This is a review I posted in the RioGrande web site:
I have Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) and I can't feel the standard foot pedal controller very well. I can make it work with difficulty and weird foot and leg positions. This EM1 is the solution.
Solid feel., heavy weight, this controller feels like quality. No fault for being plastic. This is GOOD plastic. Heavy power cords, it's 1st class.
Solid click on the knob switch at the low speed end for positive off. The speed control seems non linear with knob rotation. Not a fault, just an observation. The graphic on the dial sort of indicates this.
The EM1 can be used alone for just manual hand control or in series with a foot switch. The foot switch does NOT act like an on/off switch unless you mash it down and let it full off. The EM1 actually acts like a high speed limit setting and you retain variable control with the foot pedal from the setting of the EM1 to full off. Run it either way
This controller also lets you run the handpiece with other accessories where you would rather have a constant speed without tiring your foot. Like with a drill press comes to mind.
I have been using my Foredom motor a lot more since I wrote the review and in my situation I actually prefer using the EM-1 more than using the foot pedal. In fact, I don't have the foot pedal connected at my wax bench. It is so easy and positive to just reach over a few inches and grab as much speed as I need from the knob on the control box.
I am not claiming the foot pedal isn't a nice accessory as I will certainly continue to use it when I need to. But for me with clumsy feet, the pedal is a LOT harder to use for accurate speed control. I love the EM-1.