The Minn Kota Ultrex is a trolling motor designed for anglers who seek the precision of cable steering combined with advanced GPS capabilities. It offers a hybrid system that provides the tactile feedback of traditional cable steer with the added benefits of electronic assist and GPS-based features.​

One of the standout features of the Ultrex is its Spot-Lock technology, which uses GPS to hold your boat in position with the push of a button. This is particularly useful when fishing over a specific structure or in windy conditions. The motor also includes Steering Lock, allowing the motor to maintain its heading when you remove your foot from the pedal, and Cruise Control, which maintains a consistent speed over water.​

The latest iteration, the Ultrex QUEST, introduces a dual-voltage (24/36V) brushless motor, offering increased efficiency and power. It also features Drift Mode, which adjusts motor speed to maintain a controlled drift, and a programmable foot pedal for customized control. The Ultrex QUEST is compatible with the One-Boat Network, allowing seamless integration with Humminbird fish finders and other Minn Kota devices.

In this article, we’ll delve into the key features of the Minn Kota Ultrex to help you decide if it’s the trolling motor for you and how to get the most out of it.

Key Features at a Glance

The Minn Kota Ultrex—and especially the latest Ultrex QUEST model—packs a range of features designed to improve precision, control, and usability on the water. While many trolling motors offer GPS functions or cable steering, the Ultrex combines both into a system that feels intuitive but performs with the consistency of advanced automation.

Here’s a breakdown of the standard features you’ll find on the Ultrex QUEST:

• Cable Steer with Power Steering Assist
  You get the responsiveness of mechanical cable steer with reduced physical effort thanks to electronic assist. The pedal moves naturally and gives tactile feedback, so it feels familiar to experienced anglers, but smoother and easier to control.
• Spot-Lock™ GPS Anchor
  This feature holds your position with GPS accuracy, allowing you to stay over structure or a productive fishing hole without constantly making corrections. It’s accessible via the foot pedal, handheld remote, or paired Humminbird unit.
• Steering Lock
  Keeps the motor pointed in its last direction even when you remove your foot from the pedal—ideal when fishing a line or repositioning between casts without losing your heading.
• Cruise Control
  Maintain a constant GPS speed, useful for slow-trolling or drifting with consistent presentation. Available through the remote or i-Pilot Link interface.
• Drift Mode (Ultrex QUEST only)
  A new addition that fine-tunes thrust in real time to simulate a natural drift. It reduces boat spin and counteracts wind or current to keep your drift more controlled.
• Dual-Voltage Brushless Motor
  The QUEST motor can run on 24V or 36V, delivering increased torque, better efficiency, and quieter operation. This brushless system also reduces wear and power consumption compared to traditional brushed motors.
• Enhanced Foot Pedal with Programmable Buttons
  The pedal includes integrated Spot-Lock and momentary/toggle control, plus programmable buttons that can be customized using the i-Pilot Link system for things like heading hold or route playback.
• Advanced GPS Navigation (i-Pilot Link compatible)
  Pair the Ultrex with a Humminbird unit via the One-Boat Network to unlock route recording, automatic contour following, and full-screen control from your fishfinder.
• Lift-Assist and Breakaway Mount
  The built-in Lift-Assist system helps raise and lower the motor with minimal effort, while the breakaway hinge protects the shaft if you hit an obstruction.

These features work together to give you fine-tuned control whether you’re locking onto a spot in heavy wind, following a contour line, or making small positioning moves on a target.

How the Steering System Works

At the heart of the Minn Kota Ultrex is a cable-steer system with electronic power assist—a hybrid setup that gives anglers the best of both control worlds. If you’ve fished with a traditional cable-driven trolling motor before, the Ultrex will feel instantly familiar. But behind that familiar pedal feel is a layer of smart tech that makes steering smoother, quieter, and far less tiring over a long day on the water.

Cable Steering + Power Assist

The Ultrex uses a mechanical cable to steer the motor, but it’s supported by a motorized steering assist module. This means when you push the pedal, you’re not relying on pure leg force to move the shaft—it’s assisted by an electric actuator that helps rotate the motor more smoothly. The end result is precision steering without the physical resistance you’d typically feel in older, non-assisted cable models.

This makes fine-tuning your boat’s heading easier, especially when fishing in current, wind, or tight quarters where you’re frequently adjusting direction. And because it’s still cable-based, there’s no delay between your input and motor response, which is one of the reasons bass anglers have stuck with cable systems for decades.

