I have experience with both the Talon and Raptor. Originally I bought a 10 ft Talon but ended up with a 10 ft Raptor. The Talon is easier to install but after only a couple of days of use the Talon failed to operate properly. I took it to one of the Minn Kota approved repair shops and they found a failed circuit control board and some debris along the sliding telescoping surfaces. It was impossible to find a replacement for the control board. Eventually I was able to return the Talon for a full refund. I then bought the Raptor. It is somewhat more difficult to install but not too bad if you have room for the pump. In my opinion the Raptor is much more reliable than the Talon since it does not have the sliding surfaces that contact the bottom and the electronics appear to be more complex. The Raptor is simply powered but the hydraulics with all the electronic controls located in the pump. Another advantage to the Raptor is that it is out of the casting area when deployed.
When running one boat network, when deploying raptors will ultrex stop running? Same question other sequence, will raptors come up when reactivating trolling motor?
It won't stop the Ultrex but most users don't operate the Ultrex in "constant" mode. They operate it in "momentary" mode which means as soon as you take your foot off the pedal, the motor shuts off
Thank you very informative. You stated you have used the Talon and were going to install and test the Raptor. Any updates on pros or cons between the two?
Slowing the decent quietens the Raptor because I fooled around with mine and it’s still plenty fast... the question I get asked the most is folks say they heard it’s louder than a power pole.. so I’ve never been in a boat with a power pole but it will be more quiet that way.. so far I love mine and the install was easy .. bleeding them is straight forward and easy and the way they angle out gives the boat more stability and less side torque in my mind and opinion over a talon...no I do not work for minnkota lol 😝
I’m considering installing a Talon on the back of my pontoon. Do I need to Talons to keep the boat from spinning or will 1 Talon keep the boat from spinning around when the Talon is in the down anchored position?
Are there any tricks to improve the responsiveness of the Raptor foot switches? They are junk. Having to jump on them several times to activate. Definitely out of their league against Power Pole foot switches.
they did. Part number was 1810241. Probably discontinued because of slow sales. You may be able to do a search and find it, or a car parts dealer may have it
My biggest complaint about the Talons is the bang/slam noise each stage makes when retracting back inside its case from being deployed. I have also noticed that my Talons do not hold the bow of the boat very still. You can see the bow swaying left and right with the wind change. I will be curious to know if the Raptors will also have a bow swaying issue.
Hi David. Yes I would say that the three stage design does make a noise but that is the trade-off for having less height than hydraulic style units. The Talons I had weren't that loud. I would say there has to be a bit of sway so that there is less stress on your transom. I'll let you know how Raptors are
@@principleoutdoors8932 The weight on the transom is less, but the overall weight is 43 lb for Talon and 44 lb for Raptor including the pump and fluid.
It's amazing how much information is gained or lost just by who is doing the video. I could watch five videos on these and not get as much information as I've gotten out of this one. Great job.
Wanted to add be sure to download the app for it so you can update them or your stomp buttons will not pair and you’ll have trouble keeping your hand remote paired .. ask me how I know lol ...
Mine are 10ft as in asking folks before I bought them was they wished the had 10ft over their 8ft anchor so I figured it better to have and not need in my book and the warranty is hands down night and day than a power pole.. also with a pump for each raptor if one pump fails you still have one anchor and powerpole only having one pump for both well if it fails you’re done until it’s fixed.. also it networks with all my other equipment so it was a no brainer for me getting Raptors ..
@@principleoutdoors8932 Thanks so much-video super helpful. I had heard that either Talon or Raptor with a sandwich mount invalidates the Mercury warranty but jackplate does not? If true, maybe best option is professionally installed direct to transom on 60 hp tiller boat?
@@stevegrant3078 You would have to check with Marc but I don't think it's true but both are easy to mount direct to transom and come with all necessary parts....just very scary drilling 4 holes in your transom LOL. I would go with sandwich mount.
