I'm not knocking the Navigator III as I've never used one or known anyone who has one, but I do know the Prodigy works pretty dang good for an inertia controller. A buddy of mine who wanted an inexpensive, no hassle install controller bought one on my recommendation and it works great.

I'm frugal also, but I think you might regret ordering a particular controller only to save shipping...

Anyway, whatever you do, I'd stay away from the timer units.

Jeff

P.S. It took a whole lot of light hearted ribbing for FiverBob to come around when it comes to Brakesmart...

 

HEY HEY, who said "I am around"?

 

BrakeSmart

 

Hey Jeff, Old BrakeSmartLessBob has been fighting the move for a long time. He is a closet BrakeSmart wanna-be but just won't admit it. Right Bob?

Casey

 

Ultima no longer sold, now I am glad I purchased a spare, new still in the box.

 

And yeah.... If you want to satisfy dot, use any of them. If you want brakes to keep you safe, stay away from ineretia or timers. They will kill you in the bad circumstances. Nothing like a light trailer, a wet road and a surge to get the brakes started, then non with a light pedal. A jacknife waiting to happen.

 

I use the Prodigy. No problems at all towing a 10K lb toyhauler. I like having the different boost options on it as well. There is a local rv parts supplier here selling them for under a $100... PM me and I'll send you a link.......

 

Get the tekonsha prodigy,save yourself a lot of money, put it in and forget about it. It works great. If I hauled real heavy every day, I guess since fiver Bob endorsed it I would check out brake smart or Jordan. Just got back from Atlanta with 26 ft encosed trailer full of furniture and a heavy safe and it did well. I would buy it again.

 

my vote is for prodigy too, i had a voyager but found i was constantly adjusting the level on it . the prodigy does that electronically, you set your gain and forget about it. i like the boost feature too, i usually use 1 in town, 2 on highway's and 3 for mountain range driving.

 

Hang in there, Dixie - - - new one coming out shortly - - I should see it next month for testing. Prototype was cool.

Bob

 

Keep us informed FiverBob. I am waitng for the new Jordan also. I missed my chance the end of last year. Oh well. I'll get the new Jordan.

 

Well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Personally, and this won't make some happy, I feel that they should outlaw any brake controller that does not take its signal from a direct link to the position of the pedal. Either mechanical or hydraulic. The rest of them are accidents waiting to happen. Might be fine on dry roads, moderate traffic, but when the going gets serious, they leave a lot to be desired.

When I put my number 12 on the pedal with the ultima, the brakes are coming on.... period. With the inerita brakes there is a surge and then it falls back to whatever the computer setting are in the unit.

Coming off a hill, there is no specific controll to lightly drag the brakes on the trailer to keep things straight.

Also what you save on the controller, you will waste on tires with flat spots. One locked up wheel equals replacing the tire. If not voluntary, then after a dot check.

The Prodegy also has a thin little shaft that hooks the adjuster wheel to the unit, about 1/16 square. If you adjust it a lot it will break off and leave you stranded with no brakes. Tip, go the the nearest Waffle House, get a cup of coffee and sit there with wire cutters and break away the case to get to the rheostat to get brakes back again. Does work. See with a trailer that carries freight, you have to run it light empty and heavy loaded. Eventually it will break.

 

Ya I bought that one from summitt and pulled an overloaded trailer of broken concrete, didn't have any problems and actually I like it. Many adjustments and digital display...but thats just my two cents worth....

 

Prodigy here!

 

I think the Prodigy is the best bang-for-the-buck for the part-time recreational tower. It works well (it's definately not the best) and can be had for under $100 (I got mine from RV Wholesalers for $90 ). If you tow for a living, by all means spend the money on the Brakesmart, or maybe on the new Jordan when it comes out. When I get the new 5th wheel I will be upgrading controllers to the Brakesmart. Until then my Prodigy will continue to stop my travel trailer.