Where to buy MARS sensors ?

[BartimeusUruk]

Hy guy's,

As I'm planning to start working on DIY rudder pedals soon (bf109 rudder pedals "replica"), I have search on the internet what kind of sensors are used in commercial grade rudder pedals. It looks like MARS sensors are currently the best sensors available (Am I wrong ?). 

I would like to know if there are some trustable websites where I can buy some ? 

 

Thanks in advance !

Good flight to all of you out there !

[Sokol1]

"MaRS" is the commercial name of VKB contactless sensor, but due the use digital code (binary code) and seems this code being encrypted work only in their VKB Njoy32 controller.

 

In the past VKB sell Njoy32 controller and MaRS sensors for DIY, but get burned by senseless complains from some buyers in Russian forums - the guys don't read instructions for use and make something wrong and go say that don't work; they remove this option from their catalog.

 

The more easy to use in DIY is "MagREZ" sensor (they are based on KMZ41 m/c, same used in VKB "MaRS") because they work in analog mode (voltage variation) what make then compatible with with most joystick controllers and commercial or DIY USB controllers.

 

An advantage of "MagREZ" is a kind of auto-calibration for the available magnetic field of Neodymium magnet placed in axis pivot of device (joy, rudder, throttle).

 

"MagREZ" is the name of the sensor based on KMZ-41 ready to use sell by "GVL224" (from Ukraine) - see their sales topics in this forum.

 

In DCS forum the user "Rel4y" (from Germany) sell a similar version, based on KMZ-41. 

 

Anyway electric scheme for build your own version of KMZ41 contactless sensor is available on Internet.

 

Other option of ready to use contacless sensor for DIY is "Kommaroff" (from Russia I think) "RaMMS" sensor, but since work in digital mode  (binary code) require support in USB controller firmware, AFAIK only "Red Baron" (from Russia) F1/F2 USB controller and BRD (Baur, from Russia) RudderMaster USB controller support.

 

Other option - more popular in DIY, is TLE5010/5011 sensor, that you find ready to use in Aliexpress (China) or can solder your own, PCB layout are available from "Debolestis" (in DCS forum) and others.

 

But since TLE5010/11 work too in digital mode (binary code) require support in USB controller firmware, that is available in MMjoy2 firmware - developed by "MegaMOZG" (from Russia), that now is technician of VirPil (VPC) electronics.

 

Anyway, use MMjoy2 firmware require only "flash" the code through USB cable in an cheap ($6) Arduino PRO Micro (ATMEGA32u4, 16 mhz, 5volts) or some other models of Arduino (but not any) or Teensy boards 2.0 and ++2.0

 

Or you can buy ready to use boards flashed with MMjoy2 firmware from Aliexpress (China) and I think from "Rel4y".

 

From conventional electronics stores you can use BiTech 6127 HALL sensor* that looks like a conventional potentiometer and work in analog mode, being compatible with most joystick controllers and USB controllers, commercial or DIY.

 

* Attention that you need a Bi-Tech 6127 with lower "effective electric angle" - from 30º to 60º for joy or pedal or 60/90º for a throttle,  the linked model is 50º. A angle that match (+ -) your pedal movement.

 

Could use too AS5600 HALL sensor, but since is a new model are little DIY knowledge about, an advantage is that their "effective electric angle" can be programmed by you, but only once.

 

Other option is assembly your own analog "HALL potentiometer" using Allegro A1324EUAT or Honeyweell SS495-A1 HALL sensors (~$2), combining then with one or two Neodymium magnets, what require countless trial and error for get the center of magnetic field.

Edited May 7, 2019 by Sokol1

[BartimeusUruk]

Well Sokol1,

That's a great answer !! so detailed  !

 

OK i'll study all the solutions you've listed and let you know.

 

Thanks a lot for this answer !

See you in the air !

Edited May 7, 2019 by BartimeusUruk