[tStano]

I'm sure you already know this but, just in case, on a PWM cable, you connect
GND -->Black
+5V --> red
AN --> white
and plug that into an analog port on the roborio; be sure you have cable inserted right way.

I haven't had any trouble with connecting them to the control system. Are you sure you're using the analog channel? Theres a bunch of different ways you can connect them. Otherwise, I'd try to be sure you soldered it alright. Its really easy to short a couple of those holes together.

However, they have a really wide beam width, per the spec sheet, so if you're using them to detect edges, you're going to have a bad time. The VEX ones are much better for edge detection. Otherwise, they appear to be pretty accurate and linear.