor. Where is the problem getting under stuff if its lower than the motor?

I ended up getting a Powerpole.  I've only gotton to use it a few times so far, but I'm very happy with it.  I went with the foot switches at the bow instead of the remote.  I went that route mostly because of the cost factor, but again I'm very happy with that choice too. No reaching for a remote when fshing or fighting a fish.  Also I can easily run the PP and TM at the same time AND it saved me over $200. 

I have gotten to play with a couple Talons (not in the water) and I will say it seems they do go down faster that the PP.  To over come that I just started to lift my PP a little when I wanted to move so it only had to go down a foot or so when I wanted to stop again.  The PP also held the boat in place very well in 20 mph wind and a good chop on the water last Sat. 

I really like how my PP is mounted compaired to the Talon I looked at the other day.  My PP bracket is black and mounted between the boat and the jack plate so it's not very big.  The Talon was mounted between the motor and the jack plate and the bracket was huge so the motor wouldn't hit when turning.  Also the bracket looked like an unpainted, unfinished piece of aluminum and just didn't look very nice to me.  For that kinda money I think it should look nice too 

As far as the height, the Talon I saw at the show was below the outboard at towing trim height.  That one must have been a 6' because after looking at this 8' Talon recently I learned it sticks up pretty high.  Looked to be higher than my 8' PP.  I have a standard size garage door in my polebarn that I back into and I'd say I've got about 2" to spare when backing in.  I'm not sure if that boat I looked at with the 8' Talons would make it in.

Anyways, that's all I've learned since I last posted about it.  Hope it helps some.  I'd still check out both if you're in the market, but I love my Powerpole!!! 

[MBell]

Make sure you have a cut off switch hooked up to the poles.  With the foot switches a boat cover or a puddle on the cover can hit the switch.  You don't want to drag that think down the highway.
-Matt

[Wolverines]

Thanks for the tip.
With modern covers put on properly it's a non-issue though...

Also, it takes a good amount of pressure to press the button down.  It's not like something just laying on the down button is going to press it down...

[PapaChris]

I am getting 2 new Talons on my new boat coming later this month, I would be glad to let anyone come and try them out. I am excited, I have never had either a power pole or a talon but I weighed the odds and Minn Kota puts out one heck of a great product and Wonderland Can repair them being a Minn Kota service center so I opted for the Talons. However if someone is looking to buy either a Power pole or a Minn Kota Talon Wonderland Marine west is now an authorized dealer for both so we can get you hooked up.

Chris Williams