Are there any 'optical joysticks' in existance?I am finally needing a replacement for my Logitech Wingman extreme. It had problems with the twist shortly after I bought itbut I fixed that and its lasted many years.ive kinda lost the ability to do work like that and so Id like to just get agood joystick in the first place. one that wont developpotentiometer problems a few months after I buy it.Ill probably just get the latest Logitech becuase Im not willing to spend 200 dollars on a controller.Do they even make optical joysticks or any type of joystick that doesnt use potentiometers?If you have the latest "Logitech Wingman extreme 3D Pro", how long have you had it and does it seem like it will last a good while?thanks in advance.

A Google search for Optical Joysticks brought quite a number of hits -Here is one of them:http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/rotary_optical_joy.htm

Optical joysticks are not your only alternative:1. You also have "Hall Effect" joysticks, see:a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effectb. CH Products Hall Effect joystick http://www.chproducts.com/oem/finger_ip_desktop.html2. You might even be able to locate Optical or Hall effect pot replacement modules, so you can buy your favurite joystick and then replace the carbon pots. I have no idea if these replacement modules exist, but it seems likely someone might have manufactured them because they would be really useful.3. "Roll your own" Hall effect joystick: http://cubpilotshangar.net/page68.htmlCheers,- jahman.

Hi -thanks for the replies. I guess I just needed to look harder. Ive been searching for optical joysticks by Logitech or Ch or Saitek. anyway, apparently the saitek X52 is one of those hall effect joysticks and Logietchs G940 is "contactless". whatever that exactly means. i had never even heard of 'hall effect' but thats one of the ideas I was thinking of when I started this thread.maybe I just need to hold out a bit longer. It cant possibly be that difficult or expensive to create an optical joystick. They make optical mice. All they have to do is put the diode at the base of the shaft and then use a concave pickup surface. That covers X and Y. the twist could be a small arc strip of 'surface pickup' with the diode that moves left and right with the shaft. Throttle could be the same. Ill try the Saitek if I get desperate. i would have thought it would be more difficult and expensive to create a joystick that relies on magnetic fields than diodes but what do I know.thanks again.

You're welcome! Post back if you find anything.The reason optical mice exist is the huge market size for mice.Cheers,- jahman.

Hi -thanks for the replies. I guess I just needed to look harder. Ive been searching for optical joysticks by Logitech or Ch or Saitek. anyway, apparently the saitek X52 is one of those hall effect joysticks and Logietchs G940 is "contactless". whatever that exactly means. i had never even heard of 'hall effect' but thats one of the ideas I was thinking of when I started this thread.maybe I just need to hold out a bit longer. It cant possibly be that difficult or expensive to create an optical joystick. They make optical mice. All they have to do is put the diode at the base of the shaft and then use a concave pickup surface. That covers X and Y. the twist could be a small arc strip of 'surface pickup' with the diode that moves left and right with the shaft. Throttle could be the same. Ill try the Saitek if I get desperate. i would have thought it would be more difficult and expensive to create a joystick that relies on magnetic fields than diodes but what do I know.thanks again.

Hi,try this one:http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-16000...e/dp/B0024MRWLWhttp://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/thru...0m-pc-joystick/Cheers,Premek

Hi,try this one:http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-16000...e/dp/B0024MRWLWhttp://www.testfreaks.com/blog/review/thru...0m-pc-joystick/Cheers,Premek

If you just need a joystick, I'd recommend the Thrustmaster T16000 mentioned above. It's quite stiff and super accurate...it just doesn't come with a detached throttle.

Premek - thanks much for the recommendation. I ordered one and it came in yesterday. It seems excellent. well built and accurate.

apparently the saitek X52 is one of those hall effect joysticks and Logietchs G940 is "contactless"

 

How do you know this ?

 

And even if it's true, is it enough to choose a joystick ? Knowing the technology may give you a hint about the lifetime of your device. It will not land in the trash-can after a few weeks because of crappy potentiometers.

 

But I think it's also important to get specifications about the resolution/precision for all axes, and the latency + frequency.

 

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/368976-saitek-ch-products-yokes-still-using-potentiometers/

I'm going to guess that since three and a half years have passed since this thread was last active that he's resolved the issue by now...

 

Regards