I've had a TR-1 Gold on a 22 foot Weldcraft with a T-8 for 5 years now and love it. One needs to spend some time adjusting it correctly so that it is not over-correcting but once it's dialed in it works great. Running against a strong head wind can over power the unit's ability to correct but lets face it, take your hand off the steering wheel on a kicker hooked to your main and the same thing will happen. Trolling into a strong wind always sucks.
I've had no problems with mine (geez I hope I didn't just jink myself). I check and re-tighten connections a couple of times a year, change the hydraulic fluid every other year, etc. I do have a tie rod to the main motor back-up so if it does act up I always have the old school back-up.
In my book its a must have when fishing alone. Battery drain is minimal particularly compared to constantly working downriggers deep. They are pricey but this hobby of ours is pricey by nature. I'm pretty confident that when I'm on my deathbed I won't be thinking "man I wish I'd saved the money that I spent on that TR-1".
