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Adding trackball to built cab
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tore-:

--- Quote from: pmc on June 09, 2006, 05:38:06 pm ---
--- Quote from: tore- on June 09, 2006, 12:54:47 pm ---Just tested Marble Madness two player, very amusing! But no matter how i try, I cannot get passed level 3 with a stick, strange or normal?

--- End quote ---

I don't think I can get much farther even with a trackball!  :badmood:

-pmc

--- End quote ---

What for real? But with trackball, you can speed up the ball, but that is impossible with a mouse?

Only thing that I don
DaveMMR:
Wow, the three-emoticon salute! 

Well since I talked it up, I'll help you out.

First of all, you can hook up OptiPac in conjuction with your J-Pac.  With a little modular wiring (more on that later) you can use the OptiPac inputs along with the JPac buttons.  Even if you don't want to go that route, the OptiPac does include inputs for two buttons for each player.  Not really enough, in my opinion... and here's why:  If you like Missle Command, even just enough that you'll want to occassionally play it, you will need three buttons per player.  The  prototype Atari Centipede/Missle Command remake supports two players simultaneously, so figure three per ball.  Cabal, on the other hand, uses two.  Basically, play around with some trackball games and see what you want to support.  My advice: buttons are cheap - 3 is the way to go.  Also, if you're putting start buttons on individual panels, that's an extra input.  Perhaps using the JPac for buttons is a better bet...

With a little planning, modular wiring (is that even the correct term?) is quite easy, depending on how many inputs you want to have access to.  There are many threads on it, feel free to do a search.  But basically you get a cable that has matching male and female ends.  Wire up your controls to one side and then wire up the interfaces to the other.  When you swap  panels, all you need do is unplug and replug.  Some people use IDE cables, RJ-45s, printer cables, etc.     

You could also just place the OptiPac on the trackball panel  (providing you have enough room, which you should) and just swap out with a USB cable, as I stated.   Though, you still need a modular wiring solution to access the JPac inputs (a couple of RJ-45s will do good here ~ 16 wires - even one if you can keep the total under seven buttons + one ground).  The downside to this is that this will be your only use of the OptiPac unless you buy another one. 

I don't know about Ultimarc's trackballs, but I know the Happ's had six wires (actually 8 but two are "doubled up" - the 5v and the ground).  Instructions are on his website as to which one goes where.  Everything worked perfectly!   Actually, the axises were reversed on mine but a quick switch of the molexes fixed that problem lickity split. 

As for putting the trackballs in the panels, make sure you give enough space around each one.   Try it out with a few games before mounting and get a feel for how far your hand moves.  If your making a new panel just to add the balls, keep in mind that you may have to make it wider. 

By the way, you could always do what was done in Doc's modular cabinet.  Basically you just swap out the joysticks and put in the trackballs, leaving the buttons behind (or even swapping out the buttons for some nice empty space).  It's more work implementing and a little more work swapping, but the possibilities of almost infinite layouts and controls can't be beat.   If you're planning any kind of intricate artwork for your panel, this may not be an option.

Also, remember that later on down the road, you could always add a cheap spinner should you feel the urge.   If this is in the back of your mind, leave some space open.  For now your trackballs will keep you plenty busy.

Good luck. 


EDIT:  Saw your new question.  I think I'm the only one calling it "modular wiring", after doing a quick search.   Nontheless I think the paragraph I wrote should help.  If not, let me know, and I can whip up a little diagram I made for my own schematics.   
tore-:
I think maybe my question was somewhat misleading. I was wondering if I could use the trackball with tha I-Pac, thus not buy a Optipac-controller, which I must aquire anyway right? Cant
DaveMMR:
No you can't use the Jpac for trackball input.  If you buy the trackballs with USB interface, you can skip the Optipac, but I don't if that's cost effective.

Check the stickied topics in B/S/T.  The sell Happs trackballs - though you have to PM them with a quote.  And also, as I stated, check eBay.  Sometimes you can find a used one for cheap - the new ones sometimes go for $65.00.   

And, yeah, don't buy them directly from Happs.
tore-:
DaveMMR, thanks alot for all your information :) I really appriciate it!

I think I'll go with Ultimarc, he may be alittle overprized but I've bought stuff there before and im very happy with his service. Sent two PM to some people at B/S/T, if they can give me a nice price i might reconsider.

DaveMMR, could you please verify my shopping list in the thread? I know i need some wires and a few buttons, but other than that i think im set!
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