Translucent Red Happ ball is ugly unlit!

[TOK]

Just got my Happ 3" trackball. I opted for the translucent red figuring that would give me the option to light it later if I wanted to.
Well, that has become a must! I didn't realize that unlit its a hideous pale orange. My cab looks like I installed a rotten grapefruit in the control panel. 

[terryd]

See if you can try a red colored light or one of the red superbright LEDs.  This might make it more red...

[Santoro]

I avoided it for that very reason, I had seen photos and thought 'eeeew.'

I'll bet it will be fine lit tho.

[TOK]

Yes, it looks really cool lit up, even with a plain white light. Was going to use a light as a switched option, after seeing it unlit, the light is a must.

[RobopedeII]

The solid green one is really ugly too. I sent mine back.

[Bursk]

I know they also do a translucent blue one.  What's that like unlit?  I've been trying to decide between the red and the blue translucents, but don't want to get something that only looks good when lit!

[quarterstringer]

I know they also do a translucent blue one.

[shmokes]

The translucent blue one looks really nice unlit.

[Kremmit]

Tok, if you (or anyone) decide you don't want to light it after all, I've got a brand new white 3" ball I'd be happy to trade away.  It's just sitting here gathering dust, never used.

[TOK]

Kremmit, my cabinet has a red stripes on the sideart, so I think I'm going to stick with it. Thanks for the offer though!

[jarrett]

I replaced my red 3" trackball with the translucent red one.  I had the same reaction when I took it out of the box, but once I put a red LED under it, the thing looks gorgeous (and it's almost too bright and too red now).

My old red trackball is rolling around in my spare parts bin at the moment.  I'd be willing to let it go cheaply if you decide to give up on the translucent one.

[TOK]

Jarrett, did you get the red LED from Happs, or somewhere else? Also, what did you use to mount it? I see there is a little mounting hole in the plastic below the ball.

I'd like to just get stuff local to do it if possible, but every time I do that I seem to wind up running around for 5 hours! 

[Jabba]

I know they also do a translucent blue one.

[clanggedin]

You only really need 2 LEDs under your trackball to light it up well. I ordered a 4 LED system to put under my Blue trackball and had to disconnect 2 of the LEDs becuase of the extreme brightness. Blue looks good unlit too.

[Ted_Striker]

Kev at retroblast covered this too.  Hope this helps you:

http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/lazer.html

http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/superbright.html

[jarrett]

Jarrett, did you get the red LED from Happs, or somewhere else? Also, what did you use to mount it? I see there is a little mounting hole in the plastic below the ball.

I ordered the trackball lighting kit from SlikStik (http://www.slikstik.com/detail.aspx?ID=34), which is fantastically overpriced, but easier to install than rigging up something custom.  It attaches to the trackball with a screw, and plugs into the 5V pins on the iPac.  It came with a very bright blue LED, but I removed it and soldered in a red LED from superbrightleds.com (Part #RL5-R8030).  It is very, very bright.  Almost too bright.

[quarterstringer]

trackball lighting kit from SlikStik (http://www.slikstik.com/detail.aspx?ID=34), which is fantastically overpriced

Wow, Slikstik wants $35 to light a trackball. For anyone that wants a much cheaper method, order a Lazer Led from SVC.

[MameMaster!]

....I agree...it is really butt ugly when it's not lit...here's mine in her lit glory....(and without the light....UGG)...

MameMaster!
FYI- I presently use it in a standalone unit.

[whammoed]

I really don't understand why its so hard to make a red translucent trackball thats actually red.

[TOK]

I really don't understand why its so hard to make a red translucent trackball thats actually red.

My only theory is that if it was too light of a red, it'd light up pink.
For as nasty as it looks without a light, its perfect with one. After reading the recommendations here, I'm going to try that 4 LED setup from Lazer.

[eyal8r]

Has anyone found any replacement balls for a 2 1/4" TB?  I know people have used pool balls, and those juggling balls- but I want a ball without numbers on it (Billiards), and something translecnt/cool looking that looks good both unlit and lit would be cool.  Been searching the net with no results- anyone have any ideas on this?
Thanks
D

[NoOne=NBA=]

EPCO is probably the best source for whatever you are looking for.

They have pearlescent, fluorescent, clear, glitter, etc...

I don't know what they are CHARGING for them, but they can probably make you whatever you want.
For price, I'd proabably go with a 3".
If you do that, the juggling balls come in all kinds of transparents.

[u_rebelscum]

Been searching the net with no results- anyone have any ideas on this?

TheRealBobRoberts has a few 2 1/4".

[Stingray]

Yuck, that red one really is pretty gross looking unlit.

-S