Steering Lock

A key feature tied into the steering system is Steering Lock. When you lift your foot off the pedal, the motor holds its last heading instead of automatically returning to center. That’s a big deal when you’re fan-casting or following a shoreline—you won’t need to keep your foot on the pedal just to maintain course. It also reduces foot fatigue, especially on longer outings.

Silent Operation

Thanks to the brushless motor design in the Ultrex QUEST, the steering system is also quieter than traditional cable motors. The assist module engages with minimal noise, and the motor rotates smoothly—even when making fast or wide-angle turns.

Spot-Lock and GPS Functions

If there’s one feature that put the Ultrex on the map, it’s Spot-Lock. This GPS-based anchor system allows you to hold your position on the water automatically—no anchor, no constant pedal adjustments, no drifting off target. Whether you’re fishing over a brush pile, pitching docks, or sitting on a windblown point, Spot-Lock lets you stay put with the press of a button.

How Spot-Lock Works

The system uses a built-in GPS receiver to track your boat’s location and continuously adjust the trolling motor’s heading and thrust to keep you locked within a tight radius—usually just a few feet. It responds in real time to wind, current, or boat movement, making micro-adjustments that are nearly impossible to replicate manually.

You can engage Spot-Lock from:

• The foot pedal (dedicated Spot-Lock button)
• The i-Pilot Link remote
• A connected Humminbird unit via the One-Boat Network

When Spot-Lock is active, the motor icon on your connected display or remote confirms it’s engaged, and the system will automatically throttle and steer as needed to maintain your position.

Route Recording & Replay (with i-Pilot Link)

Beyond just holding position, the Ultrex’s GPS capabilities allow you to record and retrace routes, follow contours, or repeat productive trolling passes. You can record a custom path and have the Ultrex follow it automatically at a set speed—ideal for slow trolling or working along weedlines or breaks.

Cruise Control

Cruise Control maintains a consistent GPS speed, so if you’re trying to troll at 0.7 mph or drift at 1.2 mph in varying wind, the motor will adjust power to keep you locked into that target speed. This is different from motor thrust—it’s tied to actual boat speed over ground.

All of these features are designed to reduce the amount of time you spend managing your boat and increase the time you spend making effective presentations.

Foot Pedal & Control Options

The foot pedal on the Minn Kota Ultrex is one of its signature features—and a big part of why so many anglers stick with this motor. It combines the familiar feel of traditional cable steer with the added flexibility of programmable electronic controls, making it easy to use whether you’re coming from a classic setup or upgrading from a different system.

Cable-Driven Steering Feel

Unlike fully electric steer pedals, the Ultrex uses a mechanical cable to control direction. That means you’re physically turning the motor with your foot—there’s no delay, no lag, and no guesswork. What makes it different is the electronic power steering assist, which reduces resistance and smooths out the effort, especially when making fine adjustments or quick turns.

The pedal is spring-loaded, so it naturally returns to center if you’re not using the Steering Lock feature. It’s mounted on a durable metal base and is designed to withstand long-term, high-use conditions.

Integrated Spot-Lock Button

The Spot-Lock button is built right into the top of the foot pedal, allowing you to engage the GPS anchor without taking your hands off the rod or reaching for a remote. It’s a momentary-style switch that’s easy to hit with your toe during a cast or retrieve.

Momentary & Constant Modes

A toggle switch on the side of the pedal lets you choose between momentary mode—where the motor only runs when the pedal is pressed—and constant mode, which keeps the motor running until it’s manually stopped. This is helpful for slow trolling or making long tracking passes without keeping your foot on the pedal.

Programmable Footswitches

On the Ultrex QUEST, there are two programmable accessory buttons on the pedal that can be configured using the i-Pilot Link system. You can assign them to actions like:

• Engaging Cruise Control
• Activating Steering Lock
• Starting a saved Go To command (e.g., a waypoint or route)

The flexibility of these programmable buttons lets anglers streamline their workflow on the water—reducing the number of times they need to use the remote or interface with a chartplotter during active fishing.

Battery Meter Integration

The pedal also includes battery level indicators for both the trolling motor and connected accessory battery (if equipped). This provides a quick, at-a-glance check on power levels so you don’t get caught with a dead motor late in the day.

