I am thinking of getting an 80lb version and wondered how these motors have been holding up. I'm a bit suspicious of getting something with extra things to go wrong (over a standard maxxum transom mount), but really like the idea of the 3x steering and the easy change to back trolling.

Is it worth the extra and are they robust? I'll be using it in the UK where it will be very difficult to get spares or repairs if it breaks.

I've been running a 55lb Vector 3x for two years now. I must say it's a very rugged, stout motor and runs quite well. However I have a HUGE beef with the motor, and its the fact that it doesn't have forward and reverse built into the tiller handle. If you're set up to backtroll and want to move forward--say to dislodge a hook from a snag--you have to awkwardly turn to motor to swivel 180 degrees to go in that direction, or pull the pin to make it function in "forward" mnde.

I've had both the Maxxum and the Vector 3x in their recent configurations and the Vector 3X is no doubt a tougher, more durable motor. But if they just put the simple forward-reverse configuration in the tiller handle (for quick manuevers, not long-duration trolling...I understand you don't backtroll in "reverse" with the trolling motor) Minn-Kota would have a close-to-perfect transom mount trolling motor on their hands.

hathead

I didn't realise that! That is certainly an omission. How difficult is it to turn the head rouns with the tiller handle to go back to get your jig? Big movement? I use a maxxum at the moment and I'm always moving from forward to reverse.