5200 Trackball for MAME? ...and RetroAdapter from Kieo?

[GameGeezer]

Hi all: I'm curious if anybody has successfully adapted an Atari 5200 trackball for use with MAME, as I can't seem to find any references to such a project anywhere. I'm also considering purchasing a Keio 'RetroAdapter' and I was curious if anybody has tried using this device and what kind of feedback you have on it.

It seems like a quick & dirty way to add additional off-the-shelf controls to a cabinet, so I'm curious how well it works and if there are any major snags in using it, as well as how well the controls feel when using this device. I actually have the supported HoriTrack trackball for the Famicom, so this may be another easy way to add a ball to a cabinet, assuming its analogue functions are unimpaired.

My Thanks. -GG

[boardjunkie]

It can be done, but you need to disconnect the slotted optos from the circuitry on the main board and connect them into the board from a USB ball mouse. I do this all the time with 2600 style Wico trackballs. It works well....

[GameGeezer]

Hmm... I know it's been done with the CX-80 type trackballs, but I wasn't sure if this allowed for proper analogue acceleration. I'm rather shocked that the analogue optical sensors in a USB mouse would work with the 5200 Tball, but life always has some surprises. I presume this mod bypasses the Analogue/Digital circuitry on the original Wico and CX-80 devices anyhow, so, I'm curious if this solution is ideal, or if I should pick up one of the kit balls. I'm really hoping to have a Centipede or Rampart level degree of accuracy with it,, and the 5200 ball was always one of the best, despite its size.

Which mice have the best sensitivity for this kind of project? I picked up a small USB trackball for the time-being, and I find its movements to be far too fast with no gradual acceleration. Playing 'Star Wars' using it is almost impossible, for example, and until I design a modular C-Panel, I'm limited on options. I'd like to do a snap-in fully modular set-up with Molex connections and the whole shebang, but that has to wait until I have the right tools. I'm using an Asteroids (Rev-02)cab, and therefore C-Panel space is finite.

Naturally, I want the gamut of detachable options:
2xDigital stick (4/8-way)
1x Analogue 'Tron' Stick + Spinner
Spinner for Tempest
Rotary Control for 'Arkanoid' games
Asteroids Button Panel
6-to-8-Button Panel
Two-Button panel
Trackball panel (x2)
Star Wars Yoke
Pole Position Wheel and Pedals
Skiing Controls (e.g. 'Slalom')
2x Light Guns (Old Japanese Style, e.g. Vs. Unisystem)

This is all on the to-do list.

At present I have a dual 4/8-way stick setup. four buttons each (which has become problematic, as I also use the cab for X68K and MSX titles), a horrible spinner that I need to replace (I like the 'Tornado', but it seems to be discontinued...) and a modular trackball that works, but is imperfect.

I've seen one modular design thus far, but I'm going to have to invest in more machining tools, or see which I may let from a mate before I can consider going full-bore with this. It does look rock'n rad next to my Asteroids Deluxe machine. I just need to replace my 'Space Duel' cab I which was stolen from me) and do a Vector-MAME conversion for a triad of awesomeness. Then I'll have to figure out what to do with the Lady Bug and Galaga cabaret cabs that I still haven't used. I think I have an extra Galaga board left for the one, but they're a long way off and I can only realistically handle one at any given time. -GG

[boardjunkie]

You don't use the opto's from the mouse. The opto's are removed from the mouse board, and the trackball opto's get wired into the mouse board. Stuff the mouse board into the trackball enclosure, and bam....instant USB trackball.

Oh....slotted optos are used in the digital domain. Square waves all the way dood.....

[GameGeezer]

Thanks mate. I'll give it a shot... I still need to decide what to do about the control panel in general... I really like some of the modular stuff that I've seen people make, so that's my next major step. I have a pile of Atari trackballs around, so that saves me a step. I do need to update my IPAC though: the Windows IPAC utility refuses to programme it, and that's a problem with my present layout. I had to jumper single buttons to multiple functions, and I think that's causing some issues. (Either that, or I have a bad CE somewhere, as one button has gone into auto-fire mode.) -GG

[boardjunkie]

As far as the sensitivity goes, you need to adjust that in the menu on a game by game basis. I usually end up jacking it up quite a bit for centipede and the like.