I bought the expensive gear after I already had the diy stuff put together, so I figured I'd run a head to head for everyone who was considering going either route. I am glad you found it helpful.
Very nicely done - to the benefit of all those wondering which way to go when choosing a trolling motor. The Bixby could get double the amount of time if more money is used - to get the larger battery to company offers. Meaning, if money is no issue, the Bixby wins.
But money is always a concern. The question is where your threshold is on value for money. The Bixby is clearly overpriced for what you get, but if you have no diy skills or no diy time, then this is your only option. If you look at it the other way, imagine what you could get if you spent the Bixby money on diy. A larger troller with faster prop, a custom battery that fits perfectly under the seat, and a controller integrated into the yak. You'd probably still be well under the price of the Bixby.
I have been wanting to do a bixby price diy vs bixby, but I can't bring myself to spend the money on another trolling motor. I just bought a better one for my new kayak, and after doing power electric steering, and custom throttle control and it being a more powerful brushless motor, it's still cheaper than the Bixby.
@@OutdoorEngineering I get what you're saying. Can only justify so many projects of the same nature. Maybe sell your old setups to fund the new ones. There are lots of willing buyers.
I'm on my 3rd Bixpy. I had the J1, Then the J2, and now I have the new PP-768 J2 Bixpy. It'll run over 2 hrs at approx 2 1/2 hrs, speed 13 and have hit 5.2 mph. I have a 2023 Hoodoo Impulse 120. I'm 5ft 7 162 lbs. So I'm light, which does factor in its speed. And I'm in marathon FL. So I do deal with 2mph currents, very slow currents. And I run my Bixpy off of the Vibe Gravity rudder. But the Water Snake for just cruising around a small lake, is very ideal, for a pod mount. You can do so much on these boats today, and that makes it so Epic. 💯 🌊 🛶
If my kayak had a better hull design, I think it would be a lot faster, which would also mean more distance per charge. The expandable capacity of the water snake is a huge win for some of the less expensive kayaks that aren't as efficient. I'm 6ft and 230lbs, so I'm sure that doesn't help with my speed issues at all lol.
@@OutdoorEngineering You're correct bro. All our boats perform differently. I had the Jonny bass boats 100, and I still own my 2019 2.5 Suzuki outboard. It would only hit almost 5.8 mph. My friend put it on his Oldtown 120 sportsman, and hit 8 to 9 mph. 🤔 😂 But any motor is just nice to have, to cruise around, and take you back. I think 3.5 to 5 mph is fast enough on these small water crafts. Stay safe. 🙏 🌊 🛶
i have a tempest 120p and DIY'd my own trolling motor for the console .. 30lb thrust minn kota with a pvc bracket i made was 150.00 vs hoodoo's 500.00 40lb thrust kit.. i am always into a budget build vs paying 2x or 3x the same thing
@@tribalncgaming1091 Awesome!! Yeah that was my 1st kayak. So I did a lot of research. But 8 learned all my DIY'S on UA-cam. But at least in this sport, you get 90 percent $$ back. My tempest sold in two days. After 20 phone calls or more. 😂 🌊 🎣
Two things: (1) If you flip your kayak with the DIY kit, it's dead, right? You'd better like paddling if you're 5 miles from haul-out. The Bixby claims to be immersible, including the battery. (2) The Bixby is fully salt-water capable. I'm not sure the DIY rig is. These are deal killers for me. YMMV.
I can say from personal experience that sinking my kayak in the ocean did not kill the DIY rig. That battery floats and is (mostly) water tight. I wouldn't submerge it for long, but it's still running and most of the trips I did with the diy rig were salt water. But the Bixpy battery also floats and as long as the connectors are sealed, it is waterproof.
I have the watersnake t24 with a 100ah lifepo4 battery on my hobie lynx and it will do 4 to 5mph depending on the prop condition lol. With a beat prop and after 12hrs of fishing she slows to 3.7mph. I fish the upper Niagara river and it's screaming all day just holding position 😂.
That's a thing with the more expensive kayaks... they're designed better and tend to have less resistance in the water. How do you like the lynx? I've seen one in the bay here in Hawaii, but I haven't gotten a chance to check one out yet.
@@OutdoorEngineering It's not about expensive better kayak but to do with the weight and size of the kayak too. I have an 2015 Outback and PA14 and with watersnake 24T I get about 5.5km/h with outback and 4.5km/h with PA14. Thats like 3.5miles/h and 2.5miles/h respectively. With PA14, I can do faster with my leg so stopped using watersnake pretty much. LOL
@kihoons_life some kayaks are just a better design. Price doesn't always mean better, but in general, there are different price ranges that correlate to different quality levels. For example, in the $1250 range, you have entry level pedal drives like the pelican in this video, but in the $2500-3000 range there are a number of pedal drives that are all about the same quality, but noticeably better than the pelican. My Recon 120 is the same size as my old ascend 12t, but far and beyond put performs it, but also cost 2x as much. I don't think everyone needs a kayak like the one I have now, and with my current experience and skill level building kayaks, I think I'd have a lot of fun with the 12t, but the recon is much nicer.
