Best cheap pots?

[Spasticteapot]

I need some stereo pots for a project. Linear or log, either will work so long as the tracking is good. Can anyone recommend a pot for under $5?

 

[LingLing1337]

You could probably get by on Mexican brickweed.

 

[semisight]

Futurlec sells some very cheap pots ($.55 per pot). Even cheaper if you don't care about knobs

. Shipping is slow though.

EDIT: Stereo might be a little more, like $.90.

 

[keyid]

on k & 9th st downtown..

 

[linuxworks]

not cheap, but good/easy selection. familygate (name) on ebay. I get my motor pots there (when I can't find them locally). he has some linear as well as log type. shipping is not cheap but its fair and fast.

and its even legal to buy these (lol).

btw, there is no such thing as 'cheap' and 'good tracking'. sorry, but that only exists in dreams

 

[Spasticteapot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxworks /img/forum/go_quote.gif btw, there is no such thing as 'cheap' and 'good tracking'. sorry, but that only exists in dreams

Some of the cheap linear pots actually work fairly well - it's the log pots that are problematic.

 

[Juaquin]

For a few more bucks you could use a PGA chip and a couple pushbuttons (schematic in PGA datasheet) and get perfect tracking. A little more complicated, but cheaper than nice pots and probably more accurate.

 

[cobaltmute]

The 15A pots from ALPS track much better than the 3B ones with switches than amb and Tanget sell (or at least on the two units I have).

Try this:
RK09712200MC ALPS Potentiometers

 

[AudioCats]

hmm, didn't realize Mouser carry Alps....is the 15A an audio taper and 3B a linear? or are they all linear?

 

[cobaltmute]

Both are audio log.

Check this link:
http://www.alps.com/products/WebObje...RESISTANCE.PDF

3B taper is on the top left graph, 15A taper is on the top right. The 15A taper is more gradual in the lower end. It also happens to be the taper that is used on their higher end pots.