Centauri's Thoughts

Been pretty busy lately looking for robotics parts, accesories, and ideas. I have been scouring R/C web sites and local hobby shops, in addition to many other types of sources. I am finding that overall, servos are better for control that to custom bulid a shaft encoder around a generic electric motor.
Most motor resolution by shaft encoders is 8 bit (256 positions) and servos or custom is about the same. a $20 servo is really cheaper in the long run than a $3 motor, $5 in gearing, $8 in shaft encoders, and $$$$ who knows in custom electronics to make it all happen.. even if you DO know how to design circuits.. there is the cost in etching, developing, PCB layout software, etc.

There are times when we would like to make EXACTLY what we want.. and some of us *cringe* at $50 for some electronic object, but consider what it takes to make one yourself. If you are already set up for making PCB boards.. and have a printer, transparencies, software ($500 or more) and PCB boards and etchant material and drill press.. then make custom boards. for the rest of us.. its a matter of "hacking" something close... like for a pre-programmed voice response.. why learn how a DSP chip works, and all the complexities, and wiring.. when one can buy one of those $20 units that record up to 20 seconds of voice.. and play back.. then get you electronics to play that back on demand.. usually.. thats what we want. this is the idea of hacking a device.