Trackball Recommendations and Opinions??

[enigma]

Hey, what kind of trackball is the better trackball:

Ultimarc's trackball or one of Happ's many different models

[Minwah]

A difficult one to answer, since it depends on what games you play and your preference.  I think Ultimarc only sells 2.25" trackballs, you can get 3" ones from Happ.

I have had a Happ 3" for a loooong time, but I haven't put it in a panel for playtesting yet, and I haven't tried the Ultimarc (made by Wico I think) type before, so I would not like to say which is 'better'.

[pfriedel]

I think it basically boils down to just being a matter of being an arcade trackball, period, and beyond that they're all basically the same.  Happ TB's are a bit more exposed but possibly easier to work on, Wico/Imperial/Betson are fully enclosed and maybe a bit harder to work on.  Probably the only real measurable difference is in aftermarket part supplies.  How hard is is to get new bearings, rollers and optics?  Happ is a little easier, but Imperial/Betson is fairly easily available as well.  I don't know about Wico, but I imagine they're pretty easy to get in touch with.

  But for home use? I don't know how much _any_ of them are being pushed to their limits.  As long as it's an actual arcade trackball and not some industrial or refitted computer trackball, it'll work out nicely.

[enigma]

Thanks!! In that case, I'm probably going to go with ultimarc's trackball because it is cheaper than Happ's. Basically the only reason.

[pfriedel]

Thanks!! In that case, I'm probably going to go with ultimarc's trackball because it is cheaper than Happ's. Basically the only reason.

  Well, I forgot to mention that there is a difference between 2.25" and 3" balls - but I've never tried a 2.25", so I don't know if it really feels any different.  I'm kinda tempted to buy a 2.25" TB for my next CP redo so I could fit an 8-ball in for the ball.

[enigma]

Haha!!

That would be cool

[mahuti]

I installed, and am happily using an ultimarc trackball. I can't imaging spending the money for a Happs, when the Ultimarc feels fine. It's all a matter of taste, and authentic arcade feel. Personally, I like the smaller footprint of the Ultimarc trackball, but then, you can buy a 2.25 tb from Happs too, it's just more expensive.

After it gets seasoned, it feels great (you have to break everything in a bit first)

I've been playing centipede like crazy!