Opinion on Ultimarc 2 1/4 Trackball?

[GeoMan]

I plan to build a control panel with a trackball and as i am very tight on space (i'll be using a box of specific size), i am looking at the 2 1/4 Trackball by Ultimarc.

What's your opinion about it? Is it any good?

I read at it's info page, that it uses 5 ball bearings. How's that? Isn't the ball resting on 3 shafts with 2 ball bearings each? Or is it made like the old computer trackballs with 2 shafts at 90^o and a large ball bearing across them?

[mgb]

I'm assuming you're talking about the U-Trak. I can't specifically speak of how good it is but Ultimarc products tend to be good quality.

I'm not sure where you saw 5 bearings but I just read the page and it says 3 stainless steel shafts and 6 bearing races.

heres a review that someone posted
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,83988.0.html

[BobA]

I would think that the smaller TB from Ultimarc would be a good product as Andy stands behind everything he sells 110%. 

[PL1]

From the Ultimarc site:

A High Quality 2 1/4 inch (57mm) Trackball assembly. Uses a heavyweight solid (non-translucent) "pool ball" type ball with ball bearing mounted rollers. Same hole mounting pattern as Happ trackballs. Supplied with wiring harnesses for connection to Opti-PAC.
NOTE these trackballs have grease-packed bearings and as such have a "bedding-in" period. To shortcut this, remove the 3 screws and lift out ball and shafts. Pull off bearings and soak in WD40.

From Divemaster's site:

Trackball 2 1/4 in (57mm). Top quality trackball with 5 ball-bearings, Steel shafts.

If the mention of "ball bearings" is a bit confusing, here's a build that shows the TB partly disassembled.



The guy who posted that build says he really likes the TB other than the bearings not being sealed, but he admits that he didn't protect the bearings from getting dusty during fitting.

He also modified his TB by removing the cover which makes it easier for dust to get into the bearings -- see 3/4 of the way down for details.


Scott

EDIT: Found his BYOAC thread here.

[GeoMan]

Thanks for the links. From another picture...



...it seems that the ball rests on top of two shafts and the third one is a mini-shaft with a ball bearing instead of an equal size shaft. I have seen many computer trackballs using this holding pattern and none of them rolls well in the directions opposite of the 2 shafts.

The unsealed bearings would be a problem as the trackball will collect dust inside sooner or later.

[PL1]

This TB is probably a lot more sturdy and reliable than the PC TBs you've worked with.   

Seems like there wouldn't be enough wiggle room for the ball to move very far on the 3rd (idler) roller, so wouldn't the width be somewhat irrelevant?

Per the Ultimarc site, the bearings can be removed from the shafts so you can clean and lube them as needed.


Scott

[mgb]

Well there's one sure way to see if this trackball holds up.
  Like Said, Andy stands by his products.
The u-trak has a better enclosed encasing then my happ trackball.

Are you mounting it in wood or metal.
If wood, then the U-trak may be your best bet.
 

[GeoMan]

I am going to mount it in a metal plus plexi panel. I'll make a cut on the metal/plexi at exactly the same size as the trackball body and i'll mount it using the mounting plate.

It is the only way to fit it in the box i plan to use without having to cut the box bottom. I got some measurements from a similar trackball from arcadecontrols.de but i need to be sure about the Ultimarc dimensions.

Anyone has the EXACT dimensions of the 2 1/4 Ultimarc Trackball (especially depth) and the mounting plate? I wrote Andy asking for the dimensions but i haven't got a reply yet.

[PL1]

Anyone has the EXACT dimensions of the 2 1/4 Ultimarc Trackball (especially depth) and the mounting plate? I wrote Andy asking for the dimensions but i haven't got a reply yet.

These are near the bottom of this page of mounting diagrams and dimensions.





Scott

[GeoMan]

Somehow i missed them! Trimming the feet i will probably be able to fit it... Just!