Can I make a trackball wireless?

[RayB]

I had an idea yesterday. If it's possible to hack a trackball to a mouse, is it possible to do so with a wireless mouse?

My cab does not have room for a trackball. I thought it would be neat to make a wireless trackball console to use both for games and for Windows. If got multiple "receivers" I could even use it with multiple cabs, or my regular desktop PC.

Anyone done this? Does battery life become an issue?

[Havok]

Neat idea, I don't see why you couldn't do it. I had a wireless mouse for more than a year before I upgraded to a funky LED lit optical unit. The battery life was surprisingly good - I got maybe about 8 months on a set of AAA batteries, and that's with daily use...

[BobA]

Good idea but make sure you look for an older model with a ball.  Optical wireless mice are the most common and not hackable AFAIK.  No wheels and sensors to hack into.

[SirPoonga]

Good idea but make sure you look for an older model with a ball.  Optical wireless mice are the most common and not hackable AFAIK.  No wheels and sensors to hack into.

Actually, people have tried mounting an optical mouse to read a tball with limitted success. 
I think optical mouse snesors is how the full size hyperbowl tball works.

[BobA]

From what I remember it was the positioning of the sensor to the ball that was the problem.  It has to be exactly the same distance as to the desk surface.  Also the surface of some balls may not be ideal for giving the sensor anything to track. Anyone tried a laser mouse?

[RayB]

OK so what's the consensus? Is latency an issue with wireless mice?

[BobA]

I don't think latency will be a problem as I have never noticed any hesitation when using my wireless mouse.