The Lowrance Ghost Is Lowrance’s first step forward into the world of trolling motors, and it is a great first step! Being only released in 2020, it has made a name for itself by being one of the most powerful and quiet trolling motors out there. On the other hand, the Minn Kota Ultrex has been around for much longer and many anglers swear by it!
While the Ghost has a brushless DC electric motor and the Ultrex does not, they have a lot of comparable features across the board and are both pretty good. That’s why anglers have a hard time choosing between the Lowrance Ghost vs Ultrex.
Let’s compare, shall we?
Ghost Vs Ultrex Side-by-Side Comparison
Before we start, here’s a little summary of the Ultrex and Lowrance Ghost specs, so you know what you’re in for.
| Features | Lowrance Ghost | Minn Kota Ultrex |
| Thrust | 97lbs, 120lbs | 80lbs, 112lbs |
| Shaft Length | 47”, 52”, 60” | 45”, 52”, 60” |
| Mount-style | Bow Mount | Bow Mount |
| Sonar/Transducer | HDI Sonar Nosecone | MEGA Down Imaging |
| Warranty | 3 years with Lifetime Shaft Warranty | 3 years with Lifetime Shaft Warranty |
| For Use In | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Motor style | Brushless | Traditional, brushed motor |
| Steering | Fly By Wire | Cable Steering |
Introducing Lowrance Ghost
The Lowrance Ghost is a high-performance freshwater trolling motor with advanced motor technology, an integrated sonar system, wireless connectivity, and GPS anchoring capabilities.
Its exceptional performance and rugged durability makes it an ideal choice for serious anglers.
What I Like About the Lowrance Ghost
- Brushless motor
- Quiet
- Fly By Wire steering is easy to use
- 360 Degree breakaway mount is great for rocky areas
- Easy to stow/deploy with Lift Assist
- Works great with other Lowrance Fishfinders
- Automatic realignment
What I don’t like About the Lowrance Ghost
- Is a little heavy, making it hard to transport
- Can be difficult to set up
- It’s hard to find a repair store for Lowrance when things go wrong
Introducing Minn Kota Ultrex
Compared to the Ghost, the Minn Kota Ultrex has been around for way longer and Minn Kota has been a topper in the trolling motor area for years now.
Featuring a powerful and responsive brushed motor, the Ultrex is known for its precision and accuracy, allowing anglers to navigate their boat with ease.
The Ultrex is a favorite among anglers who demand high performance and versatility from their trolling motor.
What I Like About the Minn Kota Ultrex
- MEGA Down imaging provides amazing images
- iPilot Link is very useful and one of the best GPS systems out there
- Is very reliable
- A lot of community support; many people have experience using the Ultrex
- More precise and easier to lock in on a target
- Slightly cheaper, more value for the money
- Amazing customer service, easy to fix
- Power steering
What I don’t like About the Minn Kota Ultrex
- Not brushless, makes more noise
- Foot Pedal isn’t customizable
Lowrance Ghost Vs Ultrex: Exploring The Details
Considering that the Lowrance Ghost and Minn Kota Ultrex both have similar features, the choice will usually come down to nitty-gritty details.
So let’s zoom in, and see what each of these motors has to offer.
- Motor
Verdict: Lowrance Ghost has a brushless motor.
The primary difference between the Minn Kota Ultrex 112 vs Lowrance Ghost is that one is a brushless motor, while the other isn’t.
The Lowrance Ghost, as the name suggests, is built with silence in mind, so that it can move across the water without scaring away the fish. The best way to achieve less noise is with a brushless motor.
There are several benefits to using a brushless motor in a trolling motor like the Lowrance Ghost. First, brushless motors are generally more efficient than brushed motors, which means they require less power to operate and can run longer on the same battery.
Second, because there are no brushes to wear out, brushless motors require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan than brushed motors.
On the Ultrex however, the motor is powered by a brushed motor where the rotor is composed of a series of electromagnets, while the stator consists of a series of permanent magnets. When power is applied to the brushes, they transfer power to the rotor, causing it to rotate.
One advantage of brushed motors is their simplicity and lower cost compared to brushless motors. However, brushed motors can also be less efficient and require more maintenance, as the brushes can wear out over time and need to be replaced. It also means more noise and electromagnetic interference.
- Thrust Power
Verdict: Lowrance Ghost is more powerful.
The Lowrance Ghost features a 24 Volt system with 97 lbs of thrust and a 36 Volt system with 120 lbs of thrust. It can work with either system and is therefore easy to upgrade and compatible with any boat including bass boats, walleye boats, and multi-species boats. It’s powerful enough for larger boats and is faster than the Ultrex.
The Minn Kota Ultrex on the other hand offers a similar power thrust of 80lbs with a 24 Volt system and 112lbs with a 36 Volt system. While the difference isn’t much, with certain boats, it can be significant.
However, this is not to say that the Ultrex isn’t powerful. It’s a great motor for most anglers and you won’t even need the power for most cases.
- Control Options
Verdict: Tie
When it comes to controlling both these trolling motors offer a slightly different experience and which one you like will depend on preference.
The Ultrex comes with a responsive and intuitive foot pedal that you can use to Power Steer and also Spot-Lock to anchor to a place. It has an electric motor-assisted cable steering system, and will probably feel similar to your car steering with the foot pedal.
You also get remote control features, as the iPilot Link remote is compatible with the Ultrex foot pedals. This opens a whole new world of autopilot and cruise control features.
The Lowrance Ghost also comes with a pretty decent remote that allows you to anchor and control the speed of the boat wirelessly. The foot pedal on this is programmable, which means you can customize it to your liking.