What about waves on a windy day??/. They’d rock a boat up/down and without remorse. Will the boat be placed at an awkward tilt or position? Would the rocking boat bang around the anchor? Etc. Thanks.
I have a aluminum boat that said can I mount the raptor farther down to take away some of the height a really want the rapters but I don't like the height ao them I could always get the 8 foot model but I'm afraid of giving up 2 foot of anchoring ability
Well I know your videos a year old but my talon is broken and I use it in salt water and I have drifted off of where I was trying to hold it makes a lot of noise my remote doesn't always work right and this has been since it was brand new which is only about 2 years old so I'm wondering if the raptor would be more suited for saltwater
I have experience with both the Talon and Raptor. Originally I bought a 10 ft Talon but ended up with a 10 ft Raptor. The Talon is easier to install but after only a couple of days of use the Talon failed to operate properly. I took it to one of the Minn Kota approved repair shops and they found a failed circuit control board and some debris along the sliding telescoping surfaces. It was impossible to find a replacement for the control board. Eventually I was able to return the Talon for a full refund. I then bought the Raptor. It is somewhat more difficult to install but not too bad if you have room for the pump. In my opinion the Raptor is much more reliable than the Talon since it does not have the sliding surfaces that contact the bottom and the electronics appear to be more complex. The Raptor is simply powered but the hydraulics with all the electronic controls located in the pump. Another advantage to the Raptor is that it is out of the casting area when deployed.
When running one boat network, when deploying raptors will ultrex stop running? Same question other sequence, will raptors come up when reactivating trolling motor?
It won't stop the Ultrex but most users don't operate the Ultrex in "constant" mode. They operate it in "momentary" mode which means as soon as you take your foot off the pedal, the motor shuts off
Thanks for the info, good stuff.
Thanks for taking the time to comment @The Mechanic
Thank you very informative. You stated you have used the Talon and were going to install and test the Raptor. Any updates on pros or cons between the two?
Thanks Very much Len...Final decision is here th-cam.com/video/K4vJ8mUzu44/w-d-xo.html let me know if you have other questions
Slowing the decent quietens the Raptor because I fooled around with mine and it’s still plenty fast... the question I get asked the most is folks say they heard it’s louder than a power pole.. so I’ve never been in a boat with a power pole but it will be more quiet that way.. so far I love mine and the install was easy .. bleeding them is straight forward and easy and the way they angle out gives the boat more stability and less side torque in my mind and opinion over a talon...no I do not work for minnkota lol 😝
Thanks Hillbilly...I'll try slowing them down. I never get too worried about slight noise above water level anyway.
It would be a plus if minn koda making the tilts bracket for the raptor's in the future??
The Tilt Brackets for Talon have the same hole pattern and will work
I’m considering installing a Talon on the back of my pontoon. Do I need to Talons to keep the boat from spinning or will 1 Talon keep the boat from spinning around when the Talon is in the down anchored position?
It would be impossible for one Talon to keep the boat from spinning in the wind. With two it won't budge
Are there any tricks to improve the responsiveness of the Raptor foot switches? They are junk. Having to jump on them several times to activate. Definitely out of their league against Power Pole foot switches.
I had my "up" stomper battery die pretty quick but changed it and all is good. I am having trouble getting used to how hard or not hard to stomp
Will the talon work on a 2013 tracker 175 txw with a 60 hp on it ? Will it be to heavy for it>
I would verify with Tracker but I don't see it as being too heavy
do they make a locking nut for talon so it cant be taken off so easily to prevent theft thanks
they did. Part number was 1810241. Probably discontinued because of slow sales. You may be able to do a search and find it, or a car parts dealer may have it
@@principleoutdoors8932 thank you
My biggest complaint about the Talons is the bang/slam noise each stage makes when retracting back inside its case from being deployed. I have also noticed that my Talons do not hold the bow of the boat very still. You can see the bow swaying left and right with the wind change. I will be curious to know if the Raptors will also have a bow swaying issue.
