My Ugly is my favorite, but as they're not readily available anymore I would recommend a JD Rope Nose Hack. Depending on where you adjust it on the nose you can have more rate or more bend. It's pretty versatile and not intimidating at all.
The Little S is about as useful as a halter. The Beetle feels like a halter that just makes them stiff to me. The Bozo had no feel. The JD Chain Nose Hack had a little quicker reaction than the rope nose. The Warner rope nose works on a lot of horses. Plenty of rate even with the short shank. The Warner chain nose is a little milder and works well to get a little bend. The Wasson rope nose sidepull is mild and great on a horse that needs a little guidance and no rate.
I like the L&W Carl hack with a rope noseband. (Website shows a steel nose). It's got whoa, but also flex, and doesn't seem to stiffen mine up really. It's kind of more of a side pull. Like sid pull/hack hybrid.
I didnt like the Bozo--like ^^ said, no feel and I didn't like how swept back the shanks were.
Haven't tried a JW. Beetle and Little S are good for "sensitive", SUPER broke horses but not a whole lot of control. I like control in the event I need it.
I too like the Carl Hack for exact reasons as above. I think many get hung up on "proper" placement of the hack. Even with a little s you can get more whoa or more bend depending how high or low on the nose you set it and how much you tighten the curb. I also have a longer shanked beetle (not sure what it's called) but it's similar to a stivers hack that I like to use when I need lots of whoa.
My favorite is a Bobby Stivers hack. You can adjust the fit the way it works best for your horse. I have mine pretty loose and still have plenty of control.
Favorite Hackamore
