Banks beats up on Pedal Commander

[Troybilt]

This old guy was cracking me up.

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[Jefe1018]

I mean it is a cheaper product with fewer features.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I mean it is a cheaper product with fewer features.

In a quick search it appears they are the same cost ($299 Pedal Commander, $295 Pedal Monster).

I don't have either product and no plans to buy either one - but I found the video to be pretty interesting. I'd buy the Banks product based on what I've seen so far.....but I'd guess that was the point of his tirade ?

 

[Mister Lamb]

I had a lot going on and left my Pedal Commander plugged in during a service where they happened to update the software in my truck and it screwed up the P Commander. Throws my truck into limp mode when connected which is a shame considering it really made a big driving experience

 

[Jefe1018]

In a quick search it appears they are the same cost ($299 Pedal Commander, $295 Pedal Monster).

I don't have either product and no plans to buy either one - but I found the video to be pretty interesting. I'd buy the Banks product based on what I've seen so far.....but I'd guess that was the point of his tirade ?

Oh lol… I don’t think I’d get her the Banks without the data pod product, probably what I was thinking.

 

[Idlethunder]

Almost two years ago I bought a pedal commander to try out on my 3.6 auto JT. I talked with the maker before buying it and was told it was returnable within the first month for a full refund if I paid return shipping so thought it was worth a shot. I loved the improved throttle response and ended up keeping it.

For the first year and a half it worked as advertised. There were a couple of things I wasn’t crazy about but put up with. I didn’t like that reverse was just as responsive as drive. For on road driving, I kept it set to Sport +3 and you had to be extremely easy on the gas in reverse. My other main criticism was that it was a little twitchy. By that I mean every once in a while, the Jeep would seem to either lurch forward or lose the throttle for a second without my foot ever moving.

Last fall I started having obvious issues. A few times while driving, maybe 5, the Jeep would completely lose the throttle and the check engine light came on. Had that happened on an interstate or in traffic it could have easily caused a wreck but every time it happened, I was able to safely coast far enough to get off the road and kill the engine. After sitting for a couple of minutes, it would start and drive normally again. Each time it happened I read the code and it was always p2135 listed by Jscan as something like throttle position sensor. The engine light would stay on for a couple of days then go off but the code stayed. I took out the device and let my dealer check it but other than the code, they found no problem. In October I emailed Pedal Commander and they immediately sent a return label to return it for repair. In their defense, they repaired it and had it back to me in about 10 days and it has worked fine since.

After watching the Banks video last week, the voltage issues he described were exactly what I have experienced. At that point I took the pedal commander out and ordered his. I’ve only had the Pedal Monster installed since Tuesday but I can feel a difference between the devices. With the Pedal Commander throttle response was considerably faster than stock but it wasn’t nearly as fluid. With the Pedal Monster the throttle is just as smooth as stock but responds much faster. I also love that Banks has a feature built in so that reverse isn't boosted. I’ve only had it on for a couple of days but that is my initial impression. If anything changes I’ll report back.

 

[MCATDT]

Everyone has a product to sell and providing you a problem you didn't know you had. Why must we trash someone else's product that has served the Jeep and other auto enthusiast communities for years. The Pedal Commander has been highly touted on this site since I joined. Like all manufactured products some will have issues but most never do but its usually only the issues we hear about. I feel no need to change out my Pedal Commander and spend money on a different version of something I already have. And listening to a manufacturer tirade whose goal is to alarm you is even a bigger turn off. If I didn't' already have a Pedal Commander then looking into the Banks as part of my decision making process would definitely be in play but I am happy with the option I chose among the choices I had when I purchased it 3 years ago.

 

[ScottTank]

My understanding is....less pedal pressure brings (quicker) on higher signal to the throttle body to increase speed?
Would simply depressing the gas pedal quicker produce the same results? What am I missing?

 

[ChrisNLA]

Everyone has a product to sell and providing you a problem you didn't know you had. Why must we trash someone else's product that has served the Jeep and other auto enthusiast communities for years. The Pedal Commander has been highly touted on this site since I joined. Like all manufactured products some will have issues but most never do but its usually only the issues we hear about. I feel no need to change out my Pedal Commander and spend money on a different version of something I already have. And listening to a manufacturer tirade whose goal is to alarm you is even a bigger turn off. If I didn't' already have a Pedal Commander then looking into the Banks as part of my decision making process would definitely be in play but I am happy with the option I chose among the choices I had when I purchased it 3 years ago.

