anyone have a Sentinel by Tekonsha controller

[dkutz]

Got this brake controller with the new to us PUP. Its a Sentinel by Tekonsha  is this any good, or should I junk it and get a prodigy??

Thanks

[wavery]

Got this brake controller with the new to us PUP. Its a Sentinel by Tekonsha  is this any good, or should I junk it and get a prodigy??

Thanks

I have that one in my Chrysler Concorde. It's strictly a timed response controller. I found it to be acceptable. It's a little jerky in stop & go traffic and I found myself messing with the sensitivity a lot.

I have the Prodigy in my truck and I like it better because I never have to mess with it. It's more, "Set-it and forget-it".

[PattieAM]

I have the 'Activator' by Draw-tite in one tow vehicle, and 'Envoy' by Tekonsha in the other.  Both work well.

[mike4947]

The "leveling the sensor" instructions show that this is a mechanical pendulum type controller. While better than a time delay it still is outdated technology; and the P series controllers from Tekonsha are state of the art electronic true proportional controllers.

[dkutz]

Ok I just found a shop to install the brake controller for $125 plus tax.  Plus the cost of the brake controller.  They recommended the Primus controller.  He said to save the money over the Prodigy, that for a small trailer the Primus is fine.  
I still am leaning toward the Prodigy, its only $40 more and I have a feeling I will be more happy with it...

What do you think?

[wavery]

Ok I just found a shop to install the brake controller for $125 plus tax.  Plus the cost of the brake controller.  They recommended the Primus controller.  He said to save the money over the Prodigy, that for a small trailer the Primus is fine.  
I still am leaning toward the Prodigy, its only $40 more and I have a feeling I will be more happy with it...

What do you think?

I think that you can do-it-yourself.

Check out this website:

http://www.etrailer.com/bc-2004_Toyota_Sienna+Van.htm

http://www.etrailer.com/faq_brakecontroller.aspx

http://www.etrailer.com/p-ETBC7.htm

[mike4947]

The E Trailer kit is certainly DIY do able for anyone slightly handy with wiring/hand tools. That would save you apx $75.
And I'd go with the Prodigy over the Primus. While both use the same electronics the Primus comes without a few bells and whistles. It was designed to compete pricewise with the cheap time delay controllers.

[dkutz]

I know it is do able my self, how ever I am not too comfortable messing with electrical, and it would take me most of the day to install, and them probably only an hour or so...  alot less headache too.  But haven't decided yet...

[dkutz]

I think that you can do-it-yourself.

Check out this website:

http://www.etrailer.com/bc-2004_Toyota_Sienna+Van.htm

http://www.etrailer.com/faq_brakecontroller.aspx

http://www.etrailer.com/p-ETBC7.htm

I like the install kit, its all there... maybe just maybe but I doubt I will do it...

[Clarabelle]

I don't know about the Sentinel, but when I upgraded my TV, I moved up from the Tekonsha Voyager to the Prodigy.  It was well worth the difference in price, smoother and more consistant.