Can you use any PC Trackballs with MAME?

[ARTIFACT]

Just curious... I do not want to spend $$$ on a Happ trackball + Opti-PAC encoder ... but there are tons of used "regular" PC Trackballs out there ready to be picked up.

Do they work with MAME?

I've seen serial-cable ones, PS/2, etc...

thanks

[MinerAl]

It does work.

That said... the vast majority of PC trackballs do not have the "feel" of their heavier arcade counterparts.  If you will only occasionally use a trackball, then a PC ball will do (technically).  But if you are hoping to regularly play Golden Tee or Crystal Castles, it'll be worth the money to start off with the right equipment.

Check the wiki.

[BobA]

PC trackball will work in a fashion.  They will never feel right but they do function.  If you are building a cab then this is not the area to skimp on.  An arcade trackball is an impressive control and not one to be replaced by a cheaper alternative.   You can buy a refurbished trackball and hack a mouse for very little money.

[f4phantomii]

I use a couple of the Xarcade 3" USB trackballs and I've been happy with them.

They aren't as heavy duty as the Happ controls, but they feel pretty solid.  Takes about an hour or two of playing with one to loosen up nicely and smooth out.....after that it feels good.

My dad, my nephew, my kids, and I all racked up about 30 hours of gameplay on my cab when everyone was visiting for a few days this weekend.  I never heard anyone complain about the trackballs.

Also, they function as regular 3-button mice, and I've got Player 1 and 2 buttons 1,2,3 wired up them, leaving those terminals on my IPAC open for other controls.  They are also convenient as mice in windows or whatever OS you are using.

[DrumAnBass]

I used a hacked Kensington Turbo Mouse 2 1/4 trackball with a serial interface. Purchased on ebay for $20 shipped. Works great! Spent another $12 on a sparkley clear "cue ball" and $3 more on red LEDs.

[AtomSmasher]

Used trackballs are pretty cheap.  I picked one up off ebay a while back for $20 shipped and then got the opti-wiz from groovygamegear.com for $15 to interface it with the computer.  To me, a couple extra dollars is worth having a real arcade trackball.

[DrumAnBass]

Yah in retrospect a "real" happs or betson would have been better than the kensington... I just didn't see any used 2 1/4 ones for sale at the time, and $89 for a new one was a bit more than I was willing to spend. Availability seems to be better these days.

If a 3" fits the bill, check out the ones that menace is selling in the b/s/t forum: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=67768.0 then add an encoder board such as the opti wiz.

[u_rebelscum]

I used a hacked Kensington Turbo Mouse 2 1/4 trackball...

Probably the best line of PC trackballs.  Real bearings, 2 1/4" ball, high quality PCB.  I have the USB version as my normal mouse on my desktop, and use it when I'm too lazy to haul out the arcade TB panel.  I don't know how well the current "Expert Mouse" is, but the models before that where all top notch.  If you go PC, go with these, IMO.

... with a serial interface.

But with the worst (slowest) interface.  If you have a choice, go for USB, then, PS/2, then serial.


But as others said, used TBs or from other sellers can be found at very good deals.  Some models come with thier own interface so no optipac not needed with those.  (However I love my optipac, and personally avoid the models with there own interfaces, since I don't know the PCB quality, but many people here get them.)