OLATHE, Kan.— The cards are on the table. Today, Garmin officially announced the details of its new trolling motor. Dubbed the Force, its said to be the most powerful and efficient freshwater trolling motor in the world. The official release details a laundry list of features from undetectable steering noise to imperceptible sonar interference; but FTR has the inside scoop on features and images that matter most to anglers here.
Quiet, Brushless, and Powerful
Garmin says they rigorously tested the Force to build an exceptionally quiet trolling motor both below and above the water. And, they say the force is 30% more powerful than existing freshwater trolling motors on the market today.
They also say that extreme care went into engineering efficiency. You can bet that Garmin has some of the best in-house engineers on the planet, so we’ve got no reason to doubt their claims of all day battery life. Force will operate in a high-efficiency mode at either 36V or 24V, and Garmin says its 24V configuration will provide comparable thrust to 36V models from their key competitors.
Wireless Foot Pedal and Boat Control
The world is going wireless, and Garmin’s integration of a wireless foot pedal feels like one of the most simple, but modern features now available with the Force trolling motor. The wireless foot pedal works using AA batteries, as does the included wireless remote. The waterproof remote (that also floats) has user-programmable keys for plotter control, but it can also be used to control the motoring with point-and-go gesture steering. Garmin says both the remote and wireless foot pedal can last up to a year on a single set of batteries. Diehards can also hardwire the pedal with an included power cable.
Auto Guidance and Anchor Lock
Pedal resistance is adjustable, and features buttons to control speed, heading, and anchor lock. Speaking of anchor lock, that’s the Garmin answer to spot-lock, and solves the riddle to the first question you were probably wondering about this system.
Integrated heading sensors and GPS allow the Garmin Force to network with chart plotters and follow waypoints as they go. In other words, the motor will steer for you. Garmin says the feature is particularly useful in conjunction with their remote, a waterproof, floating unit with programmable keys.
Integrated Ultra High-Definition Sonar
The Force trolling motor comes with an integrated transducer optimized for freshwater use with Garmin CHIRP traditional and Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonar. The built-in transducer is user serviceable, and the cable management system protects the built-in transducer cables as well as additional accessories, including the full range of Panoptix™ and Panoptix LiveScope™ sonars.
The Force trolling motor is being unveiled at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), in Orlando, Fla., July 10-12, where it will be on display in booth #4800. Sizes include a 50-inch or 57-inch adjustable shaft.
Suggested retail prices are listed as $3099.99 and $3199.99.