Potentiometers vs Hall Effect Sensors

[MADe]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about performance for game controller and Hall Effect Sensors?

I have been using pots for years at 8 bit. Would there be a dramatic difference with Hall Effect sensors at 12 bit?

Leo Bodner boards are available so........................... ...
I'm thinking not much difference, but pots are mechanical and wear out.

 

[Ack-Ack]

Hall Effect Sensors are superior to the potentiometers found in most joysticks.

[FLOOB]

Pots are the worst bruh. Are Hall Effect sticks better than optical sticks?

[Chalenge]

There's nothing wrong with potentiometers, and there's nothing wrong with Hall-effect sensors. A difference which makes no difference is no difference. Words to live by. So, don't pay more for something that is no different in the end. That's all you need to know.

[Randy1]

A potentiometer is an adjustable resistor which consists of a wiper that slides across a restrictive strip to deliver an increase or decrease in resistance.  Since there is a physical scraping it is subject to wear and accumulation of dirt between the wiper and restrictive strip causing problems.

Hall effect sensors use a non-contact magnetic field for position indication eliminating the scraping, wear and dirt problem.

[Chalenge]

You should list the disadvantages of hall-effect sensors too, Randy. They drift over time, they are usually of low resolution (particularly in consumer electronics), and in consumer electronics where the manufacturer tries to lower costs (for instance) they are notoriously inaccurate.

I would much rather have a good set of CH controllers and replace the pots with mil-spec carbon pots. Then the controllers would probably outlive me, never drift, and never spike.

[DubiousKB]

Just going off the 8bit to 12 bit resolution, you will have a more finite value for a given amount of deflection.

Think of it on a scale:

8 Bit resolution = 256 Values

12 Bit resolution = 4,096 Values

So on a sliding scale, the 12 bits will provide a much more accurate digital representation of the analog input values. Does this mean it's better? Not really, just means it's a better digital representation of a given analog value.

Easier to visualize...

[Chalenge]

Except when it's not.

My nephew brought a setup he had scrounged from a joystick and the sensors in it were the EN variety, which are 8-bit. So, nothing really gained there. I have not taken apart any sticks myself, but I would almost bet they are using 8-bit sensors for the cost savings. Optical are almost always 8-bit. Magnetic can be 10-bit or 12-bit. Of course, there could be something I haven't seen or read about.

[MADe]

There's nothing wrong with potentiometers, and there's nothing wrong with Hall-effect sensors. A difference which makes no difference is no difference. Words to live by. So, don't pay more for something that is no different in the end. That's all you need to know.

ja kind of how I feel about it. I just have no experience with hall effect sensors. Wear and tear patterns yada yada. Pots, you know when there good and when there bad.

I have been using mil-spec pots awhile. They are coming to the end of their life tho. My current throttle unit is using a $3 pot from radioshack. Lasted longer than all because it doesn't get centering scars, so to speak.

I'm considering re-doing my throttle unit. Bodnar's got a great controller for plane brain. I could upgrade all the electronics and be done for life with my setup.
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=204

ty for graph Duby.

[FLOOB]

Well I think you just hit upon two of the things that makes pots inferior. Analog and wear. Hall Sensors are even more expensive than pots? I'm glad I went digital optical because now I get to feel superior.

Again.

[Chalenge]

Yes, you can feel superior for overpaying for cheap components.

The mil-spec carbon element pots that match the CH gear are double the price that CH use to charge (although I think the charge was all bluff as they always sent them out to me for shipping cost only) and will outlive the controller they are mounted in.

[Gman]

IIRC CH Products under the new owners won't send out parts for retail sticks.  Chal - where did you find the mil spec parts for CH, I wouldn't mind replacing all of mine in my CH setup, as I use it for AH, and my TM Cougar/Warthog for offline/DCS sims.  I'm not having problems yet with CH, this is set number 3, I had a full set of gameport back in the day with the old narrow pedals, and this is the 2nd complete USB set, and still no issues with any of the 9 components, but I read a lot about how the latest manufactured CH stuff is crap compared to stuff pre buy out.  So, I want to be ready to replace the parts in the ones I've got, and NOT have to buy new ones.

[Chalenge]

I bought them from PLCCenter (Radwell Int.), but you have to keep refreshing your search to find them in stock, or call them. The originals are called HP-100A. The rep. will also know how to find the carbon replacements, or you can buy them from Vetco and replace the shafts with those from your current sticks (if you are comfortable doing that).

http://www.plccenter.com/Buy/CH%20PRODUCTS/HP100A

[guncrasher]

You should list the disadvantages of hall-effect sensors too, Randy. They drift over time, they are usually of low resolution (particularly in consumer electronics), and in consumer electronics where the manufacturer tries to lower costs (for instance) they are notoriously inaccurate.

I would much rather have a good set of CH controllers and replace the pots with mil-spec carbon pots. Then the controllers would probably outlive me, never drift, and never spike.

I have gone thru 3 sets of ch sticks.  they're not as good as they used to be.  actually  I havent had 1 that is good.  I have a x55 rhino that is way better than any ch stick and for a lot less money.  300 for a ch stick, throttle and pedals vs 200 for a rhino.  the ch stick I had to calibrate after every other flight.  the rhino, i have owned it for almost 2 years and I only calibrated it once.


semp

[Gman]

Sad to hear about CH.  You USD prices are a lot better than here now - Fighterstick lowest is 165, throttle is 145, pedals are 145, for a total of 455CDN+tax/shipping, so its 500$ here easy now for a CH setup.  I'm glad I got mine when I did, pre crap-show.

Thanks for that link Chal, I'm going to call them tomorrow and buy enough for all my CH stuff and maybe try them in my older set and see how they work.