Why do Happ trackballs cost so much?

[The cranky hermit]

Seriously, the MS Explorer Trackball costs $55. Why does a happ trackball cost $160? Is it really three times better?

[MilitiaMan]

I just bought a Happ trackball online (at happcontrols.com) for 68 bucks.  

That is a great deal on a GREAT trackball ... sorry I can't compare and contrast, this is the only type of trackball I have ever used.

MM

[rampy]

Seriously, the MS Explorer Trackball costs $55. Why does a happ trackball cost $160? Is it really three times better?

which happs trackball is 160? see the other post re: its sale price...

Happs can charge whatever the market will bear and often does =P  There are cheaper alternatives and a little bargain hunting goes a long way in this hobby (along with patience and lots of tools)

Is the MS explorer a 3" diameter ball?  Is it made to take the abuse of drunken public slamming?  Are the parts standard so if your trackball rollers wear down you can get replacement parts without buying a whole new tball?  I don't think the MS tball is comparable at all (but i'd never pay 160 duckets for a trackball, arcade or otherwise... in fact i paid 30 beans for my refurbished 3" arcade tball) I also doubt the MS explorer wizzzzes like an arcade tball (not a prerequisite necessarily but it is the only metric I have)

*shrug* hope that explains it... good luck!
rampy

[The cranky hermit]

http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/565600xx2.htm

$150, not $160, but still. Could you post a direct link to where you got a $68 Happ Trackball?

[rampy]

http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/565600xx2.htm

$150, not $160, but still. Could you post a direct link to where you got a $68 Happ Trackball?

click on specials...

or grab the appropriate pdf here

more linkage coming shortly

rampy
EDIT

general link

all aboard the linkage train

You can also get a wico or http://www.betson.com imperial betson trackball for cheaper direct from them... (they have a ps/2 model that you often find on ebay for reasonable (under 50 bucks most of the time *when* you can find it)  

EDIT2Imperial BETSON NEW PS/2 trackball is:
(Imperial Billiards  IMP 47-4300-21   3" PS/2 TRACKBALL ASSY WHT   $79.00    ) direct from betson....

Wico has their 3" on sale for http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/specials/special2.htm 46 beans...  (arcade style... you'll need to either do a mouse hack or get an optipic (which is usefull if you plan on having tball and spinner(s) or multiple tballs)... or Oscarcontrols AWESOME USB prehacked mouse....

*shrug* ymmv... there's always ebay where YMMV ALOT! =P

[Chris]

And when you get your Happ trackball, take it apart and look inside... then take apart your Microsoft trackball and look inside.  You'll see the difference...

--Chris

[BobA]

There is no comparison between any PC trackball and a real arcade trackball.   How long would your PC last in an arcade? Go for a Wico or Happs and you will never look back.

BobA

[skirge66]

Why is a Happs trackball so expensive?...because it's Happs silly...didn't you ever look at their prices on anything??

but seriously like Boba said it's really like comparing apples to oranges when lookin at a pc compared to an arcade trackball,
I bought a Happs highball, and think it's great. there have been many posts by numerous great people here about refurbished Imperial Bestion trackballs that are very much on par with a happs ball, but cost a great deal less

[MilitiaMan]

http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/565600xx2.htm

$150, not $160, but still. Could you post a direct link to where you got a $68 Happ Trackball?

click on specials...

or grab the appropriate pdf here

more linkage coming shortly

rampy
EDIT

general link

all aboard the linkage train

You can also get a wico or http://www.betson.com imperial betson trackball for cheaper direct from them... (they have a ps/2 model that you often find on ebay for reasonable (under 50 bucks most of the time *when* you can find it)  

EDIT2Imperial BETSON NEW PS/2 trackball is:
(Imperial Billiards  IMP 47-4300-21   3" PS/2 TRACKBALL ASSY WHT   $79.00    ) direct from betson....

Wico has their 3" on sale for http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/pages/specials/special2.htm 46 beans...  (arcade style... you'll need to either do a mouse hack or get an optipic (which is usefull if you plan on having tball and spinner(s) or multiple tballs)... or Oscarcontrols AWESOME USB prehacked mouse....

*shrug* ymmv... there's always ebay where YMMV ALOT! =P

I was gonna post a link ... but it looks like rampy has it covered. Good Work!

[insert patented rampy *shrug* here, if you're so inclined]

MM

[u_rebelscum]

Seriously, the MS Explorer Trackball costs $55. Why does a happ trackball cost $160? Is it really three times better?

I have a $100 kensington expert mouse pro trackball; supposed to be one of the higher quality PC trackballs.  But the arcade trackballs (happs, betson, & wico) kick it's rear when playing mame.  Windows "desktop"ing, well, the kensington TB is a little better, mostly due to the buttons located for one hand usage.

That and what rampy posted.

[Jeehemdee]

To that good price...you must add an interface like the optipac ($44) isn't it ?
So you are at 68+44=$112 (and 93+44=$137..when the offer will end)
...while Betson sells a trackball with PS/2 interface for $79

So, is there an advantage to buy the Happ one ?

[Chris]

To that good price...you must add an interface like the optipac ($44) isn't it ?

I built an interface from a hacked USB mouse for $6.49.  Works perfectly.  ($4.50 clearance USB mouse and $1.99 Molex connector from Radio Shack.)