Accuracy of TCRT5000 type infrared distance sensors?

[MrTimcakes]

How accurate can these (espruino.com/InfraredProximity) IR proximity sensors be? My desire is to use them inside a Nerf dart clip/magazine to calculate remaining ammunition based on how full the clip is. Will these be accurate enough? Is there a better way to do this? (Keep in mind the clip must somehow electrically connect to the blaster)

Nerf Clips/Magazines look like this

Note: This clip is modified with a rail to allow for non-Nerf (Stefan) darts to be used. Usual darts are longer and fill up the entire clip.

[Chris C]

Datasheet lists typical operating range as 0.2-15mm.

If you're planning to mount several in the side of the clip, for example to give 0/25/50/100% full readings, this sensor could work.

If you're planning to mount just one in the end, it's unlikely this will be accurate enough.  Something like this would be a closer fit:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12728

Those are old tech, easy to understand and use, with lots of examples.  They work by using a lens to project a somewhat focused dot of light.  Two light sensors behind another lens detect the light at different efficiency, depending on its angle relative to each sensor.  The lesser the angle, the further away it is.  By comparing the two sensors, it's able to estimate a distance, which is output via an analog signal.

At the other end of the spectrum, a new and cutting edge optical time-of-flight module.  It produces a quick burst of laser output, then measures the amount of time for that burst to bounce back.  No trivial feat.  Surprisingly inexpensive, and very accurate, but harder to use:

http://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/mmc/FM132/CL2136/SC1934/PF260441?icmp=pf260441_bn_home_feb2015

[Docholiday]

Datasheet lists typical operating range as 0.2-15mm.

If you're planning to mount several in the side of the clip, for example to give 0/25/50/100% full readings, this sensor could work.

If you're planning to mount just one in the end, it's unlikely this will be accurate enough.  Something like this would be a closer fit:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12728

Those are old tech, easy to understand and use, with lots of examples.  They work by using a lens to project a somewhat focused dot of light.  Two light sensors behind another lens detect the light at different efficiency, depending on its angle relative to each sensor.  The lesser the angle, the further away it is.  By comparing the two sensors, it's able to estimate a distance, which is output via an analog signal.

At the other end of the spectrum, a new and cutting edge optical time-of-flight module.  It produces a quick burst of laser output, then measures the amount of time for that burst to bounce back.  No trivial feat.  Surprisingly inexpensive, and very accurate, but harder to use:

http://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/mmc/FM132/CL2136/SC1934/PF260441?icmp=pf260441_bn_home_feb2015

Chris,

The link for st.com is broken can you check and repost it.

Thank you....

[Chris C]

Checked and working.  But here's a different link to try:

http://www.st.com/web/catalog/mmc/FM132/SC1934/PF260441

If that too fails, Google "VL6180X", the part # of the sensor.

[Docholiday]

Checked and working.  But here's a different link to try:

http://www.st.com/web/catalog/mmc/FM132/SC1934/PF260441

If that too fails, Google "VL6180X", the part # of the sensor.

Thank you, Chris that link worked.