I will admit that the controller, whether built-in as on the D models or a stand alone Auber (or any other PID one cares to buy) can be intimidating at first. But with time, using it becomes much easier. Personally, I keep things simple. I set smoker temp and time OR smoker temp and meat internal temp and just let it go. I don't ramp up the temp, I don't have it run through 2 or 3 different cook temperatures, I don't have it go to keep warm or anything else. I like simple. But like all PIDs, there are steps that allow great flexibility and tuning to specific values which I admit I do not understand. However, the food is great and setting the smoker in my aforementioned simple method is quick.