Has anyone had experience with the Hopkins Insight controller? It is a proportional type and gets pretty good reviews on Amazon and other places. The main thing with it is that it comes in three separate units, instead of the traditional one unit design (like the Tekonsha P3 et.al.). This allows the display to be mounted on the dash and the controls to be mounted in a more accessible place, instead of where you have to reach down to access. (the unit's brains are mounted under the dash) The cost is currently $72 on Amazon, which seems really cheap, as it used to list for $139. I like the idea of the functionality with the three separate pieces, but wonder why it's so much cheaper than the P3 . . . (cheaper is always better, right? L:)L)I'm especially curious if anyone with a Hensley hitch has used this controller and how it worked to soften the infamous "Hensley bump." I've used a couple Jordan 2020 controllers (true proportional as it hooks to the brake pedal via cable), but my last Jordan just went south on me. I know everyone seems to love the Tekonsha P3, but I like to at least try to be a little different . . .

Well I'm surprised no one's said they've had experience with this controller! It gets a 76% 5 star over on Amazon with 116 reviews, and very good reviews on various towing websites. (FYI - The Tekonsha P3 does better with 89% 5 star with over 1400 reviewers.)The downsides I've read on this controller are that the display is not always bright enough and running extra cables & holes in your dash to mount the two dash units. Some reviews said they liked it just as well as the P3 in terms of overall braking. Most everyone liked the ability to mount the panic button in a more accessible place. But it doesn't have the nice readout and diagnostics of the P3.For me, the bottom line would be how well it helps to eliminate the "Hensley bump." A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this. (Others with a Hensley hitch claim the P3 is just a sophisticated pendulum controller that will never come close to matching the smoothness of a true proportional control, which is in some way is connected directly to the braking system.)

I believe you will find that the Hopkins works about the same way as the P2 & P3. That is there is a preset amount of braking in conjunction with the brake lights. Then the pendulum effect takes place according to your tow vehicles ability to slow the combination. In my opinion, choose the one that mounts like you want it. With brake controllers being controlled by brake lights and accelerometers, is there any wonder that hitch play might be annoying? My preference is brakes controlled by the operators foot pressure, like factory units.

Lynnmor wrote:I believe you will find that the Hopkins works about the same way as the P2 & P3. That is there is a preset amount of braking in conjunction with the brake lights. Then the pendulum effect takes place according to your tow vehicles ability to slow the combination. In my opinion, choose the one that mounts like you want it. With brake controllers being controlled by brake lights and accelerometers, is there any wonder that hitch play might be annoying? My preference is brakes controlled by the operators foot pressure, like factory units.Agreed! That certainly is a big advantage of newer vehicles, in that they come with a direct-link proportional braking system! The fact that auto manufacturers are including these now is likely why the aftermarket true proportional (direct linkage) controllers are falling by the wayside . . .From what Barney (forum moderator) said the P3 has a boost you can set that comes on with the brake light, which basically takes care of the bump. I just don't know for sure if the Hopkins Insight has that feature.

TeryT wrote:Snip...For me, the bottom line would be how well it helps to eliminate the "Hensley bump." A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this. (Others with a Hensley hitch claim the P3 is just a sophisticated pendulum controller that will never come close to matching the smoothness of a true proportional control, which is in some way is connected directly to the braking system.)I have already replied to your other post asking about this but take issue with your statement above that says "A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this." There are a whole lot more than a "few" of us using that hitch with a Prodigy. In addition, I now tow with a vehicle that has the integrated controller and find it to be totally seamless in braking. However, the only really different part from the Prodigy is in slow speed maneuvering. With the Prodigy, you would have to change the boost in slow speed driving/braking to avoid jerks because of the boost from the highway setting. All that amounted to was pushing a single button on the controller. It was not difficult to do BUT you had to remember to do it and to push it again when you got back up to highway speed. That was about the only thing I found much different between braking with the Prodigy and my present trucks integrated controller. They both worked equally well with the Hensley hitch that I have been using for about 12 years. Both provide smooth sure stops as long as the trailer brakes are properly adjusted.Barney

