Wico Trackballs

[marcopolo]

I would like to use the Wico 2 1/4" trackball on my first MAME cabinet.  I have two questions and would appreciate any feedback..

1. What is the difference between the "Active High" and "Active Low" model trackball?  Which should I get if I am using an Optipac?

2. I am choosing the Wico trackball over the Happs Model mainly due to price (about $60 less).  Is the Wico similar in performance to the Happs, or is it definetely not the same quality / feel as the more expensive Happs?

any advice is greatly welcomed.

Mark

[u_rebelscum]

I would like to use the Wico 2 1/4" trackball on my first MAME cabinet.  I have two questions and would appreciate any feedback..

1. What is the difference between the "Active High" and "Active Low" model trackball?  Which should I get if I am using an Optipac?

Both work with optipac; you just change a jumper on the optipac board.  IIRC, all the new 3" are active LOW, so you might want that model 2 1/4".  But does not matter, really.

2. I am choosing the Wico trackball over the Happs Model mainly due to price (about $60 less).  Is the Wico similar in performance to the Happs, or is it definetely not the same quality / feel as the more expensive Happs?

I don't have a 2 1/4" happs, but the wico 2 1/4" is solid arcade quality.   (BTW, Wico and Suzo 2 1/4" trackballs are the same thing.)  Someone who has tried both will know more, though.

[Superdude]

Why not go 3 inch imperial with ps2?  Only 38 bucks on ebay.  I bought mine here and it works great!

BTW you dont need a optipac for it.  Just plug in and go!

[eightbit]

I bought 2 imperials off ebay for $22 a peice. Its a pretty good ball. My only complaint is that its not sensitive enough but I've got a fix for that by replacing the encoder wheels with ones that have more holes.

[gtjoe]

What encoder wheel did you use?  How many teeth?

I was going to replace the imperial encoder wheel with some printed on a transparency using the EncoderPrinter utility at http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_downloads.shtml#Utilities

I wonder if the improved Oscar encoder wheels would work as replacements

[eightbit]

I'm not sure of the number of spokes. I got the encoder file from another poster here at BYOAC. My first attempt at printing them didn't work, I think I used to thin of a transparency as it wouldn't stay flat. I haven't gotten around to trying it again.