Brake Controller - Prodigy vs. Voyager

[brainpause]

But... I think I'm going to attempt to trade the controller for the Prodigy model, I think I will appreciate the digital indication of how much power is being applied to the trailer brakes.

Glad you got it figured out.

Yes, it is kinda fun watching the digital indicator, like I do on my Jordan for my ATV trailer. But it can get you into trouble when you first get it, and you get caught watching more than driving! :yikes:

Larry

[cosmotcat]

Somebody help me here...I'm living up to my Name/Handle:

You can get the prodigy for $99.00 or thereabouts at a website that is escaping me right now. I keep thinking it is RVWholesaler.com, but that website isn't working right now.

HELP

Larry

I'm a PUX veteran but new to PUT.  I was convinced to get a Prodigy and I ordered mine from http://www.rjays.com for $98.  It should arrive on Wednesday.  I'm told it's not only a good investment but it's easy to install.  We'll see.

[brainpause]

Welcome to PUT. I am sure you will be highly satisfied with the Prodigy.

Larry

[Steve-o-bud]

Ok, I figured it out,and will share what I learned for others' benefit...
 
The unit will not work correctly unless the trailer brakes, or some other load, is connected to the brake controller.
 
The instructions state that when the trailer is connected, the LED should shine green. So, I took a 12 volt test lamp (bug lamp), and hooked it up to the brake output (blue wire) of the controller. The bug lamp essentially substituting for the actual trailer brakes. Viola! LED on the unit went green! Next test, the test lamp glowed in porportion to the the amount that I moved the manual slide control! I repeated the test at the connector at the hitch, and it works AOK.
 
But... I think I'm going to attempt to trade the controller for the Prodigy model, I think I will appreciate the digital indication of how much power is being applied to the trailer brakes.

Well, I did trade the Voyager for the Prodigy. I installed it, and after a little bit of self inflicted troubleshooting, it works great.
 
I'm sure the Voyager would have worked very well. However, I think that the boost feature on the prodigy is well worth the difference.
 
Also, for those who may not want to pay the full price of the Prodigy, the Primus may meet many folks' needs.

[lbffl]

Thanks to everyone's input. I brought her home last night with a prodigy installed.

[dgros]

I bought a Brakesmart.  My family and investment are worth it. :W

[raven339]

I have the Voyager, which works very well. It's main disadvantage is after it's been adjusted for pavement and you transition to gravel or dirt roads.

It needs to be re-adjusted at this point, and if you're not adept at doing this on the fly it can be a pain. I can do this, some folks can't.

If I was to buy a new brake controller, it would be the Prodigy!!!

[mike4947]

As an update, Techonsha has a new controller out called IIRC the Primus. It's effectively a Prodigy without the added boost control which unless your trailer is as heavy or heavier than your TV isn't really needed. It's a "set it and forget it" fully electronic proportional controller like the Prodigy.
Pricing I've seen is about $20 less than the Prodigy.