I have the trackball, but the USB cable is still on backorder so I haven't had the chance to try it out with MAME.
The spin was a bit sticky at first, but I've managed to break it in some and it feels a lot looser now. It doesn't have the type of continuous spin that big 3" trackballs have, but I think it'll get the job done once I can hook it up. My experience with trackballs is pretty limited I must admit; I've only been able to play original trackball arcade machines, and those trackballs felt very loose by comparison and would have some extra spin to them when you took your hand off. This is probably due to the momentum, but like I said I have no experience with newly manufactured trackballs.
Anyway, when I can actually plug it in and play with it I'll post impressions. I will say thought that no trackball is worth $200+, but I had some extra cash and I'm trying to make my cocktail table the most versitile cab that it can be, and this should do the trick.