Choosing the right component in the sensors, encoders, and machine safety space comes down to the movement you need to watch. A sensor can tell you when something is in place; a rotary encoder can tell you how far and how fast something is turning. These two parts answer that question in very different ways.
Quick verdict: If you need a sensing unit, go with the Honeywell C0401196. If you need an encoder for rotation, go with the Oak / Grigsby 91Q128. Price-wise, the Oak / Grigsby lists at $16.95 and the Honeywell at $39.99, so the encoder is the lower-priced option; the real difference is the kind of feedback your control loop needs.
| Consideration | Honeywell C0401196 | Oak / Grigsby 91Q128 |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 39.99 | USD 16.95 |
| Price bar | ||
| Power source | AC | DC |
| Core job | 10K Ohm resistive/optical position sensor | 128-pulse incremental quadrature encoder |
The table lays out the key choices. Both are new components, but they are built for different jobs. The Honeywell fits an industrial sensing role, while the Oak / Grigsby is built for rotary motion. If your machine reports a position rather than a rotation, the Honeywell is the closer match; if it tracks rotation, the Oak / Grigsby is the one.
Where each product wins
- The Honeywell C0401196 wins when your setup calls for a sensing unit rather than an encoder.
- The Oak / Grigsby 91Q128 wins when you need to measure rotation.
Honeywell C0401196 Industrial Motion & Position Sensors 10K Ohm Resistive & Optical
This Honeywell unit is an industrial sensor for AC circuits. It runs on a 1-10 V coil voltage, draws less than 1 A, and includes an app-controlled feature for remote monitoring. The sensing element combines 10K Ohm resistive and optical technologies, giving you two ways to detect position changes. The body is blue with a brass finish, and the unit is listed in new condition. Pick it for a position-sensing point where you want app-level visibility; the drawback is that it cannot output rotation pulses. If your application is rotation-counting, this sensor won't fill that role.
Oak / Grigsby Rotary Encoder - 128 Pulse/Rev - 91Q128 - 2 CH Full Quadrature
The Oak/Grigsby encoder is built for projects that need precise rotation feedback. It delivers 128 pulses per revolution with full quadrature and a 2-bit gray code output-512 state changes per revolution-so you can determine both direction and count. Channel A leads channel B by 90 degrees in clockwise rotation. It runs on DC with TTL-compatible 5V logic, and its sealed sleeve bearing and stainless steel 1/4-inch shaft make it a compact component for panel or motion-control duty. The 4-inch cable has bare wire ends, so you will need to terminate it yourself. That lack of a plug-and-play connector is the trade-off. Grab it when a turning shaft needs to become a readable digital signal.
Final choice by use case
For a non-rotating sensing job, choose the Honeywell C0401196. For a rotating application where you need to know how many turns and which direction, choose the Oak / Grigsby 91Q128. Also consider the environment: the Honeywell's brass finish and blue body give it a distinct industrial look, while the Oak/Grigsby's sealed sleeve bearing and stainless shaft are meant for rotating use. Match the component to the motion, and you'll get the signal your controller needs.
