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Author Topic: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?  (Read 3302 times)

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Necro

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Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« on: April 06, 2011, 09:10:38 am »
I have a minor problem and am hoping someone might have an idea on how to solve it.  My CP isn't that deep (6") and goes in at an angle, so there isn't much clearance below the CP.  The issue I'm facing is that a 2 1/4" trackball 'casing' (the parts under the CP) - while fitting within the 6" fine - end up smacking against a piece of wood going across the back of where the CP sits. 

While modifying the cab is an option, I wanted to see if anyone knows of 'thin' or a bit smaller (1.75-2"?) trackballs I can check the dimensions on to see if they would work.

While not a dealbreaker if I can't get a trackball into one of my swappable CPs, I'd really like to have one on my spinner CP (2 spinners, 1 trackball in the center). 

The alternative is to make an external mount or 'ghetto' CP for the trackball...it won't fit the theme though so...I'd like to avoid that if possible (aesthetics are important to me on this cab).

clutch

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Donkbaca

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2011, 02:03:51 pm »
That is ridiculous.

Necro

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2011, 02:16:04 pm »
Hehe - I was looking at that and trying to determine if it was even decent at all.  I do have a PC trackball, but not sure if it would fit. 

D_Harris

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2011, 03:54:39 pm »
http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/56020000.htm

Funny you should post that. It is the first thing that popped into my head when I was reading the original post.

I happen to have one of those and was considering it for a mini control panel, but couldn't justify $60 for a cable/harness to see how it would work.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
My collection:Asteroids, Joust, Millipede, Ms. Pac-man, Pole Position, Robotron 2084, Star Trek, Star Wars, and 100+ PCBs. Trading/Selling:Arkanoid: R.O.D. Cocktail, Tornado spinner, Hewlett Packard 16500A Logic Analysis System with Accessories. Wanted:Mach 3 joystick. Millipede Trackball. 100° or WG4600 monitor Tube.

Bender

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2011, 04:29:14 pm »
I got a couple 1.5" off ebay for $25-30 (no harness, just wired it to an encoader)
from this guy http://myworld.ebay.com/tims3484?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1181  who is a very good seller, none listed right now, maybe you can e-mail him to see if he has any more

PS: 1 1/2" dosent sound a lot small but it is MUCH smaller than a 2 1/4"
« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 04:31:04 pm by Bender »

Nephasth

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2011, 04:30:40 pm »
Maybe divemaster has some too?

Bender

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2011, 04:32:09 pm »
I got the happ one years back way to stiff, these were just right and very reasonably priced

Necro

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2011, 07:17:23 pm »
Bender, you still don't happen to have one you'd be willing to part with do you?

The main issue I have is either I completely remake a crossbar holding up my bezel (OmegaRace, Mirror cab, complex setup) OR I figure out a way to make a trackball fit.  I kind of prefer the make it fit option.

Nephasth

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2011, 07:24:30 pm »
I kind of prefer the make it fit option.

Bigger hammer. :lol

Sorry, I know, I'm no help on this.


Necro

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2011, 08:27:16 pm »
Hehe...if it wasn't a swappable panel I'd get the sucker jammed in there. 

I also realized I asked this twice before since 2008 - but my repeated hiatus's (and crashing hard drives) have resulted in me not remembering crap.

...that and I found out I need to order the overlays for all my CP's at once (or pay the same price for the second set) - meaning the timeline for my spinner and classic CP's just got shortened.

Bender

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2011, 10:47:30 pm »
I got the happ one years back way to stiff, these were just right and very reasonably priced

Sorry, they're all spoken for (couple of projects in process)
Did you try e-mailing the guy from the link?

VanillaGorilla

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2011, 11:55:38 pm »
you could contact Bryan about this one, it looks to be more compact for a 2.25...cheap to boot.

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/47-ps2-led-trackball.html

Necro

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2011, 09:47:04 am »
Thanks all for the info and suggestions.  Just sent out a bunch of emails on that alternative trackball and the 1.5"'s.  Hopefully something will pan out! :)

Necro

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2011, 07:17:27 pm »
So...Happ 1.5"s are over $200 each so...that's out.  The guy on ebay sold out a month ago (figures...) so that's out. 

Awaiting a response to an email I sent to Paradise Arcade about the trackball.  Once I have an answer on that, I'm going to get the remaining components I need for my second CP and just forget about the trackball if it doesn't work.

clutch

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #15 on: April 07, 2011, 08:09:46 pm »
What do you need to know about the PA TB?  I bought one not too long ago.

Necro

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #16 on: April 07, 2011, 08:17:25 pm »
Dimensions.  That's it. :)

(Also, unrelated, if you know if the IL-lumination LED's come prewired or not - the single color ones - that would be nice to know as well :) )

clutch

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #17 on: April 07, 2011, 10:10:18 pm »
The plastic case is 4 1/8" wide, 3 7/8" long (from the top to the bottom), and 1 5/8" tall.  Two main wires come out of it.  One goes to the pc's mouse port.  The other wire branches off into 6 spade type connectors for the 3 buttons.  There are 4 LED's under the ball and will light up as soon as you plug this thing in.  I don't understand what he means by the ball sitting on wheels.  This one sits on three posts that spin. 

Necro

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #18 on: April 07, 2011, 10:29:03 pm »
AND WE HAVE A WINNER!

That should actually fit - Given the measurements are right and I can flip axis on this as it will need to go in sideways with the 3 7/8" side perpendicular to the screen).    Looks like I'm going to have to design a third CP.  And figure out how to swap the axis and kill the LED - I don't think the colors will work for me and I'd rather just have it glow red or purple or yellow all the time.

This things never getting done... :)  (I can order all 3 CP overlays at once due to the small depth)

Clutch - is the size of the hole in your CP 2 1/4"?  Just want to start on the designs. 
« Last Edit: April 07, 2011, 10:30:50 pm by Necro »

clutch

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #19 on: April 07, 2011, 10:48:13 pm »
Yes it is.

VanillaGorilla

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Re: Trackballs Smaller than 2 1/4"?
« Reply #20 on: April 08, 2011, 12:09:10 am »
Quote
AND WE HAVE A WINNER!

Awesome. glad I could point you in a worthwhile direction! BTW, The IL-lumination pads are Surface Mount Design, and arrive pre wired, for your convenience... I got a bunch of the RGB variety, but Bryan has mentioned in the past that the single color pads are pre-wired also.