View Full Version : Pinpoint Trolling Motor Software Updates
I currently have a 3000 Series Pinpoint Trolling Motor with a 5 way transducer that I bought in Aug 1998. A year ago I spoke with a Pinpoint customer service rep and he told me to consider sending the motor in to upgrade the software and foot pedal. I am now condsidering doing this but I haven't had any luck in getting my phone call returned from their customer service people. It appears that now that Motorguide/Mercury own Pinpoint, the customer service has dropped off. Anyone know what upgrades are available, how much they cost and if it's worthwhile? Any comments would be appreciated.
Pete
Doc_wi
11-29-2001, 07:56 PM
Call 1 800 474-7550 and pick the option to go to Pinpoint customer service. You might be on hold a few minutes but shouldn't be in a situation where you can only leave a message.
Doc, thanks for the reply. The (800) 474-7550 number is the one I used to call and always received great customer service. Now when you call that number, you receive a message that it is now longer an active number and to please call a toll number, which is to Mercury Marine. At that point a gentlemen says he will pass on your message to a Pinpoint rep who will call you back. He wouldn't give me their direct number and they haven't called me back after two tries. I was hoping someone would let me know if that had used this upgrade, how much it cost and if it was worthwhile. Thanks again.
Doc_wi
11-30-2001, 09:44 AM
Email me fishdoc@athenet.net with your phone number. I talked to the right people at Pinpoint and have it figured out for you. The customer service end of the business is going through a transition at this time that should benifit all of us.
Glad I could help,
Doc
Doc, Thanks for all your efforts to help me out. I tried to send you an email, but it looks like it wasn't deliverd. If you would email me your phone number at jkres@fwrb.com I will call you to save you the long distance charge. Or if you prefer to call me, I'll give you my phone number. Thanks again for all of your help! Pete
bobco
11-30-2001, 08:16 PM
Hey Doc, you seem to be very knowledgable with pinpoint. What is your relationship with pinpoint? Are they your sponsor? Or are you just another happy customer?
I also have a pinpoint from that time period. After 4 breakdowns in 2 years I have removed it from my boat and gone to the Genesis MinnKota. It is just too frusterating to keep trying to get it right. The only good thing about my $1600 setup was the depthfinder. Right now the whole setup is just laying in my garage, I don't even want to sell it to an enemy. Pure garbage, chalk it up to a bad experience and get youself a good unit from another company.
Mike
Sounds like you got what the car manufacturers call a lemon. I have the 3700 motor and 7520 locator. Have had no problems whatsoever. Mine is only two years old though. I wouldn't trade it for anything. What was yours doing that was so frustrating? Craig
Curt De Boer
12-01-2001, 06:36 PM
I have to agree with Mack. I have had exactly the same ratio of breakdowns to number of years that I have owned Pinpoint. Pinpoints customer service has always been excellent, but I wish I didnt have to find that out so much.
Breakdowns were as follows
1. Motor was in the water but "thought" it was out, hence it refused to run. Pinpoint told me that certain "jumpers" on a computer board had been poorly manufacted and connected. They quickly fixed it and got it back to me within a week.
2. Water got into the nose of the motor and went right up the shaft and fried computer
3. Computer again fried for no definable reason. ALtho, by talking to other owners, I have learned not to leave the motor connected to the outlet when I am not using it.
4. Motor quit communicating with my graph. In fact my graph suddenly started acting like it was connected to a 3000 series motor when it was actually a 2000 series.
I love a lot about pinpoint. I think they have the best foot control on the market, they also do what they claim to do. But I also have been eyeing the minnkota gensis.
ristorapper
12-02-2001, 05:19 AM
I too have one of the early dated pinpoint 3700-60's. I hadn't had any problems with it until late in the year one year. I sent it in to get the problem fixed and updated. Fix was under warantee and not sure they charged me for the upgrade. Just remember that it cost an arm and a leg to send it in. Part of the problem was the motor wasn't sure it was in the water when indeed it was. Another problem was with the set up of straight ahead. NOW no problems since I sent it in other than a main power cord coming loose several times in the power head (too much bouncing on the bow I guess). That was an easy fix with a star wrench and a multimeter. Pinpoint has a spade type connection for the power cord as it goes into the head of the motor and it should be welded or bolted IMAO.
But since the update, it has been great to work with. Get your motor in and get the update. I'm very happy that I did.
bw(ND)
Bumble bee
12-02-2001, 07:27 AM
If you want to get rid of that pin point I would be interested in it. I currently have one but have had to replace or repair it several times. Could use it for spare parts.
Thanks
John
Craig,
Within1 month of purchase the turning gear burnt out. They said I stowed it too quickly and it kept trying to turn on the cradle.
Then the foot pedal stopped working and they sent me a new one.
The next two times the motor wouldn't settle down, whipping around constantly.
Every time I was obviously on fishing trips. This motor just isn't durable enough for my passionate level of fishing.
If I was a hunter and my gun kept misfiring into my foot I'd throw away the gun. Problem solved.
The fishfinder feature is awesome. Just irrelevant if the moter won't work.
Mack
Doc_wi
12-02-2001, 09:47 AM
I buy all my Pinpoint equipment. They do offer me a bit of a discount as an outdoor writer but that's it. I have been pretty much giving away the other equipment that came standard on the Triton boats I was getting and BUYING the Pinpoint stuff. I do have them listed on my web site as a "sponsor" because I think it's proper to do a good job of representing a company whose product you believe in and in return for the nominal discount that I receive. I do what I can to help out with questions on this board for the same reasons and because I believe in the product. In return for "helping out" I was fortunate enough to be able to field test a 7420 and 7320 before they came out and offer my opinion.
I like the equipment. The sonars are great, networking them helps me when I'm drifting and jigging a break and they do a great job of showing fish and structure. The motor has the best foot pedal, (especially when you have an arthritic hip), and depth track has helped me catch fish in certain situations. I spent this summer trolling using my positioning motor on Lake Poygan and Winnebago and it did a great job. Even if I didn't get a discount, I would buy Pinpoint. Period.
Joel "Doc" Kunz
I see I only had it want the motor flip around on me once. I just shut it down and restarted it with no problems. I fished in Canada this year one battery charge went 2.5 days of continual use. So I'd say again you must have got the lemon of all lemons. I'd take it up with pinpoint through the gentleman on here. Craig
Gumbo
12-02-2001, 06:38 PM
I've had no problems with my Pinpoint. Which I'm grateful for because I'd really hate to have to send the whole thing in to be updated. They need to make it user updatable. And it shouldn't be a problem since they released the program that allows you to take screen captures and transfer them to the computer.
I think I've been patient enough with this product. If this product was worth the disappointment of all the breakdowns I would have bought one for a backup and always have a spare with me.
The Minnkota Genesis is better for me. And if it ever does breakdown I can have it repaired locally.
Mack