Minn Kota Vs Rhodan Trolling Motors (3 Key Differences)
UPDATED 14 MAY 2023
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If you’re looking for a new GPS anchor trolling motor, then Rhodan and Minn Kota are currently two of the best brands on the market.
But deciding which of these two brands is best for your purposes can be challenging, since they both come with a long list of features, and are broadly similar in many areas.
My team and I tested the most popular Minn Kota vs Rhodan trolling motors side by side, and will discuss the results of our testing. We’ll also cover their key strengths and main differences, so you can decide which of these sonars is right for you.
Rhodan vs Minn Kota trolling motors compared side by side
| Model | Image | Price | Thrust | Shaft length | Spot lock/GPS anchor | Autopilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 12V |  |  | 55 lb | 54" or 60" | Yes | Yes |
| Rhodan HD GPS 12V |  | | 55 lb | 36", 48", 54", or 60" | Yes | No |
| Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 24V |  | | 80 lb | 54", 60", or 72" | Yes | Yes |
| Rhodan HD GPS 24V |  | | 80 lb | 48", 54", 60", or 72" | Yes | No |
| Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 36V |  | | 112 lb | 60", 72", or 87" | Yes | Yes |
| Rhodan HD GPS 36V |  | | 120 lb | 48", 54", 60", 72", or 84" | Yes | No |
The table above compares the most important specs of different size Rhodan HD GPS trolling motors with Minn Kota Riptide Terrova trolling motors of similar size that we tested.
The reason why we chose to test the Riptide Terrova as the Minn Kota model to compare with Rhodan is because both of these lineups are specifically designed for use in saltwater environments, and have broadly comparable features.
Let’s take a closer look at the main features, and discuss the key differences that our testing revealed between them, to help you decide which one is best for your purposes.
The most important differences between Minn Kota and Rhodan trolling motors
Here is a breakdown of the main specs and features of the two lineups, so you can see what sets them apart from each other.
Pricing
While both Rhodan and Minn Kota build high-end spot lock trolling motors, if you compare the Riptide Terrova trolling motor series with comparable Rhodan HD GPS trolling motors, you’ll notice that the Terrova is consistently cheaper by several hundred dollars.
And especially when it comes to the powerful 24V and 36V models, this translates into a $400 to $500 difference in pricing, which can be an important factor in any buying decision.
Bottom line: The Minn Kota Riptide Terrova lineup is on average 10 to 20% cheaper compared to similar models of the Rhodan HD GPS trolling motor series.
Thrust and voltage
Both lineups have very similar pound thrust ratings, with the only difference being that the 36V Rhodan model comes with 120 pounds thrust, compared to 112 pounds on the 36V Riptide Terrova.
During our testing we found that this makes it slightly stronger, which could be an important factor if you have a large boat, and regularly encounter strong wind or current. In terms of voltage, both lineups are identical, as they come in 12V, 24V, and 36V models.
Shaft length
While both lineups cover a wide range of shaft lengths (ranging from 36” to 87”), the Rhodan HD GPS series has more options at the shorter end of the scale.
The shortest Rhodan shaft lengths are 36” and 48”, which are available on their 12V model, while the shortest option on the Terrova is 54”.
So if you need a spot lock trolling motor with extra short shaft length (for a kayak, for example), then the 12V Rhodan is your only option.
Bottom line: The Rhodan trolling motor series provides a greater selection of shorter shaft lengths than the Minn Kota lineup.
Transducer
Neither the Rhodan nor the Riptide Terrova lineup comes with a built-in sonar transducer.
However, if this is a feature that you’re specifically looking for, then you can get it in several of the Minn Kota lineups designed for freshwater use (including the regular Terrova series).
Spot lock/GPS anchor functionality
Both trolling motor lineups come with spot lock, though they use slightly different terminology for this functionality.
Minn Kota calls it spot lock, while Rhodan calls it a GPS anchor. But in essence, our testing showed that both trolling motor series come with a state of the art GPS spot lock that can hold a boat within 3 to 6 feet of a specific set of GPS coordinates.
In addition to basic spot lock, when we put them to the test, we found that both lineups also come with jog functionality, which allows you to move a few feet from one spot to another with just the click of a button, and this is great for systematically covering a specific area while fishing.
Autopilot
The Riptide Terrova lineup comes with autopilot functionality, which allows you to maintain a specified course without having to pay attention to the motor (which can even correct for the effects of wind and current).
The Rhodan trolling motor lineup doesn’t have any comparable autopilot functionality.
Bottom line: While the Minn Kota Riptide Terrova series comes with autopilot functionality, the Rhodan HD GPS lineup does not have this feature.
Durability
While both the Rhodan and Minn Kota lineups are designed and built in the USA, both are known to have technical problems on occasion.
Based on our testing, plus extensive research of fishing forums, the Rhodan trolling motor series is a little more prone to technical issues than the Minn Kota lineup.
On the other hand, when we contacted the Rhodan customer support, we found that they are world class, and they get most problems solved within a few days.
Is Rhodan better than Minn Kota?
Based on our testing, both Rhodan and Minn Kota trolling motors are of extremely high quality, and when comparing similar models directly with each other, they compete head to head, and usually without a clear winner.
In other words, you can’t really make a mistake if you get either a Rhodan or a Minn Kota, since they’re both likely to serve you well.
Having said that, the presence of autopilot features in the Minn Kota, coupled with their more affordable price, gives Minn Kota a slight edge in my opinion. Additionally, many tournament-ready kayaks, like the Old Town Sportsman Autopilot, favor the use of Minn Kota motors, further solidifying its status as a top choice.
Final remarks
This concludes our article based on testing Rhodan trolling motors side by side with the Minn Kota Riptide Terrova trolling motors, as the latter lineup comes in the same size range, and has broadly similar specs and features to the Rhodan series.
As you can see, our testing showed that both lineups provide excellent spot lock trolling motors, and so you need to decide which one is better for you based on specific details.
You may also want to base your choice on whether there is a Rhodan or Minn Kota repair shop in your area, since that would save you from having to mail the whole unit in for repairs.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that Minn Kota provides many other trolling motor lineups, including the PowerDrive, Ulterra, and Ultrex series, which come with a wide range of additional features that might be worth considering.
Gear and methods used for testing
For consistent testing results, we ran all of the models described above on the bow of a MAKO 21 LTS flats boat. We tested each trolling motor for its ability to keep a spot lock in 15 to 20 mph wind, as well as its ease of deployment and general ease of use. We also tested each model in strong current to make sure it can perform well under rigorous conditions.