rec.autos.simulators

>> *Date:* Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:20:18 -0500

>> The shifter has no switches.  They are pots.  This came directly
>> from Logitech support.

>> -Larry

> Sorry Larry, but the shifter would not need to have pots.

> Pots (potentieometers) are used to measure the movement and position of a
> controller or device when there is more than just two potential positions
> (eg: on and off), for example to measure the position of a pedal or a
> steering wheel, as the potential position of the device is almost
> infinate (between two stop points), IYSWIM.

> For the shifter, the device or controller only needs to know whether the
> gear lever is in one of two positions (for each gear), eg: in that gear
> or not in that gear.

> Therefore this is easily achieved using micro switches.

> I hope my very simple explanation gets across what I am trying to say.

> 8-)

> *Peter* -  http://www.racesimcentral.net/

>>> *Date:* Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:20:18 -0500

>>> The shifter has no switches.  They are pots.  This came directly
>>> from Logitech support.

>>> -Larry

>> Sorry Larry, but the shifter would not need to have pots.

> Well, in this case Larry is right. The shifter has two potentiometers and
> one switch (to determine whether it's pushed down or not). The mechanism
> is not unlike a joyistick that has a metal gate to only allow certainly
> positions, which are then translated into "gearshift buttons" by the
> firmware.

> This thread (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8) has some pictures
> and a little bit of discussion about the construction.

>> Pots (potentieometers) are used to measure the movement and position of a
>> controller or device when there is more than just two potential positions
>> (eg: on and off), for example to measure the position of a pedal or a
>> steering wheel, as the potential position of the device is almost
>> infinate (between two stop points), IYSWIM.

>> For the shifter, the device or controller only needs to know whether the
>> gear lever is in one of two positions (for each gear), eg: in that gear
>> or not in that gear.

>> Therefore this is easily achieved using micro switches.

> You describe one possible approach, likely the most obvious one. I am not
> sure why the "joystick" approach was chosen over the "microswitch"
> approach, but I'm sure there must be reasons.

>>> *Date:* Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:20:18 -0500

>>> The shifter has no switches.  They are pots.  This came directly
>>> from Logitech support.

>>> -Larry

>> Sorry Larry, but the shifter would not need to have pots.

> Well, in this case Larry is right. The shifter has two potentiometers and
> one switch (to determine whether it's pushed down or not). The mechanism
> is not unlike a joyistick that has a metal gate to only allow certainly
> positions, which are then translated into "gearshift buttons" by the
> firmware.

> This thread (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8) has some pictures
> and a little bit of discussion about the construction.

>> Pots (potentieometers) are used to measure the movement and position of a
>> controller or device when there is more than just two potential positions
>> (eg: on and off), for example to measure the position of a pedal or a
>> steering wheel, as the potential position of the device is almost
>> infinate (between two stop points), IYSWIM.

>> For the shifter, the device or controller only needs to know whether the
>> gear lever is in one of two positions (for each gear), eg: in that gear
>> or not in that gear.

>> Therefore this is easily achieved using micro switches.

> You describe one possible approach, likely the most obvious one. I am not
> sure why the "joystick" approach was chosen over the "microswitch"
> approach, but I'm sure there must be reasons.

>>>> *Date:* Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:20:18 -0500

>>>> The shifter has no switches.  They are pots.  This came directly
>>>> from Logitech support.

>>>> -Larry

>>> Sorry Larry, but the shifter would not need to have pots.

>> Well, in this case Larry is right. The shifter has two potentiometers
>> and one switch (to determine whether it's pushed down or not). The
>> mechanism is not unlike a joyistick that has a metal gate to only
>> allow certainly positions, which are then translated into "gearshift
>> buttons" by the firmware.

>> This thread (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8) has some
>> pictures and a little bit of discussion about the construction.

>>> Pots (potentieometers) are used to measure the movement and position
>>> of a
>>> controller or device when there is more than just two potential
>>> positions
>>> (eg: on and off), for example to measure the position of a pedal or a
>>> steering wheel, as the potential position of the device is almost
>>> infinate (between two stop points), IYSWIM.

>>> For the shifter, the device or controller only needs to know whether the
>>> gear lever is in one of two positions (for each gear), eg: in that gear
>>> or not in that gear.

>>> Therefore this is easily achieved using micro switches.

>> You describe one possible approach, likely the most obvious one. I am
>> not sure why the "joystick" approach was chosen over the "microswitch"
>> approach, but I'm sure there must be reasons.

>> Video removed by user :(

>> -Larry

> Doh! It'd help if I posted the correct link...

> http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=277322

> That's the one I meant to post yesterday ;)

> -Larry

>> Larry, I took mine apart and it has switches in it.

>>> The shifter has no switches.  They are pots.  This came directly from
>>> Logitech support.

>>> -Larry

>>>> Hi, Steve!

>>>> Of course, the shifter only contains springs and switches.
>>>> Some will never "get it", although they never calibrated those
>>>> mystic "pots"... ;)

>>>> l8er
>>>> ronny

>>>>>> Thanks Chaps

>>>>>> Any known issues with pots or switches wearing out? Does the wheel
>>>>>> use a pot or is it solid state?

>>>>>> Cheers

>>>>>> Steve

>>>>>>>> Thinking about getting one. Any issues about getting it to work
>>>>>>>> with GPL or NR2003?

>>>>>>>> I also read the gearstick is not that great. Could I use the wheel
>>>>>>>> and pedals with my ACT Labs shifter (gearstick)?

>>>>>>> I find the gearstick is perfectly fine in sequential mode but feels
>>>>>>> unlike a real gear lever in h-pattern mode and makes a lot of
>>>>>>> clicking noises.

>>>>>>> Overall it is a fine wheel and pedals and I would recommend it.

>>>>>>> I see no reason why it wouldn't work with the act-labs shifter, both
>>>>>>> are usb devices and should show up as separate controllers you can
>>>>>>> select the controls from to mix & match.

>>>>>>> Cheers
>>>>>>> Tony