Since we began producing controllers back in the early 90's we've always had to deal with the problems that potentiometers are known for. While we're using the best pots available now, and our ETI pots are quite reliable, there will always be the need to replace them at some point. Potentiometers work by rubbing parts together, basicly a contact rides against a resistor, varying the resistance based on where the pot is turned. Those rubbing parts will eventually wear out, and the pot will need to be replaced. Sometimes the parts wear out more quickly than they should.
We've known about the existence of Optical Encoders for a long while, the technology is a big improvement over potentiometers. Instead of rubbing parts together, an optical encoder basicly has a wheel with a light beam shining through little holes in the wheel. As it's turned, the encoder reports how many times the light beam breaks. Since there are no parts rubbing together, an encoder will never wear out from use. Implementing optical encoders into our controllers, however, is more difficult than potentiometers as they are more complicated in how they work. So it's never been feasible for us to develop a controller with encoders, until now.
A company called Sim-Addicts developed an optical encoder circuit board several years back, which we tested and implemented a prototype controller for, but that board was not ideally suited for our use, and the timing was not right to develop it further then. In the past year however, upon completing development of our analog USB circuit board, we began looking more seriously again at encoders, and with Sim-Addicts help, we've now completed the development of our own Sim-Addicts-based Optical Encoder Circuit board.
With the optical encoder circuit board, the TSW Evolution Digital controller will provide approximately 1500 points of movement in the steering, 1.5 times that of our analog USB controller. The pedals provide about 400 points of movement. In addition, that movement will be perfectly steady.
So why so expensive? Well, for one thing Encoders cost about 4 times as much as the best potentiometers, so that's part of the cost. The other reason for the cost is that we do not anticipate this being a huge selling product for us. We cannot justify making hundreds or thousands of these expensive circuit boards in order to reduce the cost to a more affordable price point. Instead, we are taking the approach that this is a limited availablity item, intended for those customers who want (and can afford) the best solution that money can buy. By producing these boards in limited numbers, and pricing the option accordingly, it makes it feasible for us to offer them to our customers.
If you've already got a TSW or TSW2 and want to have it upgraded to implement optical encoders, the cost will be $400 plus $30 return shipping and handling. This will include 3 optical encoders, a 4th will be needed if you have a clutch, which will be $55 extra. There will be only one option for upgrading to the encoder board, and that is to send the controller in for us to do the installation. We have no plans to offer a kit for doing the upgrade yourself, and will not sell the board independently. You should call ahead to verify that we have boards on hand, and to get an idea on the turn-around time for having the upgrade done.
Call or email if you have further questions, or would like to order one of these circuit boards.
(319) 462-3327