I'm looking to buy 4 electric Downriggers the question, Canon or Scotty.
I've read all the specs on both and both have features that the other doesn't It appears that Scotty's warranty is a bit better than Canon.

Canon has a fairly expensive circuit board that isn't covered by Canon, They may never fail but I think I know better.

Scotty is a belt driven downrigger how offen am I going to need to replace the belts?

On the surface the canon seems to be better built, I would appreciate any opinion on eather of these downriggers.

Thanks

I have Cannon MiniMags and like them EXCEPT, the electric plugs are CRAP. I converted them over to the old style Scotty plugs (Hella) and that has worked out great. My Strange Cannon story is one day in the sunny Strait my oldest son & I were out trolling and all of a sudden one Cannon started to come up all by itself, then stopped, and then started back down all by itself. We got it stopped and all the way back up and went home wondering about the mysterious gremlin. Long Story short, the case is divided in half and held together by long screws and sealed with a black latex like caulk. It developed a leak and the inside of the case filled up with water and the wave action was turning it up and down. Disconnected all connectors, dried it out with my better half's hair dryer, put it all back together with fresh caulk (from Home Depot per Cannon), and a fresh rubber boot on the toggle switch. That was 4 years ago and it has worked fine as frog's hair ever since. So, I would say, it is a tuff downrigger.

I like the Scottys personally but havent fished the good Cannons too much. Yes, carry extra belts as we busted one up last year and messed up our day a bit not having a spare.

Great question, fun topic... although probably not a new thread as I've seen this question before and I've always resisted answering....

I can resist no more.

Both downriggers will serve you well. Each are durable, very dependable and as long as you're choosing one of those two brands you really can't make a bad choice.
Each make has it's own advantages and as I've used each extensively, allow me to offer the following:

$cotty's will co$t a little less up front but like anything else, you get what you pay for. If you are a weekend warrior, using your 'riggers a few times a month and are on a budget then they might be the right choice.

Cannons cost a bit more initially but they do more. Positive Ion control is Cannon's "Black Box" and is built into each and every one.
The fastest rigger on the market? I've had both brands bolted to the boat, put identical balls on each and my son and I hit the buttons on the count of three. 150 foot pull with 12lb balls, Cannon was the winner by 9.5 seconds.
If you want more exotic functions, only Cannon will bottom-track, jig and interface with your sounder.

It all depends what you want and need in a rigger. Chances are you will be happy with either brand but for me the choice is Cannon.

Not sure the maximum weight Cannon can pull, but my Scotty's haul 15 lbs pretty well. Have a friend with an older model Cannon and he's had problems with the magnet/board.

I run my Scotty's a lot. I've replaced one belt in 4 years and carry a spare all the time - just in case. I also switched out to 200# Power Pro in lieu of cable. Much easier to work with. Starting my 3rd year with braid and won't go back to cable.

I'd recommend Scotty's

ALL of my Scottys are still running the original belts.

This debate is much like the Ford vs Chevy discussion.

Either will serve you well.

And yes.....I use my Scottys ALOT.

No issues, malfuctions and/or problems to date......

The guys who own Scotty say they are the best....likewise....the Canon owners feel the same way about there riggers.

Thanks all for the input, I spent a couple hours today at the fishing show in Spokane going back and forth between factory reps from both types of downriggers.

It really is a ford /chevy thing, I was concerned about the electronic board in the canon and how offen I would be changing belts with the Scotty. Seems maybe I was putting to much thought into both issues neither issue really is a issue.

Canon has there hole electrical current thing I don't know. Canon is direct drive with a faster retrieve and the ball stops when the ball breaks the surface and I think Canon is a little less bulky.

Scotty is belt driven. they use the little plastic bead for the ball stop, A much simpler design which I think is ok. they come with a tilt base as part of the package.

I ended up buying 4 Canon mag 10'hs and to be honest I'm not sure how I decided but its done and I think Once there mounted and I'm catching fish I will be very satisfied.

DejaVu......I did exactly the same thing.



I had something similar happen this last weekend. My Mag 10 would all of a sudden start retrieving all by itself, again and again and again. When I got home, I split the electric motor case and water started pouring out. I've since dried the thing out and am waiting for a new up/down switch and boot before I put the thing back together (the terminals/tabs on the old switch were almost rusted through). Based on the amount of rust inside, I think I've had a water intrusion problem for some time now.



I hope mine does as well as yours!!!

Wouldn't own a downrigger with a circuit board in it. Therefore I wouldn't own a canon. Here in the northwest we are very close to scotty headquarters and they are very easy to get ahold of. My vote is for 1106's and your best price is at Johns in everett. Just my 2c's

Going on 6 years with current Scotty's ---no problems yet. Just a matter of time I suppose. Lot of good Info on this thread about both brands.