Help with a DIY Optical Sensor

[Spacedueler]

I've read the do it yourself Optical Sensor article at Ultimarc:

http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac4.html

The Digikey link is out dated. Can anyone point me to a place/part number to buy the correct slotted optical switches for the job? I want to upgrade my home made spinner from mouse optics and wire it to a U-HID. I found these for $ .75 - cheaper than most listed on digikey for about $2 each:

http://store.fungizmos.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=222

Can the optics from the mouse be wired straight to the U-HID or Opti-Wiz. It seems I'd have to put a resistor in the correct location.

I'm also working on a step by step page on how I used rollerblade wheels and bearings to build a pretty nice spinner. I'm waiting for some steering wheels from ebay which I'm hoping will make this project into a nice steering control.

[AndyWarne]

It should be possible to connect the mouse optics but you might need to do some reverse engineering to work out the connections for the LED emitters (which are usually wired with both in series and also a resistor in series) and the detectors. The detectors must either be open circuit or pull to ground depending on light or no light.
Using a mest meter with the mouse working is a good start.
Andy

[phatmeat]

I just did this with digi key part # or631-nd $1.85 with the 220 ohm resistor and a hacked mouse for the controller . Worked very well on my tempest spinner ..

[Spacedueler]

I just did this with digi key part # or631-nd $1.85 with the 220 ohm resistor and a hacked mouse for the controller . Worked very well on my tempest spinner ..

Thanks for sharing the info