What Does an Air Suspension Controller Do?
First things first. As you could imagine, an air ride controller (control system) does just that. It allows you to interface with and control the height of your vehicle by allowing you to add or remove pressure from your air bags with the touch of a button. Regardless of what type of control system you go with for your air management, up will be up and down will be down. Simple as that.
What's the Difference Between Digital and Manual Control Systems?
The main difference between Digital and Manual control systems comes down to how you use your air suspension and cost. Digital controllers are the leader of the pack. They're a bit more expensive but they come with a full suite of features like digital screens to easily visualize what your air ride system is doing, as well as being able to get to user defined heights at the press of a single button. Manual controllers on the other hand come in at a lower price point and require you to adjust each corner of your vehicle individually. Some systems allow for paired controls (you can raise the fronts together with the touch of one button for example), but you won't be able to press a single button and have your car raise to an exact height each time like you would be able to do with the more expensive Digital controllers. Manual control systems require you to monitor your air spring pressures by using gauges. It only takes a tiny bit of learning but you'll quickly learn that your ride height will be something like 40psi in the front, and 50psi in the rear, and your low cruise height might be like 30psi in the front and 40psi in the rear. Every car is different so this is just an example, but learning your pressures in relation to the height of your vehicle soon becomes second nature.
Digital Controllers
- User-defined preset heights at the press of a button
- Digital readout to see what your air suspension is doing (generally, there are some exceptions like AccuAir's eLevel)
- Simple installation
- More expensive due to having a larger feature set
Manual Controllers
- Need to read off of gauges to adjust your air springs pressures
- Your pressures = your height. There are no single button touch-and-go preset options like there are with Digital control systems
- Less expensive since they are less complicated and feature less tech
- Installation can be a bit more complicated because of having to run separate gauges (instead of having a digital controller that is an all-in-one controller and gauge readout)
Will My Control System Choice Affect My Vehicle's Handling Performance?
Bag Riders will only sell control systems that isolate each bag, so the answer is… if you buy from us, no. Something to watch out for though is the fact that you can run an air suspension control system with less valves that will pair your fronts together and pair your rears together. You might be able to find a killer deal somewhere else with a system like this, but it IS going to cause your car to handle like shit. Anyone who says air suspension makes your car handle worse probably has experience with one of these super budget jank setups. We don't sell those and we won't point you towards one for that purpose. So, do any of the control systems or management packages that are sold at Bag Riders affect your vehicle's handling performance? Nope! They simply change the way you interact with your air suspension.
Which Air Ride Controller Should I Choose?
One of the most common and important questions we get asked at Bag Riders. What controller is best for me? It really comes down to personal preference and your budget. Are you a set it and forget it type person? Want to press a button and go? Something like the Bag Riders PRO control system or the AccuAir eLevel are going to be your best options. Want to hammer buttons and want to save some cash? A manual control system like the manual paddle valves or the Slam Specialites Analog MC.2 setup might be best.
What Does Bag Riders Recommend and Why?
For digital control systems we point to our very own Bag Riders PRO or AccuAir's eLevel. Listen, we've been running Bag Riders since 2009 (damn, we getting old) and we pride ourselves on being the most knowledgeable place to get air suspension. We've tested just about every control system out there, including those imported ones with silly names. There are good ones, there are bad ones. Let's go.
Bag Riders PRO Controller
Bag Riders only sells what we would run on our own cars and when it comes to our PRO control system, it's based on OUR wants and needs. The PRO bears the Bag Riders name because it's exactly what we wanted in a controller. Plus, if you end up going with a PRO, it's backed directly by us. We have a very long history of having the best customer support in the industry so rest assured that we stand behind the PRO and your purchase. The PRO from Bag Riders features 3 user-defined preset heights, an all down button, individual bag control, a crisp digital screen, and our favorite feature - backlit and tactile buttons that you can feel.
Shop the Bag Riders PRO Air Management Controller Here
AccuAir eLevel Controller
AccuAir's eLevel on the other hand is one of the most premium control systems you can get on the market. The eLevel has been around for longer than Bag Riders has existed and it's known as the best height based air suspension control system on the market. The controller itself is a thing of beauty with Apple-esque attention to detail. AccuAir's eLevel is a height based air management system which means it has height based leveling sensors that will need to be installed on each corner of your vehicle. Installation is obviously a bit more complex, but what you get at the end is a control system that doesn't have any gauges, you press a button and it goes to that exact height. You add a ton of weight to your vehicle like 4 other passengers, and the eLevel automatically levels your car out to be at the exact same height as your predefined preset. Installation may take you longer, but the end result is the most OEM feeling air suspension control setup on the market.
Shop the AccuAir eLevel Air Management Controller Here
Manual Paddle Valves
When it comes to Manual controllers, the Manual Paddle Valves or the Slam Specialties Analog setup are what you should look into. Manual paddle valves are going to come in at the lowest price point out of every control system, but they also have a pretty complex installation setup because each paddle requires you to run two lines to it. That's a total of 8 air lines running behind your 4 paddle valves. Now if you want to mount your paddle valves in your dash, keep in mind you're also going to be running 8 air lines behind your dash as well. The manual paddle valves, by operation, are the most simple and reliable air suspension controller on the market. They don't require power to function and they're built to last. Manual paddle valves are an excellent starting point in the world of air suspension, especially if you're trying to save some cash or if you have a more vintage looking ride that can benefit from having paddles instead of a fancy digital controller.
Shop the Manual Air Management with Paddle Valves Here
Slam Specialties Analog Controller
The Slam Specialties Analog controller or MC.2 takes the benefit of manual paddle valves and bumps it up a notch. The controller looks like a digital controller with backlit buttons with customizable colors, but it's really what we call a switchbox. Switchboxes were super popular back in the 90s and early 2000s, especially in the mini truck market (where Slam Specialties reigns supreme). The Slam Specialties MC.2 analog controller allows you to control each corner of your vehicle individually, the fronts together, rears together, or all up all down at the same time. The controller layout is clean, the backlighting is an awesome touch, and the setup falls in between paddle valves and a digital controller. A pretty darn good bang for your buck for a reliable manual control system.
Shop the Slam Specialties Analog Air Management Controller Here
Okay, That Was a lot of Reading, Can I Just Call and Talk to Someone About This?
Absolutely! That's what we're known for! If you have any questions, concerns, need some advice picking out a new system, need help during the middle of your installation… whatever you've got, feel free to hit us up through email at [email protected], give us a call at 844-404-7344, or hit that chat button on the site to talk to someone directly.
