Trackball Balls

[DashRendar]

Just got my CPO, plexiglass, and trackball installed on my control panel last night (looks great so far!).   

Anyway, the trackball I'm using is the X-Arcade Betson clone.  Works well, but the trackball itself is a plain white ball.

I will most likely replace this with an ElectricIce ball from GGG, but I'm wondering if there's other cool ball replacements for trackball controls?

Haven't had much luck with Google.  Googling "trackball ball replacements" etc just takes you to links for entire trackball controls, rather than the balls themselves.

Would be awesome to find something that looks like a fireball, if they make such a thing.   

[JMB]

Do a search here for acrylic juggling balls. There a few threads floating around.

EDIT for link http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=100747.0

[DashRendar]

Awesome, thanks for the help!   

This one intrigues me:

https://www.firemecca.com/p-1010-colored-uv-acrylic-contact-juggling-balls.aspx

Someone mentioned putting that in a Tron-themed control panel, which would be awesome!

And I've got a small blacklight sitting unused.  Has anyone used this particular ball?

[JMB]

One more old thread with several links.  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=48538.0

[RandyT]

Just wanted to add a note about using balls made of substrates like Acrylic;

The juggling site adds this bit of info:

"Don't forget to protect your contact juggling ball from dents and scratches by also getting a felt-lined canvas Contact Juggling Ball Bag and Acrylic Polish!"

Any material that "dents" or scratches easily is not going to endure for long as a trackball.  The specific gravity of acrylic is also a fair amount lower than that of the materials used for trackball balls, which makes them lighter.  This will make a difference in performance.

If anyone is interested in some really nice 3" replacements in translucent, bright Red, Green and Blue, in the exact weight and durable material of the original white balls, feel free to drop me an email.  I can tailor a kit using these, with lighting as well, just like the EI upgrades.

RandyT

[DashRendar]

Something I noticed on one of the acrylic ball sites had the following warning-

WARNING: Please be aware that the clear acrylics act just like a magnifying glass and that means they can start fires if left in direct sunlight. We strongly recommend keeping all acrylic spheres in a cloth bag or pouch to keep them nice and shiny and out of the sun. If this is a concern for you then go with a colored acrylic!

My cab is in my basement, but it's near a set of windows.  Sunlight will definitely be reaching the control panel surface, so I'd like to avoid setting the fruit of my labors on fire. 

[DashRendar]

If anyone is interested in some really nice 3" replacements in translucent, bright Red, Green and Blue, in the exact weight and durable material of the original white balls, feel free to drop me an email.  I can tailor a kit using these, with lighting as well, just like the EI upgrades.

RandyT

Thanks Randy- I'll take you up on that.

Out of curiosity, how does the lighting compare between a translucent ball and the opaque EI ball?  I'd rather not burn my eyes out, but if it can have a distinct glow, that'd be awesome with the translucent red. 

[RandyT]

Out of curiosity, how does the lighting compare between a translucent ball and the opaque EI ball?  I'd rather not burn my eyes out, but if it can have a distinct glow, that'd be awesome with the translucent red.  

They are diffused and glow very, very nicely (very bright).  Some light does still manage to make it's way through though, which doesn't happen with the Electric ICE version.  If you have an LED-Wiz to drive it, you can adjust the output to be lower if you want to.

I can also include a diffuser for your trackball (if you remind me to include it ) which will take care of any possible glare.

RandyT

[Level42]

I find making good pictures of the real-life effect very hard, but here's the Electric Ice on my Centipede:



It's great. Glows very nice and _very_ even.

[Epyx]

Ya I've upgraded my Xgaming Betson clone to Randy's EI Upgrade Kit as well and the difference is night and day...the red glow above is nice but you have to see it in person to really appreciate it...the balls just come alive under RGB light.  I can't wait to have it wired this weekend and ill post some pics as well in Green