Trackballs

[MANTIZA]

Is there a difference between the white trackballs and the translucent trackballs? I

[OSCAR]

The translucent trackballs are less dense than the standard white cast polymer.  A lot of BYOAC'ers like the translucent trackballs for aesthetic purposes, but they are actually a bit inferior to the cast polymer white trackballs.  The white ones are heavier and have a better roll to them because they are more dense.  I had the opportunity to speak with Betson-Imperial's VP of Sales, and I mentioned translucent trackballs.  He told me that they only carry them because some operators and BYOAC'ers (he lurks here) request them, but they don't recommend them.  I would have to imagine the same goes for the Happ translucent trackballs, but I don't know for certain.

I have purchased 3" Happ trackballs from Gatorcade before.  In the past I've dealt with Pedro, and he ships very quickly (either that same day or the next).  I've always received brand new trackballs still in the box from them.

[Nailz]

I noticed that Bob Roberts has trackballs for a few dollars less than gatorcade.  They are lsited as Atari trackball units and look very similar to the ones being sold on Happs, are they the same units or are there differences?

[OSCAR]

Perhaps I've missed something, but Gatorcade is selling the Happ 3" for $60 right now and Bob Roberts has the midi Atari replacement (Happ 3") for $75.  Is Bob having a sale on the 3" tball's that I missed?

I think $60 for a brand new Happ 3" is a pretty good deal, but you can occasionally pick up a decent used one off eBay for cheaper.


##EDIT##

I just saw that Happ is currently having a sale on their 3" white ball for $70 through 4/30/03.

[Nailz]

Ohhh, I see it now Oscar, sorry, I wasn't looking at that 3", I was looking at the 2 1/4" ones.    You're absolutely right, $60 for a 3" is a really good deal, I just missed it.  

Are these the same things that they are selling at Bob Roberts?

[OSCAR]

Yeah, I'm sure Bob is selling the Happ 3" (direct Atari replacement) since Atari hasn't made trackballs (or any other controls) for quite some time.  The Atari coin-op division closed down years ago.

[u_rebelscum]

Yeah, I'm sure Bob is selling the Happ 3" (direct Atari replacement) since Atari hasn't made trackballs (or any other controls) for quite some time.  The Atari coin-op division closed down years ago.

I agree, but is he selling the old "normal" cases, or the high lip cases?  (I'm sure it's not the high ball.)  Only difference between normal and high lip is the top half of the case; everything else is the same.