Originally Posted by Jeff in TD

When you look into how brake controllers work, the "timer" based units get their only input from the brake switch, and the operator sets how many amps max the controller will send to the trailer and how quickly it will ramp up to that level. The problem is they provide the same braking whether you are doing a panic stop at freeway speeds, or easing up to a line of cars at a light at a walking pace. They can also continue ramping up the trailer braking, even though you are easing off the pedal, until you ease off enough to shut the brake lights off, when the trailer will jolt forward when it kills the brakes like you shut off a switch. The only positive thing I think you could say about this type is that they are cheap and simple, and meet the legal requirement of having brakes.

Up from there are the controllers that measure deceleration either with an electronic sensor or a pendilum, and apply trailer braking in proportion to the deceleration. Some apply an initial braking current to the trailer when the brake lights come on, so as not to rely only on the truck's brakes to provide the initial decelartion for the controller to sense. Sometimes controllers of this type seem to react to a bump with a surge of juice to the trailer brakes, jolting things around. They sometimes also seem to reduce trailer braking to very little if the operator is dragging brakes down a hill (since there isn't a deceleration to sense). The Technocia Prodegy seems to be the most highly regarded in this class, and friends who have bought one on my recommendation have been happy.

A third type measures the application of the tow vehicle brakes directly, and applies trailer brakes in proportion. The Jordan Ultima uses a linkage to measure pedal movement. They are reported to be very smooth.

Brakesmart (and now apparently maxbrake) measures brake fluid pressure with a sensor that T's into the master cylinder. I suspect fluid pressure is more liner and directly proportional to braking force than pedal movement, plus it seems more elegant. Older controllers measured fluid pressure, but were not compatable with anti-lock systems or proportion/balancing valves of modern vehicles. The brakesmart's solid state sensor doesn't displace fluid, so it doesn't have any of those problems.

Anyway, I feel the Brakesmart is the best performing controller on the market, if cost isn't an issue. Maxbrake is a little cheaper and seems to work on the same principal, but without some of the extra features.

If cost is a factor, I always recommend the Technocia Prodegy.

Originally Posted by surfram

Prodigy has worked great for me.

Originally Posted by Marine

I like the Jordan and think it is the best one out there. However, I hooked up to a trailer that had the battery hooked backwards and it fried the controller. Good news is that Jordan fixed it no charge. In the mean time I had to put another controller in and I think it is the Prodigy.
I have the Jordan, brand new, in a box here at home.
I did a search for Jordan and I can't find their link; they might have gone out of business.

Originally Posted by tslewisz

So, after that LONG, boring story, I've had two bad Tekonsha's, but it sounds like they make nearly everything except a Brakesmart so I don't know what else I'd get. I just can't justify a Brakesmart.