S4 Encoder Group Buy

[AllenGregoryIV]

What are costs and quantity needed to get that price?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

What are costs and quantity needed to get that price?

We would also like to know.

[Sparky3D]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

What are costs and quantity needed to get that price?

We would like to know this as well.

[peirvine]

Originally Posted by Sparky3D

We would like to know this as well.

I am waiting for a response from US Digital, if they don't get back to me tomorrow, I'll give them a call.

[page2067]

We are interested, once particulars are known

[David Guzman]

We may also be interested once we have more details.

[Dunngeon]

Same as everyone above, interested once details are known

[Coach Norm]

I am interested as well.

[billbo911]

We had been very interested in this encoder as well. When we received a waiver from USDigital to purchase 10 of them we were still a bit shocked at the price. Don't get me wrong. these are really nice encoders for many reason.

Ultimately we ended up ordering these encoders. They run at basically the same price, if not a bit less when bought in 10+ quantities, as these USDigital encoders from AndyMark.
Our kids destroy the EP4s because of poor handling and awareness of how delicate and fragile they are. So, hopefully, these sealed units will last a bit longer.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by billbo911

We had been very interested in this encoder as well. When we received a waiver from USDigital to purchase 10 of them we were still a bit shocked at the price. Don't get me wrong. these are really nice encoders for many reason.

Ultimately we ended up ordering these encoders. They run at basically the same price, if not a bit less when bought in 10+ quantities, as these USDigital encoders from AndyMark.
Our kids destroy the EP4s because of poor handling and awareness of how delicate and fragile they are. So, hopefully, these sealed units will last a bit longer.

Please, please, please post your experience with those sparkfun encoders as soon as you feel you can provide good feedback!

Thanks!

[peirvine]

I got a quote from US Digital today and here is what the price breakdown is for both encoders and cables:

20-49 Encoders (S4-120-250-N-S-B) $60.13 each
50-99 Encoders (S4-120-250-N-S-B) $53.97 each
20-49 Cables (CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3) $7.30 each
50-99 Cables (CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3)$6.67 each

Already, we have these orders:
2175 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3130 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3883 - 6 encoders, 6 cables
4607 - 6 encoders, 6 cables

We are looking at placing the order either Monday or Tuesday so if you want some encoders/cables, please let me know before then.

[Caleb Sykes]

Put 4536 down for 1 encoder and 1 cable. We'll play around with it, and if they are as magical as you make them seem, we might take a few more in the next group order.

[rich2202]

Put 2202 down for 2 encoders and 2 cables.

Thanks.
I will need an invoice (email should be ok), and we can mail you a check.

PS: If you get another order or two, you should be at 50+ level, and can get the 100+ pricing. What would that be?

When placing your order, let US Digital know you are a FIRST team. Their policy has been to give FIRST teams the "next level discount" price break.

[peirvine]

All of the invoices were just sent out, if you did not get one, or if you notice an error, please contact me directly.

We will ship the encoders/cables to you once we have received your check.

Thank you for your orders!

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Please, please, please post your experience with those sparkfun encoders as soon as you feel you can provide good feedback!

Thanks!

I set up a quick vi to run and sample the output of the encoders we ended up purchasing from Sparkfun.

Adam specifically wanted to know ho well they operated in the 2000 RPM range as well as if they became warm due to the very minor resistance to rotation they have.

These encoders are rated up to 5000 RPM. We tested them at just over 2500 RPM. They ran continuously for over 20 minutes during the tests and never got warmer than room temperature.

Below is a graph of the A and B channels. The slight fluctuation is attributed to the mechanical set up used to drive the encoder. As you can see, it was a bit janky, but it worked.