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Golden Tee Trackball Durability
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paigeoliver:
It can be really hard to tell a 6 month old Golden Tee machine from a 6 year old one with the most recent kit on them. I have seen the identical white side cabs lined up at auction with everything from 03 to Fore Complete in them.

People can be a jerk and break the trackball, but it is hard to do and doesn't happen that often. I have seen many dozens of worn out trackballs, but I have never seen one that was physically broken.

The Golden Tee/Happ/Atari 3" trackball is designed to take plenty of abuse. They have way stronger casing than the competing Wico trackballs.

If the trackball is busted on a machine out on location, get the number of the place operating it (game will usually have a sticker on it somewhere, and the games usually aren't owned by the bar that they are in). Call the operator, tell him you used to play his Golden Tee machine all the time, but now the trackball is busted.
lilshawn:
yeah it's called planned obsolescence.

take a look at the documentary "the light bulb conspiracy" AKA "pyramids of waste"



I apologize in advance for stealing the next 60 minutes of your time.

Javinator:
Thanks for the tips and info guys. My main concern is for physical damage to the trackball and its components. Sounds like I'll be safe with regular use and as long as people aren't being too drunk and ridiculous too regularly I should be fine  ;).

Right now I'm planning on using a UTrak just for ease of installation (and because I went through the trouble of modelling one in SketchUp  :D). If anyone knows of any specific issues there, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks,

-Javin
paigeoliver:
So after all your concern about wear on the trackballs you pick a model that is less heavy duty than the ones used in late model Golden Tee machines.

I haven't personally used that model, but the base appears to tie it to the less durable Wico family of trackballs and not the more durable Happ/Atari family.

Javinator:

--- Quote ---So after all your concern about wear on the trackballs you pick a model that is less heavy duty than the ones used in late model Golden Tee machines.

I haven't personally used that model, but the base appears to tie it to the less durable Wico family of trackballs and not the more durable Happ/Atari family.
--- End quote ---

My lack of knowledge about trackballs is the whole reason for the topic... While I saw what you said above:

--- Quote ---The Golden Tee/Happ/Atari 3" trackball is designed to take plenty of abuse. They have way stronger casing than the competing Wico trackballs.
--- End quote ---

I also read what you wrote previous to that:

--- Quote ---You will never wear out a new trackball in home use. The one I installed about 8 or 9 years ago still has yet to make a visible wear marks on the rollers. Over time the ball wears down the steel rollers, however this is over lots of time and tens of thousands of games.
--- End quote ---

So what I'm hearing is that, while Happ/GT/Atari trackballs are capable of taking the most abuse, I would have a tough time breaking a commercially available trackball from casual home use. I figured, based on this, I would be safe with a UTrak.

My own fault for not being clear I guess. Thanks for the information.
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