Playing spinner games on trackball - how is it?

[megashock5]

I'm trying to decide whether to spend the time/money to add a spinner to my CP. As far as spinner games go, I'd probably only play the odd game of Tempest. So how bad is it playing them with the trackball?

Spinners are just so darned expensive.

[Thenasty]

I guess you don't look at replies on your post. I'm refering tothis.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,30782.0.html

If this comes, my spinners are $18.00 shipped, you provide the TOP for it.

[LeedsFan]

I haven't tried, but I'd have thought that it would be a bit poo. How are you hooking up your trackball?

[megashock5]

Nasty,

I did check that post, multiple times. I just got the impression from your response that you still weren't sure if you were actually getting these, or when.

Sorry if I misunderstood. I'm still *very* interested so please let me know if it pans out. I'm just getting close to being done with my panel and still hadn't found anything yet.

Keep me in mind. Thanks!

(also, I'll be using a miniPac. I'm assuming it will support a spinner and trackball, but I've never hooked anything up like this before so...)

[Stingray]

Playing spinner games with a trackball is acceptable. However if there's even one spinner game that you're really hooked on (with me it's Tempest) then the expense for a spinner is completely justified. I love paying Tempest with a reall spinner, nothing else does it for me.

-S

[Matt Berry]

It is possible to play some with a trackball or mouse but it is nowhere as nice. After buying a spinner you will have no problems beating your highest scores acheived with the trackball, and that is before you get warmed up 

[NoOne=NBA=]

I would liken the experience to playing joystick games with your keyboard.
You CAN do it, but it's not nearly as fun.

If you check out some of the other spinner games, I bet you'd find several that you will come back to regularly.

[GameOver]

The spinner also does double duty as a steering wheel on my panel.  Crude but effective.  The spinner works really well for Championship & Super Sprint, one of my favs.  Unless you're going to have a seperate sterring wheel panel, consider the spinner a steering wheel too.  But - the t-ball works for that too, just not nearly as well.  And how about Arkanoid?  I didn't think I'd play that (those) games, but got hooked. 

There's always those games you weren't planning on playing that will bite ya in the butt later.  If you can swing it, I would recommend putting a spinner on.  After all the effort you're putting into your cab, don't sell yourself short by not putting one on! 

[RayB]

Speaking of spinners as steering wheels, I have plans to find a cheap plastic steering wheel (like from a kids toy or an old PC steering), and trying to make it fit right onto the spinner knob (removable). Anyone do this?

[Thenasty]

Speaking of spinners as steering wheels, I have plans to find a cheap plastic steering wheel (like from a kids toy or an old PC steering), and trying to make it fit right onto the spinner knob (removable). Anyone do this?

I have, and its not to good. It will come no matter how tightly fits around the spinner, it just wiggel out during use.

[GameOver]

Putting a steering wheel on a spinner - have you seen MinerAl's little wonder?  He converted the 5-in-1 w/Pole position, and attached a toy steering wheel to the hacked joystick.  See his website for pics & explanation.

http://home.earthlink.net/~renima/minicabpix/

[quarterback]

Speaking of spinners as steering wheels, I have plans to find a cheap plastic steering wheel (like from a kids toy or an old PC steering), and trying to make it fit right onto the spinner knob (removable). Anyone do this?

This place sells a steering wheel to fit onto their spinner (OOS right now)
http://www.mamespinner.com/

[Jakobud]

I have a 3" Happs TB and an Oscar Spinner on my CP.  If I had to do it over again, I would not put on the spinner.

[NoOne=NBA=]

And if I had to pick one or the other, I'd pick the spinner.

[megashock5]

Jakobud,

Any reason you would skip the spinner next time?

the only things I think I'd use it for would be Tempest and some driving games. If theNasty gets the necessary parts in before I'm too far along, I'll be putting one in though. I just can't justify the expensive ones for a couple of games.

The main reason I even have a trackball is that I got it in a trade a few months ago.