Arcade Trackball vs PC Trackball?

[creepfactory]

OK, I have a Happs trackball, its great but HUGE and hard to work into a CP, so what are the key differences between an arcade trackball and a pc trackball? I know the basics, but what are the core opinions of people that have tried both? Do they both have backspin trouble? are bigger trackballs better? Can you tweak any pc trackball to get perfect control in games like centepede, has anyone got perfect control in centepede and games like it EVER in mame, with a Happ OR PC trackball? Or are trackballs just never going to work perfect with mame?
Thanks all
James
www.tablecade.com

[rampy]

You musta missed the celebrity deathmatch where these two squared off...

It was a pretty good fight until a crayola kidsball came in from the dressing room and dropped an elbow from the top rope onto the arcade trackball...

er... all kidding aside... THe arcade trackball feels more authentic because well... it is... it's generally more durable and serviceable as it was designed to take the abuse of arcade/bar use by the general public.  On average arcade trackballs spin/whiz better/more fluidly.  Arcade trackballs have "set"/easier mounting systems.

It you don't like the 3" track ball the 2 1/4" could also work, and people like to replace the trackball with a billiards/pool ball which is neat and improves roll.  (although arguably the under control panel footprint isn't *that* much smaller for 2 1/4 as I understand it...

Uhm... If you don't get a ps/2 betson/happs or an optipac you have the disadvantage of having to hack your own mouseguts to interface the arcade trackball to a PC... (a pc trackball of course doesn't need that, duh)

*shrug* I'm probably missing a few... and i'm slightly biased =) but it's not to say that select PC trackballs *can't* work well in a cabinet... is that it's somewhat easier and more likely to be authentic looking/feeling with an arcade trackball...

YMMV,

Rampy

[MinerAl]

The main difference I've noticed is the mass/momentum of the balls themselves.  PC trackballs are made for precise control with your stationary hand, while arcade trackballs are made for gross control with a whole moving arm behind it.  The mechanisms are functionally the same, although the PC is most certainly the less robust of the breed.

If you want the feel of the arcade with the ease and space of a PC unit, try to find a 2 1/4 inch PC trackball, and replace the ball with a higher density arcade ball.

I use a 4" Atari Football Tracball (talk about massive balls ) interfaced with the USB OptiPAC, and have had no problem with backspin on my Mac in any application including MacMAME.  Your Windows experience may vary.

[Minwah]

OK, I have a Happs trackball, its great but HUGE and hard to work into a CP, so what are the key differences between an arcade trackball and a pc trackball? I know the basics, but what are the core opinions of people that have tried both? Do they both have backspin trouble? are bigger trackballs better? Can you tweak any pc trackball to get perfect control in games like centepede, has anyone got perfect control in centepede and games like it EVER in mame, with a Happ OR PC trackball? Or are trackballs just never going to work perfect with mame?
Thanks all
James
www.tablecade.com

I'm pretty sure from what I've read that the 'real' Centipede machines suffered from backspin at times, so keep that in mind when testing...