Banks video is a bit aggressive, but it does appear to make valid points (even just using the one 'case study' above in addition to the video). I don't see any issue in bringing constructive criticism against a product, business, etc. If you are one of the folks that never experienced the loss of throttle then yes - you are probably ok with the products performance and would never be the wiser to your point. If you are like the poster above that experienced a loss of throttle and service engine lights, then found out the other product not only has a safeguard against that issue, but has a smoother throttle curve and no reverse issues - that's a big difference to me.

I'm probably going to drift off topic but this post in general reminds me of the local 'rants and raves' FB page in my area. Folks will go on, complain about a local dining establishment (or other business), then get beat over the head about how we shouldn't say negative things about a local business. Constructive (key word) criticism should be important to any business and any individual out there. Of course, it IS possible to get senselessly railroaded by a mob these days - but Banks (to me) brought a series of valid points back with reasonable evidence.

Again I don't have a dog in this race. I don't have, and don't plan to purchase either one.

Related, but not related, to being criticized (or held accountable) for something. Just thought it was fun to thrown in.

 

[1550jrit]

My understanding is....less pedal pressure brings (quicker) on higher signal to the throttle body to increase speed?
Would simply depressing the gas pedal quicker produce the same results? What am I missing?

In a nutshell, you can call for full throttle all you like, but your factory computer might only give you 50% until you reach a certain speed, gear, whatever. What these devices do is to reprogram that process so that when you call for a certain level of throttle, you get it immediately (or whatever you have the device set at). You definitely don’t make more power but the responsiveness of the throttle makes you feel like you do.

In full disclosure I have the Banks Pedal Monster and it’s really fun, especially paired with 5.38’s. My truck is super responsive and I’m happy with the performance I get out of the 3.6 and running 37’s.

 

[Puch]

My understanding is....less pedal pressure brings (quicker) on higher signal to the throttle body to increase speed?
Would simply depressing the gas pedal quicker produce the same results? What am I missing?

I believe you are correct. I think I watched someone on Engine Builders talk about this. It basically makes the gas pedal more sensitive at the beginning to middle of the cycle, but then you find that there’s less increase in throttle as you get past middle to end of throttle. It just basically gives you all the throttle in half of the stock configuration. If you press it faster, you get the same results.

 

[tj3089]

Everyone has a product to sell and providing you a problem you didn't know you had. Why must we trash someone else's product that has served the Jeep and other auto enthusiast communities for years. The Pedal Commander has been highly touted on this site since I joined. Like all manufactured products some will have issues but most never do but its usually only the issues we hear about. I feel no need to change out my Pedal Commander and spend money on a different version of something I already have. And listening to a manufacturer tirade whose goal is to alarm you is even a bigger turn off. If I didn't' already have a Pedal Commander then looking into the Banks as part of my decision making process would definitely be in play but I am happy with the option I chose among the choices I had when I purchased it 3 years ago.

The video brought up the lack of throttle response when the PC loses power and it seems like a big safety issue to me. It has no safeties built into it at all it seems.

 

[MCATDT]

I'm not saying his points were not valid but don't act like the screaming infomercial guy. If you believe you have invented a better mousetrap than good for you but don't sensationalize it. If your product is that much better than let it speak for itself not scream for itself.

 

[Troybilt]

Everyone has a product to sell and providing you a problem you didn't know you had. Why must we trash someone else's product that has served the Jeep and other auto enthusiast communities for years. The Pedal Commander has been highly touted on this site since I joined. Like all manufactured products some will have issues but most never do but its usually only the issues we hear about. I feel no need to change out my Pedal Commander and spend money on a different version of something I already have. And listening to a manufacturer tirade whose goal is to alarm you is even a bigger turn off. If I didn't' already have a Pedal Commander then looking into the Banks as part of my decision making process would definitely be in play but I am happy with the option I chose among the choices I had when I purchased it 3 years ago.

I'm not saying his points were not valid but don't act like the screaming infomercial guy. If you believe you have invented a better mousetrap than good for you but don't sensationalize it. If your product is that much better than let it speak for itself not scream for itself.

From what I gathered from the video is that Pedal Commander posted trash talk on their web page that they are better than Banks. As a business owner this video with facts presented and a slight amount of instigation is the perfect response. I enjoy a company that is better and not afraid to poke a finger in the eye of the weaker competitor that chooses to call them out. It also sounds like Banks is a USA made product and Pedal Commander is made in Turkey.

 

[Badunit]

I prefer just the facts, presented in a well ordered and convincing manner. All the rest is hand waving, hyperbole, and insults which reduces the credibility of the presenter and the presentation. While I believe in their product, I lost some respect for the company and Mr. Banks.

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