Newbie trackball questions

[wallyworld]

I'm a newbie and have a few questions relating to Trackballs.

[wallyworld]

Can anyone give me advice on this?  Was hoping to put an order in this week.

Also, anyone have advice on the best person/site to buy joysticks, buttons, spinners, etc. from?

[RetroACTIVE]

Not sure what to do with 2 track balls... but as far as parts:

I got my usb trackball here (he has other stuff as well):

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZtornadoterrysdot

... excellent prices, fast and cheap shipping ( compared to happ controls).

Also... get a Tornado spinner... they are not cheap... but you will be impressed with the quality.  Not to mention they are pretty much the only supplier of new spinners.

[whammoed]

what operating system and mame version do you plan to use?
For two trackballs I would go with optipac (keeps mouse devices in correct order)
For one trackball I would go with a trackball with the interface attached (usually cheaper)

[mo1e]

if your a newbie mate then congrats i dont have a clue what you just said lol all i know is that i want 2 trackballs in my cp that im going to create also

[CheffoJeffo]

what operating system and mame version do you plan to use?
For two trackballs I would go with optipac (keeps mouse devices in correct order)
For one trackball I would go with a trackball with the interface attached (usually cheaper)

What he said ...

Cheers.

[DaveMMR]

I'm considering putting 2 trackballs in my control panel.  Probably a stupid idea considering the additional cost and hassle, but we're big fans of Marble Madness. 

Stupid idea?!  Balderdash!  I think two player Marble Madness is the only reason you need to shell out for an additional track ball.  Of course, I'm biased.  I've wanted my own Marble Madness cabinet since I was 10. Besides, there are a few other multi-player trackball games (Atari Classics Prototype with 2-player sim. Missle Command and Centipede).

Keep in mind though, you'll lose a bit of space with two balls instead of just one.  I don't know your plans but you may have to opt for switchable, modular panels (basically what I'm doing) or build a little wider.  Of course, I may be wrong and you may have an ultimate solution - so I'll reserve assumptions.

To answer your question: I'd go with the OptiPac.  Whammoed explained why nicely so I won't add anything else except for a tick in the OptiPac column.

[wallyworld]

what operating system and mame version do you plan to use?
For two trackballs I would go with optipac (keeps mouse devices in correct order)
For one trackball I would go with a trackball with the interface attached (usually cheaper)

I'm rolling with Windows XP.  Haven't planned on any particular MAME version at this point since I'm a newbie and still learning.  Open to suggestions, of course.

So, if I go with the OptiPac, does that mean that I should just get two standard trackballs without the PS2/USB interface? If it isn't apparent, it's the interface that I'm particularly confused about which direction to go in.  Will WinXP still recognize the primary trackball as a mouse if it's hooked up through the OptiPac?

[jerryjanis]

I'm pretty psyched to be able to play 2-player Marble Madness.

[wallyworld]

Wow, jerryjanis, thanks for all the advice.  So I see from the pic that you're already there with marble madness.  Hows the MAME experience with 2-players?

[jerryjanis]

Hows the MAME experience with 2-players?

Lotsa wires, but overall it's pretty sweet!

[Silver]

Looks very sweet indeed... I'm planning on 2 trackballs as well - solely for marble madness...

Optipac is definately the way to go here, IMHO.

Hope you don't mind but I've got my own question - hope its not too much of a thread hijack....

@jerryjanis:

you mentioned USB accomodates as many mice as you like. I know you can add as many devices as you like (I've admired unclet's 6-usb-dualstrike-hack driving cabinet - all driving controls active all the time). But I'd be interested to know how this works with mice/optipacs.
  I know the optipac is seen as two usb mice, and essentially provides auto-switching inputs for 4 dual-axis devices (only 2 active at one time). Do you know what happens if you then add a USB mouse of PS2 mouse as well? While I'm sure its seen fine by windows - I don't believe any version of mame can detect more than 2 mice. Is this correct?

[u_rebelscum]

Do you know what happens if you then add a USB mouse of PS2 mouse as well? While I'm sure its seen fine by windows - I don't believe any version of mame can detect more than 2 mice. Is this correct?

Dos mame (dmame, not mame) is limited to two mice.  Official mame, analog+, and advanceMame are all limited to 8, I believe.

As for USB + PS/2 mice, windows desktop sees them all as one device (aka "system mouse").  WinME/98 + directX (official mame, analog+, ?advanceMame?) can also see the USB individually, but the PS/2 mouse is only seen in the joined system mouse.  WinXP + RawInput (analog+ 0.83, advanceMame) can any of them individually.

[Silver]

Aha excellent. I'd rather stick with USB all the way - potentially 2 optipacs - but wanted verification I could get mame (or versions) to identify and talk correctly to them first. (I sent you a PM btw,u_rebel)