Brake controllers: Jenson or Prodigy

[bluewolf]

I'm about to purchase one or the other. To you guys who have used these controllers: what do you think of them?

Jenson has that cable which attaches to the brake arm, which strengthens the signal to the trailer brakes the more you depress the brake pedal. Thats seems pretty cool, but is it a pain to dissassemble when not in use? Does the system work smoothly?

The Prodigy controller senses you vehicle's rate of decelleration and increases/decreases the signal based on this. I tend to trust mechanical devices over software-driven electronic sensors, but if it works well and is reliable...

Anyway, I was hoping to get some actual experience feedback. Thanks in advance!

 

[jclark]

I'm using a prodigy, works great. Installed it on the fusebox door.

 

[mason4runner]

I'm also using the Prodigy. I've used various others over the years & this one out performes all the others. I mounted it to the right of the steering column with velcro.

 

[jbbanks]

Have both, if the one you mean is the Jordan, do not know the Jenson, but the principle is the same. Both work really good, the main advantage of the Prodigy is that it is easy to remove when not in use, where the Jordan is somewhat a permanent installation. Also, with the Jordan you are somewhat limited on where you can install it, where the Prodigy offers you more flexibility.
Hope this helps.

 

[Koz]

I have the Prodigy controller because of all the positive feedback I got when I researched for one. I can tell you that the Prodigy lives up to all the good things you will hear about it. It's easy to install and set-up. Once set-up you don't have to keep fiddling with it. I highly recommend the Prodigy controller, it works GREAT!

You can also get a direct wiring harness that will connect to the OEM plug without any splicing. I mounted mine on the fuse box cover (lower left side of dash) and purchased a replacement cover from the Stealer so that when not in use, I just pop the replacement cover on.

Koz

 

[boston_kevin]

Prodigy... I only use it occasionally, then in the glove box when I don't need it. I extended the wiring so that the controller fits inside the odd storage bin below the HVAC/Trip computer controls so it doesn't interfere with my leg room (or my knees).

 

[KDCane]

Another vote for the Prodigy... I found a place online which gave the the toyota harness for free. I have it mounted to the fuse box door as well. I have a second fuse box door to replace it with when I'm not using it.

 

[leftyrb]

I have the Jordan. I can remove mine simply, as I connected the wires using a 4 prong car/trailer connector. It is noted that the Jordan works while backing up, not sure about the Prodigy. The Jordan also has a green light signifying a connection with the trailer - not sure about the Prodigy.

 

[Koz]

I have the Jordan. I can remove mine simply, as I connected the wires using a 4 prong car/trailer connector. It is noted that the Jordan works while backing up, not sure about the Prodigy. The Jordan also has a green light signifying a connection with the trailer - not sure about the Prodigy.

Prodigy has the same features. The Prodigy also gives you a digital volt readout of exactly how many volts are used at any time. It also has a manual override lever to apply the brakes manually.

Koz

 

[charlier180]

When I was shopping for a brake controller the Prodigy always had good press and good word of mouth. A friend of mine who has been towing for ~20 years and had used a lot of brake controllers told me that Prodigy was the best. Needless to say I bought the Prodigy and have it mounted to the right side of the steering column.

BTW, those that have the Prodigy mounted on the fusebox door, don't you have any concerns as to what would happen if the door pops off when towing??? Would the Prodigy think it was a panic stop and apply the trailer brakes?

 

[Koz]

BTW, those that have the Prodigy mounted on the fusebox door, don't you have any concerns as to what would happen if the door pops off when towing??? Would the Prodigy think it was a panic stop and apply the trailer brakes?

The fuse cover has to be pulled out/off, it will not come off on its own. It is also a very convenient location when you need to see the digital readout or use the manual control.

Koz

 

[KDCane]

I can't see the thing coming off. The fuse box door is pretty study and I have the Prodigy mount screwed in.

Just did a 2000 mile roundtrip towing my car with it, and had no problems whatsoever.

 

[charlier180]

The fuse cover has to be pulled out/off, it will not come off on its own. It is also a very convenient location when you need to see the digital readout or use the manual control.

Koz

Thanks for your thoughts.. I do understand that it will not come off by itself. I was thinking more about how over time (taking it in and out) the fuse cover will get worn and not fit as tight and be more prone to coming off. Also the possibility of hitting it with a knee or leg while driving and it coming off.

I can't be the only person who drives with one leg/foot and whose left leg moves around some when driving.

BTW, did anyone else notice that the information CD that came with the Prodigy seems to show a 4Runner fuse cover as a location to mount the Prodigy? It also shows a 4Runner towing an RV trailer.

 

[TeryT]

1. BrakeSmart 2. Jordan 3. Prodigy

Over on RV.net, this topic has come up again & again & again. No doubt there will be several postings started on it this month, as people don't seem to know how to use the search feature!

Bottom line the repeated consensus is they are both among the top 3 controllers, and you can't go far wrong with either. In force ranking, the Jordan comes in just ahead of the Prodigy. The absolute best, is a controller called "BrakeSmart." It hooks into the brakes master cylinder, for highly accurate proportional feedback. However, this thing also costs in the $300 range.

Dropping back one, there is the Jordan (around $100), which is also a proportional controller, in that it takes its cue from the brake pedal force.

In the consensus opinion, the Prodigy is the king of the non-proportional controllers, and is cheaper & simpler to install than the proportional type - because it doesn't hook somehow into the braking system.

You can see from my sig that I choose the Jordan, and have been real happy. Install was about an hour, all said & done. Another reason I chose it was because of the premium Hensley hitching system I have, which likes proportional braking (there's this anoying thud upon stopping otherwise).

So basically, you can't go too far wrong with either. I can post pix if you want (later as I have to get going).

 

[leftyrb]

Here is a photo of the Jordan installed in my 4Runner posted here about 2 years.

 

[TeryT]

Huh! I installed my Jordan directly above the brake pedal, as I thought there would be a straighter path for the cable. But it must work OK for you!

 

[leftyrb]

Huh! I installed my Jordan directly above the brake pedal, as I thought there would be a straighter path for the cable. But it must work OK for you!

++++++++++++++++++

Gradual bends with clips installed to guide the cable - has worked flawlessly for the two years installed, plus in an emergency a passenger could hit the manual override red button

 

[TeryT]

Huh! I installed my Jordan directly above the brake pedal, as I thought there would be a straighter path for the cable. But it must work OK for you!

++++++++++++++++++

Gradual bends with clips installed to guide the cable - has worked flawlessly for the two years installed, plus in an emergency a passenger could hit the manual override red button

I saw where that could be done - the clips, etc. Must have educated yer passenger well! Guess I should do the same with mine. I'll hafta do some drills with her - although mine is further over, and she'd hafta lean way over with her face close to . . .

 

[leftyrb]

saw where that could be done - the clips, etc. Must have educated yer passenger well! Guess I should do the same with mine. I'll hafta do some drills with her - although mine is further over, and she'd hafta lean way over with her face close to . . .

++++++++++++++

I initially was going to mount mine in direct alignment with the brake pedal, and with any girl I was going to take camping, I went through the emergency drill (red button, etc.), but some of the better one's with money would leave after the drill ...

I have yet to relocate it :biggrin2:

 

[Koz]

Re: 1. BrakeSmart 2. Jordan 3. Prodigy

In the consensus opinion, the Prodigy is the king of the non-proportional controllers, and is cheaper & simpler to install than the proportional type - because it doesn't hook somehow into the braking system.

The Prodigy IS a proportional controller, it applies power to the trailer brakes in proportion to vehicle's deceleration.

Koz