Garmin Force Kraken Died in 3 Weeks (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly)

[@coreylindberg928]

I have the same complaint about the lengthy delay with turning my Kraken. Called Garmin twice and was told they filed the complaint but it would take a large number of the same complaint before the engineers would consider it valid. I use mine primarily for bowfishing on the snake river and the delay has taken some serious adjustment on my part to keep my boat and other anglers safe. It has me seriously considering going back to a Minn Kota after dropping big bucks on the latest and greatest. Really hope they take the complaint seriously and can fix it with a software update

[@bassngal3314]

We have one of the first krakens on our sportsman it’s the 90inch, got it as soon as they became available a year ago and have had no issues on multiple offshore trips, so impressed that I’m wanting to get rid of my minn kotas on my bay and flats boats

[@Kschumann]

At least you got 3 weeks out of it - My Minnkota arrived with ground up brushes and damaged stator. Minnkota wanted me to drive 200 miles to drop it off at an authorized service dealer for warranty work. Told them they were out of their minds and fixed it myself for half the cost of just the gas. My next one will be a Garmin...

[@bradbeals1741]

Keep us updated on how you move forward. As most of us rely on honest reviews to spend our hard earned money. Not to many honest reviews out... Thanks.

[@SouthernReelsFishing]

I went back to Minn Kota. Sold the new Replacement Garmin unit. I have the Minn Kota Quest Terrova and love it.

[@bradbeals1741]

Unsure of which way to go. I'd like to use the garmin do o my electronis.....is the compatible with garmin units?.

[@hunterwang4314]

@@bradbeals1741 What did you decide?

[@stickermigtigger]

Thanks for the effort and the reporting. I can see how this affects one particular aspect of your usage. For me though, I see no reason not to purchase this trolling motor; based on this video at least. None of them are perfect in every regard and there will always be a few from any manufacturer that will fail. I even came away with a better opinion of Garmin support from this tale. Thanks!

[@chrisfulmer9856]

Thanks for the info keep us informed on the new unit.

[@raikoantonioperezhernandez628]

Nice video, I’m having a terrible issue with my kraken, I was fishing in about 150 feet of water, Atlantic Ocean, strong current, when I hit the bottom for the anchor lock setting this one didn’t work, the trolling motor just started running straight and few seconds later I had a message in the remote display saying, anchor lock unable, same issue happened 2 times, same spot. Any idea what is the issue here? Thanks. After that I came back close to the sore, less current, and the anchor lock feature worked perfectly…

[@patrickmurphy5091]

Thanks Jessy , yep I'm on the fence about to pull the lever on the Minnesota Riptide Instinct Quest saltwater. Just wondering if any other folks out there have had any issues with it.

[@SouthernReelsFishing]

I think I've decided to sell this one and go back to Minn Kota. I don't have time to wait for Garmin to figure this out

[@patrickmurphy5091]

@@SouthernReelsFishing Thanks honestly, I was kind of leaning towards the Minn kota anyway as I do like the Garmin 8612 but I also have hummingbirds and that should work fine with the Minn kota especially when it will tell me how much power is left in the lithium battery.

[@blindhogadventures_Cory.F]

@@SouthernReelsFishing looking at getting a new boat and motor to go on it. Have a Terrova on my Skiff but going to a larger boat. What Minn Kota are you looking at going back to? Another Terrova or some other MK product? Thanks brother and enjoy the channel!

[@channelcatchaser9426]

Coming from Minn Kota I have the same concerns. I also bought a Helix 15 because Garmin 8612 side imaging is as good

[@CollierSimpson-i9h]

Is the delay with the foot pedal as well?

[@axscdvfb]

When you press the left/right button, it reacts immediately, but each click turns it by a whopping ONE degree. It's only after you hold down the button for a second then it will turn faster. This is a common complaint by Kraken users.

[@SouthernReelsFishing]

It's stupid really that it's designed that way. It makes manual steering of it very unresponsive and frustrating especially when you need it to turn quickly

[@peejcj8]

My xi5 does the same in jog mode with remote. Very slow reaction. When you jog using the lowrance display it’s an immediate response. I’m just use to it. If I want to move quickly, I hit it multiple times if a safety issue.

[@VBFISHER123]

Have you sold it yet? I may be intrested, obviously only if the warranty transfers. Im in VB. What shaft length is it?

[@axscdvfb]

I just ran my kraken for the first time today. At the beginning jogging was HORRIBLE. When I pressed forward, the boat went backwards. It turned out I didn’t set the bow offset correctly. After setting it, jogging worked much better.

[@axscdvfb]

The left-right jogging seems a bit slow to respond when compared to my old MotorGuide Xi5. It will get there eventually, though. I fish on open water so it wasn’t too big of a deal for me. Maybe they designed it that way to avoid moving the bow too much. On my Xi5 going left/right had the tendency of pointing the bow to that direction as well.

[@CollierSimpson-i9h]

GOOD INFORMATION. I am unboxing mine now. I will be setting up the Live Scope. I have 112 Terrova that has had some problems and a lot of delay in turning and sometimes spins in spot lock. Sending it back for warranty and trying kracken. Do you have the foot pedal. Is it responsive like an ultrex? Thank you for the information you have provided which is great.

[@CollierSimpson-i9h]

Do you have power poles or Talons>

[@TomyTekOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing this and being brutally honest. I'm planning to get the Minn Kota Instinct Quest pretty soon. Are you pretty happy with your batteries. I think I'm going to get the same one you got.

[@LemuelDail]

Minn Kota quest. Series more power quiet and brushless. dual spot lock.

[@SouthernReelsFishing]

I think I'm headed back in that direction to be honest

[@peejcj8]

I bought a Xi5 in 2020. The control board went out after 4 months. MG wanted me to take it into a service center and have them diagnose it. They would not send me a CB or a new unit. So I bought a CB out of pocket so I would not be out 6 months waiting for service. So far the CB has worked for the last 4 years. Best of luck to you!

[@axscdvfb]

Always take a multi meter on the boat so its easier to figure out the power supply.

[@SouthernReelsFishing]

I will definitely have one from now on

[@geraldkoth654]

Bridge pilings mean bridge overhead. Maybe it is trying to access satellites that get shadowed when it gets moved off by the current. Satellite locking takes a long time. Find some stationary object without any overhead obstructions, see what happens. My Motor Guide Xi5 and Xi3 both have dual GPS sensors, one in the head and one in the base. All testing shows that combo works best for Anchor or Spot Lock mode. The Kraken only has one dual channel GPS sensor.

[@midlanticfishing5405]

Sorry to hear it

[@marshallmazzarelli8797]

JESSE WHAT UP BROTHA ITS MARSHALL YOU STILL GETTIN THOSE TANKS DOWN THERE THE REDS WE KILLED UM BROTHA TIGHT LINES MY FRIEND........SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MOTOR

[@SouthernReelsFishing]

Hey buddy good to hear from you, yes we still getting them

[@doubleccatfishing]

I love my Kraken!!!