Hi David. Yes I would say that the three stage design does make a noise but that is the trade-off for having less height than hydraulic style units. The Talons I had weren't that loud. I would say there has to be a bit of sway so that there is less stress on your transom. I'll let you know how Raptors are
What's the weight difference around 10 lbs per anchor on the raptor?
Yes that would be about right
@@principleoutdoors8932 The weight on the transom is less, but the overall weight is 43 lb for Talon and 44 lb for Raptor including the pump and fluid.
It's amazing how much information is gained or lost just by who is doing the video. I could watch five videos on these and not get as much information as I've gotten out of this one. Great job.
Thanks so much David! Really appreciate it
Wanted to add be sure to download the app for it so you can update them or your stomp buttons will not pair and you’ll have trouble keeping your hand remote paired .. ask me how I know lol ...
I'm looking forward to the next video on the Raptors
Thanks - Great explanation and comparison and VERY helpful!!
Thanks for taking the time to comment Dale!
Why not bolt the anchor directly to any boat. Brackets just flex.
the flex is minimal at best and not an issue.Direct mount can't be done on most fibreglass and I was too scared to drill 8 holes in my transom LOL
Mine are 10ft as in asking folks before I bought them was they wished the had 10ft over their 8ft anchor so I figured it better to have and not need in my book and the warranty is hands down night and day than a power pole.. also with a pump for each raptor if one pump fails you still have one anchor and powerpole only having one pump for both well if it fails you’re done until it’s fixed.. also it networks with all my other equipment so it was a no brainer for me getting Raptors ..
Wow...I didn't know Pow Pole only had one pump for two poles.
That's because they don't....
Thanks, raptor's are in will put it together soon
Great! Thanks Tou
Do u think a single Talon is too heavy for a Lund 1675 Pro Guide tiller with the sandwich plate and extender or should that be ok?
Hey Steve...not at all, I don't think you'll need the extender though.
@@principleoutdoors8932 Thanks so much-video super helpful. I had heard that either Talon or Raptor with a sandwich mount invalidates the Mercury warranty but jackplate does not? If true, maybe best option is professionally installed direct to transom on 60 hp tiller boat?
@@stevegrant3078 You would have to check with Marc but I don't think it's true but both are easy to mount direct to transom and come with all necessary parts....just very scary drilling 4 holes in your transom LOL. I would go with sandwich mount.
@@principleoutdoors8932 Thanks!! I may take my chances with the sandwich mount/warranty vs. drilling holes in the back of a new boat!
What about waves on a windy day??/. They’d rock a boat up/down and without remorse. Will the boat be placed at an awkward tilt or position? Would the rocking boat bang around the anchor? Etc. Thanks.
Not an issue. Raptors and Talons have a shock absorption system allowing the transom to move up and down while maintaining pressure on the bottom
great video, thanks for the detailed explanation
I have a aluminum boat that said can I mount the raptor farther down to take away some of the height a really want the rapters but I don't like the height ao them I could always get the 8 foot model but I'm afraid of giving up 2 foot of anchoring ability
I don't see any problem with mounting it lower. Just be sure you have access to the bolts form the inside
Well I know your videos a year old but my talon is broken and I use it in salt water and I have drifted off of where I was trying to hold it makes a lot of noise my remote doesn't always work right and this has been since it was brand new which is only about 2 years old so I'm wondering if the raptor would be more suited for saltwater
both Talon and Raptor are suitable for saltwater
Does the Talon have an on and off light for the lights on top??
through the free App you can control the lights
You have a video comparison of talon and JL marine power poles?
Hi Todd..I have an association with Minn Kota so I couldn't do an unbiased comparison to be honest.
The Raptor is 64 inches. wonder if it fits in the garage now
Can always be extended to enter and then re-stowed. This is what I did.