Author Topic: Trackball on a budget (Read 2175 times)

Tokey · « **on:** February 09, 2005, 10:32:33 am »

I'm looking to buy a trackball (preferably a PS2/USB one so I can use it as a mouse) and I don't have really any money to spair right now. I want a real trackball though and not just a mouse, with Golden Tee being emulated it'll get a ton of playtime.

Any advice on some good bargain trackballs? Ideally I'd like to keep it under $100, but I don't know where to start looking for that price.

Thanks!

SirPeale · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2005, 10:34:09 am »

I suppose I could get working on mine again. I've got a bunch of Betson TBs. Cleaned, lubed and tested, $49. You'll have to either hack your own mouse, or get one of Oscar's though.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2005, 10:37:43 am »

There's a bunch of PS/2 trackballs on eBay right now with BuyItNow ranging from $57 to $87. Take a looksee here

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2005, 11:28:04 am »

2-1/4 - www.ultimarc.com and www.oscarcontrols.com hacked mouse interface. Should be about $45, but check with OSCAR on any possible config issues.

3" - Either Peale above or www.wicothesource.com has them for $50, but WICO's customer service and shipping are suspect.

GGKoul · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2005, 11:30:15 am »

I would recommend a 3" happ or benson trackball over a 2 1/4 mouse.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2005, 11:37:38 am »

Quote from: GGKoul on February 09, 2005, 11:30:15 am

I would recommend a 3" happ or benson trackball over a 2 1/4 mouse.

Not a 2-1/4" mouse, 2-1/4" Ultimarc trackball and hacked mouse. The trackball is actually made by Suzo.

http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html

GGKoul · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2005, 12:19:53 pm »

Quote from: Tiger-Heli on February 09, 2005, 11:37:38 am

Quote from: GGKoul on February 09, 2005, 11:30:15 am
I would recommend a 3" happ or benson trackball over a 2 1/4 mouse.
Not a 2-1/4" mouse, 2-1/4" Ultimarc trackball and hacked mouse.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2005, 12:49:07 pm »

Quote from: GGKoul on February 09, 2005, 12:19:53 pm

Quote from: Tiger-Heli on February 09, 2005, 11:37:38 am
Quote from: GGKoul on February 09, 2005, 11:30:15 am
I would recommend a 3" happ or benson trackball over a 2 1/4 mouse.
Not a 2-1/4" mouse, 2-1/4" Ultimarc trackball and hacked mouse. The trackball is actually made by Suzo.

http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html

Hahaha... I wasn't refering to a 1/4" mouse. Just forget the "-" and """..

I understood the 2 1/4 = 2-1/4" part. It's the mouse and trackball that is throwing me.

The mouse interface would be used with either the Happ, Betson, or www.ultimarc.com trackball

If you mean the 3" trackball is better than the 2-1/4" trackball, I tend to agree, but he did say he was on a budget. . .

GGKoul · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2005, 12:53:00 pm »

Spending under $100 on a trackball isn't really short on cash. Peale and I sold Trackballs awhile ago for $25-$30 each.

I can probably get another batch of trackballs to sell, but they won't have the ps2/usb attachment.

brained · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:11:51 pm »

Gkgoul, Love your avatar!! I'm rick james B....

Stingray · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:32:07 pm »

Quote from: Peale on February 09, 2005, 10:34:09 am

I suppose I could get working on mine again. I've got a bunch of Betson TBs. Cleaned, lubed and tested, $49. You'll have to either hack your own mouse, or get one of Oscar's though.

I've got one of Peales 3" Betsons , works like new.

-S

zaphod · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:50:52 pm »

Watch the ebay auctions. You can find the Betsons for selling under $35 (+S/H) all the time.

GGKoul · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2005, 02:00:40 pm »

Quote from: brained on February 09, 2005, 01:11:51 pm

Gkgoul, Love your avatar!! I'm rick james B....

Love live the Chappelle Show!!

Stormy151 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2005, 02:37:51 pm »

I bought a 3" Betson from Peale a while back, and hooked it up via a mouse hack. The mouse cost $5. Works great!

TOK · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2005, 04:45:28 pm »

If you've got $100, you have more than enough for the 3" Happs USB/PS2 with 3 button loom. Even the translucent if you want to light it. I got the translucent red Happ for a little over $80 shipped. If you get the mounting plate, it'll put you right about at your max price.

Tokey · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2005, 11:39:20 am »

This beston deal for $35 seems pretty nice, where can I find instructions on how to hack a mouse?

BobA · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2005, 12:28:19 pm »

Link for a mouse hack or easier still get a USB interface (already hacked mouse) from Oscar Controls.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/bakaye/tballhack.htm

www.oscarcontrols.com

BobA

Stingray · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2005, 02:03:26 pm »

Minwah's mouse hack directions made everything crystal clear for me. It's really a very easy hack to do.

http://mamewah.mameworld.net/mousehack.htm

-S

brandon · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2005, 02:41:45 pm »

I'm putting together a 3" trackball at the moment myself..

Tokey · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2005, 03:06:31 pm »

Thanks guys, the price is right and I prefer building things myself so I'll give it a shot.

JODY · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2005, 10:18:52 pm »

I got a brand new Happs 3" lighted translucent trackball off Ebay for under $70, a harness from Oscar for about $7.50 and used Oscar's USB spinner board for around $10.

brandon · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2005, 11:41:01 pm »

so it seems easily done for under $100.. you could probably buy 3 happs pushbuttons and a project box for radio shack and stick stay under budget.. that is, if you wanted a stand alone unit..

Stormy151 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2005, 12:17:00 am »

You might buy more than one mouse. I managed to smoke one when I hooked one of the TB axes up wrong. Don't ask me how...

If you get it right the first time, you have an extra mouse for a spinner hack!


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