Integration with the One-Boat Network

One of the biggest advantages of the Minn Kota Ultrex—especially in its QUEST configuration—is how well it integrates with other components through the One-Boat Network. This system connects Minn Kota trolling motors, Humminbird fish finders, and other compatible accessories into a single, unified platform that allows for advanced control and automation directly from your chartplotter screen or remote.

i-Pilot Link Connectivity

When paired with a Humminbird unit via an Ethernet connection, the Ultrex QUEST unlocks the full capabilities of i-Pilot Link, including:

• Chart-based control directly from your fish finder
• Route creation and playback
• Contour following using LakeMaster or CoastMaster maps
• Direct access to Spot-Lock, Go To, and Cruise Control functions from your Humminbird interface

This integration reduces the need to toggle between multiple devices and makes high-level boat control tasks intuitive—especially when fishing structure-rich areas or navigating complex shorelines.

Contour Following

If you’re running compatible Humminbird mapping (like LakeMaster), you can select a specific depth contour on the map and have the Ultrex follow that line automatically. This is particularly helpful when you’re trying to keep your bait presentation at a precise depth during a slow troll or when working drop-offs and edges.

Waypoint and Route Sharing

Waypoints created on the Ultrex remote or pedal can be shared across devices in the network, and vice versa. For example, if you mark a brush pile on your Humminbird sonar, you can instantly navigate to it from your trolling motor’s remote or pedal.

Custom Control from the Fish Finder

Beyond basic navigation, i-Pilot Link allows you to fully control motor speed, steering, and GPS functions from your chartplotter screen. If you prefer touchscreen operation or want to manage your boat while sitting at the console, it’s all possible from the One-Boat Network interface.

Real-Time Status and Monitoring

You can also monitor the Ultrex’s motor status, battery levels, and GPS status directly on your Humminbird display. That kind of system-wide visibility is helpful for long days on the water where power management and responsiveness really matter.

Ultrex vs Ultrex QUEST

If you’re shopping for an Ultrex or considering an upgrade, you’ll quickly notice there are now two main versions: the original Ultrex and the newer Ultrex QUEST. While both motors offer the same core experience—cable steer with GPS control—there are important differences under the hood that could impact which model is right for you.

Brushless vs. Brushed Motor

The most significant change in the Ultrex QUEST is its brushless motor design. Unlike the original Ultrex, which uses a traditional brushed motor, the QUEST’s brushless system delivers:

• Higher efficiency (less energy lost to heat)
• Increased torque
• Quieter operation
• Longer motor lifespan due to fewer moving parts

This means the QUEST is not only smoother and more powerful, but also more power-conscious—especially helpful for anglers running all-day trips on 24V or 36V systems.

Dual-Voltage Capability

Another key upgrade is dual-voltage compatibility. The QUEST can operate on either 24V or 36V systems, automatically adjusting its output depending on your rig. This gives you flexibility if you’re rigging on a smaller boat now but plan to move up later—or just want to extend run time on heavier setups.

Drift Mode

Exclusive to the QUEST, Drift Mode adjusts motor thrust automatically to simulate a natural drift. It’s designed to compensate for wind or current by reducing bow swing and keeping the boat oriented properly while moving. This is particularly helpful for live bait presentations, bottom fishing, or covering water slowly without Spot-Lock.

Upgraded Foot Pedal and Electronics

The QUEST foot pedal includes:

• Enhanced programmability with two customizable buttons
• Integrated battery monitoring (trolling motor and accessory)
• Improved tactile feel and build quality for long-term durability

Internal electronics on the QUEST model are also updated for better integration with the One-Boat Network and more responsive GPS features.

Shaft Strength and Durability

The QUEST features a reinforced shaft and mount system, designed to handle increased torque and rugged fishing conditions. While the original Ultrex was already built tough, the QUEST is engineered with more robust materials to accommodate the upgraded motor and advanced features.

Final Points

The Minn Kota Ultrex has earned its place as one of the most trusted trolling motors among serious anglers—and with the release of the Ultrex QUEST, it’s only gotten more capable. By combining the tactile control of cable steer with smart GPS-driven features like Spot-Lock, Cruise Control, and advanced integration with Humminbird units, the Ultrex gives you precise control without constant pedal work.

The addition of a brushless motor, dual-voltage support, and features like Drift Mode in the QUEST model takes that functionality a step further—delivering more efficiency, more torque, and a motor built to perform across a range of fishing styles and environments.

Whether you’re holding position on a windblown ledge, creeping along a grass line, or following a mapped contour at the exact depth you want to fish, the Ultrex is designed to keep your boat where it needs to be—so you can stay focused on fishing, not boat control.