The best replacement for encoder is resolver.

The best alternatives to encoder are rated as following:
★★★★★  resolver
★★★★★  decoder
★★  mp3 encoder
★★  tachometer
★★  aac
★  multiplexer
★  potentiometer
★  tach
★  incremental encoder
★  wav encoder
  apple lossless
  transcoder
  cce
  xsplit
  apple lossless encoder
  aac encoder
  aiff
  software encoder
  absolute encoder
  windows media encoder
  lame
  hall sensor
  procoder

Your alternative for encoder is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about encoder, one probably shouldn't forget about arduino.

Other search terms related to encoder and their ratings are:
★★★★★ arduino
★ readout
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encoder
resolver
decoder