Panel mount rotary encoders are rapidly gaining popularity over potentiometers which are the other, major panel mount components used to translate rotational movement into a readable signal. The first advantage that encoders offer over potentiometers is consistency. Potentiometer manufacturing tolerances are large, leading to inconsistencies between units in the same batch. Accuracy is tied to consistency. Secondly, digital outputs are more compatible with today’s digital devices and require no analog-to-digital converters, reducing cost and preventing errors.