Which Trackball?

[G-6155 Interceptor]

Many on eBay, but not sure which one to get.

Should I just buy from Ultimarc?

[Harry Potter]

The illuminated ones at Happs are nice.

[Kremmit]

Reccomend you avoid used balls from ebay, unless you are comfortabe doing a rebuild.  A new Ultimarc or Happ ball should be fine.  The real question is the interface- Do you want to hook it up through USB, P/S2, or a Mouse hack?  Or do you have / plan to get and Opti-Pac?

[Jabba]

I agree with Kremmit. I bought a couple of used trackballs off of e-bay. They were quite rusty (the insides) , do not roll as nice (not close) to my Happs 3" trackball. The used ones will need a lot of TLC. I plan on reconditioning these soon. I think Happs has the Golden Tee  Highlip on sale now till the end of the month.

[G-6155 Interceptor]

Open to either PS/2 or USB, haven't bought a keyboard encoder yet, so iPac is an option, too.

Looking to go inexpensive, can I get a decent trackball, mounting plates, cables, etc. (the whole ball of wax) for < $60?

Edit: HOLY COW!  Happs are like $160 WITHOUT the mounting plate?!?!?!

[G-6155 Interceptor]

How about $35 for a Golden Tee (used, but good condition)

or $53 for a Happs 2-1/4 on eBay?

(I know you guys said to stay away from eBay, but other than TNT amusements in the 1st link, they're all just do darned expensive!)

[Jabba]

Try part number 56-0100-11HL

[G-6155 Interceptor]

Thanks.  I show $69.99 though...

[G-6155 Interceptor]

1) BTW, is there a way to make these things USB/PS-2 enabled?

[Tiger-Heli]

Open to either PS/2 or USB, haven't bought a keyboard encoder yet, so iPac is an option, too.

I-PAC won't help you with a trackball, you need the opti-pac, mini-pac, or oscar's mouse hack (www.oscarcontrols.com)

[Tiger-Heli]

1) BTW, is there a way to make these things USB/PS-2 enabled? 
Is there an adapter to buy or do they have to come like that?

See previous post, Opti-Pac, Mini-Pac, or www.oscarcontrols.com mouse hack.  Betson also sells a PS/2 enabled 3-inch T-ball for around $70.00

2) As much as I appreciate the input, and the $69 Happs are *really* nice, I think I can only afford something more along the lines of the Ultimarc trackball for $29 + mounting plate for $14.  Would that work okay for me for now?

The Ultimarc is a good arcade quality 2-1/4 inch unit.  The question is would you be happy with that or do you need/want a 3-inch unit.

2-1/4's were used in Centipede, 3-inch were used in Golfing games.

[Jabba]

Thanks.

[Matt Berry]

I have both the ultimarc 2 1/4" and the Happ 3" golden T high lip trackballs. I also have a couple of originals from ebay. By far the Happ trackball which is on sale 69.95 is the best. Very smooth, feels nice, and works flawlessly with an opti pac. I believe you can also get these through slikstik already to plug in and go, no need for an opti pac for 109, and an aditional 10 for the mounting plate. Could be worth it if you don't want to buy the opti pac, plus the happ trackball is normally 98 or so.

[GGKoul]

If I could do it again, I would get a Happ 3" Golden Tee PS/2 - USB Trackball.  No interface issues nor the added expense of buying an interface board.

[Rocky]

You really have to weigh the price and performance. If you buy new from Happs, you'll have an industrial T-ball that will probably never wear out under home use, but you'll pay for it.

I got a "batch" of 4 used Trackballs from a guy on the news groups for cheap. They were rusty and one wouldn't even spin. I took them apart and cleaned and lubed them and am pleased with the performance.

The main things that go bad are the rollers and the bearings. I found that the bearings can be cleaned very well. WD-40 to break down the rust and dirt. 3-in-1 oil to lube them when done.

The rollers are another story. If they have excessive wear, you will feel it when you roll them and you will hear more noise when they roll.

Personally, I like to get used stuff and clean it up. I also did my own mouse hacks. (not very hard)