@@OutdoorEngineering True that. It all depends on what you can afford and how much you enjoy it. XD I have some major issue with MD180 drive and things but still it’s the best thing you can get IMO and stuck with Hobies. LOL
PWM Controller, Briidea DC 12-48V 35A Waterproof Motor Speed Controller with Forward-Brake-Reverse Switch, Adjustable Potentiometer and LED Display, Easy Assembly, Perfect for Trolling Boat Motor a.co/d/29xRzez
i use a minn kota 30lb endura .. with a 100ah .. the minn kota is 119.00 at cabela .. and with the exact same pwm 35amp .. i get a lot more speed and efficient power then your watersnake.. literally have gone 2 fishing sessions with camping over night (day 1- day2) and never ran out of battery ... the minn kota cost difference from the water snake is negligible .. i have a pelican getaway and a hoodoo tempest 120p.. and i do get 4mph with the tempest and nearly 5mph with the getaway .. the primary issue is the pathetic bixby battery .. its super low watt hours.. vs any lifep04 of comparable cost. technically the transom mount on your pelican is probably a more efficient method.. since you can cassette the console or even put your drive in as a back up :")
About 1 hour 20 minutes. I was able to go a little over 5 miles on my new kayak at 3.7 miles per hour with the bixpy, before I had to switch to my other motor to get back to the ramp.
This is the type of content that youtube used to have. Its refreshing seeing someone no just pushing overpriced gear.
Definitely earned my sub.
I bought the expensive gear after I already had the diy stuff put together, so I figured I'd run a head to head for everyone who was considering going either route. I am glad you found it helpful.
By far the best comparison and demonstration involving a Bixpy on UA-cam
Very nicely done - to the benefit of all those wondering which way to go when choosing a trolling motor.
The Bixby could get double the amount of time if more money is used - to get the larger battery to company offers. Meaning, if money is no issue, the Bixby wins.
But money is always a concern. The question is where your threshold is on value for money. The Bixby is clearly overpriced for what you get, but if you have no diy skills or no diy time, then this is your only option.
If you look at it the other way, imagine what you could get if you spent the Bixby money on diy. A larger troller with faster prop, a custom battery that fits perfectly under the seat, and a controller integrated into the yak. You'd probably still be well under the price of the Bixby.
I have been wanting to do a bixby price diy vs bixby, but I can't bring myself to spend the money on another trolling motor. I just bought a better one for my new kayak, and after doing power electric steering, and custom throttle control and it being a more powerful brushless motor, it's still cheaper than the Bixby.
@@OutdoorEngineering I get what you're saying. Can only justify so many projects of the same nature. Maybe sell your old setups to fund the new ones. There are lots of willing buyers.
Nice attention to your testing, the information is very appreciated!
Great comparison, thanks for sharing your experience.
I'm on my 3rd Bixpy. I had the J1, Then the J2, and now I have the new PP-768 J2 Bixpy. It'll run over 2 hrs at approx 2 1/2 hrs, speed 13 and have hit 5.2 mph. I have a 2023 Hoodoo Impulse 120. I'm 5ft 7 162 lbs. So I'm light, which does factor in its speed. And I'm in marathon FL. So I do deal with 2mph currents, very slow currents. And I run my Bixpy off of the Vibe Gravity rudder. But the Water Snake for just cruising around a small lake, is very ideal, for a pod mount. You can do so much on these boats today, and that makes it so Epic. 💯 🌊 🛶
If my kayak had a better hull design, I think it would be a lot faster, which would also mean more distance per charge. The expandable capacity of the water snake is a huge win for some of the less expensive kayaks that aren't as efficient. I'm 6ft and 230lbs, so I'm sure that doesn't help with my speed issues at all lol.
@@OutdoorEngineering You're correct bro. All our boats perform differently. I had the Jonny bass boats 100, and I still own my 2019 2.5 Suzuki outboard. It would only hit almost 5.8 mph. My friend put it on his Oldtown 120 sportsman, and hit 8 to 9 mph. 🤔 😂 But any motor is just nice to have, to cruise around, and take you back. I think 3.5 to 5 mph is fast enough on these small water crafts. Stay safe. 🙏 🌊 🛶
i have a tempest 120p and DIY'd my own trolling motor for the console .. 30lb thrust minn kota with a pvc bracket i made was 150.00 vs hoodoo's 500.00 40lb thrust kit.. i am always into a budget build vs paying 2x or 3x the same thing
@@tribalncgaming1091 Awesome!! Yeah that was my 1st kayak. So I did a lot of research. But 8 learned all my DIY'S on UA-cam. But at least in this sport, you get 90 percent $$ back. My tempest sold in two days. After 20 phone calls or more. 😂 🌊 🎣
Very comprehensive test man good job
Thanks, I finally knew what to buy.
super realistic and intuitive video.. thx!
