xi5 to Lowrance functions-Need opinions!!

[startingover]

I bought a motor guide xi5 to replace the one I destroyed. (see past story )  I have a Lowrance Elite TI. My question is... Does anybody have a similar setup and have connected the 2 through an NMEA2k network? 

Do you use you Lowrance to run the trolling motor?

Does it work well?

Is it worthy the money to set up the NMEA network?

Any advantages to using the network over just using the remote to control the motor?

Any opinions on any of this??

Thanks!

[bp]

I use it often when we have planers out and many lines in the water if I have the remote around my neck my wife can make adjustments on the screen while I'm getting lines out.
A very nice convenience in my opinion