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Review: Paradise Arcade Shop 2 1/4'' Trackball
wizkid32:
Ok, so I knew I wanted a trackball for my M.A.M.E. machine, but $90 + Shipping was to much for the old wallet to handle. I debated the options. I could try to build my own trackball, using mouse innards, and use that, but talk about challenging! I could try to find a PC trackball, but those have an off "feel", and still cost a pretty penny! Or I could just bite the bullet and buy one, but they were really out of my price range. None of these options were truly satisfactory. Enter the Paradise arcade MAME trackball. (Link at the bottom of my post)
It was cheap, only $30 with shipping included!
It works, and has a decent "feel". It even lights up!
Packaged well, with their signature Hershey Kisses and a Hawaiian "Thank You!".
Plug and Play via PS2 port (no Plugging and Praying! ;) ), no drivers or external interface/mouse hack required.
I originally saw this when shipping was extra, and dawdled about picking it up. Then they made shipping free. I purchased at once.
After doing this a few times, :banghead: , I finally managed to get through Paypal and "send" payment. The item shipped within the stated timeframe, but did not arrive within the estimated delivery date. Great. According to the tracking, it had not even been shipped. Well I decided to give it a little more time before contacting the seller. it payed off. The package WAS sent in during the "will ship within" timeframe. The post office took a long time to deliver it, waiting one extra business day. The trouble was, a holiday weekend was found within that time. :( Well, it took me a few days, but I finally got a chance to test it out.
Firstly, it looks fantastic. It lights up green, and turns red when you press a button. There are pre-wired button leads that are sorted by length, and they include quick disconnects.
Second, it works well. Windows recognizes it out of the box, and it seamlessly integrates into the OS.
Third, it was cheap. :applaud: Granted, the ball rests on rollers rather than axles, making it technically a computer trackball. Still, it is perfect for M.A.M.E.!
The only thing I don't like: I wish this trackball came in a 3" size. Even so, this is a steal.
Price Rating: 5/5
Excellent price for what you get.
Quality Rating: 5/5
VERY minor scratching on the PCB, no problems so far!
Value Rating: 5/5
It's a good trackball for an excellent price.
Seller Rating: 5/5
They do what they are supposed to do, with a flair!
Purchase Method Rating: 3/5
Paypal and USPS ruin this score. USPS took a longer time than advertised, and Paypal was a general nuisance.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Even with USPS and Paypal fouling up the mix, this trackball is a good value.
Best,
Wizkid32
Link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Computer-Trackball-2-1-4-MAME-ARCADE-PS2-PS-2-LED-/130550347141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e65683585#ht_1171wt_1344
wizkid32:
Addendum: There is one issue I didn't discuss in the review, and that is mounting. This is a bit of a problem. It seems you can either modify a preexisting trackball mount, or use an alternative method. See below link for more information.
Link:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116093.msg1231210#msg1231210
wizkid32:
But how much is shipping? And don't forget that Paradise Arcade Shop is a reputable vendor. Also, they just lowered the price to $28 on Ebay.
wizkid32:
Oh.
:banghead:
How did I miss that??!!!
:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
wizkid32:
My experience with arcade trackballs has been limited, but this seems to be of similar caliber. Perhaps slightly less hefty, but that might just be me. They do "feel" right, though. And as for Paypal, darn them!!!!! :soapbox:
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