Great test video from lake to bucket test good job bro 😊
Two things: (1) If you flip your kayak with the DIY kit, it's dead, right? You'd better like paddling if you're 5 miles from haul-out. The Bixby claims to be immersible, including the battery. (2) The Bixby is fully salt-water capable. I'm not sure the DIY rig is. These are deal killers for me. YMMV.
I can say from personal experience that sinking my kayak in the ocean did not kill the DIY rig. That battery floats and is (mostly) water tight. I wouldn't submerge it for long, but it's still running and most of the trips I did with the diy rig were salt water.
But the Bixpy battery also floats and as long as the connectors are sealed, it is waterproof.
@@OutdoorEngineering Cool. What about the DIY controller?
Claims to be waterproof but I haven't sank it yet. Been rained on and splashed by salt water, but never submerged.
great video. Would be nice to see how these solution run with some heavier winds and chop.
They work pretty well, just slow. A couple of my older videos show me using these motors out in worse conditions than this.
I have the watersnake t24 with a 100ah lifepo4 battery on my hobie lynx and it will do 4 to 5mph depending on the prop condition lol. With a beat prop and after 12hrs of fishing she slows to 3.7mph. I fish the upper Niagara river and it's screaming all day just holding position 😂.
That's a thing with the more expensive kayaks... they're designed better and tend to have less resistance in the water. How do you like the lynx? I've seen one in the bay here in Hawaii, but I haven't gotten a chance to check one out yet.
needs to be apples to apples.. the lynx is also like 30-40lbs lighter then the pelican ..
@@OutdoorEngineering It's not about expensive better kayak but to do with the weight and size of the kayak too. I have an 2015 Outback and PA14 and with watersnake 24T I get about 5.5km/h with outback and 4.5km/h with PA14. Thats like 3.5miles/h and 2.5miles/h respectively. With PA14, I can do faster with my leg so stopped using watersnake pretty much. LOL
@kihoons_life some kayaks are just a better design. Price doesn't always mean better, but in general, there are different price ranges that correlate to different quality levels. For example, in the $1250 range, you have entry level pedal drives like the pelican in this video, but in the $2500-3000 range there are a number of pedal drives that are all about the same quality, but noticeably better than the pelican. My Recon 120 is the same size as my old ascend 12t, but far and beyond put performs it, but also cost 2x as much. I don't think everyone needs a kayak like the one I have now, and with my current experience and skill level building kayaks, I think I'd have a lot of fun with the 12t, but the recon is much nicer.
@@OutdoorEngineering True that. It all depends on what you can afford and how much you enjoy it. XD I have some major issue with MD180 drive and things but still it’s the best thing you can get IMO and stuck with Hobies. LOL
Awesome!👍
Do you have anymore info on the speed controller on the diy, I can’t seem to find it on Amazon
PWM Controller, Briidea DC 12-48V 35A Waterproof Motor Speed Controller with Forward-Brake-Reverse Switch, Adjustable Potentiometer and LED Display, Easy Assembly, Perfect for Trolling Boat Motor a.co/d/29xRzez
What is the voltage of the motor????
Great video thanks 😊
Soooo many innuendos giggity.
i use a minn kota 30lb endura .. with a 100ah .. the minn kota is 119.00 at cabela .. and with the exact same pwm 35amp .. i get a lot more speed and efficient power then your watersnake.. literally have gone 2 fishing sessions with camping over night (day 1- day2) and never ran out of battery ... the minn kota cost difference from the water snake is negligible .. i have a pelican getaway and a hoodoo tempest 120p.. and i do get 4mph with the tempest and nearly 5mph with the getaway .. the primary issue is the pathetic bixby battery .. its super low watt hours.. vs any lifep04 of comparable cost. technically the transom mount on your pelican is probably a more efficient method.. since you can cassette the console or even put your drive in as a back up :")
quanto dura la batteria del BIXPY alla massima velocità?
About 1 hour 20 minutes. I was able to go a little over 5 miles on my new kayak at 3.7 miles per hour with the bixpy, before I had to switch to my other motor to get back to the ramp.
It sounded like the Bixby was much louder than the watersnake.
The Bixpy is noticeably loud