Need Trackball Advice

[DogSlobber]

I'm in the process of buying parts for my MAME controller and need advice on trackballs.

1.  What size is an original 'centiped' trackball?    2 1/4" or 3" ?  I seem to find conflicting answers.

2.  The folks at Ultimarc are selling a nice 2 1/4" trackball for a decent price.
Does anyone have any experience with the Ultimarc trackball or do I really need to spend the money on the Happ?

Thanks in advance!

.Dog.

[paigeoliver]

Most original games used a 3" trackball, but Centipede had a 2.25 trackball, while Missile Command, Irritating Maze, Atari Football (and a few other black and whites) used 4" models.

I have not used the Ultimarc trackball, so I can't comment on it.

I have owned

Happ controls 2.25 tackball with serial interface kit. Very nice.

Betson/Imperial 3" PS/2 with groovygamegear upgrade kit. Really, really smooth, doesn't roll as long as the Happ ones, but gets the exact same effect with the $10 upgrade kit installed.

Atari 3" Midi trackball. (Crystal Castles), basically the same as the Happs balls, although the age of the thing made it slightly less smooth.

Capcom Bowling trackball assembly. Appears to be the same basic assembly as the 3" midi trackball, but the ball feels heavier. Very nice.

[patrickl]

I just received the Ultimarc trackball (apparently that's a Suzo trackball btw) and I was a bit surprised at how short it rolls. Did someone compare the Ultimarc trackbal vs another brand?

I like a 2 1/4 trackball since it will allow you to put a pool 8-ball in it.

Another point would be ease and looks of mounting. I only thought about that after I ordered my trackball (ok, so it was an impulse purchase) I think it's the Betson trackballs that have some sort of black ring that goes on to of the CP. That looks nicer than a whole mountingplate. Allthough I'm just guessing here. I didn't research the topic yet. I just warn to keep it in mind since I regret not doing so ...

[subcriminal]

I just got a trackball from ultimarc, I haven't fitted it to the cab yet but it wouldn't spin properly, the ball slipped against the roller and it felt nasty!
I just took it apart before sending it back as you do and couldn't really see anything wrong with it apart from when you spin the ball away from a roller it lifts the roller and bearing up and causes slipping. I refitted everything and pressed the sensor wheels into the shafts and heard a click as I did both of them. It now works as it should!
Maybe theres a slight problem with manufacturing. All I can think happened is the bearings/roller/wheel weren't pressed onto the shafts correctly.
I'm well chuffed as I didn't want to return it and its a good trackball now!

EDIT: Just remembered when unpacking my Ultimarc package the box was holed and my coin door was bent due to the DHL van being involved in an accident! Maybe the trackball was thrown about a bit in transit.

[rdagger]

I have a Happ and a Wico (made by Suzo) trackball.  The Happ is very well made and works great.  The only down side to the Happ is the cost.  The Suzo trackball uses cheaper components and it doesn't spin as smoothly.  The Suzo also doesn't work well unless it is mounted on a flat surface.  I don't know who makes the Ultimarc trackball, but from the picture it looks like my Suzo. 

btw:  after bashing the Suzo, I'd like to mention I have a 2-1/4" Suzo trackball with USB hack for sale cheap.  IM me if interested.

[TOK]

The Happ costs more, but is worth it IMO. Great feel and quality, you're getting what you pay for.
If you don't buy it directly from Happ, you can save a lot of money. Happ resellers on Ebay were a little over half of Happs direct cost when I bought mine (translucent PS/2 USB with 3 buttons).

[Level42]

Ultimarc's trackball is a Suzo.

However, Suzo sells two trackballs:
1) The 2 1/4" that Ultimarc is also selling (and I dont think Andy would sell it if it weren't any good).
2) The 3" that they advertise as a WICO trackball.

Do some searching here, apparantly these things not some "breaking in"....

[jjd]

I have one of these in my CP.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CH-Products-Trackball-Pro-like-DT225-NIB_W0QQitemZ5821839235QQcategoryZ11193QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's not an 'official' arcade trackball but they are made for high end CAD work and photo labs.  The thing is builit like a tank and is really easy to mount in the CP.  The buttons are simple to hack as well. 

I got mine for about $15 shipped.  They retail new for $100+

They use a standard Cue ball as the trackball.  You can change it out with any custom pool ball you would like.

Just wanted to throw another option out there.