There’s a battery level indicator on the foot pedal along with Anchor and Heading mode quick access keys. If you want to drop a waypoint to lower your Power Pole, you can also program the shortcut keys on your foot pedal to do that.
The steering on the Ghost is Fly-By-Wire, which will feel like traditional cable steer motors but without any extra wires. So each of these has its perks.
- Battery
Verdict: Lowrance Ghost will last much longer.
While both trolling motors require the same battery system of 24V or 36V, due to the Lowrance Ghost being a brushless motor, it lasts much longer on the water. It is much more efficient in the usage of batteries and so it’s unlikely that you’ll have to recharge your batteries after every trip.
On the other hand, the Ultrex has a more traditional brushed motor which can often use up more power. But to counteract this, Minn Kota has included a Digital Maximizer in their systems, that controls how the battery is used and increases efficiency. So, the Ultrex battery is pretty good as well. But the Lowrance has the upper hand here.
- GPS Features
Verdict: Ultrex offers the iPilot Link, which is one of the best GPS systems remotes out there.
- Spot-Lock/ Anchor Mode
Both the Ultrex and Ghost have their version of this feature. You can use this feature to lock your boat in one position, as you try to lure in your prey.
The Ultex has Spot-Lock integrated into the iPilot Link system and you can also use it from your Humminbird fishfinder. There’s also the Spot-Lock with Jog feature, that allows you to move your Spot-Lock to 5 feet in any direction.
The Ghost on the hand has an Anchor Lock, which is the same thing. You can anchor your boat on a waypoint using the Foot Pedal. It doesn’t have the other advanced features as the Ultrex however.
- Autopilot
The Lowrance has your basic autopilot features such as Custom Route, Heading Lock, Turn Patterns, etc. You can use it to cruise control and set specific routes and direct your boat.
However, the iPilot Link on the Ultrex makes Autopilot way cooler as well. You can navigate your boat in any direction you want, and use the iPilot GPS to record paths, follow depth contours, get to your favorite spots, as well as control speed and steering.
- Sonar & Transducers
Verdict: The Ultrex offers MEGA Down Imaging.
The Ultrex comes with a built-in MEGA Down Imaging sonar which uses a high-frequency sonar beam to create detailed images of the underwater environment, including structure, fish, and vegetation, with exceptional clarity and resolution.
Mega Down Imaging is capable of producing images that are up to three times clearer than traditional 2D sonar, making it easier for anglers to identify fish and other underwater objects.
You can also use Humminbird fishfinder technology with the Ultrex Sonar as they are both owned by Minn Kota. Along with the iPilot Link and the Humminbird fishfinder, you can get “unprecedented control” over your boat and troll with ease.
Similarly, you can use Lowrance fishfinders with the Ghost, and Lowrance fishfinders are very popular among anglers. It comes with an HDI Sonar Nosecone, which you can upgrade to Active Imaging 3-in-1.
Lowrance Ghost or Ultrex: Which One Should You Buy?
As you can see, both the Ultrex and the Ghost have pros in their realm. While the Lowrance does have one more win if we consider each of the features, the Minn Kota having been around for longer has more of a reputation in the community. So it all comes down to you.
Who is Lowrance Ghost Right For?
For someone who loves to get close to fish, and enjoys a quiet, smooth ride across the water, the brushless motor of the Lowrance Ghost will truly feel like a ghost on the water.
Its long battery life and efficient use of power mean you can use it at least twice before having to charge it and you will never run out of battery in the middle of the water.
Plus if you’re a fan of Lowrance Fishfinders and love the speed, then the Lowrance Ghost is exactly meant for you. You might also love the Ghost if you specifically need the 47” shaft length. The price points on both are pretty similar, so you can choose either.
Who is Minn Kota Ultrex Right For?
If you are someone who believes in reliable, trusted brands and products with a history, then Minn Kota might be the one for you. Especially if you have Minn Kota accessories like the Humminbird fishfinders.
You’ll also love the Minn Kota Ultrex if you’re a fan of the iPilot Link GPS trolling system, which is famous among the community. It gives you amazing features, and also along with the MEGA down imaging on your Humminbird, you’ll get a trolling experience unlike any other.
FAQs
Yes, both the Ultrex and Lowrance Ghost come with built-in down imaging. The Ghost comes with HDI Nosecone, thus providing CHIRP Sonar and DownScan Imaging. The Ultrex comes with a built-in transducer with Built-In MEGA Down Imaging.
Both the Ultrex and Ghost come with a heading sensor, which provides anglers with real-time data on the boat’s heading and direction. This is helpful in windy conditions.
You can expect to get a similar experience with both the Minn Kota Ultrex Warranty and the Lowrance Warranty. They both offer 3 years, with a lifetime warranty on the shaft. The customer service is usually reliable as well.
However, it might be harder to find a repair store or customer care store for Lowrance in all places and some anglers have problems with this.
Final Thoughts
In the fishing industry, both Minn Kota and Lowrance Electronics have been around for a while and are reputable brands. And as expected they both have manufactured amazing trolling motors. However, Lowrance has been around mainly as a fishfinder and other angling electronics brand, and the Ghost is their first step into the trolling motor business.
The Minn Kota Ultrex on the other hand has been around since 2016 and can be thought of as much more durable So in the battle of Lowrance Ghost vs Minn Kota Ultrex, Minn Kota wins by a slight advantage of being around longer. You can get more reviews and help forums for the Minn Kota, as anglers have been using it for years.
But apart from that, both these motors have similar features each with its perks and are both a good choice.
