[p]It is slow here today, so I thought I would ask for the forum's help in selecting a new proportional brake controller for my TV. My current controller is a simple time delayed, fixed output current controller. I have previously used an older Tekonsha proportional controller and they work much better.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The new Tekonsha controllers use an electronic deceleration sensor that is probably much better than the older pendulum one that I used, one reason being that the new ones are self leveling.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I believe that the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 is the current gold standard of brake controllers. But Tekonsha also makes at least two others that seem to work almost identically: the P2 and the IQ. I am not so much trying to save money by buying one of the others, but for one thing the form factor is nicer for the other two- they aren't as bulky and well I hate paying for stuff I won't use.[/p][p]
[/p][p]So the following are blurbs from Tekonsha's web site about the three and my notes about them in bold.[/p][p]
[/p][p][strong]IQ[/strong][/p][p]
[/p][p]A totally proportional electric trailer brake control, the new Primus®IQ is self-leveling so no level adjustment is necessary.
Utilizing the primary sensor technology from Prodigy®, ... [/p][p]
[/p][p][strong]Self leveling and primary sensor technology from Prodigy seems to imply it uses the electronic sensor. You have to dig into the installation instructions to see that the self leveling is limited to 0-70 degrees (which s fine for me) and is also dynamic.[/strong][/p][p][strong]
[/strong][/p][p][strong]P2[/strong][/p][p][strong]
[/strong][/p][p]Prodigy® P2 Electronic Brake Control, for 1 to 4 Axle Trailers, Proportional. [/p][p]•Designed to work with electric over hydraulic brake systems
•Numerous mounting options - including 360 degree vertical rotation
•Digital display depicts voltage delivery to trailer during braking
•No level adjustment necessary - it adjusts itself to varying terrain as you drive[/p][p]to [/p][p][strong]Dynamic and 360 degree leveling seems to imply something more than the IQ. But the 0-70 degree self leveling of the IQ works fine for me.[/strong][/p][p][strong]
[/strong][/p][p][strong]P3[/strong][/p][p]
[/p][p]P3 the industries most advanced electric trailer brake control. A true proportional braking system, P3 has several added features, making it the new standard for electric trailer brake controls.•5 storable setting options for pulling different trailers or preferences of multiple drivers.[/p][p]
[/p][p][strong]I didn't repeat the same blurb from the P3, only the additional stuff. The P3 seems to have more customization features, but none significant to my single driver, single trailer situation.[/strong][/p][p][strong]
[/strong][/p][p]So what do you guys think. The P2 looks to have the same capabilities as the P3 excluding the multiple trailer parameter programming. But for a single trailer what does it do for me that the IQ doesn't also do?[/p][p]
[/p][p]David[/p][p]
[/p][p]
[/p][p]
[/p][p][strong]
[/strong][/p][p][strong]
[/strong][/p][p][strong]
[/strong][/p]
[font size="3"]David,
At the risk of sounding like an unpaid saleman I recommend the P3. I upgraded to P3 from their Voyager (recommended by my dealer), that was horrible. The P2 is probably fine functionally, but the P3 is a lot easier to understand. With the P2 you have to refer to the book to figure out the coded symbols due to the limited character display. The P3 displays plain old alphanumerics, is menu driven, and push button controlled. As for the multi-trailer multi-driver capability, you'll soon forget about them ;) 0-70 degree leveling is also fine. What is 360 leveling anyway, upside down?? Go P3 for a few extra $ and never regret it.
[/font]
I use the Primus®IQ and find it it perfectly satisfactory.
However, many folks think that if you buy the most expensive it's gotta be better......
The P2 will serve you well.
X2 on the P2. no issues after tens of thousands of miles. plug n go.
Looks like you did the same research I did, wondering about value/features. In the end, I'm with Charlie on this. The P3 is only $34 more than the P2 and is very easy to set up. Considering the 10s of thousands invested in the camper and TV, what's $34? My P3 fits fine in place of the ashtray in my TV.
Just another post to agree on the P3. It was plug in play for me, as I bought the harness specific to my Tacoma. It was easy to set up and mount in the dash just to the right of the steering column in case I need to manually hit the lever. (I am right handed). As Charlie stated, the menus are easy to navigate.
I used the P2 for the last 2 years and it worked well. The new truck has an integrated controller so if you decide to go with a P2 message me and i'll be happy to sell you a lightly used one for a very reasonable price. ($50)
We are in the middle of this situation ourselves and are torn between the P2-Prodigy and the P3-Prodigy as well. The guy at our dealer said both work great and that while the P3 has more bells & whistles, he didn't think that the $35 additional cost was worth it. The P3 looks like a great unit but we are probably going to go with the P2.
The cost difference between the P2 and P3 is only $23 on Amazon ($106 vs $129).
I like my P3's diagnostic capabilities now that I have it hooked up right. I had trouble getting enough amps to it at first. I strongly considered the IQ, but the amazon pricing has them so close that the P3 got my vote. It was easy to adjust on the first outing.
I ended up installing it with the permanent bracket. I trimmed that bracket so that using the top holes, it rides very tight to the dash, leaving plenty of leg room.
Well, the voting so far is 1 for the IQ, and about six or so evenly split between the P2 and P3. But despite Mitch's kind offer, I think I am going for the IQ.
I have yet to hear anything meaningful (to me) about the advantages of the P2 or P3 over the IQ. My suspicion is that the IQ works the same and is a somewhat dumbed down software version of the P2/3. Most people buy the P3 to get the best, the P2 is a compromise and the IQ is a lower cost solution.
But cost isn't the issue. Buying (or not buying) the latest and greatest software gadget is.
David
We took the advice of a local trailer shop and just got the bargain-basement Tekonsha Voyager.
Not sure what we're missing, but it set up easily and has worked well for over 7,000 miles towing.
Not saying the more expensive models aren't better or worth it, just that the base model also gets the job done.
http://www.tekonsha.com/products/brake-controllers/proportional-controllers/voyager-/TzaIxkVx1cI5XOy!osRB54WVEaGlY%7CzH
I suspect that the Voyager uses a pendulum deceleration sensor. Nothing wrong with that. I had one like that 15 years ago and it worked fine.
David
Price drop on the P3 today on Amazon, which motivated me to replace the crappy non-proportional controller the dealer installed. $123, which is $6 cheaper than it was yesterday...