Overview

The Simrad 000-16160-001 is a FreeSteer joystick remote for Simrad RECON GPS-guided trolling motors, giving you full 360-degree steering control from anywhere on the boat. It connects over Bluetooth and is expected to work up to 25 m (80 ft) from the trolling motor under ideal conditions with a clear line of sight. A 2-inch transflective LCD keeps key status readable in bright sun, including mode, propeller state, and battery indicators for both the remote and the trolling motor.

In Anchor Lock, the joystick lets you jog the boat in eight directions in 1.5 m (5 ft) steps, which is handy when you need to slide your position along a dock line, grass edge, or rock pile without restarting the hold. The controls also cover prop on/off, Anchor Lock start/stop, and Autopilot functions such as heading and course lock when those modes are available in your RECON setup.

Power comes from two AA batteries (included) behind a tool-less battery door that twists off for quick swaps. The joystick response scales with how far it is moved from center, so you can make small corrections when you are easing up to a waypoint or holding steady on a windy bow.

Key features

• Bluetooth connection to a compatible trolling motor, with an expected maximum operating range of 25 m (80 ft) under ideal, clear line-of-sight conditions
• Full joystick steering control, including 360-degree steering, without needing to be at the foot pedal
• Eight-direction anchor jog in 1.5 m (5 ft) increments while in Anchor Lock
• Dedicated controls for propeller engage/disengage and quick access to trolling motor modes
• 2-inch transflective LCD with on-screen status, including remote and trolling motor battery indicators
• LED-backlit keys for low-light use
• Programmable keys for assigning commonly used functions from the remote settings menu
• Runs on 2 AA batteries (included) with a tool-less, twist-off battery door

Compatibility and fit

This remote is meant for GPS-guided trolling motors that support FreeSteer, including the RECON family, and it is not used with Ghost series trolling motors. One remote can pair with one trolling motor at a time, so moving it between boats requires clearing the previous pairing and pairing again.

Setup and pairing

When it ships with a trolling motor, it is typically already paired and will connect automatically once the motor is powered on and within range. If pairing is needed, use the remote menu path Settings > Remote > Bluetooth and follow the prompts on the screen.

The remote can also start setup tasks such as bow offset and compass calibration after an installation. During calibration the deployed trolling motor can rotate on its own, so keep lines, hands, and gear clear of the lower unit.

On-water use

Anchor jog and steering are useful when you are working a shoreline and need small moves without breaking your hold, or when you want to reposition the bow while managing a fish. A press-and-hold stop action disengages the propeller and exits the active mode, which is helpful when someone steps onto the bow or a line gets near the prop.

What’s included

• FreeSteer joystick remote
• 2 AA batteries

Maintenance and care

After a day on deck, wipe the remote dry and keep the battery compartment clean so the door seats properly. For longer storage periods, removing the AA batteries helps prevent damage from battery leakage.

Who it suits

This remote is a strong fit for anglers running a RECON trolling motor who move around the boat while holding position and want steering and anchor jog control in hand. It also helps when you prefer making small course and mode changes from the cockpit instead of reaching back to the pedal or a display.