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Mini, Yet Mighty Joysticks Bring Precision Control

  • Miniature joysticks bundle important functionality and long-lasting performance in a small package for applications ranging from medical and surgical equipment to unmanned vehicles and hydraulic controls.

  • The precision required to fly a drone around obstacles illustrates the role of miniature joysticks in the control solutions world. OTTO Controls' mini Hall effect JHT joysticks put control at one’s fingertips—and that control can come with minutely incremental accuracy.

    Miniature hall effect miniature joystick image

    That level of precision is necessary for medical and surgical equipment, surveillance cameras, hydraulic controls, drilling systems, unmanned vehicles and other applications calling for immediate activation and spot-on movement.

    Mini joysticks are sized just right for handheld controllers and space-constrained panels. Don’t mistake their small size for delicateness, however; they’re well suited for demanding applications. Joysticks have been tested to 5 million cycles in all directions with no performance degradation. Plus, fully booted joysticks are completely panel sealed, and JHT joysticks electronics are sealed to IP68S to withstand rain and equipment washdowns.

    Larger joysticks have their place in operating heavy equipment and in accommodating a sweeping range of controls content, which includes rockers, toggles and pushbutton switches. Although mini joysticks have less room for switches, they bundle important functionality and long-lasting performance in a small package.

    Joysticks’ output options include analog, SPI and CANbus. Although analog is commonly used, CANbus is popular partly because CANbus-connected devices have fewer wires than analog, which simplifies development and installation.

    Mini joysticks offer various gating options—single axis, two axis and omnidirectional—as well as various tactile options. Z-axis models additionally feature a 60° rotating knob on top of the joystick. Top-mounted pushbuttons are also an option.

    The functionality of mini joysticks benefits the application for wireless, autonomous controllers that are used for land and air machinery, as well as heavy commercial machinery controls.

    Learn more about the JHT and the JHT with Z-Axis joysticks.