Question about hacking Wico trackballs

[LJHalfbreed]

I'm looking for a small trackball to use with a rather smallish control panel. After hunting around, I figured I'd use an actual 'trackball' instead of hacking one. Imagine my surprise finding Happ wants some sort of organ donation for their trackball prices!

Well, I went to Wico's site (which is all kinds of under construction right now, so this might not work) http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/page89.htm and I'm looking at the 'base unit' for the 2 1/4 trackball. The trackball is around 32 bucks.

Now I'm assuming that I'd want the 'Hi' version since it looks like the output will be the same as a regular mouse. I picked up a janky (but working) Microsoft USB Intellimouse 1.2A. Would this work? The Wico TB shows as having an output of 5v and 10mA. The intellimouse has an output rating of 5v and 25mA.

Any suggestions, or are Wico balls crap? I need a small Trackball that will work (or can be semi-easily hacked) to work USB. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

-LJ

[LJHalfbreed]

Anyone have any ideas/suggestions, or is this in the totally wrong forum?

-LJ

[SirPeale]

There's a lot of info for hacking a mouse.  Just dig in and go.  Good thing is mice are cheap.  Screw up and just get another mouse.

[goofy]

You should also search these forums for information on the high trackball. I've read negative comments (something about it popping out during play), but I can't remember who mentioned it.

[Goz]

 The 2.25" trackball at ultimarc is $28.

might want to check it out as an option.

-Goz

[LJHalfbreed]

Well, I can't find anything on anyone actually using a 'Wico' style trackball... everyone that I'm seeing is using something from Happ's.

Since Happ's wants like 80 bucks for just the 'unit', and Wico wants just 33 for the same style unit, I'm trying to find out if it's pointless to use the Wico one, or if anyone has even tried. I mean, to me, it seems like the 33$ one is worth a shot, just because it's less than half the Happ one, but maybe why people don't use the Wico is because it's janky/loose/breaks/doesn't work...

And for the record, when I mentioned 'Hi' and 'lo', I was talking about the actual electronics/voltage in the trackball electronics, as opposed to the 'High' version of trackballs where more of the trackball is exposed (As in a Air Traffic Controller setup). See the Wico site I mentioned for more info on the whole hi/lo thing.


So, does anyone have any experience and/or links for messing with Wico trackballs, or are Happs the only ones worth hacking?

-LJ

PS. I wouldn't care about the price really, but I need to be able to justify my purchases with the wife. If money was no object, I'd just buy the 180$ usb-ready happ trackball, and just be done with it. Therefore, this also includes not wanting to spend $$$ (even just 10$ at a time) on projects that won't work.

[u_rebelscum]

You should also search these forums for information on the high trackball. I've read negative comments (something about it popping out during play), but I can't remember who mentioned it.

Different TB.

High ball is mounted high (happs)

Wico's "HI" is about the eletrical circuits.

[LJHalfbreed]

The 2.25" trackball at ultimarc is $28.

might want to check it out as an option.

-Goz

THAT'S where I saw the super-cheap TB. Thanks Gozur!

Only question I have is, would that mean that I'd have to buy an opticpac to make it work right? Or would it take some easy hardware hacking? I'm trying to eliminate wastage of cash and all that.

-LJ

[Goz]

You can also typically get the Betson Imperial 3" trackball with USB or PS2 interface with mouse buttons for $60 or less on ebay, almost at any time.

These are decent trackballs. The ultimarc 2.25" is eaasily hackable and functional.

-Goz

[LJHalfbreed]

Sounds good to me... I'll take you up on your idea, Gozur, and grab one of the ultimarcs. (And no, I won't blame you if I frack it up all to heck).

Thanks all!

-LJ

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'm still really partial to Oscar's mouse hacks.
I've hooked up all kinds of stuff to them (trackballs, steering wheels, spinners), and NEVER had ANY problems with them.
They only cost about $9.00 (IIRC), and have all the real work done for you already.

If you already have the mouse (as it sounds like YOU do), and don't mind losing it if you mess up, give it a shot.
If you are looking to BUY a new mouse to use (posted mostly for the sake of others reading this thread), Oscar's will save you alot of hassle, and eliminate some of the compatibility issues you may run into with optics and specific mice.