Optional Encoders

David Lane, author of The Earth Centered Universe (ECU), has designed an inexpensive serial interface for quadrature encoders. Called the MicroGuider (MGIII), complete details and parts list can be found at http://www.nova-astro.com/. Cost for parts, not including the encoders, is about $100 US (see the parts webpage for the encoders).

Bob Segrest has designed a very small PCB, you can contact him at bobslan@erols.com.

Patrick Dufour offers a very compact commercial encoder interface box. See his WebPages at http://www.microtec.net/~pdufour/index.htm, or reach him at Ouranos, 189, rue Du Foin, Saint-Augustin de DesMaures (Quebec), Canada G3A 2S6, Tel. 418-878-9426.

Finally, you can use the encoders from a mouse.  Make sure that acceleration and multiplication settings are turned off via the mouse driver.  Use the timer method of halfstepping instead of the delay method that temporarily turns off interrupts.


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...by Mel Bartels