Seems like adding the brakes to the gear circuit introduces more potential for gear failure. I can live w/o brakes. But if the brake valve fails, I can not live w/o gear. I just thought separating the two is the safest for the plane and why would anyone combine the two unnecessarily introducing more risk to the critical gear system.

Get a UP-6 brake valve and you can control the brakes at any place you want to. Mix the brakes in with the down elevator when the gear is down and you are not fumbling around for the slider. Set the servo travel on the brakes in the Mix so that they can't lock up. My small can of air and the UP-6 gives me at least 30 flights before I have to refill the air. Also put the brakes on the slider so that you can lock them when starting, etc. KISS