BarneyS wrote:TeryT wrote:Snip...For me, the bottom line would be how well it helps to eliminate the "Hensley bump." A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this. (Others with a Hensley hitch claim the P3 is just a sophisticated pendulum controller that will never come close to matching the smoothness of a true proportional control, which is in some way is connected directly to the braking system.)I have already replied to your other post asking about this but take issue with your statement above that says "A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this." There are a whole lot more than a "few" of us using that hitch with a Prodigy. In addition, I now tow with a vehicle that has the integrated controller and find it to be totally seamless in braking. However, the only really different part from the Prodigy is in slow speed maneuvering. With the Prodigy, you would have to change the boost in slow speed driving/braking to avoid jerks because of the boost from the highway setting. All that amounted to was pushing a single button on the controller. It was not difficult to do BUT you had to remember to do it and to push it again when you got back up to highway speed. That was about the only thing I found much different between braking with the Prodigy and my present trucks integrated controller. They both worked equally well with the Hensley hitch that I have been using for about 12 years. Both provide smooth sure stops as long as the trailer brakes are properly adjusted.BarneyOK, that is additional information I don't think I had - that the boost on the P3 has to be adjusted between city and highway. Hmmmm, I suppose that is something just inherent in all accelerometer type proportional controllers, right?

Anyone Experienced with Hopkins Insight Brake Controller?

BarneyS
Explorer III
Apr 28, 2018
TeryT wrote:
Snip...

For me, the bottom line would be how well it helps to eliminate the "Hensley bump." A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this. (Others with a Hensley hitch claim the P3 is just a sophisticated pendulum controller that will never come close to matching the smoothness of a true proportional control, which is in some way is connected directly to the braking system.)

I have already replied to your other post asking about this but take issue with your statement above that says "A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this." There are a whole lot more than a "few" of us using that hitch with a Prodigy.

In addition, I now tow with a vehicle that has the integrated controller and find it to be totally seamless in braking. However, the only really different part from the Prodigy is in slow speed maneuvering. With the Prodigy, you would have to change the boost in slow speed driving/braking to avoid jerks because of the boost from the highway setting. All that amounted to was pushing a single button on the controller. It was not difficult to do BUT you had to remember to do it and to push it again when you got back up to highway speed. That was about the only thing I found much different between braking with the Prodigy and my present trucks integrated controller. They both worked equally well with the Hensley hitch that I have been using for about 12 years. Both provide smooth sure stops as long as the trailer brakes are properly adjusted.
Barney
TeryT
Explorer
Apr 28, 2018
Lynnmor wrote:
I believe you will find that the Hopkins works about the same way as the P2 & P3. That is there is a preset amount of braking in conjunction with the brake lights. Then the pendulum effect takes place according to your tow vehicles ability to slow the combination. In my opinion, choose the one that mounts like you want it.

With brake controllers being controlled by brake lights and accelerometers, is there any wonder that hitch play might be annoying? My preference is brakes controlled by the operators foot pressure, like factory units.

Agreed! That certainly is a big advantage of newer vehicles, in that they come with a direct-link proportional braking system! The fact that auto manufacturers are including these now is likely why the aftermarket true proportional (direct linkage) controllers are falling by the wayside . . .

From what Barney (forum moderator) said the P3 has a boost you can set that comes on with the brake light, which basically takes care of the bump. I just don't know for sure if the Hopkins Insight has that feature.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 28, 2018
I believe you will find that the Hopkins works about the same way as the P2 & P3. That is there is a preset amount of braking in conjunction with the brake lights. Then the pendulum effect takes place according to your tow vehicles ability to slow the combination. In my opinion, choose the one that mounts like you want it.

With brake controllers being controlled by brake lights and accelerometers, is there any wonder that hitch play might be annoying? My preference is brakes controlled by the operators foot pressure, like factory units.
TeryT
Explorer
Apr 28, 2018
Well I'm surprised no one's said they've had experience with this controller! It gets a 76% 5 star over on Amazon with 116 reviews, and very good reviews on various towing websites. (FYI - The Tekonsha P3 does better with 89% 5 star with over 1400 reviewers.)

The downsides I've read on this controller are that the display is not always bright enough and running extra cables & holes in your dash to mount the two dash units. Some reviews said they liked it just as well as the P3 in terms of overall braking. Most everyone liked the ability to mount the panic button in a more accessible place. But it doesn't have the nice readout and diagnostics of the P3.

For me, the bottom line would be how well it helps to eliminate the "Hensley bump." A few who have the Hensley hitch have said the P3 does real well with this. (Others with a Hensley hitch claim the P3 is just a sophisticated pendulum controller that will never come close to matching the smoothness of a true proportional control, which is in some way is connected directly to the braking system.)

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