Opinions on Wico trackball vs Happs

[MannyTC]

Hey all

I am getting an order of parts together for my next cab. I have been looking at trackballs and wonder if anyone has any experience with the 3" Wico Trackballs located on the bottom of the page here http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/page89.htm.

They are on sale for a few bucks off ($46.99) and that is a great deal cheaper than what Happs has to offer. Anybody have any input on this for me?

Thanks!

[u_rebelscum]

wico: Enclosed case, bigger than happs.  Rollers located on top and left sides probably better for flat control panels and/or golf & bowling games.  Mounting holes a fraction too small for use with happs mounting kit (http://happcontrols.com/trackballs/55110100.htm) without redrilling them a little bigger.  Smooth roll, but doesn't free spin as long as the happs 3" high lip.  1/16" lip

happs 3" high lip: Encoder wheels exposed.  Smaller case than wico.  Rollers located on bottom and right probably better for tilted control panels and mostly downward spin games (marble madness).  Took a little longer to break in, but still is a little "louder" than the wico.  Free spins longer than wico.  3/8" lip.

Both are nice arcade quality trackballs.  Both work great with optipac.  Same wire layout, same location mounting holes.  I said "probably better" above because of physical layout, but didn't really notice much difference in use.

I've talked about the differences in prior threads, too.  I went into a little more depth those times, but, basically, you should be happy with the wico under most conditions.

[MannyTC]

Thanks alot for the input!!

I did use the forum search prior to asking. I searched for all references to Wico and/or Trackball and didn't come up with much. Maybe I just missed it. Can you point me to the thread you are referencing when u get a chance.

Thanks again

[Birdtales]

Try this one ... last response

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=4636;start=0

[_Iz-]

What about replacement parts for the Wico trackballs? Any issues there? I see Happs has replacement parts listed for their trackballs but I have been unable to find any at Wico's site for theirs. Am I just blind? Will the Happs parts fit a Wico?

[mcleanjoel]

The Wico sales flyer here:

http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/specials/special2.htm

says they have replacement parts. I guess they just don't list them - you have to call.

[MannyTC]

Ok I've read opinions in the old posts and archives. Even though it seems like most people like the Happs best (and that is what I originally had in mind for the new cab) I am leaning toward trying a Betson because of price. They have the refurbs selling for $30 and seems like you can't go wrong for that price. They also have readily available replacement parts available. According to a previous post the betson and wico TB units were identical inside.

[mcleanjoel]

Where are the Betsons available for $30?

[MannyTC]

They are on the website for the finding. Search for trackballs and then do a part search for the standard trackball part# but with an 'R' added to the end. Remember I said they were refurbed.

I believe it was 47-4300-01R

[spidermonkey]

Don't know squat about either one of them. I'm a happy owner of a translucent blue "Betson Imperial"  PS-2