There are several great "stand-alone" USB 2.0 solutions like the Plasma Lite from Betainnovations. It beats any "generic joystick card" out there . I am sure that once you try it, you'll never look back.Can you please post some more pictures of the throttle? Do you have a website?

Hi,"Because for example USBAxis, MJoy, Plasma or such USB microcontroller based interface cards do filtering too. It's very much good enough solution. Sure, one could go even more "high end" with such things, but potentiometers do work just fine."Also, keep in mind that potentiometers wear-out, where-as optical encoders do not. Why worry about having to disassemble your cockpit someday and open up your throttle quad just to replace your potentiometers when you don't have to?.Aside from the ability of filtering, Optical Encoders are five times more precise than potentiometers.That is one sweet looking throttle quad. For the amount of work that went into its design and build, I just cannot see not going the extra step and use Optical Encoders.

Sure. But everything wears. It's best to think about the "you will need to open this someday" -part in any case :)Good points you make of course. How do you determine the position of the handles with an encoder btw? I guess moving the handles full fore and aft once will do it.//Tuomas

"everything wears" - right but in the optical encoder case there is NOTHING to wear in the signal generation part. As to the rest of the assembly, I guess that everything wears the same regardless which type of encoding it has but that's irrelevant since these are NOT the parts which generate the signal anyway.Bottom line, there is a very good reason why ALL air-worthy rotaries are optical and NOT mechanical.Compare the MTBF and you'll see how relative the "everything wears" statement really is :-)Unfortunately, I do not use optical encoders myself, but then again, I didn't build such a professional throttle assembly either :-P

Hi Al,thanks for the great links for USB solutions. Especially the Plasma Lite is now my favorite. I hope the mail costs from Canada to Austria are not too high.More pictures follow in few days, we are now adding some switches and finishing the case.We are planning to make a homepage, in 1-2 weeks I can send the link.Best wishes from AustriaHermann

Hi Hermann,?? I don't remember providing any links and the pointer to Beta Innovations cames from Phillipe (I think). Nevertheless, Plasma Lite is one of the best (if not the only) solution for analog inputs if you compare feature for feature with anything out there since it is targeted to the pro market (not a kit and not "home warez").The suport is also very good so you won't be sorry. But do yourself a favour - INVEST in two good optical absolute encoders and never look back :-). You may want to contact Beta Innovations on that too.

Hi Al, sorry, for the mistake I made, but you are right, Beta Innovations seems to have very fine electronics.My friend Tony finished now the mechanical parts of our throttle, so I can add here some new pics:http://www.mc-technik.com/Bilder%20AVA/Mot...20ready%201.jpghttp://www.mc-technik.com/Bilder%20AVA/Mot...20ready%202.jpghttp://www.mc-technik.com/Bilder%20AVA/Mot...20ready%203.jpgRgds from Austria:Hermann

Impressive is an understatement! I d/l the pictures and I noticed that their name says "motorized"!!! Do you intend to "motorize" the autothrottle?? If yes, then you absolutely need an extremely reliable and accurate loop. Yes, I do recommend you use optical absolute encoders + Plasma Lite!Have you used a CNC to prepare the throttle or is it from cast aluminum?

Do you intend to>"motorize" the autothrottle?? Yes, our next step is motorizing. The motors are already mounted, but we are still waiting for the motor control card (USB) from OpenCockpits and then we have to write the program for it.>Have you used a CNC to prepare the throttle or is it from cast>aluminum?My friend Tony, who built the mechanic, has a well equipped workshop (he is a nearly retired precision engeneer) and made all parts with his machine tools.RgdsHermann

Hi form Austria,out motorized throttle is ready now and you can see some pics here:http://www.simhard.eu.ttRgdsHermann

Hi alexlaw,your throttle on your site looks really impressive too. Would u mind sharing more pictures and details on its construction? I'm particularly interested in the throttle levers. The way you attach the handles and the reverse thrust levers.Hector

Maurice,Your ######IN hilarious my friend lol :DTimA340Canada

Hey Mike,Is there a reason we need to know your entire cpu setup specs?just wondering ;)

HOOYAH AL,:)Im with you, gentlemen enjoy the forest dont #### about a few dead branches.TimA340Canada

:-D