Trackball brands

[jcroach]

Hello,

Newbie here.  I'm considering my options on trackballs.  My question is, do all trackball hook up the same? I've seen various brands on-line and on e-bay; Happ, Ultimarc, Imperial, Suzo, Wico, Betson.  Will all of these work the same way and hook up to a interface/optical encoder the same way? Can I buy with confidence knowing that they are all interchangeable? Do people have a brand preference? Which are usually the cheapest? What do I need to know about buffered/unbuffered or high/low polarity?

[Thenasty]

I think the main thing you need to consider is how you gonna hook it up. Some TB, you need to buy and ENCODER for it but some TB could just connect directly to your USB or PS2 port.
First Option you need to buy a TB and Encoder  ( 2 items= more $$ )
Second option just buy a TB w/correct port USB/ps2 (1 item = $ )

[Oddfeld]

Most hook up via an optical encoder (like an Optipac, or an Oscar pre-hacked mouse or whatever) and are pretty much interchangable. There are some exceptions, like the Happ USB trackball, which just plugs straight into your PC like a mouse (this is a specific Happ trackball designed for hooking up to PC hardware, Happ do sell regular trackballs as well which hook up like all the other brands).

The only difference between brands I've noticed people worrying about is whether they're active hi or active lo (I don't know what the difference is, I'm assuming they want different voltages or something). There's a jumper on the optipac to set which particular type you're using, I don't know about other encoders.

The Ultimarc trackball is the cheapest I've found, but this may depend on where you're based for figuring in shipping costs etc. From what I gather those and the Wico ones are Suzo trackballs anyway.

Some people seem to prefer the Happ trackballs, but they are more expensive.

The other thing to think about is whether you want a 2.25" or a 3" trackball. The bigger ones probably feel more 'arcadey', then again the smaller ones are cheaper and may afford you more space on your control panel, plus they're the same size as pool balls, so finding weird looking custom balls may be easier.

[jcroach]

Thank you both for the advice.  Now just to find the funds. 

Any thoughts on spinners?  Build your own vs. buy?

[u_rebelscum]

FWIW, trackball brands

ultimarc = suzo
imperial = betson
happs <= atari

[NoOne=NBA=]

First Option you need to buy a TB and Encoder  ( 2 items= more $$ )
Second option just buy a TB w/correct port USB/ps2 (1 item = $ )

This is not necessarily true.
The Happ USB-equipped trackballs are much more expensive than the same trackball with a USB Mouse Hack from Oscar.

[Goz]

The Beston Imperial 3" will often have a PS/2 connection and come with a 3 button harness. I see these new frequently under $50 and they are decent track balls.

-Goz

[RacerX]

Thank you both for the advice.  Now just to find the funds. 

Any thoughts on spinners?  Build your own vs. buy?

I have had an Oscar model 2 spinner for several years, and I've been very happy with it.  Oscar's customer service is second to none, as well.

[rnoonan]

The only difference between brands I've noticed people worrying about is whether they're active hi or active lo (I don't know what the difference is, I'm assuming they want different voltages or something). There's a jumper on the optipac to set which particular type you're using, I don't know about other encoders.

Active high means that the output signals from the TB are actually driven (or pulled up on the TB board) to a high level.