rec.autos.simulators

I have built my own wheel and pedals. Initially it worked great.  However,
over time I have noticed its performance dwindling.  A quick check indicates
that the potentiometer is worn. ( cheaper than camshaft bearings )

Before replacing this item I need some info, if available.  Here are my
questions.

1. Can anyone or has anyone successfully replaced the pot with an optical
disc?

2. If yes to 1, can you tell me where I can get information on the subject.

3. If yes to 1, is it possible to calibrate the wheel for less or more
reaction when turning the  wheel lock to lock.

4. If no to 1, what seems to be the best resistance value for this
application.  I was using 100K prior and it seemed a bit to touchy for a
Stock Car simulation

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Now that we see the four door Taurus I want to see the Intrepid
compete.

I wish one of the big wheel makers would make a proper optical-encoder
based wheel, instead of the cheap potentiometer system. It's the only
way top fully solve Win95 calibration headaches.

Maybe this is it,

http://www.microsoft.com/products/hardware/sidewinder/News/default.htm

Look at the bottom of the page. There is a checkered flag. That could
indicate that the new product is a steering wheel. Since there are
optical sensors in the sidewinder this steering wheel probably has the
same encoder.

Maybe it is something else, who knows?

/Jesper

Move your pointer over the checkered flag/gold cup and you'll hear
some race car engines going around a track (at least with IE4).  Based
on the other Sidewinder products, it could be a promising product, if
they can manage to do it right.

On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 10:30:35 +0200, Jesper Adolfsson

% I wish one of the big wheel makers would make a proper optical-encoder
% based wheel, instead of the cheap potentiometer system. It's the only
% way top fully solve Win95 calibration headaches.

The only way?!  This seems like a pretty costly method to fix
Microsoft's poor programming.  If DOS can handle cheap potentiomenters
why can't an advanced system like Win95 read a game port correctly?  

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 16:01:00, "Michael E. Carver"

Because M$ *SELLS* optical/digital joysticks. I really
think the fiasco with DirectInput and analog joysticks
and controllers (dead zone, calibration
problems,etc.)was done on purpose.
Whether to force people to buy the only controllers
that work (made by M$) or to drive the technology away
from analog.
I am using Win95 to log into NROS and for GPL...sure is
 nice to boot back to OS/2 when I am done and not have
to mess with crashing and lock ups and general WTF's.
Have an alpha copy of a converter...Win95
->>OS/2....The converted TEN software almost runs...
maybe the next release will get the API's that TEN's
software uses. They already have the Glide version of
Quake II converting fine to OS/2 native. OS/2 has had
both digital and analog joystick drivers built in for
5-6 years now, even before anyone invented digital
joysticks. Oh, another thing, the 3DFX version of N2
runs fine under OS/2.
Interesting news about M$'s software and the Year 2000
last Friday. Hmmm....OS/2 is Year 2000 Compliant...what
are you folks gonna do for the millennium? Guess
Playstations will still work. Hehehe. Our office will
still be running....I have trouble loading a
spreadsheet on a Playstation.
Have Fun!
Ralph Williams

<snip>

I agree with your point, but it seems the odds of getting Microsoft to
fix DirectInput so it reads POT joysticks correctly are aproximately
nil.

Also, I suspect it may actually be a very difficult fix, the problem
possibly being caused by Windows95 "pseudo multitasking" which does
not allow the implementation of real-time services (which it seems the
joystick reader would need to sample to stick accurately).

I agree completely it's a regular SNAFU, that Microsoft should be
utterly ashamed of (i.e., their so-called *** platform being
incapable of accurately reading *** devices) It's a bad joke
really, it's no wonder Microsoft gets so little respect.

Joe

"Windows 00... Twice nothing is still nothing."

Trips

Joe

I've also built my own wheel and pedals.  $1.49 pots from Radio Shack
have worked well for me. But....optical sounds interesting.  If you come
across any info, please let me know.  I'll do likewise.

John Boles

says...

I hope I haven't missed the start of this thread, but...

I don't know where you can get "optical pots" but it sounds like a good
idea. The Microsoft Precision joystick series is optical and you get a very
smooth, accurate action, and never it needs to be calibrated, because
there's never any drift

Paul M

PS Sorry to endorse a Microsoft product :)