Cool!
> On Thu, 26 Feb 1998 11:07:29 -0400, Rob Edsall
> >Right. They use photochoppers, not analog techniques......
> >> Microsoft Pro 3D (for example) uses optical "pots".
> >> But it uses an internal processor to 'fake' std joystick output.
> >> // Anders
> Actually they don't (use choppers that is) :-)
> (Assuming you were refering to the 3D Pro, not optical encoders)
> I took my sidewinder apart a few weeks ago to see if I could use the
> bits on a homemade wheel.
> There is one sensor on the main PCB below the centre of the stick, 2
> LEDs on the bottom of the stick and 1 LED on the end of the throttle
> arm. No choppers in sight - I was suprised!
> My guess is that it uses some pretty fancy algorithm to determine
> relative position of the leds and sensor. The sensor has to detect the
> x, y and rudder axis from the position of just 2 LEDs.
> Very neat and probably a lot more reliable than a slotted wheel.
> If anyone knows any more details I would like to know.
> I would also be very interested if anyone has built an optical pot for
> a stick or wheel. (costing less that the comercial ones :-)
> BTW. If you want to take your stick apart there is a***under both
> front feet and under the silver label. I only discovered this after a
> lot of swearing.
> Toby
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