SparkFun Gimbal Motor, 12V 467RPM, with Optional Encoder

An open-loop gimbal motor spins when commanded but has no way to report back exactly where it ended up, which is fine for simple camera stabilization but a real limitation for anything needing precise, repeatable positioning. SparkFun's version of this motor adds an optional encoder specifically to close that gap, giving a build genuine position feedback for applications - antenna tracking, precision pan/tilt - where knowing the exact angle matters as much as moving to it.