Electronic brake control

[NOREASTRV]

Looking for recommendations on a brake controller, my last truck I had a Prodigy and liked it. Because it's been several years since I researched I am wondering if there is any new technology or something I should be looking for specifically? It's going in a GMC Sierra. Thanks

[Crusadernoob]

We had a voyager, I hated that thing, had 2 trailers and it never acted like what I wanted, it was on or off. I bought a P3 and absolutely love it! No more on or off only, very adjustable you can't go wrong with it.

[trbomax]

Ive had a Prodigy on my 2000 super duty since it was new. still works fine and I think they still make them.

[asquared]

I loved our old prodigy P3 but we now have the chevy factory integrated brake controller which works even better. Since you can't have the factory integrated, the prodigy P3 is an excellent product.

[Jeff in NC]

I have had 2 Tekonsha Voyager brake controllers and currently have a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 in the tow beast. I happened into the Voyagers because they were in the trucks when I purchased them. I was very happen with them until using a friend's P3.

I prefer the P3 because it is so easy to adjust. I can just change the boost with a push of a button when getting in stop and go traffic (B1) or rolling in to the campground (B0). The P3 was in my Tundra. I liked using it more than the Voyagers I had been using so I moved it to the Dodge.
I have not been fortunate enough to tow with a truck with the factory brake controller.

[dsjohns71]

My dodge has the factory unit and I love it. Can adjust everything from the steering wheel controls and see everything on the EVIC on the dash clusters,,,,

[thebrakeman]

What happened to your Prodigy? Did you sell it with the truck? We've used our original Prodigy model since 2003 (7 seasons with a popup behind 2 Chrysler minivans, and now in our 5th season with current rig).

Anyway, Tekonsha was not actually use the "Prodigy" name anymore. Their top accelerometer based controllers are the Primus IQ, the P2, and the P3. The original Prodigy would have fit somewhere between the Primus and the P2.

From what I understand, the Primus IQ may or may not be completely self-leveling. I've heard different stories. The P2 and P3 are definitely self-leveling. If you want a directly Prodigy replacement, the P2 is for you.

The P3 is functionally about identical to the P2. What is nice about the P3 is the user interface. Instead of the same old-school digital interface, with codes and dots to read for diagnostics and boost labeling, P3 has an LCD display with simple words for communication.

P2 is about $110.
P3 is about $140.

As far as finding anything better? I don't think so. I think there are some knockoffs, likely because Tekonsha's patents may have run out. But I would trust the company, vs saving $20.

[Knightrider955]

Just get the best. Hayes G2 Brake Boss. Hayes has been around over 50 yrs and always made in the USA. That Brake Boss has all the adjustability you will ever need.

[thebrakeman]

Hayes G2
I like:
1. Made in USA (vs Tekonsha)
2. Audible beep when there is a diagnostic issue is a good idea.

As far as functionality, the detailed description sounds as if it were lifted from the Tekonsha website. I actually wonder if Hayes has licensed the main sensor from Tekonsha, it's so similar. But hey, if it performs like the P2 or P3, great.

What I don't like:
a. Push button manual apply? How do you modulate, if needed? Perhaps I just don't understand.
b. The housing looks like something from 50 years ago. It's a box. I'm always a function-over-form kind of guy. But for a relatively new model (?), couldn't they do a little design work? Maybe that's how they saved a few bucks.

[Knightrider955]

Hayes is a proven company that doesn't need flashy looking controllers to make a sale. They have a strong following like myself that will buy their products regardless of appearance. As far as Modulation, the manual slide levers on all proportional Hayes controllers are from 0 to 100 percent in relation to how far you slide the lever. The Hayes Energize XLC in addition to a manual slide on the unit itself also has a corded push button manual activator that works the same way. So you can have a panic button close to you if preferred. Actually Hayes had the 3 axis Accelerometer before Tekonsha ever considered it.

[GreenImp]

Originally Posted by NOREASTRV

Looking for recommendations on a brake controller, my last truck I had a Prodigy and liked it. Because it's been several years since I researched I am wondering if there is any new technology or something I should be looking for specifically? It's going in a GMC Sierra. Thanks

Have a look at this...DirecLink Brake Controller - DirecLink.com

Integrated is King, P3 is king of everything else.